Members’
Logbook
Every month, you tell us
where you are on the seven seas,
what you can see from your
deck and your top trip tipsMap – Jing ZhangOwner of Bella Ragazza
Length: 43m
Year: 2004
Location: ThailandHow long have you been cruising Thailand?
The boat started a circumnavigation in 2016
after a season in the Caribbean. She then
went to French Polynesia and Fiji for the
summer, after which she underwent a seven
month refit in New Zealand. In June 2017
we sailed to the Solomon Islands and then
arrived in Thailand in October
What inspired you to cruise the area?
We wanted to experience the remoteness
of the Solomon Islands, with its almost non-
existent infrastructure. Locals there move
around in simple dugout canoes. There’s also
some amazing places to dive in Asia
Have you got a highlight?
The beauty of the Similan Islands is hard tobeat. But we also enjoyed diving on World
War Two wrecks in the Solomon Islands
What’s the sailing been like?
Very good so far, especially between Papua
New Guinea and the Solomon Islands
Has anything surprised you?
Definitely the massive crowds of tourists
on the beaches of Phuket, who left their
litter everywhere and did not show any
respect towards nature and other people.
It wasn’t good to see. A very positive surprise,
however, were the pink cuttlefish we spotted
while diving in the Solomon Islands
What’s the drink of choice on board at the
moment?
Moët Ice Rosé with fresh berriesTed Andrew
Yacht: Song of the Sea
Length: 34.35m
Year: 2002
Location: Palma
We hear you’ve been doing some UK
cruising...
That’s right. We sailed up to Scotland’s
Western Isles and the wild west coast of
Ireland. Song of the Sea departed her home
port of Palma de Mallorca in early May 2017
bound for Oban, with one stop off in Dublin
where we all learned to pull the perfect pint
at the Guinness brewery
Why did you decide on Scotland and Ireland?
We were attracted by the scenic beauty in
those waters but were concerned about our
4.5m draught. We need not have worried
because many of the marinas can now
accommodate 5m even at low tide
Did you visit any distilleries?
Yes, several. In Scotland, Tobermory was
our favourite but you’ve got to like peat.
In Ireland, Dingle got the vote
How was
the (in)
famous
weather?
Warm,
wet and windy. The Outer Hebrides gave us
some shelter in Scotland but Ireland has to
cope with all the Atlantic can throw at it
Any tips for people following your footsteps?
Choose the right wardrobe and leave your
bikinis and Speedos at home. We also have
a set of Hardie bagpipes on board, which
we play at sundown. Everyone loves it, so
make sure you take a set!
What moments stick in your mind?
The best two were Ladies’ Day at Galway
Races and Fungie, the bottle-nosed dolphin
who lives in Dingle Bay. He went missing one
year but returned a year later with a bride,
who then left him another year later. One
year after that he went missing again and
returned with a second bride, who also left
him a year later. Maybe it will be third time
lucky. We had one lowlight – the only time
we drove a car all summer we picked up
a speeding fine. Sod’s law
What’s next for Song of the Sea?
It’s back to cruising the Med with gin and
tonics in the sun next summer99