January was a busy month for us on the visitor front. Canadian winters can be hellish, so it was our pleasure to provide a destination to four snowbirds: Rob and Erinn from January 2-9, and Marleen (Darrel’s sister) and Larry from January 9-29.

We had a blast with our visitors. Our lives have been pretty routine, so it was nice to have some diversion, even though we still kept fairly close to our routine of relaxing, shopping, eating, swimming, sunning, doing boat chores, and relaxing (repeat intentional).

Here are excerpts from the blog entries, which tell the stories of the visits [with a few added explanations from Loretta].

From Rob and Erinn

January 2-9, 2013

Things we learned on our Excellent CanKata Adventure:

CanKata rocks! (But nothing that a little Gravol can’t fix)
It’s OK to shower in public [on the back of CanKata. L.]
CanKata takes team work.
How to (sun)dress aboard CanKata.
Deep fried maggots look yummy [at the market. L.]
Two screws are better than one [referring to props! L.]
Navigating is easier on autopilot.
The dice are rigged [Team CanKata won at Farkle. L.]
How to make delicious powdered milk yogurt in a jar.
The difference between a genoa and a jib, and between a rope and a line.
Perhaps the dice aren’t rigged after all (Erinn finally wins a game of Farkle).
Squid don’t ink for pennies [We dropped a few from the boat into a school of squid … no reaction. L.]
Extreme cure for jellyfish sting [Pee. We saw it on Survivor. Honest. L.]
Beauty of a sunset cruise.
Jellyfish stings hurt – but not enough for the extreme remedy.
Coconut Café [Nai Harn, Phuket] has great ice cream but remember, lemon = lime.
There is no graceful way to enter a dingy. [Erinn: “I lost my dignity to the dinghy”.]
How fortunate we are to have had this wonderful CanKata experience. Kop koon kaa/ Kop koon krap. From Erinn and Rob, Saskatoon, Canada.

Rob at the helm.

Erinn enjoying a ride on the bow seat.

Erinn at the helm.

Our friend Mel with Rob, Erinn, Loretta & Darrel at Kamala.

A yummy thai dish at a Kamala beach restaurant.

Rob and Erinn at Kamala.

Erinn once again on the bow seat.

Rob on the other bow seat.

Rob enjoying a Thai sunset from CanKata.

Erinn capturing the sunset.

Rob and Erinn relaxing after a busy day at sea.

From Marleen and Larry

Jan. 9-29, 2013

We enjoyed our week stay at the Dewa, a great holiday spot let alone a wonderful retirement place. We were introduced to plane spotting and squid. We enjoyed beach walks, a relaxing massage, shopping, and many great Thai meals. We learned new games – Box Cribbage and red-green Farkle. We found the Thai people very friendly and were entertained by the Aphrodite show. We had day trips by car through Phuket with lots to see including the Big Buddha where we were blessed, and, yes, we feel very blessed to be here.

Larry, Marleen, Loretta & Darrel at the Dewa

Larry, Loretta & Darrel on a walk through the Dewa grounds.

Marleen & Larry walking along Nai Yang creek.

Nai Yang Beach with early-morning shade..

Marleen and Larry overlooking Kata Bay.

Larry, Darrel & Marleen overlooking Nai Harn Bay.

Marleen and Larry at the Big Buddha.

At the Big Buddha site overlooking Chalong Bay

On January 16, I (Marleen) had a great birthday (61^st) at the helm of CanKata. We anchored at Nai Harn Beach for two nights. I now know port from starboard, and jib from genoa. We enjoyed a lunch on shore where Larry lost his dignity to the dinghy. That darn CanKitty.

Marleen at the helm.

Larry at the helm.

We cruised to Kata Beach where we enjoyed a great Thai lunch and continued on to Freedom Bay – our favorite – very picturesque, where we spent a quiet night with many squid boats on the horizon providing a night light. We were introduced to the bowline knot and viewed a school of squid at the anchor chain (very clean water, nice swim).

Marleen at her favorite spot.

Larry in the dinghy (with his dignity).

At Freedom Bay.

Squid around CanKata's anchor chain in Freedom Bay waters.

We were then off to Nai Yang, full sail, what a great experience with myself at the bow and Larry at the helm keeping the boat on course and the sails filled, maintaining an average speed of 7 knots with a maximum speed of 10.3 knots (about 10 MPH) … speeder! … and not getting seasick.

While in Nai Yang, we had a 3-hour brunch at the Indigo Pearl. The presentation was impressive and the food delicious. The next day Larry and I went on a [bus /longtail/kayak] tour of Phang Nga Bay.

Larry checking out brunch options.

Still checking.

And still checking.

The Phang Nga Bay tour included an elephant ride.

James Bond Island, Phang Nga Bay.

Two days later, with Larry at the helm, we then motor-sailed to Kamala Beach and took the dinghy to Surin Beach for lunch. We learned a new term: gunkholing.

Walking around in Surin Beach.

The dock at Surin Beach.

A Thai dish.

At Surin Beach.

A Thai dish.

Darrel, Marleen, Larry and Loretta at the Dewa pool party.

Our last night together.

After a quiet night in Bang Tao we returned to Nai Yang to take in a pool party at the Dewa, massages and last-minute shopping. What a wonderful holiday this has been. My thoughts are: we have been blessed by a monk, tanned by the sun, relaxed by the “gentle” motion of the ocean, and treated like royalty. My “high” was sitting at the bow as Larry was at the helm in full sail. My “low” was Darrel directing me to a washroom [squatter] without warning or toilet paper! We enjoyed being 1^st mates and have seen first-hand what a great life Darrel and Loretta are leading, which makes it easier not to miss them being so far away.

Good luck, Loretta & Darrel, and enjoy your next adventure,

Marleen & Larry
P.S. See you in a few months.