Cooktown – sailing, anchoring, fuel, water, shopping, bars, restaurants, laundry, dinghy dock, amenities and things to do.
What can I say about 2020? It has undoubtedly been a year of ups and downs for most people, I am sure. For us, 2020 has been 366 days of love, excitement and fun, as well as frustration, fear and bafflement. We have, surprisingly, still managed to do quite a lot of travelling during this time. – 7 flights took us 10,658km by air. We sailed two boats 6461 nautical miles and we enjoyed road trips and camping and travelled 4300km on land.
Leaving your boat locked up in the tropics?
I’m not an expert; but having closed up and left our boat in the tropics. Twice, once with grim consequences, and once with excellent results, I feel I can impart a small bit of wisdom to those, who like me have, or are, battling mould, cockroaches, spiders, and ants. We left Thorfinn, our beloved home, in Langkawi up a river at a place called Hole in the Wall, for six weeks. When we arrived back we were confronted with a boat brimming with mould.
Finally we were in Thailand in the right season. In fact since leaving Australian waters over a year ago, this was the first time we had been sailing in an area at the “right” time. What does the “right” time mean? Well it means it is dry season, therefore not so much rain and not as humid… and more tourists. But for sailors the “right” time, in Thailand, means you are able to explore the west coast of Thailand and visit islands such as Koh Phayam, Koh Surin and Koh Similan, because the prevailing wind is from the north east and you therefore have some protected anchorages to use on the west coast.
We spent a fabulous week snorkelling and diving in the Tarutao National Marine Park. Our favourite spots included Koh Chuku (aka Koh Khai), Koh Lipe and Koh Yang. The snorkelling was great! The corals and marine life were impressive and we spent hours exploring a number of the many snorkelling sites the Tarutao National Marine Park has to offer.
Washing day. Even living on a boat we still have chores to do. Washing is made easier with my Companion Easywash Single Tub.
…and as we enjoyed a delicious nyonya laksa we watched a family of hornbills. The staff at the Nipah Deli put out some fruit for the hornbills that live in a tree nearby. The hornbill ma and pa cautiously made there way to the table, and the plate of fruit, where they filled their bellies before going back to feed their two chicks.
A little jewel in the Java Sea! We spent six days exploring this beautiful area. White sandy beaches, uninhabited islands, coral reefs, monkeys and friendly local people. After the big city chaos of Surabaya, Bawean was just what we needed! We left Surabaya and motor-sailed, the Java sea, into head winds as we crossed to Pulau Bawean. The crossing took 13 hours…
Thorfinn, an Adams 45, has proven herself with extensive cruising time, including a circumnavigation of the globe. Come inside for a look at our tiny home.
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