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Published: August 28th 2005
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1630 on Sunday afternoon, the sun is starting to sink lower on the horizon and we are looking forward to watching yet another amazing sunset. I don't think we have ever seen sunsets like this before... The days are flying by and its hard to believe we have been here for over a week already. We have already overrun our original itinerary, but only by a few days as Keith wanted to do his Advanced Divers course.
The good news is that we both passed our Open Water Diving Course on Thursday! Our instructor Jued was a great teacher and with 16 years diving experience we learnt so much from him. The sea life here is beautiful and we have seen sting rays, angel fish, sea snakes, so many different types of coral, triggerfish and lots more. On Wednesday we were out at sea about to do only our second dive ever, heading off to a dive site called Twin Peaks, when suddenly our boat changed course and Jued came running down to the deck screaming that we all needed to get our gear on and tanks ready as we were going to White Rock to see a Whale Shark
Keith checking gear
Have become pretty used to this after logging eleven dives in 6 days! that had been spotted. Well, considering this was only the second time we had ever dived, never mind in the middle of the ocean and with a shark, I think we all followed instructions more out of fear than anything else! Jued literally pushed each of us overboard and within minutes we were swimming beneath a whale shark. It was only a baby at 3m long and a couple of meters wide, but it seemed so big. It was an experience we will never forget. There must have been about 50 divers all swimming alongside it and the bubbles in the water from everyone's tanks were glimmering silver in the sunlight. We couldn't keep up with the shark as it soon dived deeper and was moving a lot faster than we could keep up with it. Apparently there are very few divers who have ever seen a whale shark - it is considered one of the Big 5 in the ocean to see, so we felt pretty chuffed with ourselves. I was so glad I did the course, even though I thought I would be pretty scared. It is really a strange feeling being so far below the surface and
Our Bungalow
Lisa looking glum with the runs being able to breathe. On the last day of our course a videographer dived with us and we have bought a copy of the dvd from him so you can see us performing all sorts of tricks 18m below the surface!
I was sick for the last day of the course and a day or two after with the usual tummy bug. Diving on the last day feeling like I was going to pass out, was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. Immodium was the order of the day and I didn't eat anything all day for fear I would need to go when I was 18 m below! The sea was really choppy that morning too so being sea sick didn't help at all. Thankfully I am feeling a lot better today and have had a lazy day walking and swimming on the beach. Keith is doing a night dive today and will hopefully have his Advanced Diver cert after that. It is really hot, about 33 degrees every day, so I have been chasing the shade around the beach.
Yesterday we treated ourselves to a Thai Massage. We found an awesome
Portable fish braai (BBQ)
Food is available everywhere you look little place right on the beach, where you can hear the waves lapping as you have an hours massage. The Thai women who do it are so strong and they massage literally every part of your body. We were pretty relaxed after that and slept so well. Yesterday morning I woke early and walked to the main port to book our ferry tickets to Ko Pha Ngan for Monday morning. I also need to arrange somewhere for us to stay, so need to figure out how to use the pay phones...
Looking forward to seeing the beaches at the next island. The tides hear have turned so much since we arrived and the sea has improved a lot for swimming compared to last week. Right now the tide is right in and I'm sitting here feeling rather sweaty, so another swim may be required. Have met lots of people doing different round the world trips, a lot of whom are at the end of theirs, so we are very lucky to only be at the start of our journey. We have been trying to be really good about keeping track of our finances, and so far we have managed
to stay under budget most days. The dive courses are an extra cost, but most days we eat 3 meals a day and pay for our accommodation and it costs about 25 pounds - for both of us. The Thai people are very laid back and friendly.
Must round off now. Tomorrow we will set off on the Catamaran for an hours journey to the next island. Will hopefully be able to attach some pics for you this time, last time we had real trouble at the Internet cafe. I watched the rugby yesterday and was the only SA surrounded by NZ's, so I tried not to shout too much!
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Shani
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Wow
Wow, you guys look like you are having a wonderful time (aside from the tummy bug!)! You both look so happy and relaxed in the photos, so happy for you that you are loving every minute. Hope the rest of the journey is as good. Missing you guys! love Shay and Greg