Well it's been quite some time since my last blog post, but fear not...for I'm back and ready to write more then ever. First off when I last left you I was leaving Laos...well holy smokes...I'm now all and done two Islands in Thailand...soooo lets begin shall we.
I caught a train ride from Bangkok down to the port town of Surathani where I end up almost getting scammed by the tuk tuk driver. What ends up happening is I negotiate a price and tell him to take me to the bus station. I told him where I wanted to go and he said he knows the place I can get a bus...so I agree. (Looking back I should have stated more specifically where I wanted to go, but live and learn
I end up being brought to "his" bus station where they try over charging me and saying if I don't buy this one I'll be stuck at the port...well...little nervous, but I'm not overly worried...soo I head down the street looking for a cheaper place. But then the tuk tuk driver guy chases me down and demands I pay him more money(reason being...I didn't buy from that booth...therefore...no commission) The guy gets right in my face like he wants to fight...I calmly try and explain that was the price we agreed on. He was having none of it...fine...I don't want to get in a fight with a crazy Thai guy...so I give him ten Baht more(he wanted 30 more)
Walking down the street I end up finding three other cheaper places, but still nothing within what I want to pay. Finally I'm about to call it quits and try and find a place to stay at this crappy port town...until...BAM...I come across a place with a bus just about to leave for the boat...its also 100percent cheaper then the others...well geez...sign me up. So I hop on the bus, then the boat and I'm off to Koh Samui
Koh Samui is a great looking island, but on the island...well that's a different story. It reminds me of Bangkok...all jumbled up onto a little patch of land. Western hotel chains...strip malls...McDonalds and almost any other amenity you could want from back home. Sooo...this wasn't my type of island.
Now don't get me wrong...loved the clear water...white sandy beaches and sun...buuut all the people hassling you to buy stuff...it can kind of wear on someone. So I spent a couple days...then packed up my things...and off to my favorite Island so far...KOH TAO.
My main goal of Koh Tao was to get my advanced PADI scuba diving, but I also fell in love with the beaches and beautiful scenery. If Samui is a city, then Koh Tao is a village scattered throughout a vast landscape, but still, everything is in walking distance.
Myself and a guy I met on the boat decided that Crystal Dive was going to be the right fit for us...so we were able to get bungalows close to the water for 7 dollars a day and we didn't look back. The dive center was the perfect fit, great instructors, new gear and so much more.
After completing all the required classroom sessions...it was off to the pool before we hit the open water. Well...me being me...it didn't take long before I almost drowned in the pool. Breathing underwater is spectacular and such a mind blowing experience, but when you have to incoperate taking out the thing you're able to breathe with and put it back in underwater...WHAT? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
So I my first attempt to remove the regulator and put it back in my mouth turns into me rushing to the surface trying not to die as I sucked in water instead of air...everyone else is laughing while I'm gasping for air...hahaha...thanks guys...but soon enough I was able to get that skill down and master everything else that needed to be done...next up..the open water.
I was like a giddy little kid ready for his first day of school...I had all my things ready to go and couldn't wait to feel the cool rush of the water. Finally, after all the work I awkwardly jumped into the ocean and let out a yell of joy.
Getting to the bottom of the ocean, staring at the vast amount of sea life, feeling the cool water brush against your skin, the time slowly float by and the bubbles floating up to the surface you can't help but smile...I fell in love with diving from the first moment I touched the water wearing my scuba pack.
I love seeing a world that can't be normally visible...all the life...the movements...the stillness...just a spectacular and fulfilling moment. Still, there are moments when it can get a little scary.
For example...the night dive of disorderly depths. It was actually a dive I was looking forward to the most. Seeing all the aquatic life at night, how they change and more come out, a very unique experience. Well...this is me were talking about, so after getting down to the bottom, doing a little fish sighting, it was time for night diving navigation.
My buddy and I are supposed to take off in one direction for 10 kicks, then return using the compass. Well, we take off fine, but I end up getting split up with my buddy around a large coral piece and just like that, I lose him. But not to worry, I see some lights ahead, must be my group. Unfortunately I didn't bother checking my compass, and find out that's not my group. They take off, and I attempt to find my way back, but...now I'm good and lost.
To make matters even better...my light dies at the very moment I realize I'm lost. Hmmm...this is like some bad joke someones playing on me. I commence operation turn light back on and start banging the heck out of it...then there was light.
Training explains, that if lost, remain in one place for a minute then return to the surface. Well I waited probably five and soon enough...I see lights. So I swim to the group and they lead me back to the boat, where my groups waiting...crapping their pants and thinking I'm dead on the bottom of the ocean.
"Uh...hi guys...hehe...guess who", said very meekly by myself. "Ooops...my bad."
In the end it all worked out, and I wasn't too worried as I knew what to do, had lots of air and knew the area somewhat. A great first hand learning experience...just how I like it. :D
Our final dive day consisted going to a depth of 30 meters, which turned out too not be as bad as I expected. Visability was average, but I ended up seeing some huge fish, a barracuda and a sting ray. Unfortunately...no sharks :(
Geez, I just can't express how much I loved diving. Just being able to go to a depth of 30 meters under the sea, see all these creatures interacting in their habitats and practicing the art of buoyancy...just surreal.
One of my favorite islands of all time is Koh Tao. Added with the scuba diving made this part of the trip a huge success. I definitely recommend anyone with a sweet tooth for diving, relaxing, tranquility and scenery to visit Koh Tao.
Next stop...Koh Phangan for Christmas.
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