Merry Xmas and Happy New Year from Thailand

Hi All

Well Xmas has been and gone, we have since been traveling around Thailand and enjoying the humidity, sun, and torrential downpours when they come.   A spot of diving here and there and visiting Phi Phi Don where in 2004 a tsunami hit the island with devastating affects on many families losing the lives of loved ones, some were recovered others not.   The water has been inviting as we can actually see the sea floor in most places, with tropical lagoons, and “Hongs” which are opened roofed caves with an entrance either via a cave or an opening that you can get a dinghy in to.  We have my cousin Rongoa, Sandra and Kaleb with us for Xmas and New Years before we depart for Sri Lanka on 2nd January.   This passage will be around 7 days, and that’s all dependent upon wind.  We have motor sailed more than we have sailed and are chewing through the diesel.  Getting repairs for the boat here has been very reasonable, a lot cheaper than NZ and some of the workmanship even better than Australia and NZ put together.  The people here live to work and they know that it’s word of mouth and this keeps the money and food on the table in order for them to survive.  The cuisine has been a real treat, it really puts going out to Thai for dinner in perspective as the food is so full of tastes that would really wet any connoisseur’s appetite.  We are all well and miss everyone over the celebrations ahead.  Here’s to another New Years resolution, mine is to enjoy life and be happy.  So keep safe everyone, enjoy the up and coming 2011 we will be thinking of you all.  We will be in Patong, along with the rest of Thailand, enjoying the fireworks display, watching from a very safe distance on the boat.  Vicky, there’s a photo here for you, so everyone enjoy all our pics.

Until later, Gav, Lica and Shae