It is December 28th and at long last we are on our way to Thailand. Last time I wrote we were on our way to Penang where we hoped to stay maybe a day or two. But that sure did not turn out as we expected.
A new bridge is being built between Penang island and the mainland, one of the longest bridges I have seen and it begins not far from our favourite anchorage with Penang. All that construction work has changed the bottom in the anchorage and we could not find a secure holding anywhere, although we tried relentlessly for three hours. It seemed as though we were not destined to visit Penang this time - preferably not even the night, because we had only been trying to find good holding for an hour when we were hit by a mighty squall that kept us wet and miserable for two more hours until we simply gave up and settled for a 'slight holding' and for the first time set both GPS drag alarms (will sound if the boat moves further distance than we prefer) and settled for the night. We did not sleep much there in the howling wind and as soon as there was the merest daylight we were on our way.
We did not dare get going in the dark, due to so many changes on the way that we might mean danger and we not see in time to avoid.

We motor sailed 38.9 miles to P. Bunting (05.52.220 - 100.19.938) that day all the time facing strong wind, but had to smile when we met LaBarque who were on their way from Langkawi to Penang and sure seemed to enjoy the good windfall.

Originally we thought we would stop with P. Bidan, but later we were grateful for having pushed a little further into the wind and gone to P. Bunting. We slept like logs there and the next day we flew without help from Mr. Perkins the 40.3 miles to Kuah on Langkawi (06.18.856 - 099.50.603) - had we stopped with P. Bidan the wind direction would not have been this favourable.

Originally we intended to stop a short time with Langkawi and spend Christmas with Thailand. But the weather forecast kept dissuading us. In all fairness we have to admit that keeping us a little longer with Langkawi was easy. Langkawi is one of Kári's favourite places and we met so many old and new acquaintances that made time literally fly by.

The weather this year to me seems to have been extra ordinarily strange and now there is yet another rainstorm on the way, but we foresaw an opportunity to reach Thailand before it hits and now we just hope to find a secure place in time.
More than anything though I hope this next storm will not hurt the Philippines and Thai people who have suffered quite enough during these unexpected weather patterns.

Last night we slept with the Thai island Ko Bulan (06.48.833 - 99.41.154), it took us ten hours to cover the 42 miles from Kuah and there were six sailboats on anchor with us last night.
Now we are passing the beautiful Ko Petra and Mr. Perkins is having a break, we hope to reach Ko Lanta before dark. But if not then Ko Muk.