| In my dream, I'm gently floating. There's a soft | | | | Pattaya. |
| splashing noise, and then the sound of a small | | | | But today the prevailing winds meant we were |
| wave breaking on the beach. I open my eyes and | | | | heading east, out past the big white rock (home |
| experience a split second of pleasant confusion. | | | | to an un-inhabited lighthouse) of Koh Rang Kwaian. |
| Ah, yes.. now I remember: I'm on a sailing yacht. | | | | We had a lunch date at Koh Rin. But as we slid |
| It's early, 6 am. The sun has not come up yet, | | | | into the bay and the anchore dropped, all thoughts |
| but the sky is beginning to lighten. It's so peaceful. | | | | of hunger disappeared, replaced by an |
| My friends are still sleeping, and there's no one to | | | | overwhelming desire to jump into the clearest, |
| be seen anywhere. Oh, there's another boat | | | | bluest water I had ever seen. |
| anchored just around the corner of the bay. I | | | | "Is this really Pattaya?" I thought as I dove in with |
| remember seeing them last night as they cruised | | | | my snorkel gear. |
| in. I take a long deep breath of clean air and | | | | We were on a weekend overnight trip, on a boat |
| reflect on how lucky I am. We're anchored in a | | | | that can sleep six in a pinch, the four of us an our |
| bay a thousand miles from anywhere. Well, not | | | | skipper in relative comfort. But, not all trips need |
| quite but it sure seems that way. | | | | to be overnight. The islands are close enough to |
| A little while later, having finally woken up, cup of | | | | make Pattaya-Jomtien a fun and convenient base |
| tea in hand, I reflect on the previous day. As we | | | | for day sailing. A stone's throw from central |
| approached the Ocean Marina Yacht Club Pattaya | | | | Pattaya with the local islands one to two hours' |
| an early morning sun bounced off the sails while a | | | | sail away, one can spend the day exploring, |
| breeze picked up. My friends and I had booked an | | | | swimming and snorkeling at these remote, idyllic |
| overnight sailing trip, an adventure we were all | | | | locations, and be back at the marina for a hot |
| thoroughly looking forward to. | | | | shower, great food and a comfortable bed in the |
| We me up with our skipper for the trip, since | | | | evening. |
| none of us are proficient enough yet to have the | | | | But we had gone a step further and opted for |
| certifications to be able to sail bareboat (without a | | | | the excitement of an overnight trip, and it was |
| skipper). He immediately got us and our gear onto | | | | over lunch that we reflected on how safe and |
| the boat, and anticipation was running high. Safety | | | | protected the coastal waters of Pattaya and the |
| briefing completed, engine on, and we were | | | | Gulf of Thailand really are. Very few sailing |
| heading out of the Marina Pattaya and it wasn't | | | | hazards to worry about with calm waters (the |
| even 09.30 yet | | | | swells are rarely large enough to cause any |
| On the sail out, we learned from the skipper why | | | | concern) to a depth of only five to six meters. |
| Pattaya (and the Gulf of Thailand as a whold) is a | | | | The anchorages are good, and everywhere you |
| great cruising and sailing venue. Out came the | | | | go you have mobile phone and VHF radio |
| navigation charts dotted with innumerable islands. | | | | coverage what more could you need? |
| Head south and you come to Koh Klet Kaeo | | | | A rum and coke, was the answer to that |
| (more commonly known as Monkey island for it's | | | | question and that is exactly what I was enjoying. |
| inhabitants a monkey population that comes out | | | | By now we had sailed on from our lunch spot at |
| to greet you when you anchor close by). A little | | | | Koh Rin onto Koh Phai a large island east of Koh |
| further south and you arrive at Koh Kram with its | | | | Lan, and were again at anchor. We were in four |
| vast beach of golden sand. | | | | meters of water with the sandy bottom clearly |
| Travel north from Ocean Marina Pattaya and you'll | | | | visible, whilst 50 meters away was the most |
| see Jomtien and Pattaya Bay in a whole new light. | | | | golden of beaches. The sun was setting, and |
| Continue on to the Royal Varuna Yacht Club | | | | whilst the rum and coke was sliding down at a |
| Pattaya with a fe Hobie Cats "flying" through the | | | | pace, thoughts were turning to dinner on board, |
| water, past Koh Chun and up to Koh Si Chang | | | | with a peaceful evening ahead under the stars. |