I have been looking forward to these next few days for MONTHS! A few month back our good friends on SV Terrapin, who we crossed the Pacific Ocean with back in 2017, posted on FaceBook they were headed to Thailand. As most of you know, cruising and plans don’t always work out so the hope was to be able to meet up with them SOMEWHERE in Thailand. With our engine issues, mainsail, and all the work being done on the boat, we were afraid we were going to miss our opportunity to re-connect… which would of been a HUGE disappointment. Luckily, we got them on their last few days on their trip and boy howdy….the fun we had!
And the fun begins…..
SV Terrapin (Phil, Amiee, Jessica and Emma) crossed the pacific the same year we did. There were about 8 boats that really connected, both with kids and non-kid boats. We called ourselves the “Barnacle Fleet”. Our fleet found ourselves constantly in the same anchorages as the Oyster Round the World rally in the Pacific. Oysters sail boats costs hundreds of thousands of dollars and their rally had a support/supply boat. They would also fly their Oyster banners at anchor just to be sure we knew…I am not judging, it’s just an observation. One time, the Oyster rally tried to arrange for their fleet to buy fruits and vegetables separately from the 5am market. They were denied by the locals and they had to get up at the butt crack of dawn too…1 point for the Barnacle Fleet. The Barnacle Fleet has a very special place in our hearts as we traveled, learned, and shared our first ocean crossing together. For us to be able to see them again, was just incredible…words just can’t describe the feeling!
First night….we came ashore about high tide…meaning that when we were ready to leave after dinner, we would have to walk the dinghy about 500 feet. Thankfully we were in company who were accustomed to these challenges and offered to help….of course after a few, or multiple, adult beverages!
Ummm. that’s our dinghy..not your couch! 
However, now it’s our couch…we got a few strange looks : )
The next day we just hung out on Slow Flight….I think Phil just wanted to be on a sailboat again (LOL) Trevor blew up all our inflatables and got the snorkel gear out. They brought pizza for lunch and we made dinner. A few of us were feeling a bit “foggy” after last night…but by noon, a few beers later…all is well : )
Jessica and Emma…hope they are not too bored! 
Almost in…. 
Ta Da…..!!!!!
Ahhhh…. 
Got beer? 
SV Fandango and SV Me Too…you would of been proud!
Short stop to monkey beach before dinner…no monkeys…just tourists…and sand drawings….
So Trevor is wearing Phil’s U of O visor…Phil is wearing the Zatara visor which was his in the first place. Not sure how it got on to Slow Flight…. There is a story behind the visor….Barnacle Fleet…do you remember?!
After dinner the girls got a bit chilly with the AC on…. back to the beach at low tide….it’s always an adventure!
Our last evening together we set off to see the sunset at the Phi Phi Viewpoint…got lost, climbed stairs…but WOW…what a view!
Very popular place..once we found it! Lots of stairs and mosquitos….. 
But the view was soooooo worth it!
Panoramic shot of the view at Phi Phi Viewpoint at sunset
Then to dinner at Anna’s..again (so good), a few more adult beverages, and durian ice cream?! Durian is a well known, stinky fruit all around SouthEast Asia. Below is a link describing druian…since we hadn’t tried it before, I can’t speak from personal experience : )
Amiee and I both had not tried durian throughout our travels so we thought we would “support” each other…. 
Excited to try durian for the first time…. 
Ummm…the verdict is out…even with the added sugar : (
Then things got crazy!….just have to watch and see : )
It was a short but crazy fun 2 days and we hope they enjoyed their time with us as much as we enjoyed seeing them again. For us, it really rejuvenated us to keep going..after all the boat issues we had been experiencing….this visit was exactly what we needed at the exact perfect time! Again, the connections you make out here last a lifetime. We are excited to watch Jessica and Emma prepare for college back in the States. I know Phil and Aimee are NOT doing traveling…it’s just in their blood! We are excited to see where what next adventures they choose!
Love you guys to the moon and back, you made Thailand one of our greatest memories!!! Miss you all already : )
Side story: Phil and Aimee sold SV Terrapin and moved to China to teach specific subjects (not english) where Emma was adopted from back in 2018, while Jessica and Emma are attending school there. They all agreed as a family to sell and go to China but Jessica, now, is not “feeling the love” and there was a discussion during our visit about Jessica joining Slow Flight for a passage with us. She decided she wanted to stay and finish the school year there but we heard from Phil and Aimee when they returned to China that she might of regretted that decision. First of all, we are honored that Phil and Aimee would trust us with Jessica on Slow Flight and secondly, Jessica or Emma, you are always welcome aboard Slow Flight..ANYTIME!
Next up, getting ready to cross the Andaman sea and Bay of Bengal…