Stephanie Conlon- Deep Sea Diver!!

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So I was going to go to maya beach and stuff but I slightly underestimated just how crisp I was and had to spend 24 hours in bed with the worst sunburn ever!!woops! My stomach is now peeling though so Im in recovery!!Thai New Year aka Songkram came thogh so I forced myself out of bed to join the almighty water fights on the streets of phi phi! everywhere you turned people were armed with water guns, buckets, bottles. The whjole thing was mental and everyone was drenched. fun though and it was great walking round with my mock super soaker chasing anypone around!haha,. I had a realitvely pain free journey to Ko Samui which by the way is not a nice place and does Thailand no justice what so ever. far to commercialised (it has a tesco, starbucks and macdonalds on the same road!!) and to big to retain the island feel which made phi phi so magical. spent 1 night there in quite an expensive resort as I hadnt booked anywhere and trying to find a hostel on new years day is impossiblke!! everywehere I stepped I got drenched so cue Diva Steph and a beautiful air con room with sky TV!haha. Next morning I got to Ko Tao early and it is eveerything I expected and more- its sooooooo beautiful. Full of palm trees, sandy beaches, coconuts and blue water!!!I love it!! Im here to do my Padi (open water diving certificate) so at Bans Diving Resort which I would fully reccomend to anyone although as Im in free accomodation my room is pretty shite to what yo can get! Had my first classroom lesson at 6 the night I got here and as I walked in I saw Beth and Kate who I did my intrepid trip with soafter ots of shocked kisses and cuddles we arranged to meet for dinner at 9 and off I went to start learning about nitrogen, pressure and lots of other stuff. There are 21 of us so great size and mix of people. Got chqatting to two hilarious London boys called Mani and Vinay and they came for dinner with us. Down side tyo diving is no alchol and 7.30 starts every morning but as I couldnt still snbathe I didnt mind. Second day we were split p and I was seperated from the boys which annoyed me slightly but got a dive buddy called Alex- whose swiss and hilarious and he is sooooo easily distracted and comes out with the most comedy sayings! We were paired with a coupel called Jen and Ollie and have Rich and Nicola (I know 2 dive instructors for 4 people can u guess we arent that good!!) as our instructors. we spent 5 hours in the classroom (we get homework!!) then 6 in the pool it was all quite complicated but I loved it. The next day though was our first out at sea and although I was really looking forward to it when I was trying to descend to 8 metres my mask came off so I came back up then when I tried to go back down I got kicked in the head and panicked like crazy. That was ot a good idea as all my confidence went and I refused to go under and started crying!! woops. Rich was a ledgend though and literally shouted "Steph what the f@@@@ are you doing get down here now" grabbed my leg and pulled me down!! best move evere as its amazing nder the water.,. saw so many fish , a sea snake, manter ray, sting ray, coral, plants that change colour if you clap above them! all amazing and its so surreal. All together Ive done 4 days in the last 2 days the best being the one this morning which was down to 18 metres! I lost all my panic and even though we had to do stuff liek take our mask off and through out our breathing apparatus I stioll did it and find out in 1 hour if Im fully qualified! Fingers crossed. Theres going to be a big party tonight as we watch the dvd of us diving and also Anna and Charlotte who Im going to koh phagn nan with tomorrow have arrived so big reunion with them who I have really missed. Diving has been such a great experience and although Ive missed lying in and have hated being in the classroom (also my instructors dog was sick at my feet yday in class and then ate it! yuk- no one else saw but I was not amused! why would you do that!) under water is amazing and as long as you dont panic you have the opportunity to see the most amazing things ever!! It sounds corny but Im suddenly very aware of what an amazing world we live in!! love to all- meeting up with a few sussex guys in the next few days soo really excited. miss u although touch wood have still not got homesick! I just kind of feel like Im on a bit of a holiday and people kind of adopt me on the way! hehe. Im called Dover on the diving course though as supposedly I sound chavvy- they need to wait till I ve had a few bevvies tonight- we all know how much I love a posh tipsy accent!!BOOOJAAAAAAxx

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Comments

[Helen Critcher]

Stephy ur stories r makin me chuckle everytime u add a new blog! Glad ur avin a wikid time, im v.envious as i was 2 much of a wimp 2 do full on diving so jst snorkelled!! Lol!! The dog story cud only happen2 u! Had 2 go 2 Gatwick yday 2 do a survey for work n saw people jettin off on their travels wiv suitcases or rucksacks, slightly wanted 2 cry! Haha!! Keep the stories comin, cnt believe uve done so much n uve nt even been there a month, n remember that the full moon partie sun is my bday so get wasted for me n av the time of ur life...altho i am goin out dressed as wonderwoman sat nite in mstone so sud b jokes! And yep im a brunette, im sure there will b piccies up on FB afta the wkend4 u 2 c!!! Lots of love xxxxxxxxx