MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL!!!!

It's Christmas day, and so far ive been rudely awoken EARLY due to the engine turning on...the boat had run aground (hit the bottom due to shallow water!) and we had to relocate in the bay. So from 7 this morning ive been up, and expected to do something productive in the way of work. Hmmm....

So i began by forcing Achmad to fix my shower, so today for the first time since i left England in October, i had a hot shower. Put my in a far better mood!! Am very pleased.

I then managed to hide for a while in my room, while not much happened up on deck...until finally i helped Ban clean and find homes for all the new glasses i brought yesterday for the drinks. (that was a fun task!!!)

Joey, Boy and me went to get items needed for the charter. This included maintenance stuff like light bulbs and fans etc that needed replacing and all the food and cleaning products need for the charter in the next few days. So we went, and as the captain had rented a car for a few days we drove to the Tesco...(thats right, Tesco has made it to Thailand!!) and spent all day running buying things written on a lists. Fun fun!! We finally returned and only then at about 6pm did i realise it was Xmas eve! I certainly would have been in major protest all day about the work load for the day had i known! But still i was hoping we could attempt to have some good celebrations in the eve. Um....

Not exactly what i had in mind. We all watch Madgascar2 in the boys cabin, which in fairness was very funny...and i insisted we attempted to liven the mood by making cocktails! So me and Ban made Pina Colada's, and Ti Punch. Which went down very well. However, 1 -2 cocktails in and pasta later, they had all gone to bed by 9.30!!! HOW GOD DAMN WEAK!!! I was shocked...and bored for a Christmas eve celebration. Ban and Joey the chef remained up for some time, before finally following too. DULL for Xmas eve i know. Extreme disappointment there.

So through-out this morning ive not been willing or co-oporating with anything! Simply because it is Christmas day, and work should not be a word used unless your being paid obscene amounts of money or diving...(im not! SO i refuse!!!) The captain has gone ashore, and which i have no doubt he's having a lovely time, while we are here still doing or meant to be doing work. I think Ban may be the only one who's doing the odd job or two. FOOL!

It's 1pm now and we are meant to be sailing to Yacht Haven Marina today in preparation for picking up our guests on the 27th. Im not excited about Yacht Haven, as its an extremely boring place north of Phuket. Not eventful in anyway and full of countryside. But Joey has assured me that we will be going to have a nice dinner out this evening in celebration for Christmas. I plan on finding a bar, just as long as we arnt all in bed by 10.30!! (I wont be filling them all with too much drink either as they obviously are unable to consume alot before needing bed!!)

The Sail back from Malaysia went well. It was far better journey back then there. Ban had restructured to rota, and we only did 2 hours on and 4 hours off. So everyone was a little happier as they had more sleep. We also made good time, as the Captain let the engine take us most of the way, which was good really, as by the time we eventually fuelled in Lang Kawi..it was 11pm, and Achmad had had a little problem with the fuel hose, and filled the whole of the down stairs living area with fuel. I was not impressed! We spent the first few hours of the sail clearing that up. But other than, it went well and i did all my shifts with Aldam which was no hassel as he rarely talks to me due to lack of English skills. Although, attmepts of communication are amusing. So it was calm and quite night sailing when i was on shift. (It would have been a stressful experience with Joey because he has the inability to shut up! and hates silence! Not a joy in the morning!!!)

We did infact sail past some of the most amazing dive sites in Thailand during the sail...which broke my heart. I constantly insisted that we could surely wait till morning and go on a dive!! But it was the captains intention to get back to Thailand sooner rather than later. So we sailed on by the most stunning 40-metre visability dive sites...surrounded by mata rays and lordy knows what else!!!

When we finally arrived in Thailand on the 22nd around 2pm i had slept for several hours and felt better. Captain, me, Ban and Boi went to shore and sorted Immergration out (that takes some time) and then finally chilled for a while before going back to the boat .

It was Ban's birthday and after the long sail, i insisted that we celebrated for him some how. Captain disappeared on the shore...and as someone HAS to stay on the boat when we arnt attached to the Marina, Aldam decided he would. The rest of us al went to shore and ventured to Patong ( a mini verson of Pattaya!!)...where we decided Ban should be educated on the Thai enviroment and showed him round the many bars. He and Achmad had a good eve! Me, Joey and Boi returned to the boat early. Where-as Achmad and Ban wern't seen again until 11.30am the next day. Tut-tut!! I didnt ask questions! But the Captain wasnt massively impressed....but he himself couldnt comment too much! So Ban celebrated his Birthday well i believe and we managed to get away with not doing a great deal that day which was good as once again the captian disappeared to shore...so i slept all afternoon and watched CSI!!! YAY!

So now i must go, Joey has cooked Thai green curry for Xmas day!!! (hmmm....surely a better choice there somewhere...but will still be good! hot!)

Im wishing you all a very merry christmas and hope you enjoy the next few days. The charter will have me working from 7am until the guests go to bed...(which may be when ever they want!) so i may not update until the charter is finished. Fingers crossed it goes well and is good fun.

Missing you all and the festive celebrations xxx

All my love, hugs and kisses xxxxx

love me xxxxxxxxx