Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Our little sea shell Christmas tree. The Wheel House has all new varnish and the floor was redone as well. The cushions were re-made in new sumbrella. We love the new elephant pillows.

We are the only festive boat in the Marina

Happy Holidays Everyone! Slow Dance is looking so beautiful. We never thought she would ever be all back in one piece, but she is, and better then ever. It has been a long nine month re-fit, and the old girl is re-birthed. New teak deck, varnish inside and out, new carpet, new sofa, rebuilt engine and generators, they even took the mast apart in the salon and reinforced her by welding new metal. NOW, It's time to go sailing, and the season has arrived with clear skies, warm winds, and calm waters. So many islands and so little time!

New varnish and paint. All the refrigeration works like a charm. The double door fridge is now air cooled. 

The Photo makes the sofa look white but it is cream and the fabric is very soft. The carpet is honey wheat. Makes the salon look bigger and the teak stands out more.

Captains cabin got new paint and varnish. The new carpet is awesome.

Master bath was supposed to be more sage but we all liked the young new leaf color. Painted by yours truly! 

It wasn't long after the boat was together before friends arrived for a visit and we were ready to celebrate. Max came for a couple of weeks after he finished his work in Singapore and then his friend, Suzanne flew in from Switzerland to celebrate with Max for his Birthday. Max was a real trouper and helped get the sails back up on the boat, including the new Genoa. After 7 days of work and site seeing around Phuket, we all headed to "The Big Mango" (Bangkok) for 5 day's of fun. Vanessa's high school girlfriends were there to join us and show us around the city. They knew all the great local restaurants and clubs, and took us to an awesome outdoor museum called "Old Siam".  It was a magnificent afternoon spent in nature.

Vanessa, En-ya, me, Ron, Max, and Susanne 

Night out on the town with Katrina, Vanessa, Ron, En-ya, and Belle

Ruins at Old Siam

Great restaurant with a weird name. The Santa and Manger scene inside were all made from millions of condoms! (Not used of course) The Thai way of getting the message out to practice safe sex. I don't think the name would do so well in the USA.

One of many temples at old Siam. This one had hundreds of steps until you reached the last plateau. 

A floating village where we stopped for lunch

Inside the temple

Me with En-ya looking cute!

Old Siam

A nice place to rest

There is something about Bangkok that keeps you coming back for more. We took a wild Tuk Tuk ride through Bangkok's narrow streets; remember James Bond's wild Tuk Tuk ride in Bangkok?

Bridge in Bangkok, taken from the taxi 

One evening we took the sky-train to meet up with the girls on this crazy street filled with every kind of vendor selling soup to nuts. There were signs on the street advertising fake ID's for sale; everything from Passports to driver's license. We met a couple of American guys on holiday and drank a few beers with them. There was dancing in the streets and if you wanted a quick snack, well, there was the toasted scorpions being touted by a very funny Thai woman.  

Ron wasn't going for it.

Check out that hair on the Scorpion Lady!

Katrina was just pretending to take a bite

Ron and Katrina, dancing in the street

Miles from LA actually ate it! UGH

Vanessa gave the stinger a try, while Katrina looked on in disgust.

Now here's a name for a restaurant! I really have no idea what a golf bar cocktail is. Gotta love it.

When Max first arrived, we flew for the weekend to the city of Kuala Lampur, in Malaysia. The Petronas towers were awesome and the mall was all decked out for Christmas. They love Christmas in South East Asia! The hotel where  we stayed, put up 4 trees.

The Towers. 

Display at the mall

One of the trees at our hotel

Batu Caves

 The limestone forming Batu Caves is said to be around 400 million years old. Some of the cave entrances were used as shelters by the indigenous Temuan people.
As early as 1860, Chinese settlers began excavating guano for fertilizing their vegetable patches. However, they became famous only after the limestone hills were recorded by colonial authorities including Daly and Sayers as well as American Naturalist, William Hornaday in 1878.
Batu Caves was promoted as a place of worship, by an Indian trader. He was inspired by the 'vel-shaped entrance of the main cave and was inspired to dedicate a temple to Lord Murugan within the caves. Since 1892, the Thaipusam festival in the Tamil month of Thai (which falls in late January/early February) has been celebrated there. We missed it by a month. I would go back but much rather go sailing.
Wooden steps up to the Temple Cave were built in 1920 and have since been replaced by 272 concrete steps. Of the various cave temples that comprise the site, the largest and best known is the Temple or Cathedral Cave, so named because it houses several Hindu shrines beneath its high vaulted ceiling
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Now for some more photo's of Old Siam in Bangkok.

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Ancient boats in the lake at Old Siam. 

James Bond Island. Going there tomorrow in the Dingy

Krabi. Just 2 hours from the Marina

Phuket's Annual Vegetarian Festival Served Up With A Few Surprises

Parade from Chinese Temple through Phuket Town

With the painting and repairs to the hull completed, Slow Dance left the shipyard and returned to her slip at Yacht Haven Marina, which is located at the far north end of the island. We got out of Phuket town just in time, as one of the largest festivals of the year was about to begin; "The Vegetarian Festival." We hadn't heard of the Festival and decided that we should have a look; after all, we love vegetables. The festival lasts for 9 days and is primarily a Chinese event, however, over time, the Thai and local Chinese have put there own spin on things.

The festival is also celebrated in Bangkok and Chang Mai, but Phuket is the "Hot Spot" for some of the weirdest of the weird. Many of the main streets in Phuket town are closed off, as vendors put up food booths offering a variety of vegetarian dishes. The people dress all in white and for 30 days abstain from meat, alcohol, sex, drugs, rock and roll and anything else that's fun. As the story goes; 150 years ago, a wandering Chinese opera troupe came down with malaria while performing on the island, but after maintaining a strict vegetarian diet and performing deeds to the two emperor gods, the company made a full recovery. Inspired by the miracle, thousands have gathered in Phuket for more than 150 years to repeat these acts.

 Now for the weird part; Over the years the festival has taken on a frenzied manifestation of self mutilation. The pictures below are not for the faint of heart or weak of stomach. I lost my appetite immediately.The devotes pierce their faces with everything from tire rims to guns! The photo's were taken from the internet because getting into the crowd was difficult. U TUBE has some great footage of the event. The streets were packed with people shaking their heads in a trance, so we decided to stay out of the trance zone at the pierce parade!

A devotee of the Chinese Bang Neow Shrine with guns through his cheeks waits for beginning of a street procession. The festival, featuring face-piercing, spirit mediums, and strict vegetarianism celebrates the local Chinese community's belief that abstinence from meat and various stimulants during the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar will help them obtain good health and peace of mind.

It might seem like an odd mix to the outside observer but piercing and ritual vegetarianism on Thailand’s Phuket Island have roots going back to the early 1800’s. The festival begins on the first evening of the ninth lunar month and lasts for nine days.Participants in the festival perform acts of body piercing as a means of shifting evil spirits from individuals onto themselves to bring the community good luck. The folks who pierce themselves are life long participants, having been chosen by the god in the temple. Most of the pierced are men but a few women are also chosen. These people are considered shaman in their villages and the people go to them for magic spells, potions, and advise.

Any vegetarian festivals in the West, would have vendors hawking fake meats with cute names like chick’n or tofurkey, a guitarist plucks away in the background and a lineup of speakers tout the benefits of a cruelty-free lifestyle. In Phuket, Thailand, however, a veggie fest looks entirely different: It’s an occasion for face-piercing, fire-walking and spirit-evoking. Hell yeah!

Celebrants first attain a trance-like state which they believe gives them supernatural powers to endure torture for the common good of the community around them. Many then climb ladders with bladed rungs, take baths in hot oil, walk atop burning coals or pierce their cheeks with any number of objects in myriad acts of devotion. When I lived in Sri Lanka there was a ceremony in the forest where a man pierced his back and legs with large sharp hooks and was then strung up to the Boa Tree (Buddha attained enlightenment under such a tree) He then walked on hot coals, as did many of the villagers. I have often wondered why the man did it. Maybe he  was a shaman, taking the evil from his village and bringing them good luck. It's a Buddhist devotional thing mixed up with the Chinese benefits to vegetarianism! The world is filled with strange things indeed.

It seems like over the years the people who pierce themselves are in competition to see who can put the most outrageous item through their face. I found it all rather horrifying. The food was not really all that great either with most of the vegetables being fried in coconut oil.

If it sounds dangerous, that’s because it is. Last year, some 74 people were seriously hurt and at least one person died because of injuries sustained at the event. Westerners rarely attend the festivities for obvious reasons.

Ko Samui, Exotic Fruits, Baby Elephants, and Don't BUG ME!

Looks like a postcard. The water was very shallow, even at high tide.

Julie arrived on my Birthday, from Los Angeles and it just so happened that her friend's Danny & Devon were visiting Thailand with their two kids. We headed to their hotel for a spontaneous good time, complete with baby elephants, cocktail twirling bartender (Tom Cruise type) and birthday sweets on the house!

This little fellow decided it was time for a swim

Julie gets a hug. He also wrapped his trunk around her neck and planted a wet smelly kiss on her cheek.

A roll in the sand after his swim.

After playing with the elephants and feeding them bananas, we nestled in at the outside Bistro for some cocktails. The staff were "Thai Smile" and entertained us with bottle tossing, magic tricks, and  birthday cakes. What a great way to spend my Birthday.

Birthday sweets, on the house!

Devon, Danny, birthday cookie, Julie, and captain Ron.

 Ko (means island) Samui is Thailand's third largest island and one of the original islands that started the backpacker migration to Thailand. The island has matured into an all around tourist beach resort destination but you can still find some unspoiled beaches if you rent a car and explore the back roads. For all the "to-touristy" talk, Samui is unappreciated for it's size and beaches: we rented a car and traveled from the beautiful over the top Renaissance Marriott to the sleepy and rustic Lepia Lodge. 

Julie arrived just in time for my Birthday and traveled with us the next day to Ko Samui

Our Authentic Thai Bungalow. Very clean and lovely.

 The island's ring road is 100km in total. Chaweng is the hot spot and has a long, wide fabulous beach dotted with beach bars and cafe's. The Marriott was located at the end of Chaweng and their beachfront was less then desirable. We checked out and went in search of some real Thai community living where we could nosh at roadside curry shacks or grab a cup of bad coffee at the morning market with chatty vendors.

After morning market we found Nikki Beach, which was just down the sand from Lepia Lodge. The ocean was blue as the sky and the bottom all sand with no rocks. Yeah!

Pool at Lepia Lodge.

White Sand on Lamai Beach. Lepia Lodge

Beach at Lepia Lodge

Nikki Beach has brought their savoir faire to the secluded west coast and you can expect everything you would from a chic address in St Barts or St Topaz. Even though it was high season there were no jet-setters, themed beach parties or masses coming through during the week. In fact, there were very few people at all, so we had the whole place to ourselves, lounging about on the grand sofa beds, swimming in the beautiful infinity pool, and even catching a movie on the beach!

Nikki Beach sofa beds overlooking the sea. The staff is awesome; they lay out  an orange beach towel and fluff up a couple of pillows for you.

Ron opted for a Peaceful nap, while Julie and I sipped watermelon Martini's and chowed down on some overpriced appetizers.
 

We met these two lovely lady attorneys having fun at Nikki Beach. Jen (left) and Estrella (right) Jen was from Brooklyn, New York and worked in the family law firm. Jen's father and her two siblings are all attorney's! Jen's last name is Held, so the firm is; Held, Held, and Held....can please hold?  Estrella (Star) was from Miami and of Cuban heritage. Amazing women, great minds, beautiful smiles and lots of fun. Estrella is a travel writer and Jen books the itineraries.  Thanks for the company and hope your trip home was pleasant.

Movie night on the beach! My favorite Western and Popcorn!!!

Water Lilly

No kidding! This is for real!! At the south end of Lamai Beach you will find the infamous Hin-Ta and Hin-Yai stone formations providing endless giggles from tourist and locals alike. Locals refer to the rocks as Grandfather and Grandmother. Hard to imagine they were shaped into their current formation over thousands of years!

Mangosteene

Nutrition value per 100 g (Source: USDA National Nutrient data base)
Principle	Nutrient Value	Percentage of RDA
Energy	63 Kcal	3%
Carbohydrates	15.6 g	12%
Protein	0.50 g	1%
Total Fat	0.4 g	2%
Cholesterol	0 mg	0%
Dietary Fiber	5.10 g	13%
Vitamins
Folates	31 µg	8%
Niacin	0.286 mg	2%
Pantothenic acid	0.032 mg	<1%
Pyridoxine	0.041 mg	3%
Riboflavin	0.054 mg	4%
Thiamin	0.054 mg	4.5%
Vitamin A	35 IU	1%
Vitamin C	7.2 mg	12%
Electrolytes
Sodium	7 mg	0.5%
Potassium	48 mg	1%
Minerals
Calcium	5.49 mg	0.5%
Copper	0.069 mg	7%
Iron	0.17 mg	2%
Magnesium	13.9 mg	3.5%
Manganese	0.10 mg	4%
Phosphorus	9.21 mg	1%
Zinc	0.12 mg	1%
Phyto-nutrients
Carotene-α	1 µg	--
Carotene-ß	16 µg	--
Cryptoxanthin-ß	9 µg	--

Mangosteen plant is an evergreen, erect tree reaching about 20- 60 ft in height. It commonly found in tropical rainforests of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Philippines as well as in some cultivated lands in Sri Lanka, and India, where annual precipitation and relative humidity are favorable for its growth. Fresh purple fruits are available in the markets from June until October.
Each tree bears several deep purple colored round shaped fruits, capped with light green calyx at the stem end. Fully matured fruit measures about 3-7 cm in diameter. Its outer tough rind is about 7-12 mm thick, contains bitter yellow latex that stains clothes black.
Internally; the fruit features 4 to 10 juicy, snow-white color, soft, fleshy triangular segments as in oranges. Each segment may contain 1-4 off white colored seeds. Seeds are inedible and bitter in taste. The flavor of fruit is sweet, fragrant, and delicious.

Unique for its appearance and flavor, mangosteen is often revered as queen of the tropical fruits, especially in the oriental regions. This exotic, purple color tropical-fruit is quite popular for its snow-white, juicy, delicious arils all over the Asian countries and in recent years grabbing the attention of European and American fruit lovers as well!
Botanically the fruit belongs to the family of Clusiaceae, of the genus: Garcinia. Scientific name: Garcinia mangostana.
There is a legend about Queen Victoria offering a reward of 100 pounds sterling to anyone who could deliver to her the fresh fruit. Although this legend can be traced to a 1930 publication by the fruit explorer, David Fairchild, it is not substantiated by any known historical document, yet is probably responsible for the uncommon designation of mangosteen as the "Queen of Fruit".

It is necessary to eat the Mangosteen grown within three or four degrees of latitude of the equator to realize at all the attractive and curious properties of this fruit.
 "No other fruit, for me, is so thrillingly, intoxicatingly luscious...I'd rather eat one than a hot fudge sundae^. Since 2006, private small volume orders for fruits grown in Purto Rico were sold to American gourmet restaurants who serve the aril pieces as a delicacy dessert.

After a few days work at the boat we decided we needed a night out in Patong. We mingled amongst the jugglers and the clowns,  the ping pong girls, snake charmers, and red light haunts; dancing to a live band that actually played excellent music.

Julie and Vanessa

Ron was our designated driver

Revving up for a night out in Patong

 Two years ago, Slow Dance docked for several weeks in Roratonga, Cook Islands. It was here that we met Brad and became fast friends with the crazy Aussie. Brad was in Bangkok on business and afterward, flew down to Phuket to spend a week with us. It was great to see him again  after a few years (who would have thought) and although it rained most of the week we had a great time. We discovered some new beaches and took Brad to Rawai, where you pick your own seafood and then the restaurant cooks it up for you in various different ways; your choice.

At our favorite restaurant and Bar, Panwa Bay. Brad sitting on Ron's lap.

Bay near our Condo

BIG Shrimp Tempura.....Yummy!

Pick your Fish. We had the red snapper and large shrimp prepared two different ways.

Large Colorful Lobster

 There is a large market in the heart of Phuket where we go to buy fruits and vegetables, for a third of the cost in the big Supermarkets, and much fresher, like, right from the farm. Also available are fresh noodles for my Pad Thai (which has been perfected), spices, flowers, fresh grated coconut, and a wide variety of the weird to the bizarre! There were things I just wouldn't eat. (Pictures, not for the squeamish.)

Fresh Flowers

Pig Heads. UGH!!!

Skinned Birds? Defiantly looks birdlike.

Bull Frogs. Wonder if they eat the whole frog or just the legs. Who started eating frogs anyway? Is that why French people are called froggie?

I think it's EEL? I hope not Unagi.

Who would eat a poor little Turtle?

Every Saturday and Sunday there is a Huge Market in Phuket and we went to have a look.

The Tasty BUG BAR. Roasted exactly to your liking. 

Grasshoppers

Yes,Roasted Cockroaches and they had HUGE ones as well. UGH and double UGH!

The rainy season comes and goes, and we have had three days now of consecutive sunshine. No rain is predicted until Thursday. The reprieve has allowed the painters to finish painting Slow Dance super structure and she looks magnificent; all shiny and gleaming! The welding of the keel continues and the guys are awesome! Ron say's no other shipyard would do what he is having done here. If the work had it been done anywhere else, a Hazard Unit would have been required! The Black Water tank and Grey Water Tank were pitted and corroded. All new steel has been welded on after repairs. Big Job, but much needed to keep Slow Dance from sinking. We made it just in time for this much needed refit.

V & V in the rain. It's actually really warm outside with 80% Humidity.

 Vanessa flew out this morning to Vientiane Cambodia to obtain a 90 day double entry Visa for Thailand. She

At lunch with Vanessa

The shipyard. That's little Slow Dance covered in white tarp, in-between those HUGE Fishing boats.

Good Bye and Good Night for now.....more to come.

Pad Thai with Chicken. Fresh Salad with Thai dressing

Green Mango Salad with fresh toasted coconut, peanuts, shredded green mango, sprouts, cilantro, fresh lime and dressing from Tamarind. Yummy!