(continued,
the last day)
(translated
by Laszlo AA7UY)
2008.12.26 (day 825)
John Perkins’ books: Confessions of an Economic Hit Man and Secret History of the American Empire.
http://www.gazdasagibergyilkos.hu
Breakfast: puttu and mayung. Made of rice powder, I can also make these in CARINA. Simple and tasty Indian sweets.
Took the wind generator with the stainless
post over to Richard in the morning (yacht Muggert). He welded a metal
rod to the head of the bolt; it could now be turned but then it broke. At least
I could now remove the wind generator from its post J Afterwards Richard cut a thread in another place on
the stainless bolt. From now on I can secure it to the post. This took 1.5
hours. Thank you Richard! Richard is German, his wife is Turkish. They sailed
together in a very good steel hulled ship from the
Then
went into town, bought a sparkplug for the engine and had my gas bottle filled
that will be ready tomorrow.
Lunch: Curry Mee (2.3
ringas), a Chinese soup, that is least expensive and is very filling.
Curiously, they prepare it differently in every eatery, so the taste doesn’t
get boring.
Afternoon:
Checked my Tohatsu outboard,
cleaned, sprayed inside with silicone and changed the sparkplug. Sorted the
rest of the sparkplugs and cleaned a few.
Checked
out at the Harbormaster and Customs, I’ll have my passport stamp tomorrow.
Laundry:
all my polo shirts were dirty.
Checked
the inboard engine: water-cooling is okay.
Repacked
the starboard coffin bunk (leaking here too!).
Took
some long, hot showers today, washed my infected wound with soap.
Replaced
the wiring and connectors of the wind generator, re-connected and prayed with
silicone.
In the evening: went shopping
on a Tesco bus. Shopped for about an hour then took the Tesco bus back to the
marina.
They’re
playing soccer at the marina club all evening.
Interneted at night in town.
Based on the December Pilot Chart: 20% calm; 60% NE, E winds 15 knots. Weather is most
favorable on this route during the NE monsoon (Nov. -– March).
Planned route: WP1(05-25.5N; 100-20.8E); WP2(05-30.5N; 100-19.2E); WP3(05-35.7N;
100-12.2E);
WP4(06-00.8N; 99-51.4E);
WP5(06-09.7N; 99-41.5E); WP6(06-32.5N; 99-24.9E);
WP7(07-09.2N; 98-54.2E);
WP8(07-22.5N; 98-43.0E); WP9(07-37.9N; 98-27.6E);
WP10(07-46.5N; 098-24.9E);
WP11(07-48.1N; 098-22.8E); WP12(07-49.4N; 098-22.0E)
I must sail around a lot of
small islands: Seantag, Langkawi, Ko Chuku, Hin Daeng, Ko Racha Yai, etc. Also
many yachtsmen said there are very many fishing boats in the area. That is one
of the difficulties of the next section (very little sleep).
1.
Phuket Boat
Lagoon
2.
Yacht Haven
3.
http://www.hotelthailand.com.th/phuket/phuket_info.html
5.
Royal Phuket
Marina: http://www.royalphuketmarina.com/
http://www.phuket.com/sailing/marina.htm
The Yacht Haven
2008.12.27 (day 826)
New Moon
Books
by Dr. David Henry Lewis (sailor and adventurer):
1 We the Navigators – Traditional Navigation
of the Pacific Islanders
2.
The Ship Would
Not Travel Due West – 1960, He started in the first single-handed (solo)
Trans-Atlantic
Yacht race in a 25 foot ship, finishing third. Had a lot of technical
problems, like losing his mast shortly after the start.
3. Daughters of the Wind – He was first to round the World in a catamaran, Rehu Moana. Starting in the
1964
single-handed Trans Atlantic Race, then his family joined him in the
4. Ice Bird – Attempted to sail around the
Antarctic single-handed in a small steel hulled ship. They heard nothing of him
for 13 weeks after his departure. Had many technical problems, lost his mast,
then capsized and had to return to
My position in the
Morning: cleaned the ship’s
hull, it fouls here fast. The water in the
Went to pick up the gas
bottle. (2 kg, 12 ringis). It’s good that I have several different kinds of
adapters, otherwise I wouldn’t be able to refill the bottle. Then went to
Immigration to stamp my passport. I can finally leave! This marina is the
cheapest in the area, not only in my opinion, but according to several other
sailors as well. So there are quite a few ships in this
Last lunch: Chinese soup and
Malay coffee. Then money exchange and packing in the ship. The Indian skipper
of a motor yacht helped to install the wind generator frame, I couldn’t have
done it alone.
11:00LT : flood tide, and the
direction of the current starts flowing north 3 hours later, so I departed at
Started the engine. Wind
Bf.2-3 NNW. Had to motor during the first hour while in the strait. Heavy ship
traffic. This is shipping lane, one must not tack. Had the main sail up in
addition to the engine, that also helped. Then shut off the engine and used the sails only. I must leave the 20 mile
vicinity of the strait because the current’s direction changes in 6 hours and
could be 2-3 knots near there.
Dinner; bagette and cheese.
21LT: unable to radio with
the Hungarian Group. Too many fishing boats and galloping in in Bf.4-5 quarter
winds with full sails. Don’t want to slow down because I want to leave the
fishingboats behind.
23LT reefed the main sail,
there are some gusts higher than Bf.5. A small accident while reefing. Because
of the short, steep waves, CARINA was jumping back and forth and suddenly
listed from a strong gust. I wasn’t secured with my safety line, and not
holding on to anything just then, I slipped. The railing caught me, my feet
were in the water already. Hit my left knee badly, I can’t put any weight on
it. Finished reefing and rested a little in the cabin. I have and ugly
infection on my right thigh and now my left knee hurts as well.
The wind weakened to Bf.3-4
at dawn, took out the reef making 3-4 knots in quartering wind on 300°.
Now there are even large
ships in the vicinity in addition to the fishermen.
2009.12.28 (day 827)
Hans Lindemann was a better
known ‘adventure’ sailor. He crossed the
09LT POS(05-58N; 099-32E)
1010 mB, 35 °, Bf.2 NW,
making 2 knots in a westerly direction.
Breakfast: bagette, cheese,
onions
Moving slowly, have been
looking at
At
Lunch: apple, orange,
pineapple and aloe vera.
Afternoon: readin Malay
Metro: http://www.thestar.com.my/metro/north
Yesterday’s knee injury no
longer hurts.
Motored a spell. Should
arrive before Tuesday because afterwards the check-in fees are higher.
Fishing boats in the distance
all day.
Evening: dark clouds and
lightning nearby.
21LT POS(06-21N; 99-07E)
Radio connection14.290 MHz:
Rudi, HA5HS; Laci, HA8RD
Forecast: weak NW winds for
the next few days.
Evening: wind increasing, a
storm catches up with me at night. Bf.5-6 SW in about 5 seconds. Lowered jib,
and reefed maximum. Wind and rain gone in 30 minutes. Bf.1-2 NW again.
Many fishing boats around, 30
minute naps all night again.
Passed Ko Butang and Ko Rawi
Islands during the night.
2008.12.29 (day 828)
Charter
boats in
1010 mB, 32°, Bf.1-2N, the
wind is weak and raining. Can see a fishing boat in the distance now and then,
not too many now.
Breakfast: marmalade on
bread.
A.M. uneventful.
Lunch: scrambled eggs with
bread.
Ate no bread since
P.m.: passing by Ko Ha Yai
Islands. Calm, therefore motoring.
19LT POS(07-13N; 098-41.9E).
Dead calm, but now waiting instead of motoring.
Small
fishes jumping around me during a beautiful sunset.
21LT POS(07-14N; 098-41E)
14.290 MHz radio: Karesz
HA5CAR; Feri, HA3MQ; heard others too very weakly but couldn’t understand them.
Propagation was very bad today but I heard Feri well.
Forecast: 8-10 kt N-NE windl
expected next few days.
21.30: weak southerly wind
strengthening gradually.
24LT Bf.5 NE had to reef the
main sail.
01LT wind weakening, reef
out. Increasingly more fishingboats. Approaching Phuket.
Calm again by dawn. Motoring,
want to arrive before
Generally light headwinds
here and now even those are weak. Hoisted main sail to help the motor.
2008.12.30 (day 829)
Happy Birthday Bogi!
The
Somalian pirates: http://index.hu/24ora?s=szomalia
They have been very active
recently, most touring boats sail through there toward
1010
mB, 32°, Bf.1 N, making 3kts NW direction.
10LT POS(07-49.4N;
098-21.1E). Anchored in Ao Chalong Bay.
Glen came over to CARINA in
his dinghy, and we had coffee in his catamaran.
He took me ashore in his
dinghy and went to check in with Immigration, Customs and the Harbormaster.
Later had a beer with Glen
and a few other yachtsmen in a bar on the beach. Met Aben, Spanish, 52 years
old, (looks 30), who has been living for 9 years in his 27 foot ship with his
dog. He doesn’t think he could ever live on land again.
Later interneted in the bar a
while.
Arrived in
2008.12.31 (day 830)
Big
Buddha: http://www.mingmongkolphuket.com/
Graham
from Nomadlife came over early morning. I met Nomadlife in
There
are several familiar ships in the bay from
Had coffee again at Glen’s in
the morning. Then went into town and walked up to the lookout (to the Great
Buddha). Later bused to the town of
Walked about a little in town
and went to a few parks, the marketplace, and the beach, where they were
organizing the New Year’s Eve Party. I didn’t want to celebrate New Years here.
Tasted various caterpillars, roaches and other bugs, that I found not bad! The
local fruit, Uligamu is sweet and tasty.
Returned to Ao Chalong late
afternoon.
My
New Year’s Eve:
Partying on the beach until
dawn. Some fireworks at
If you are rich and white,
(old ones included), you can easily find a very young Thai girlfriend. Here the
girls are trying to pick up the Johns, the poverty is great and they’re hoping
for happiness that way.
Just about every old
yachtsman has a very young local girlfriend. I’m not a target with my beard and
ragged clothes. J
2009.01.01 (day 831)
Had coffee with Glen in his
ship in the morning, then went to the town of
Briefly interneted in the
evening and went to sleep early!
2009.01.02 (day 832)
Went over to have coffee with
Glen in the morning and we talked into the afternoon, also watched a film of
sailing theme. Glen is an Australian farmer, sold his house and bought a
catamaran with his girlfriend.
He told the story of his friend, who is touring in a 36 footer, stops
at all resorts and is seeking work.
His profession is tile layer
and often finds work for a few weeks at the resorts. That’s how he finances his
sailing.
Afternoon: packed things away
in CARINA, then went to town to internet and dine. Ran into Glen in town and we
had a beer in a bar on the beach. Here I met Jan (Atair, Feeling 345) with whom I met also in
He’ll also sail for
Watched
a movie in Glen’s catamaran in the evening.
2009.01.03 (day 833)
I heard that captains Tamás
Lékai and Dr. János Schláth were recently retired. They both did much to
advance the Hungarian High Seas Shipping They had administered my seagoing
qualifying exam.
Departed Ao Chalong early
morning at 7, alternately sailing and motoring. Distance to Yacht Haven Marina
was 25 nm due north, most of which I sailed in NNE near headwinds. The ebbing
tide helped me from
Yacht Haven POS (8-10.2N;
098-20.17E)
On arrival, Zara the manager
of the marina received me with kindness and showed me how I could find
everything. I could stay at Yacht Haven Marina free of charge, was invited
there back in December.
I found some acquaintances at
the
Evening: interneting and
cheap dinner at a local eatery.
Went to bed at
2009.01.04 (day 834)
An earthquake, 7.2 on the Richter scale, shook
The Earth moved early Sunday morning, at
Started cleaning the ship in
the morning. I have cockroches again, they flew into the ship back in
Then Muslin came over and
brought a bolt for my rudder. It was loose that I found out during the customary
3-6 month inspection. (Story too long to detail) J
Checked every compartment,
there are no leaks in the bow. Leaks are still at the first window and at the
starboard coffin bunk.
Dinner at a small local
eatery, rice (30 bahts), vegetables and crab (0.9 USD). Afternoon went to
exchange books and I finally found: Handling Small Boats in heavy Weather, by
Frank Robb. Then bought 60 liters of water (90 bahts). Here the water should be
filtered, which I don’t have (recommended for larger yachts).
Then walked with Muslin to
the nearby village. Today is Sunday, one needs some rest too.
The swimming pool at the
Rained in the evening, so
‘neted briefly. Feel a liittle under the weather (so took some medicine).
The solar panel is charging
very well, the batteries show 13.6V with that alone!
2009.01.05 (day 835)
Arun (pronounced Aaron): an
ancient Indonesian mythological figure, who lived in his small wooden punt and sailed
between the
The 40 foot sloop Octopussy
tied up next to me, they came from
Ship’s premit 2,000 USD, plus
must pay after each person. An official stays in the ship all the time and you
must pay 20 USD/day for him. Therefore most tourers do no call in
Basically, I can’t work
around the ship today, only lying down trying to rest. Taking medicines against
fever, balsams, ginseng, camomile tea with honey. Got a bad cold last night
(fever, sore throat). Muslin visited me a few times during the day and gave me
a large shackle for my anchor. Lost the previous shackle (but not the anchor!)
Andrea and her friend, an
Italian charter skipper, also visited. They’re sailing with an Italian group.
We talked about the
Caribbbean area, he used to sail there with groups.
Dinner: hot soup at a local
eatery. I’m very sick and having a high fever. Departure time is uncertain.
Area:
514,000 km²
Population: 65 million, 75%
Thai, 14% Chinese, 3% Malay, plus mons, khmers.
W. Thailand Ports of Entry:
Satun, Kantang, Phuket, Krabi
One
month visa obtainable at entry.
Time
Zone: UTC+7
IALA
A buoy system
Money:
baht, satang
Language: Differs greatly from other southeast Asian languages.
Similar to a Chinese dialect. Hard to learn because of the Thai characters.
Pronounciation of ae, ii, ai, o, oe, u, uu, k, kh, p, ph, r, t, th is
completely different.
One
must learn those first.
Hello,
good morning!, So long! – Sawat dii khrup
Food
– Ahaan
No –
Mai chai
Yes
– Chai
Thank
you – Khawp khun khrup
History:
The Thai people migrated here
from south
century
then the Thain nation was formed.
The
Chakri Dynasty has been ruling since 1767. King Rama I was crowned in 1782.
It
was never colonized.
Religion:
95% Theravada Buddhist.
Links:
http://www.tourismthailand.org/
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thailand