Back In The Saddle

Sunset on the South Chins Sea

It was a fantastic trip back to LA for the summer. We enjoyed the time with our family and friends. We miss you already and are overjoyed that some of you are coming for a visit. Arlen and Sandy will be here in a few days and we will sail to the Similan and Surin Islands, just on the boarder of Burmese waters. Expect lots of awesome photos and great food shots. Word is that the snorkeling and diving are world class. Also swim with Mantas and Whale Sharks. Our new captain Tim, is a dive master, so maybe I will get brave enough to finally give it a try.

Slow Dance has the best crew she has ever had. Sadly, Nikka is leaving us as she landed a job on a super yacht in Australia, We will really miss you darling but are happy we brought you here to Phuket to work on your first boat and that helped you move on to a bright future. Sister Vanessa remains and due to love we now have her boyfriend Tim as captain! Tim is not only a seasoned  sailor from Australia, but an awesome marine mechanic, and a wonderful guy. He loves surfing and brought his three boards along. Dennis, the retired fireman will be joining the crew as well in late December. Dennis is also an avid surfer so we will be stopping at some good spots where the surf is up! Also joining us is a new stewardess from the Philippines, Helen. She is due to arrive December 1st. 

Tim, Vanessa, Ron, and the cook. I have finally perfected the art of making great pizza!

Good Luck Nikka, we will miss that smile and it will be difficult to replace you.

Hello Helen, hope you can make it to Phuket to join us as new stewardess.

Slow Dance is in tip top shape and we tested our sea legs by sailing back to Phi Phi Island and then to Langkawi, Malaysia to get some duty free fuel and booze. We have been to Langkawi a few times but this trip we had some time to explore the island a bit more. It is beautiful and in late December Todd will join us for a trip around some of the many islands there. After Todd leaves we are headed to Borneo, "The land below the Wind". Then on to the Palawan Islands in the Philippines. Subic Bay will be our home for awhile and we do hope some of you will make the trip to sail with us to the many beautiful places the Philippines has to offer.. But NOT Mindanao!

Maya Beach on Koh Phi Phi Lee. This is the famous beach from the film with Leonardo Decapreo

On our route back to Phuket and hours from any land Slow Dance came to a grinding halt. Upon inspection we realized a huge tangle of netting had wrapped itself around the prop. Ron did not want to suit up in all the dive gear so he put a snorkel on and attached it to a length of garden hose, which we held on tightly to the air tank. Ron stayed in the water for over an hour cutting the net free with a boning knife! The netting was comprised of at least 25 different nets and rope and had probably been floating around for years. It was really smelly and we took it aboard to dispose of, least any other sailors have the same situation. Gotta hand it to Ron, at 70, the ole boy still has vigor and determination.

This mess was wrapped around the prop!

Phi Phi Island

Beach at Koh Yo Yai

Thats Slow Dance out there in the bay

Talaga Marina, Langkawi

Dinner on Slow Dance.

Cozy couch at Como's in Phuket

4 hour lunch at Como's in Phuket with Edan and Andrea. How did you ever discover this place? It's a long drive through the jungle and then appears on the cliffs overlooking the Bay. Amazing. See you both when you swim out for dinner next week! We are anchoring on your beach in route to the Surin Islands. Edan is a pilot for a private principal in Singapore and his lovely wife Andrea is a script writer who has a script in production for a film. It's about a serial killer! What's in that pretty little head of yours?

Well, that's the update and sorry its been months since the Blog had anything to report, however, the adventure continues so stay tuned for some good stuff! Cheers Mate.