Year 2 -10th December 2025 –Phuket -Thailand
We got up to another nice day and had another great breakfast. We had arranged for a Thai Cooking lesson today so we had to be at the reception by 12.45pm for a lesson between 1.00pm-3.00pm during which we were to learn to cook 4 Thai dishes.
We had a relaxing morning by the pool and I got on with more planning. I had now been contacted by the agent in Sri Lanka and they required all sorts of documents which I prepared and sent them. This took a number of hours and we also all had to apply for an ETA (entry visa) so I contacted all of the crew to get this underway. I also heard from the guide with a suggested itinerary and I circulated this. I then started to contact the crew for the future legs after India to confirm whether they are still on to come etc.
By 12.30pm we prepared ourselves and went down to the lobby area by the beach where we were to do our cooking class. We were met by a nice man called Keng who was actually from Cambodia and had been working in the kitchens here for some 3 years. He works 6 days a week from 8.00am to 11.00pm. That would make a few UK people concerned!!
We were given an apron and a hat. Keng was a very nice man and his English was not too bad. He taught us 4 dishes where he showed us all the ingredients for each dish and then we prepared the ingredients cutting them up etc. We then cooked them over the gas and we tasted each in turn and they were delicious. The secret is getting the right ingredients as the cooking time is usually quite quick and you do not need ovens etc. We made 4 dishes namely:
Gai Satay – Chicken satay with peanut sauce – delicious
Tom Yam Goong – one of the most famous Thai soups with prawns. The aroma and taste is spectacular.
Thad Kra Phrao Seafood – a sort of stir fried seafood with Thai basil and a favourite.
Kaeng Phed Ped Yang – A Duck Red Thai Curry
They were all delicious and we could only eat a bit of each as there was so much food. This took over two hours and at the end we were handed a certificate and a recipe book of the 4 dishes. It was great fun and very enjoyable.
We spent the afternoon by the pool and relaxed and swam and read. I answered a number of emails and queries and updated documents etc. I also managed to contact the rigger and sent him the things I wanted him to look at. I also started to look at the pilot books.
We had supper at our local restaurant and by now the staff knew us and always reserved a nice table for us and looked after us. I always at lunchtime ask them to take out a bottle of red wine from the fridge as otherwise it is cold and tasteless. This then lasts a couple of nights and they are getting used to me by now. There was a show of Thai dancing which was interesting and the costumes were lovely and colourful. After the dancing they put a stage in the pool and had a fire show where the dancers danced with torches. A nice touch.
The picture of the day is Jules and I in our Chef’s outfits.
Need/Opportunity Year Three
In year three I will be going from Thailand to Sri Lanka, India, Maldives and then on to Mauritius, Reunion, Cape Town, St Helena, Azores and back to the UK.
I am looking for crew from Mauritius/ Reunion Island to Cape Town and from Cape Town to the UK. If of any interest do email me.
The blog will continue as we continue the journey. If you have any comments or suggestions about the blog then do email me on hine.nick9@gmail.com