Thai One On

Quickly after our arrival in Phuket we found Cary and boarded the Cataleya, a 58' sailing cat on which we would bounce around the nearby islands of the Andaman Sea. For six days, the crew kept us well fed on Thai cuisine as we traveled 20 to 25 miles a day, bouncing from beautiful beach to beautiful beach. Some were popular day-destinations for other visitors that cleared out in the evenings, and some were more remote, secluded and quiet.  

Snorlking from the sailboat was pretty phenomenal, with our lunch spot at Ko Ha Yai being the absolute highlight. Tons of fish and amazing water clarity circled the five small rock islands that jutted, visibly, 60' to the sandy sea floor. Another highlight was our night at Ko Rok Nok where we enjoyed the perfect, quiet island paradise with a beautiful white sand beach shared with just one other sailboat. In addition to the wonderful snorkeling, we did a lot of sunning, reading, doms playing and fishing. We managed to pull in a ton of mackerel, and hooked into one feisty jumper of a mahi mahi, though that one managed to spit the hook when I got it close to the boat. Kristin and I were able to dive one of the days and though it was fairly crowded sub-surface, we enjoyed an incredible amount of fish life, and spent 20 min or so with 10+ black tip reef sharks circling. 

One day on the boat bled into the next, I put a shirt on for all of 2 hours the entire week – needless to say I am carrying little stress these days. Sadly, our time on the boat is wrapping up now as we make our way back to Phuket. Kristin and I will enjoy one final evening with the folks & Cary before they start their long journey back home, and Kristin and I head North for the final 9 days of our SE Asia adventures.

Our relaxed island tour on the boat looked something like this: 

--> Phuket

--> Ko Mai Thom (lunch)

--> Ko Phiphi Don

--> Ko Bida Nok (dive)

--> Ko Pharya Nok (dive)

--> Ko Lanta Yai

--> Ko Mok (lunch)
--> Ko Rok Nok
--> Ko Ha Yai (lunch)
--> Ko Phraya Nok
--> Ko Rhcha Yai
--> Phuket

Mom & Dad look pretty stoked to get on the water

Our lovely boat, the Catalyea at Ko Rok Nok

Enjoying the sun & relaxation 

Gorgeous rocky islands pop up all over this place

Winds were light but we did get to pull the sails up on our longer cruises

The bow princess crew hanging out on the trampoline

Kristin taking in the scenery – must be after 5pm since she has some vino... Or maybe not...

Local fishermen making the most out of the day, and into the evening

Dad ready for some cave exploration 

After swimming a couple hundred yards in the dark we popped out on this stunning beach

It isn't a Matthews family trip without Doms

Mom hanging on the bow as we near out anchorage for the day

Beautiful light over one of our neighbors at Ko Lanta Yi

Looming clouds from our anchorage at Ko Rok Nok

Special K enjoying her improvised SUP

Cary with Mom & Dad, heading to the reef for some snorkeling

Me with the folks on our way in for dinner on the beach

K & me on a beach walk

Sun sets at Ko Rok Nok

Dinner on the island

A local took advantage of our coals to cook up his catch

Pulling into Ko Ha Yai for lunch and some impressive snorkeling

Me headed down, down, down

Surgeon Fish cruising the reef

K cruising the reef, too

A peeking Nemo

Needle fish patrolling the surface

Tuna rounding up some snacks

Captain Avout showing us this cool wreck 

Fun little vid from some GoPro footage of our sub surface time

The scenery above water was as good as below at Ko Ha Yai 

Complete with this lovely beach

K & I kayaked in for a quick walk

Kristin on the back deck for another hookup

One of the many mackerel we brought in

Mom enjoying the fresh sashimi

Mom back on the bow, enjoying the passing scenery 

The views of these rocks just never get old

Kristin and I hanging on the tramp as we approach Ko Phraya Nok

And are treated to some nice afternoon light as we pass Ko Bid Nok

Evening light at anchorage in Maya Bay

One of the giant monitor lizards we saw laying across a walkway wide enough for two to cross

Enjoying some drinks and rasta tunes at this lovely bar on Ko Rhcha Yai

Moon's rising as we enjoy a rub-down while listening to the surge of the waves & rain falling on the roof

The crew with the crew

Not sure how we have so much luggage when all I wore was two pair of boar dies

Our lovely villa back on Phuket

Kristin at the kids table working on her float

Kristin & I ready to float our Loy Krathong float

Lanterns in the lagoon for good luck

Streamlined luggage after we part with the family

Leaving the island dotted Andaman