Ariana Time

I know it has been a long time since I last submitted an entry. So long in fact that I wonder whether anyone is still checking this page.
Well since sailing up the Strait of Malacca last November 2011 we have been based out of Yacht Haven Marina in Phuket.
The trip north was generally hot, humid, and uneventful. We crossed paths with some of the rally people at Port Dickson, Malaysia. Some sight seeing was in order in Malacca. Interesting enough but heavily touristed. Anchoring along the west coast of the Malay peninsula is a pretty straight forward affair with a gently sloping muddy bottom. When you get tired you just get close in a drop the hook. The wind was pretty much L&V but when there was any wind it happened to be on the nose or in the frequent squalls. I had anticipated a more favorable breeze.
Our stop in Penang was a highlight. We berthed at the city marina. The marina is in a great location near the historic colonial district of town. Regrettably, the municipality dod not do its due diligence on the marina designer/contractor and it has been torn up by the current and wakes and silted in on most of the slips. I understand that there is a new marina to the north which is very nice but not as convenient to the sights. However, public transport here is very good. The dining in Penang is some of the best in Asia and very inexpensive. We very much enjoyed our few days there.
Langkawi is another good stop on the way north. Telaga Marina is excellent with good facilities and staff. Customs and Immigration have offices there as well. Rental cars through the marina are very reasonably priced. Provisioning on Langkawi is excellent and it is a duty free port. Some very good dining on Langkawi as well.
Heading north in the Andaman sea from Langkawi poses no great navigational challenges. There are plenty of nice anchorages to stop at on the way up to Phuket.
We arrived in Phuket in late November and hauled out at Royal Phuket Marina. Costs are reasonable although not cheap for haul-out. Parts and quality contractors are readily available at Yacht Basin and on Phuket in general. Persistence is key to being attended to as everyone always seems so busy.
Decent cruising in the area but it is sad to see the rate of environmental deterioration in the region. The fish have pretty much been killed and the reefs are sadly all but dead. After PNG and the Solomons, the diving here is quite disappointing. What a difference we have observed since we first visited this region in the late 80's. Degradation is also apparent over the past four years. The landscape is still beautiful. And the beaches still white albeit much more crowded and lined with expensive resorts. The sailing can be OK but nothing to write home about.
We intend to depart Thailand in late November bound for a trip back down through Indonesia and bending back up to the Philippines.
Stay tuned.