From the desk of Patricia M. Thompson
Our year in Thailand, Equus refit 2007-2008, written November 10, 2008
This grand adventure started with our decision to head north to Thailand from Malaysia. We had “heard tell” that Thai workers were skilled and still relativity inexpensive in the scheme of boat renovators from around the world.
So with our mates from England onboard we headed north. Bo and Pete were doing around the world tour while taking a break from their boat, which was left in Turkey.
On route we had a small electrical melt down of our generator and from that repair project on, we were seduced into “completely” re-vamping Equus. The total refit time was May, 2007 to April, 2008.
You may ask how is one so filled with such gleeful illusions of renovations as this? Well I can’t give you an intelligent answer other than one project lead to the next and before you knew it we had stripped Equus of her interior belongings and pretty much from bow to stern had touched her with varnish, paint and new teak as we worked our way through this process. Our two main contractor's were Keven Gillow with Solidair solidair@loxinfo.co.th an Jo Miller http://phuketindex.com/boatbiz/ with Boat-biz.
Our year in Thailand, Equus refit 2007-2008, written November 10, 2008
This grand adventure started with our decision to head north to Thailand from Malaysia. We had “heard tell” that Thai workers were skilled and still relativity inexpensive in the scheme of boat renovators from around the world.
So with our mates from England onboard we headed north. Bo and Pete were doing around the world tour while taking a break from their boat, which was left in Turkey.
On route we had a small electrical melt down of our generator and from that repair project on, we were seduced into “completely” re-vamping Equus. The total refit time was May, 2007 to April, 2008.
You may ask how is one so filled with such gleeful illusions of renovations as this? Well I can’t give you an intelligent answer other than one project lead to the next and before you knew it we had stripped Equus of her interior belongings and pretty much from bow to stern had touched her with varnish, paint and new teak as we worked our way through this process. Our two main contractor's were Keven Gillow with Solidair solidair@loxinfo.co.th an Jo Miller http://phuketindex.com/boatbiz/ with Boat-biz.
Before pic aft cabin w/An our carpenter
Before, aft head
After aft cabin
We completely gutted the aft cabin and renovated it; our heads are adorned with “one off’s” of hand thrown clay sinks from a Phuket artisan; not much change in our galley (we
were running short on cash-turns out the cost of the refit was more – MUCH MORE than budgeted – big surprise) and our hull is a shiny new green (see picture at beginning of story). Not to mention the deck now has a new painted non-skid cream finish. She does look like a beautiful new/old boat and we are very proud of her. 
After, fwd head
And as far as Steve and I, well you know what they say about a relationship surviving a major renovation etc… if a couple can stay together throughout this process then that couple has warranted the test of committed love and if the Gods allow will live many more happy days together.
We did endure this process together with grace and love toward one another; for this we are the stronger in spirit and love. However in the learning/leaning on each other, we have discovered a strong desire we each have to head back to North America.
“Are we crazy?” you might ask, just when our country is perhaps experiencing the most turbulent of times in our lives. No, just filled with faith that the American people will gather what they need to start over and rebuild an America we all can be proud of again, throughout the world.
I know our current administration under President Bush has taken some hard hits, many justly placed. However after witnessing the upcoming election before we left N. America I felt America's pride returning. The real winners are the American people, they turned out in groves to let the world know we are far from giving up, lets hope it's not to late!
Barack Obama has a large whole to dig us out of and I have faith in the spirit of the American people to help our new President with this cause – Bravo and I pray this spirit will be contagious to more Americans to become a more conscious society. We need to remember we do have the power and the government does work for us if we employ it to do so.
I am affirmed by the voter's turn out saying to the world we are far from giving up on our great nation. Now perhaps re-awakened, we will continue to speak our hearts and minds and rebuild what our current administration has jeopardized. And as we make our way back to North America on board Equus I hope to hear once again the voices rally, saying what a great county the United States of America is.
