Where are you headed? The captain's copper-toned accent, revealing his local roots, inquired with a friendly demeanor. : Let's set sail first. It's getting dark. We'll find an island to anchor and ride out the waves, then we'll discuss things after dinner tonight. ......... The brief conversation ended without much formality. The sail was hoisted, catching the wind and propelling the boat gently out of the harbor.

Before embarking on a journey to the vast Andaman Sea,
let's take a look at the natural beauty of this trip through a video clip.
While we wait for the next travel story,
which may take some time as I slowly resize and edit the photos.

Watch the video

A.

=======

Watch the video

The sun dipped low in the sky as the sailboat, its sails billowing in the wind, slowly drifted out to sea. This meant that we had arrived at the port later than scheduled.

“We”

Of course, I wasn't alone on this trip, nor was it my first time. I had sailed on this Discovery Catamaran yacht several years ago with someone special. That time, it was a one-day trip. But this time would be special, as I had booked a package to stay on the boat for two nights. And I wanted to surprise that special someone with something small.

But when the day arrived, that person was nowhere to be found. For whatever reason, it's not worth mentioning.

.......................................

Hey, friends! ... Guys ... Girls ...

Want to go on a sea trip with me? I have a yacht package booked for 6 people.

As it turned out, no one was available because it was a weekday, and office workers don't have time off.

In the end, I managed to find four unemployed people just a few days before the trip.

So, it turned out that this trip wouldn't be lonely after all.

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"The journey begins"

................................

(Details, information, and costs for the yacht will be reviewed at the end.)

Our journey began at Don Mueang Airport, where we boarded a Nok Air flight to Phuket Island, the largest island in Thailand. After a short flight, we arrived in Phuket and rented a car to transport our extensive photography equipment. Our journey extended beyond Phuket, as we planned to travel to Ranong Province to explore the beauty of a neighboring country (covered in the second part of this review). Since we were already in the area, we decided to make the most of our time.

Wrong dock, wrong move.
Good dock, bad timing!!!!

I went to the wrong dock. As I mentioned at the beginning, when we arrived at the dock,
the sun was almost setting.

Due to the communication with Ms. Mint, who provides yacht services for discover catamaran,
we agreed to meet at the dock. I, who said that I had used this boat service before several years ago,
thought it was the same dock.

We waited and waited, but we didn't see each other at the appointed time. We called each other again,
and then we realized that we had to go to another dock, which was on the other side of Phuket Island.
Moreover, during that time, we had to face the traffic jam in the city and the traffic lights.
By the time we arrived at the dock, it was too late.

=====================================

Where are you going?....? The captain's golden accent, which indicates that he is a local,
asked me with a friendly face.

: Let's go out first. It's getting dark. Find an island to park and sleep to avoid the waves.
Then we'll talk after dinner tonight.
.........

The night passed quickly, and the excitement of our friends who followed our journey continued. After the live broadcast, they posted updates on Facebook throughout the night. We spent the night anchored behind Koh Mai Thon to avoid the waves. This morning, we are still in the waters of Phuket province.

We were awakened by the sound of the boat's engine starting and the captain raising the anchor before the first light appeared on the horizon. We then sailed around to the front of the island to greet the first rays of the morning sun. Our beautiful assistant, who is accompanying us on this trip, prepared a simple breakfast that, as always, was delicious. Breakfast was served with a view of the sun rising above the horizon over the sea.

Our destination for today is the Phi Phi Islands in Krabi province, as we decided last night.

The sails were raised once more, heading towards the Phi Phi Islands. The sun chased us back into the air-conditioned cabin of the boat. It felt as if the scenery on either side was being viewed through a window inside the room. Our friends refused to come out and enjoy the fresh air and the scent of nature, especially the girls who seemed concerned about their skin health.

The boat soon arrived at Loh Samah Bay (Krabi).
From here, anyone who wants to see the beauty of the bay must take a small rubber boat.
It is a boat that we have towed from Phuket to use to get to the island and the beach.
As we want to get up close and personal with it.
....
Of course, the heat is so intense that we can't leave the air-conditioned room.
Or we can only stand cool and take pictures from the boat.

Sailing across to the other side of the island, it's clear even without being told that this is Maya Bay. The world-famous bay attracts countless international tourists eager to spend their money. Despite the relaxed atmosphere on the boat and the stunning beauty of the white sandy beach, we couldn't bring ourselves to disembark. We simply waited for the softer sunlight and enjoyed a sunset dinner, watching the sun dip below the horizon. How many people get to witness the sunset at Maya Bay? Most of the day-trippers have already left by this time. During this period, if you come ashore, the entire beach is yours. As for me, I'm still chilling, watching the sunset from the boat as usual. Hahahaha.

As dusk approached, our boat remained the only one anchored in the bay. We planned to spend the night there, weather permitting, and enjoy the sunset over Maya Bay. As the sun dipped below the horizon and the wind died down, our companions emerged from their cabins, drawn by the tranquil atmosphere. Dinner was soon served, completing the idyllic scene.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting an illusion of rough waves, we made the decision to relocate our boat and seek shelter from the swells at Phi Phi Island, a haven for those who revel in the vibrant nightlife. Alternatively, this could have been orchestrated by someone on board. Regardless, we decided to embrace the moment and ascend to the island to experience its dazzling lights. Meanwhile, our dinner was being prepared and served as we sailed towards our destination.

Leaving the vibrant lights of Phi Phi Island's beaches behind, we set out to embrace the serene beauty of nature's morning symphony. As we embarked on our daily ritual of witnessing the sunrise, we glided along the tranquil waters, our captain taking the helm and showcasing his culinary prowess. Our destination for this morning: the idyllic shores of Bamboo Island.

Our next destination this morning is Koh Phai.

Approximately 3 kilometers from Koh Phi Phi, we encountered a white sand beach. The beach stretches from the northern to the eastern shores of Koh Phai, falling under the jurisdiction of the Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park.

While everyone is waiting to go snorkeling and see the coral reefs, prepare some cold drinks and keep them in the cooler.

...

This sticky rice with mango has been sitting out since last night. We came back from Phi Phi Island late and didn't get to eat it.

...

Along with a prepared lunch waiting for them.

=====================================
I will continue with information about the boat later, in case anyone is interested in chilling out like this.
=====================================

Let's take a look at what the boat I used on this trip has to offer.
=======================

The yacht I used is a package from Discover Catamaran,
which offers diving tours on a double-hulled Catamaran at an affordable price for Thai people.

Yes, the price is affordable. If you cut down on partying with friends a little, you can save up for it.
There are many trips and programs to choose from, both one-day trips and overnight stays on the boat.
Starting from a few thousand baht and up.
....
The boat I used on this trip is a 2-room sailboat. The advantage of a 2-room boat is that it doesn't rock much.
I slept comfortably both nights. At first, I was a little worried because I had only been on a one-day trip before, not an overnight stay.

Inside the boat, there are 3 air-conditioned bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 1 living room, and 1 kitchen.
The bedrooms have windows on top so you can sleep and watch the stars.
Each package includes meals, both day trips and overnight stays.
If you are on a tight budget, you can join a trip and the cost per person will be affordable.
For some trips, adding a little money to the price of a speedboat can make a big difference in the atmosphere.
Or you can charter the boat with a group of people and split the cost. The boat can accommodate from 10 to 30 people.
The package I used on this trip is for 6 people because the boat has 3 bedrooms.
If you come with more people, you will have to sleep on the bow or in the living room, depending on your agreement with the boat company.

As for the price of the trip, it depends on the package and the tourist season.
If you want a cheaper price, you can wait for the Thai Tourism Fair. For the price I went for,
it was about ten thousand baht per person for a 3-day, 2-night trip, including everything.
The current promotion may have changed, so you can inquire for more information at
the Discover Catamaran company page.

I would like to ask permission to post the link for you to follow.
https://web.facebook.com/discovercatamaran/?fref=ts

The three-day, two-night journey on the boat isn't over yet. The trip continues as we head towards the Burmese islands. However, to reach them, we need to return to shore and travel to Ranong province.

Before embarking on the next leg of the journey, we will rest for a night in Phuket. For those seeking accommodation options, I will provide information on a hotel located in the heart of Patong Beach, similar to the one we stayed at during this trip. This hotel, which we received a gift voucher for, is the Deevana Plaza Phuket Patong.

Arriving at the beachfront hotel, Deevana Plaza Phuket Patong.

This was the location we chose for our stay during this trip. Therefore, we felt compelled to provide a detailed review to serve as another option for those seeking accommodation on Patong Beach.

===============

The Deevana Plaza Phuket Patong is conveniently located near Patong Beach.
Decorated in a contemporary Thai style with white and gray tones, the hotel emphasizes comfort for guests.
With a total of 249 rooms divided into 5 room types:
Deluxe City View, Deluxe Pool View, Premier Pool View, Family Room, and Deluxe Suite.
The rooms are fully equipped with amenities such as separate shower and bathtub, LCD TV, refrigerator, and even a hairdryer.

Let's take a look at the overall atmosphere.

Hotel Amenities:
 Restaurant: "Phuket Cafe" serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a traditional Thai setting.
 Bars: "The Lounge" in the hotel lobby and "Sun Bar" by the pool.
 Meeting Room: "Plaza Grand Ballroom" with a capacity of 500 people.
 Swimming Pool: Large swimming pool on the same level as the hotel lobby.
 Spa: "Oriental Spa Wellness Spa".

For more information, please visit the website: www.deevanaplazaphuket.com

The next day, we headed to Naw Oh Phi Island, which I will review in a separate post.
.....
Thank you for visiting.
I will end this review in Phuket and continue in the next review, "Naw Oh Phi Island."
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Naw Oh Phi Island, Myanmar, accessible through Ranong Province.
This trip with Love Andaman did not disappoint, as usual. The food was plentiful and delicious.
Although the weather was not ideal, the island was beautiful and lived up to its reputation.
.
I highly recommend visiting this island at least once. The white sand beaches are as fine as those on Koh Tachai in Thailand.
Plus, the coral reefs here are stunning and plentiful.

Stay tuned for the full review soon.