My Happy Sailing Crew |
My only problem is getting to the starting site,
which is on Phi Phi Island (Pronounced Pee Pee). That means a one hour flight
from Bangkok to Phuket then a 45 minute taxi ride to the Ferry terminal and
then a two hour ferry ride to Phi Phi.
The Ferry has definitely seen better days and is
packed. Our luggage is taken from us and
piled in a huge pile at the back of the cabin.
When we finally reach Phi Phi there is a huge scramble as people climbed
over each other tossing luggage to one side as they scramble to recover their
bags. I sit back and wait and
eventually my two bags are the only ones left.
The next problem is finding the embarkation point
which is described as the Beachfront Restaurant and Pub at the end of the
dock. As soon as I set foot off the boat
I am besieged by a horde of Thai entrepreneurs trying to sell me a boat tour,
diving tour, fishing tour, Hotels. I
plow my way through them but immediately get lost. I search high and low but can’t find the
Restaurant Pub. Asking for directions
only gets me more solicitations and unhelpful suggestions. I am already half an hour late and getting
more and more frustrated and angry. I am
about to call it a day and get back on the boat, when I remember I have a phone
number. I step into the Tourist booth
and have them call the number and hear the phone ringing next door. The Restaurant Bar turns out to be more like
three tables and a road side bar under a thatched roof – not what I envisioned
for a “Restaurant and Pub.”
Our Cat |
Stateroom for two! |
The next few days are idyllic, sailing from one
scenic site to another, dropping anchor, swimming, snorkeling and just
generally chilling out. The first night
we anchor off a picturesque island and are treated to a fantastic night
lightning show. Three of the group
decided to sleep on the deck and enjoy the show.
The second night is even more exciting We anchor in a small bay on Phuket. There are two other sailboats anchored
nearby. After dinner at a restaurant on shore we retire back to the boat and go to sleep.
Dinner on hore |
I am suddenly awakened at 3:00am by loud banging on
the hull outside my little cabin!
BANG!
BANG! BANG!
“Get up! Get
up! Emergency! Emergency!
BANG!
BANG! BANG!
“Wake up!’
Wake Up!”
I sit bolt upright in my berth. My mind instantly awake. In a nano second I assess the situation.
We are on a boat in a harbour near Phuket where the
Tidal Wave occurred in 2004. This could
mean only one thing:
“Tsunami!” I scream. “Everyone on Deck!” We have to hoist anchor and get out of here!”
I leap out of my berth onto to the deck to be
greeted by a disheveled bleeding naked man!
“Pirates!” He
shouts! I’ve been robbed!”
“Forget the Tsunami!” I shout. “Pirates! Prepare to repel boarders!”
At that moment Captain Mike appears and takes
control.
Captain Mike |
Pearne when she's not fighting Pirates |
“Do you have a gun on board?” I ask the cook.
“No,” She replies, “ I have something better.”
“Knife, Cutlass?” I ask.
She reaches into the galley and pulls out a heavy
Wok.
“This!” She says. “If anyone tries to come on board I’ll brain
them.”
And she would have too.
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