Sunday, February 15, 2004
Okay, no more kidding myself. I missed writing to much stuff and won't even try and write it all down. Synopsis. After Sukhothai Jay, Dustin, and I went to Chiang Mai for several days taking some visits to the countryside, which is the main attraction from the busy city. Our excursions were limited to riding motorbikes and mountain biking in the lush mountain region surrounding the Chiang Mai. Subsequently we got our hands on some budget airfare to Krabi, where I had already been, then took a bus and boat to Ko Pha Ngan, where I had already been also so I won't write anymore on these places. After Ko Pha Ngan Jay and Dustin departed leaving me to myself once again, but this time for the long haul.
Tearing myself away from the tropical paradise of Ko Pha Ngan, I took a boat to the most northern island in the chain, Ko Tao, where I was to perform my scuba diving training towards PADI Divemaster. A scuba diving mecca, there are over 30 dive shops on the tiny island, which primarily caters to scuba divers. And this is where everything just slows down. On most days I roll out of my bungalow and walk about 100 ft to the dive shop, where I spend most of my time. Most days I don't travel more than 50 meters farther than the dive shop, except when I go out on the boat. So I really haven't seen much of the island, despite its small size. Oh, and across the walking path from the dive shop is the AC Bar, where there is a party practically every other night, along with a fireworks show. The noise gets annoying sometimes since my bungalow is not far away.
Today I assisted in an Open Water course. Taking about a 15 ride to the first dive site, Twins, I helped escort the student diver around the site while taking time to look at the underwater park full of corals and fish, including blue spotted sting rays, and the potentially dangerous and aggressive trigger fish. The 2nd dive site, we met up with Wally, a 10 inch long fish, whom we greeted by petting him, and later he followed us around the dive site as usual.
I haven't been on Ko Tao the whole time though, I took a week out to go to malaysia to get a new longer visa. More on that later, maybe................
Tearing myself away from the tropical paradise of Ko Pha Ngan, I took a boat to the most northern island in the chain, Ko Tao, where I was to perform my scuba diving training towards PADI Divemaster. A scuba diving mecca, there are over 30 dive shops on the tiny island, which primarily caters to scuba divers. And this is where everything just slows down. On most days I roll out of my bungalow and walk about 100 ft to the dive shop, where I spend most of my time. Most days I don't travel more than 50 meters farther than the dive shop, except when I go out on the boat. So I really haven't seen much of the island, despite its small size. Oh, and across the walking path from the dive shop is the AC Bar, where there is a party practically every other night, along with a fireworks show. The noise gets annoying sometimes since my bungalow is not far away.
Today I assisted in an Open Water course. Taking about a 15 ride to the first dive site, Twins, I helped escort the student diver around the site while taking time to look at the underwater park full of corals and fish, including blue spotted sting rays, and the potentially dangerous and aggressive trigger fish. The 2nd dive site, we met up with Wally, a 10 inch long fish, whom we greeted by petting him, and later he followed us around the dive site as usual.
I haven't been on Ko Tao the whole time though, I took a week out to go to malaysia to get a new longer visa. More on that later, maybe................
