We needed to take Ron to shore at 0900 so he could make it to the airport on time. The past two days, the dock has been more or less deserted, but we also weren’t there at 0900. Apparently, every single boat tour and ferry in Phuket leaves from the exact spot we unload from right at 0900. The staircase was completely loaded with tourists waiting to board boats. There were several boats hovering at the landing, vying for who would be next to pull in when the boat currently loading up pulled away. We watched two boats load up before we got aggressive and pushed our way in. We quickly unloaded and pushed our way up the stairs. At the top of the staircase we saw the entire pier was crowded with people all waiting to get onto boats. It was a zoo.
After saying goodbye to Ron, we moved the boat to the Nai Harn Beach anchorage we had been eyeing yesterday. Moving was a good call. This anchorage is better in every single way. There is much more space between the boats, and we are no longer worrying about hitting a neighbor. Yes, it is still rolly, but not as much. The waves don’t get as big, so we stay dry on the dinghy ride. It is a short ride to a floating dinghy dock, where we don’t have to worry about tides flipping the dinghy over or ferries crushing the little boat. The water is cleaner and deeper, which means less dirt for the water maker to have to filter out. And it is a prettier spot. While there are a few small buildings around, they are low and hidden behind trees, so, with the exception of The Royal Phuket Yacht Club hotel, our view is of undeveloped hills with a picturesque beach nestled in between. The beach is covered with lounge chairs with covered umbrellas. The first shot is looking north at the hotel, the second is looking south to the lighthouse, but you can’t see the lighthouse in this picture.
Once Kosmos was situated, we went to shore to explore. There were lots of Europeans lying out and swimming in the bay. The dinghy dock is attached to the Royal Phuket Yacht Club hotel, which is built into the cliff on the north side of the bay. It is super swanky. We had a late lunch in one of the patio restaurants over looking the bay before going for a walk. Just back a few hundred feet from the water’s edge, there are a lot of trees and a narrow cobblestone road. The road is lined with small shacks. Most all the businesses were the same: Thai seafood restaurants, massage shops, and tourist shops selling bathing suits, hats, sunscreen and other useful beach paraphernalia.
At the end of the beach, the dirt road ended in a T intersection with a paved road. We could go right and up the hill towards the lighthouse, or left and continue walking on the flat land. We went left. It turns out there is a man-made looking lake there. We walked the length of the reservoir, where a building that looks like it will be a Buddhist temple is under construction. We turned onto the road that takes you into the entrance of the Royal Phuket Yacht Club, passing several more hotels along the way.
As much as we enjoyed the walk, we needed to get to chores. Christi cleaned and washed the sheets on the guest bed. Our friend, Mike, arrived today. Poor Mike had gotten into a motor scooter accident yesterday, and he had huge bandages on both knees and one of his arms. He looked like he was in a lot of pain getting in and out of the dinghy and walking up and down the stairs aboard Kosmos. Thank goodness he wasn’t hurt worse! [43]