The 2008 Puravarna Phang Nga Bay Regatta has decided to revisit one of its earliest routes, taking the fleet back to what some think is the most stunning anchorage in the region, Chong Lat. This anchorage in the far Northeast of the Bay is completely surrounded by rock walls, from which the haunting morning calls of gibbons can sometimes still be heard. Getting to the anchorage from the start at Ao Po by the end of the first day - Thursday 7th February - means a long run into the wind. But the beauty of the anchorage makes a long day worth the effort.
That night the party will be held ashore in the seafood restaurant in the village Laem Sak. Access to the village had previously been impossible at low tide (there is a spring low at sunset every Chinese New Year) due to extensive mud flats. A new jetty on the west side of Laem Sak peninsula, closer to the anchorage, has changed that.
Around the Islands Race: the fleet exits the overnight rock shelter about 8am and motors a little south to begin a most 'interesting' day of racing. In past years many boats have become confused by the winding route and the many rocky island pinnacles in this stunningly beautiful area. But no-one forgets the spectacle to so many mainsails and spinnakers and amongst such stately, vertical rock islands.
We anchor for the
evening beach party at Krabi.
The anchorage in
Krabi will be in Rai
Le, while the awards
party will take
place at Sun Sea
Resort on the sands
of Rai Le beach.
After an up-wind start, this should be a long, downwind run from Krabi to the northern tip of Phi Phi, passing some of Krabi's
famed islands.
We will hold the
evening party at
the Erawan
Resort on the
north end of Koh
Phi Phi, as we
did last year.
We hope for the same
strong
North-easterly winds
that powered this
year's King Cup
Regatta to speed the
fleet from Phi Phi
to Nai Harn Bay at
Phuket's
southern-most tip.
That evening the
regatta's Naming
Sponsor, Puravarna
Phuket Yacht Club,
will put on a
spectacular beach
party at the foot of
their resort on the
sands of Nai Harn
Beach. While we
expect it to be
similar to last
year's party, there
should also be some
new concepts and
changes.
All boats will be
encouraged to anchor
and spend the night
in this most
beautiful of
Phuket's many bays,
with the Puravarna
providing a 24-hour
shuttle from their
floating jetty to
all anchored yachts.
This service will
become a permanent
feature of this bay,
available to all
yachts anchored here
through the high
season.
Fees (includes entry
to the regatta and
all five parties) :
● Boat +
skipper 5,000 Baht
● Each
additional crew
3,000 Baht
Extra tickets for non-sailors to enter the opening and closing parties will
be 700 Baht per party.
up
The 2008 Puravarna Phang Nga Bay Regatta has decided to revisit one of its earliest routes, taking the fleet back to what some think is the most stunning anchorage in the region, Chong Lat. This anchorage in the far Northeast of the Bay is completely surrounded by rock walls, from which the haunting morning calls of gibbons can sometimes still be heard. Getting to the anchorage from the start at Ao Po by the end of the first day - Thursday 7th February - means a long run into the wind. But the beauty of the anchorage makes a long day worth the effort.