So, after a cooked breakfast enjoyed in the cockpit and a chat to Terence in Australia, we both got to work on the aerial of our SSB/HF radio that needed to be waterproofed again after the last lot of tape we put on it while in Straits Quay marina, on Penang Island, simply disintegrated. Elaine then started the washing machine for laundry day, throwing in a few “spring cleaning” items too like all the covers off our throw cushions and the mosquito net covering the saloon door, while Roy jumped into each of the engine compartments to replace the saildrive oil and it was a good job he did; rather than finding the usual blue-coloured oil, it was pitch black, something we’ve never had before. We can only assume that this was a result of the recent maintenance on the clutch cones and the new bearings and seals wearing in. In the middle of this exercise, Roy also enjoyed a chat to Richard, off Charon, before we had lunch and a short afternoon nap.
Feeling refreshed again, Roy then replaced a few toggle switches on the watermaker system and resealed the latches on both engine compartments, while Elaine continued with her detailed cleaning activities, this time in the port aft cabin.
Today we were awake with the alarm to dinghy ashore, collect the hired car and drive to Patong Hospital on the west coast of Phuket Island for our second COVID-19 vaccination jab. While chaos rained at the hospital following our arrival, it was surprisingly efficient once we eventually worked out the process being used, without much guidance or instructions lost in translation. Nonetheless, we were in and out within an hour and extremely grateful to the Thai government for their generosity, at a time when vaccines are so scarce in the country.
From there we drove to Boat Lagoon marina, where we stopped in at Dean and Deluca for a morning coffee and, of course, yet another baked delight. Then, while Elaine enjoyed the comfort of the air-conditioned environment, Roy completed his shopping at the various marine stores.
We did, however, also squeeze in a tourist attraction, one Elaine has wanted to see since we arrived on Phuket Island and one we’ve driven passed on numerous occasions; the Buddhist temple, Wat Srisoonthorn, named by King Rama I, but known to locals as Wat Lipon, built in 1792.
As we walked through the gates, we couldn’t help but notice the huge golden reclining Buddha, stretched across the roof of the main building. Research revealed that it is 29 metres long.
Surrounded by hills and tall trees, the property was very quiet and peaceful as well, surprisingly so, considering its proximity to one of the busy main roads.
As we wandered around the grounds, we also noticed a small bell tower and a number of smaller Buddha images in different positions. Apparently there are nine of the latter, all facing the entrance, as if to welcome you to this holy place of worship.
Seeing a few non-Buddha images, including giants, lions, roosters, eagles and an assortment of other animal figures, was somewhat surprising, but later learnt that these come from the Thai myths and are believed to act as the guards of the temple.
Other interesting images included statues known as “Phets” (Ghosts), believed by some Thais to be people in the afterlife who did bad things while alive. Many “Wats” have these ghostly image as a reminder to be kind to others.
Depictions of Buddha in a sleeping position are considered very important to devotees, as it represents the Lord Buddha in the stage of dreaming. Legend has it that, after the end of his six-year-long period of extreme self-mortification, in the hope of discovering the truth about life, Buddha had a dream that made him realise that he had indeed reached the stage of enlightenment.
A few more errands and a dinghy ride back to Paw Paw to sanitise all our purchases before returning the car, brought another busy day to an end.
