After nearly 25 years, we said goodbye to Mai Thai. It's truly the end of an era.
We're incredibly grateful to all the family and friends who visited us along the way, braved the seas (and our cooking), and helped fill Mai Thai with laughter, chaos, and some pretty epic tales.
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| Mai Thai at Shellmound, TN River (Lake Nickajack) |
There were countless unforgettable moments. These are some of the top ones - shared in no particular order:
1. Salt Spray and Rough Seas – Cruising North at Cape Canaveral, Florida
We picked up Mai Thai in early March 2001. After prepping and provisioning, we departed Fort Lauderdale with a seasoned captain aboard. By day two, we were on our own - completely green, learning fast as we navigated a bigger boat through unfamiliar Southern waters.
Off Cape Canaveral, the seas turned rough. Waves crashed relentlessly, sending salt spray all the way to the flybridge, where it dried into a crust of salt on every surface. We endured nearly two hours of pounding swells and nerves-on-edge steering before finally ducking into Ponce Inlet, in the protected calm of the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW). It was wild, dramatic, and marked the true beginning of our great adventure.
2. Coast Guard Boarding in Georgia
Cruising through Georgia in March felt like we had the entire ICW to ourselves—until a lonely Coast Guard boat pulled us over for some company (and an inspection). Fortunately, we passed inspection—no contraband, no trouble. Without charts for the ICW, we were puzzled by a range marker until the Coast Guard circled back and kindly helped us out. Lesson learned!
3. Rocking and Rolling at Jekyll Island, Georgia
We stayed at the beautiful Jekyll Harbor Marina one summer. One calm, sunny day, we took friends out for a cruise. Feeling relaxed (and a little overconfident), we didn’t secure anything below deck. Bad call. Crossing Jekyll Sound, beaming seas had Mai Thai rocking—books, the TV, and a bottle of J&B went flying! Minutes later, all was calm. No injuries, no broken glass. Just a lot of laughing and a few bruised egos.
4. Fuel Dock Drama – Charleston, South Carolina
After fueling up at Ashley Marina, the dockhand gave us a cheerful wave and let go of our lines... just as a swift current grabbed hold of Mai Thai and sent her hurtling backward toward a concrete bridge piling. With no time to spare, we gunned the throttle and narrowly avoided disaster. One of those adrenaline-filled moments that sticks with you forever.
5. Meltdown in the Capital - Washington, D.C.
We pulled into James Creek Marina and plugged in... and promptly fried every appliance onboard. No A/C. No fridge. Just sweat. Lots of sweat. Naturally, D.C. was in the middle of a brutal August heat wave. Thankfully, an electrician saved us the next day. Bonus: we met our neighbor - a young guy living aboard his sailboat (despite not knowing how to sail!) He worked for a senator and graciously offered us a private tour of the U.S. Capitol. Unexpected and unforgettable.
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| Thanks to boating neighbor Eric, we got a private tour |
6. Solomons, Maryland - Crabs, Chestnuts, & a World Forever Changed
After D.C. we cruised to Solomons, where Town Center Marina welcomed us with potlucks, movie nights and a deep sense of camaraderie. It was here, on a quiet September morning that we learned of the 9/11 attacks. Like so many, we stood in shock, eyes glued to the news, struggling to process the world-shifting events unfolding before us. That day changed everything - and we are grateful to be surrounded by a kind, supportive community to help us make sense of it all.
Life went on quietly. We were introduced to a crab house and ate more blue crabs than we thought possible - absolutely delicious! Every time our guest tried to fish, they caught crabs instead. And one unexpected delight: we discovered wild chestnut trees nearby and picked them fresh from the source - simple pleasures, shared in good company, during a time the world will never forget.
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| American chestnuts |
7. Bumped in Wrightsville Beach, N.Carolina
Heading south for the winter, we anchored at a packed Wrightsville Beach, near the Masonboro Inlet. Late in the evening, a Canadian sailboat squeezed in and dropped anchor a bit too close for comfort. We were wary, but respectful—especially of fellow sailors who'd come a long way. The next morning—BANG!—they hit us. Thankfully, there was no damage—just a tough lesson for the Canadian crew on anchor scope and the power of tidal currents. One of many anchoring dramas that made cruising interesting.
8. Miami Mayhem – Stiltsville to Elliot Key
In Miami, we cruised past the historic houses of Stiltsville and explored Boca Chita Key. When we got to Elliot Key, we were the only boat—until a crowd arrived, and things got wild (skinny-dipping included). Later, a speedboat grounded hard on a nearby sandbar with a thunderous crash. It took hours (and a towboat) to set them free!
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| Stiltsville |
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| Mai Thai at Boca Chita Key |
9. Snorkeling & Aerial Views at Lynyard Cay, Bahamas
We dinghied over to Sandy Cay, part of the Bahamian National Trust, to snorkel its crystal-clear waters. Beneath the surface, vibrant reefs teem with colorful marine life. Later, back aboard our boats, the captain was hoisted up the mast of our buddy boat One Love (bucket list: checked) to capture a breathtaking panoramic shot of Mai Thai against a backdrop of pure paradise. It was one of those rare, perfect days when everything feels like a dream.
10. Captain Overboard - Barefoot Landing, S. Carolina
This popular spot used to offer three nights of free docking, drawing boaters from everywhere. It was lively and social—right next to a mall. One morning, as a neighboring sailboat was leaving, our captain tried to push her off from Mai Thai, leaned too far, and splashed right into the water. A gator had been spotted the day before. You've never seen anyone swim so fast to get back on the swim platform.
11. Baltimore, Maryland - Irish Tunes & New Friends
We spent August 2004 at Anchorage Marina, a fantastic spot with great amenities: a welcoming lounge with pool and ping-pong tables, clean restrooms, an outdoor pool, and an easy walking distance to shops and the Inner Harbor. We met many fellow boaters there - some of whom we'd later cruised with to Florida and even Tennessee. One evening, we joined friends for a free outdoor concert in Patterson Park. The headliner? Baltimore’s mayor at the time, Martin O’Malley, playing Irish music with his band. Only in Baltimore! It was one of those surreal, magical nights you never forget.
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| OMalley's March at Patterson Park |
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| Chandelle |
Bonus Memory: Ritzy Naples, Florida
While cruising from Marathon to Punta Gorda in February, we anchored in the upscale canals of Naples. Our buddy boat friends came for dinner, but on their way back in the dark, their first mate missed a step getting into the dinghy. Her scream lit up every fancy mansion along the canal. We were mortified ... but it makes a great story now.
To everyone who was part of this wild, salty, unforgettable ride: thank you. Mai Thai may be cruising on with new owners, but the stories—and friendships—stay with us forever.
May you have fair winds and following seas!
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Here’s to 25 years of epic tales and the kind of camaraderie that lingers long after the sails are down!
ReplyDeleteBTW, the name of the restaurant is Cinnamon Coffee House in 1 Utama Shopping Mall, PJ
Thank you Veronica. A friend of mine used to live in Bandar Utama. I loved that Malay restaurant called Sakura Cafe at 1 Utama. This was in 2001. Wonder if it's still around? Coffee House is a misnomer for a feast like that, don't you think?
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