It's the 29th of February. I am stuck in the office doing paperwork - and I am dreaming of deep-blue water and sandy beaches.
Well, I guess I should be permitted to let my mind wander off for a moment - a day like today only comes along every four years anyhow. And if there is anyone to be blamed, it is Tony Nixey, not me.
He's after all the one who sent us through the below pictures, together with the report about his year-end fun trip in Thailand. As if we didn't know yet how hard life is in Phuket.
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On the last day of 2011 and with 9 people on board including a professional dive instructor, the new Majesty 56 named "TRILOGY" sets out on the 3 hour cruise from Royal Phuket Marina Phuket, to the Similans Group of Islands, located off the west side of Thailand in the Andaman sea. The plan was to enjoy the new year in one of the most stunning locations in the world.
Following closely along side cruised the owners other Gulf Craft, a Silvercraft SC 33 which was to be used to ferry the divers out to the dive sites.
After navigating over the sand bar just after the new Sarasin bridge, we set the Majesty at 22knots and sat and relaxed for a couple of hours. Our destination was Island # 8 which is the second most Northern island of the group. Calm flat waters and clear skies meant the cruise was smooth and relaxed.
Arriving at the island we quickly found a mooring buoy located within a secluded bay, surrounded by the stunning but rather odd looking limestone outcrops that the Similans is famous for. Water depth was noted at 12 meters and the bottom was clearly visible, along with the teaming abundance of marine life which soon surrounded the boat.
During the next 3 days the guests and crew enjoyed diving in crystal clear 25-30meters dive sites, catching glimpses of Octopus, Moray Eal's and Turtles. Stunningly coloured Parrot and trigger fish were easily located while snorkeling within the bay. The Majesty 56 provided the perfect base, with the ladies on board cooking up delights within the galley for the hungry divers to enjoy.
On the final evening a storm set in and those guests who had opted to sleep up on the fly-bridge, looking up at clear skies packed full of stars, soon ran for cover as the heavens opened. Awaking to a rather dull final day, a quick few dives were taken before packing up the boat and heading for home in a rather large beam sea. The Majesty 56 took the seas in her stride and soon arrived back to a rather tricky sand bar crossing as we entered between Phuket and the mainland. The smaller 33ft Silvercraft went across first making sure the depth was safe for the Majesty 56 and finally we crossed in safety.
Arriving back to Royal Phuket Marina, all those on board sat down to watch stunning video footage which the proud owner, Mr Norbert Kiss had been shooting whilst diving in the beautiful surroundings and crystal clear waters of the Similan Islands.
With a big thank you to Tony Nixey, MD, Go Boating Thailand Co Ltd, dealers for Gulf Craft and its brands for the Kingdom of Thailand. T +66 8705 66301 www.goboatingthailand.com.