SimplyAbuDhabi XXXIII

2 1 2 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I Pushtheboatout b y J u l i a Z a l t z m a n b oasting an enormous open-plan sun deck and an eclectically styled interior with Art deco features, TALiSMAn MAiTon is a perennially popular charter yacht. A regular sight sailing the Mediterranean seas in the summer season, when it comes to winter destinations there is no better place than the yacht’s namesake hot spot—Thailand. named after Koh Mai Thon, a 9km private island 20 mins by speedboat from Phuket and known as Thailand’s ‘little Maldives’ (it even sports a mirrored silhouette of the island on the yacht name), the Proteksan Turquoise-built yacht feels at home in the warm, peaceful waters. Her eye- catching interior designed by H2 yachts blends Asian influences with Art deco touches to create lavish entertaining spaces, while her dedicated crew of 13 ensure an unsurpassable guest experience from beginning to end. The more formal main salon and dining area is offset by the relaxed setting of the sky lounge, with its large, curving corner sofa and wide opening onto the bridge deck aft. Six individually styled cabins provide sumptuous accommodation for 12 guests, while the eclectic master suite has an adjoining dressing room, an office and an en-suite bathroom with a jacuzzi bath and shower. but it’s the outdoor spaces that truly reign supreme. With extensive covered seating, al fresco dining areas and a platform above the sun deck offering sensational 360-degree views at sunset, TALiSMAn MAiTon is the ideal yacht for cruising Thailand’s sensational waters. The best place to start off from is Phuket where the opportunity to fly in from Hong Kong, Singapore and bangkok via private jet is too convenient to pass up. A preferred itinerary is to head north fromPhuket to the Surin islands, home of the indigenous Moken people, a community famed for their free-diving abilities. Forming part of a large national park, the dense jungle-covered islands have been home to the community of sea nomads for centuries. by cruising overnight, the 86 nautical miles between Phuket and the Surin islands is barely noticeable, taking around eight hours in total.