| Promptly at 9:00 am our ferry service arrived with his long-tail boat. These wooden boats are the main means of transportation. There is a heavy bow, slender hull and an engine in the stern that is mounted on a swivel plate. A long driveshaft goes to the propeller about eight feet back. To steer, the operator simply swings the engine from side to side as a rooster tail kicks up a spray. There are many shallow spots throughout this area and the counterbalanced driveshaft can be lifted to clear obstacles and mud as shown below. |
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| The Gypsy Fishing Village is built on pilings at the mouth of a river that flows into the bay. There are numerous fish traps and hatcheries surrounding the wooden homes and "streets". Dried fish is the main product, although tourism is the main source of income. |
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| We had lunch (fish, of course) but no beer or wine. The people here are all, or mostly, Muslims. In fact, we noted that the only structure on dry land was the mosque. Then our ferryman took us back to our boat. We still had a way to go to our next anchorage. |
| Our course was due south and with a decent westerly wind we were making good time. When the wind picked up some more, Joel thought it might be time to furl the main a bit. Yet after an hour or so, the wind calmed down but the main remained furled. That gave Troy the idea to have his own hammock. |
| Not only that, but the youngsters decided it was time to have some fun (not recommended procedures, you know). As our skipper steered a true course, both of them started to goof around. |
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| That afternoon we anchored at Koh Dam Khwan, or Chicken Island; an appropriate name we thought (and believe me this picture is not a fake, the limestone rock is real). Troy wanted to go climb it, but we didn't have time. |
| We were not far from Krabi and needed some fresh food and ice if we could find it. So the next day, after we anchored off shore, Joel and I made an agreement with a long-tail boatsman to take us into Krabi Town, a few miles up stream. T and Susan decided to take the dingy and explore the local scene and do some hiking. |
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| Besides a nice view from the trail, the kids also found a temple dedicated to the penis. What they had not realized is that the tide was going out and the dingy was tied to a tree way up high. When Joel and I came back from our shopping excursion, we heard them calling from shore. They were stranded. Joel and I jumped overboard, swam to shore, and we all had a few drinks and dinner on the beach, waiting for the tide to return. |
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| The weather had changed. It was hotter, no wind and, instead of sailing, we had to use the engine more and more. Cooking meals became more of a challenge for me. We did hail down a fisherman and bought four nice squid. Before we left home I had learned a few words and phrases in Thai. However, they did me no good. He could not figure out what I was talking about. Using signs, hands and paper money we settled on $1.50 for enough calamari to feed an army. The galley was small, Susan helped coat the slices in spiced flour and I tried to deep-fry them in the heat below. But it worked and we had a great meal with a marvelous sunset. |
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| The course was south-west; the destination Phi Phi Don, one of the most revered islands in Thailand. |