Dear Jeff,

Don't listen to the circumnavigators you have been talking to. There are pros and cons everywhere and if you are starting out this place is good as any. I got lockdowned in a nature reserve and was told by the navy not to move. Crystal clear waters, good fishing. As for Indo - could explore there for years. All depends on ones expectations. I was in Ko tautoa not long ago. Only boat there on the East Side. I was playing opera to the pink dolphins in the morning who would circle my boat and watch grey eagles competing with the dolphins fishing.

I hope you got out Jeff. I am so sorry for a 2 year late reply. I hope you got out and didn't listen to the naysayers and I hope this finds you and your family in good health and spirits.

All the best,

Sean

Hi dude

Seems like you have some experience there in SE Asia, and we are evaluating buying a boat in Phuket/Langkawi for 14 months (maybe more) of coastal cruising there starting in June 2019.

I am well aware that buying a boat and cruising for this timeframe is very ambitious, but we are really keen to do so. After doing a lot of research, it seems that basing out of Phuket/Langkawi and maybe visiting Andamans/Indonesia seems to be our best plan, as it can be sailed year round, has enough yachting infrastructure, appears pretty easy to sail (we don’t have a ton of experience), and is culturally/physically interesting.

Some recent conversations with circumnavigators have made me doubt our choice of location as they feel this area is too busy, not good winds, silty water, and not interesting enough to spend more than a few months in (the South Pacific may have spoiled them).

Would love to hear your thoughts.

Cheers, Jeff Milum