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Published: March 28th 2008
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We've arrived!
Walking down the jetty to the beach Well, first of all I have to apologise for my lack of blogging over the last few weeks. Its not that it has been hectic or stressful or that I have been lost in the wilderness, its just...well, i'm not going to make any excuses...we've been having too much of a good time! 😊
3rd March - 10th March - Ko Tao
Setting off from Bangkok we had to catch an overnight bus to Chumphon and then a ferry over to the island of Ko Tao. It was another night with very little sleep but it was definitely worth it based on what was to follow. Crusing in on the ferry we were met by a school of flying fish and the scenery was just like that off the back of a postcard...perfect!
Ko Tao is reknowned for its quality dive sights so we had all agreed we were to complete our Open Water Padi Diving course here. The island has numerous dive schools which allows for healthy competition, keeping the prices down...great for us! After looking at a few recommended schools we settled on Scuba Junction which is a very reputable company. Our instructer was
The beach
Just like the back of a postcard! called Dave and we had some good banter with him as he was a big Leeds United fan (unfortunately for him!). On the first day we did a little theory about the basics behind diving and it came a bit of a shock when we were told we would have to pass an exam at the end of the four day course!
On the second day we were straight into the water with our scuba gear practising some basic skills such as removing the mask under water and sharing air wih your buddy...just in case! Then we swam out from the beach to the reef for a look around and were surprised to find the large amount of aquatic life there is just off shore. The colour of the coral was also amazing!
In the evening after a full day at the scuba school we headed to the wooden bungalows which came with the diving course at an additional cost of 70p a night. Not bad! James, Jonathon and I were 5 minutes from the beach up in the jungle while Ross and Rick were in one a little closer. After our first nights stay we realised that
it was not just us who were the residents...numerous insects, Gecko's and two dogs had also chosen to pitch up. Steven the Gecko was a regular visiter on the ceiling of our room also...and we welcomed him with open arms.
On the third day we had our first two open water dives. We readied our equipment and boarded the dive boat with Dave and Martin (a trainee instructer who looked like Moby - legend!) We set off in fairly rough weather and the intended dive site was too open to dive at so instead we went to a more sheltered reef. Utilising all the skills we had learned the previous day we entered into the water and descended. It was awesome! After a little time practising skills we were free to view the aquatic life...and mess around. We had some great fun playing Scuba Rodeo (a new sport invented by ourselves). In the afternoon, after a lunch break, we made our second dive which was just as fun!
It was the day of reckoning. The fourth and final day of our course and the exam loomed!!! Well...if thats what you could call it. We chilled out in the
Jungle hut
It came with a hammock! large armchairs at Scuba Junction and ran through a multiple choice paper...(with the help of Dave on hand throughout). Funnily enough...we all passed! Less of the theory more of the diving! In the afternoon we completed our final 2 open water dives which took us to a depth of 18 metres. It is amazing to look up to the surface at this depth and the sensation is very surreal. On our final dive we also saw a Titan Trigger Fish (which can bite through a mans arm), a deadly seasnake and a Morray Eel. Conditons were also alot better and after our final dive we surfaced with Dave confirming we were now all certified open water divers. Result!
Back at the dive school two other groups had also completed the course. With the diving complete the students and instructers all headed down to the main sportsbar on the island for some celebratory drinks. It turned BIG! We also met the lads from Oxford who we had met on the beach the day before. After a fairly merry night...I stumbled back through the jungle to my treehouse at 6 in the morning...Enough said!
Day 5 and half had it
Jungle accomodation
Where our jungle hut was situated...we tried one of the coconuts in the trees...but it wasn't ripe. Yuck! had already passed when I was woken up by the sound of revving engines. I'm sure I hadn't drank THAT much last night! Stumbling to the balcony I saw Rick and Muc sat on some very slick red mopeds. After some quick recovery H2O J, Caz and I were off to get our very own. It was a great day out as we sped round the island, having a look at the secluded bays. In the afternoon it began to rain. The roads were deserted as everyone else took shelter but being British...we didn't mind too much. Stripping down to just our boxers we road through the town centre. Standard day out really!
Finally on Day 6 we said our goodbyes to the island of Ko Tao where we had had a brilliant time...and headed by ferry to the 'Party Island' of Ko Phangan...How little prepared we were....
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