Today is January 15th and we are slowly drifting towards our next destination while at the same time making drinkable water from the ocean. More than ever we now appreciate that lovely novelty, for due to a faulty faucet most of the water in our tanks went into the bilge yesterday and we were recently reminded of how unreliable heavenly gifts of water can be.
We spent a few days in the good company of Anneke and Dirk while anchored with Patong and although the weather forecast kept showing rain in not too distant future, the blessed rain never came in the abundance to fill the water tanks - or even as much as giving a few drops to the tanks. It seemed as though Narid would have to buy water ashore and carry it to their boat.

We left Patong Anchorage yesterday morning and wound up having to relay on Mr. Perkins all the 45 miles covered to Ban Thap Lamu (08.34.027 - 098.13.146) where we stayed the night.

We were getting rather desperate upon arrival in the anchorage when the anchor just did not get a good grip how ever we tried and a dark cloud approached at a fair speed. In the end we hauled anchor and saw then that a Sprite can was stuck to it, preventing any good grasp. As soon as the can was off the anchor found good holding, we managed to get up the anchor ball and close all hatches just in time before one long 'celestial shower' that thoroughly cleaned our Lady Ann - on the outside and a few places also on the inside he, he!
I wonder if it also rained in Patong?

I expect there will be a big difference exploring the islands we intend to visit now, from Patong which is a very popular tourist town and now during the high holiday season it sure is one crowded place everywhere - but I enjoy that.
At least some of the islands we are heading for are also very popular by tourists, but I think it is mainly people who enjoy diving and swimming, relishing the wonderful ocean life that is preserved by national park guards.
It will be interesting to observe the difference between those places ...