Far and Few: Sailing in Thailand After the Tsunami

Arriving back in to a Beijing blizzard made the last thirteen days sailing in the Andaman sea even harder to leave behind. Post Tsunami, there was sceptisism about whether it was a good idea to go on the trip in the first place, but in the end we were doing the best thing that could be done - bringing back the tourist dollar. The lack of other tourists, though there were some, if anything made the trip all the more fantastic. It’s hard to complain when you have beatiful white sandy beaches all to yourself. Pictures speak a thousand words so here you go. Enjoy and don’t be too jealous. ;)

Our family holiday is never complete without one of my father’s poems and our trip to Thailand was no exception. Here it is in full…

THE BUMBLIES

(after THE JUMBLIES by Edward Lear)

They set out to sea in a sloop, they did, In a sloop they set to sea; And every one said, “You must be brave To visit the land of the tidal wave In a sloop that’s set to sea!” “And when the sloop turns round and round,” They said, “It’s the way to get perfectly browned.” So they’d made their plan and their minds were set, And they got on a plane and arrived at Phuket To a sloop that set to sea. Far and few, far and few Are the travels of this little group. Their bodies are browned, And their attributes round, And they went to sea in a sloop.

They sailed out to sea in a sloop, they did, With not enough wind to go fast. They claimed they’d all become oh so trim. And they’d work off the Singha beer with a swim. (Its much more refreshing than going to the gym.) They just hoped the result would last. And some of them covered their bodies with crud, And said, “We’ll perfect our skin with this mud.” And they snorkelled at islands with coral sands Below limestone cliffs in these tropical lands As they puttered on slowly past. Far and few, far and few Are the travels of this little group. Their bodies are browned, And their attributes round, And they went to sea in a sloop.

They sailed out to sea in a sloop they did, And a kayak they took to the shore. They crept through a cave with a bat filled pong To arrive with screams in a sun-drenched hong. Which was truly a treat in store. And the monitor lizard gave quite a fright, While the fruit bats flew on their evening flight, And the monkeys played there in the trees, And the coconut palms waved in the breeze. They could hardly ask for more. Far and few, far and few Are the travels of this little group. Their bodies are browned, And their attributes round, And they went to sea in a sloop.

They sailed out to sea in a sloop they did And they came to James Bond’s isle. And they took the kayak through mangrove swamps With Bond girl protection from crocodile chomps, As they paddled in single file. And a Bond girl swam with her inner tubes And they said don’t be silly its just her boobs. But when they could see the enemy hoard They quickly retreated back on board And declined to stay a while. Far and few, far and few Are the travels of this little group. Their bodies are browned, And their attributes round, And they went to sea in a sloop.

They sailed out to sea in a sloop they did In a sloop well stocked with booze. And Henri suffered a small decline As she had to be veto’ed from pouring wine Regardless of bubble or hues; Yet they drank their bottles of Moet & C And occasional helpings of Long Island tea And Ed was detailed to pour the gin And he found Lime Fanta, when added in, Would match with Vicky’s bruise. Far and few, far and few Are the travels of this little group. Their bodies are browned, And their attributes round, And they went to sea in a sloop.

They sailed out to sea in a sloop they did But when they came to the shore Siska ordered the finest meals. (For Ed, green curry’s the thing that appeals) (Though Liz found some of the food too hot She was brave and did not complain – well a lot!) And everyone wanted more. And they finished their journey quite well trained And no one seemed to be over-strained Apart from the usual pain of those, Who’d burned their bodies and stubbed their toes And lay writhing in the floor. Far and few, far and few Are the travels of this little group. Their bodies are browned, And their attributes round, And they went to sea in a sloop.

Robert Stedall 11 February 2005

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