Maya reviews the cruising fleet anchored at Nai Harn, Thailand.

Check out the first installment of this piece , Favorite Stops Around the World, Part One.

By the time Imani was half way around the world from San Francisco Bay, we were two years out and found that the entire family was ready to take a well deserved rest. So we slowed our pace considerably and spent the next 18 months in Malaysia and Thailand, finding some our our favorite places on our circumnavigation.

6. Langkawi, Malaysia is an archipelago of 99 tropical islands just off the northwestern coast of the Malay Peninsula. Monkeys and malls are found in the main town, Kuah while quiet anchorages and nooks and crannies are in abundance. Langkawi offers a variety of possibilities. Langkawi is located close to the Thai-Malaysian border, making it is easy to keep one's visa current and the papers in order. Easy is the best way to describe life in Langkawi. The officials are easy-going, efficient, and honest and the shopkeepers are very accommodating and responsive to their customers. The variety of anchorages makes it easy to be in just the right environment that you crave or need at the moment. During the Southwest Monsoon, Langkawi has many spots that afford good protection during that more rambunctious weather season.

7. Nai Harn Beach, Phuket, Thailand is one of our most favorite beaches in the world, a vast sandy beach with gentle rollers that encourage boogie-boarding and body surfing. The anchorage is good size, and will easily accommodate 50 boats, while the sandy bottom makes for excellent anchoring conditions. Nai Harn is just a bus ride away from Ao Chalong and Phuket Town, yet access to this wonderful recreational beach is just a short dinghy ride from anchor. We spent several months at anchor in Nai Harn during the Northeast monsoon, while our daughter Maya took horse-back riding lessons at the local Phuket Riding Club.

Camel parking in Mitsawa, Eritrea. Despite decades of war, the people here are charming and hospitable.

8. Mitsawa (Masawa) Port, Eritrea is a dusty, rough and tumble town still scarred by 30 years of warfare that nevertheless charms one with the open hospitality of its people. A very friendly town that works hard to accommodate its visitors, Mitsawa was our first stop on mainland Africa. We intended to spend just a few days to shop and re-fuel, but we stayed longer to explore the country further. We left the boat for a number of days at anchor and journeyed up country to the highlands to visit the capital city, Asmara. What an incredible treat that was. A cosmopolitan city, with cafés serving espressos, cappuccinos and all kinds of delicious Italian pastries, Asmara won us through our eyes and stomachs. The people are wonderfully full of their independence and so many of the young people we met were thrilled to be able to pursue their education in peace. Walking the city was one surprise after another—the variety of architecture, the textiles and metalwork available, as well as the fine leather shoes--it was a wonderful destination that we reluctantly left, and vowed would return to again someday.

Turkey’s coast leaves plenty of opportunity to practice some creative anchoring techniques.

9. Kas, Turkey in June is a "fruitivore's" paradise, according to my daughter Maya. We hadn't eaten cherries in four years since we embarked on our circumnavigation and arrived in Turkey at the beginning of their cherry season. The farmers market in Kas is remembered by the Imani crew as one heaping pyramid of cherries after another. And the price was right, so we devoured every cherry we could get our hands on. Kas itself is a pretty cobblestone town with a small harbor within its seawall. We anchored behind the town in a large bay that was within walking distance from most everything. The Turkish people drink tea all time of day and we were invited to visit a family that we met at the market and have tea with them. It was a lovely afternoon of cultural exchange that continued our entire stay there. The many ancient ruins and sites to explore, on land as well as on and around nearby Kekova Island, give the cruising visitor plenty to see and do. There are no beaches here, but the beautiful rocky shoreline and pristine waters make time spent here very special.

10. Barcelona, Spain is a definite contrast to Kas, being such a big and happening city, but we really loved our time in Barcelona. We tied up at Marina Port Vell in the rebuilt Roman harbor, just off the heart of the old town and spent 10 days exploring this artistic city. Parc Guell showcases Gaudi's amazingly surreal vision; the Picasso Museum presents Picasso's early works, while the cathedral, La Sagrada Familia is a definite must-see for Gaudi lovers. The subway system is modern and fast. But keep a tight hold to your handbags, or better yet leave them at the boat, for pickpockets do try to separate you from your money and credit cards. Strolling Las Ramblas for tapas and people-watching was a favorite endeavor for us all. Barcelona made our hearts sing that such a large city could have so much soul.

Samana fishermen flag down Imani for a tow back home in the Dominican Republic.

11. Samana, Dominican Republic is a beautiful bay on the Northeastern coast of the Dominican Republic. After crossing the Atlantic into the Caribbean's Leeward Islands, we felt like we were definitely back in America's sphere of influence. The tourist industry is so developed there that we didn't feel like we were cruising any more—not until we arrived into Samana Bay did that feeling of discovery return that had so punctuated our cruising thus far. Physically, this bay is full of lush tropical greens meeting the azure blue Caribbean Sea. Fishermen in small sailing craft cut across Imani's bows waving welcome and requesting a quick tow back to their village. Yes. We were back in the groove…meeting folks, exploring the town, and seeing the sites…being somewhere else. That's what we love about all the places we have listed. They are all great places to explore and discover and meeting great people is what it's all about.