Wonderful Thailand

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Thailand is wonderful! That's probably the best way for me to put it.

I spent 4 days in Koh Samui on the Gulf of Thailand. Koh Samui is very touristy, the main street is packed with shops, tailors and restaurants - but the beach is beautiful. My days went something like this... wake up around 9, go get breakfast, alternate lying on the beach and swimming in the beautiful emerald sea, at about 5pm move to massage hut for 1 hour massage, shower, go out for dinner and drinks, go to bed. I tell ya it's a hard life!!! On arrival in Koh Samui amidst the chaos at the airport I latched on to a Swiss girl and we have been travelling together ever since.

After Koh Samui we hopped on the Ferry to Koh Tao - Turtle Island - a mecca for divers. Basically only divers or wannabe divers come to this island. Before we had left Koh Samui I had heard that there were whale sharks being seeing around the dive sites of Koh Tao - so I booted over there. We booked into a really nice resort on Sairee beach and enjoyed the sunset. The next day I did my first two dives hoping to see the Whale Shark - no luck. Next day... 4 dives... still no whale shark. Next day 2 dives... WHALE SHARK!!! It was so amazing, about 5 meters long and beautiful. There were people all around and it seemed to be playing in the bubbles from the air tanks. At one point it swam right by me - may 3 meters away - I was right at eye level and totally in awe. Of course, it just happened to be the day that my camera battery died... so unfortunately no pictures. I do however have some really nice pics of other fish as the conditions here have been pretty amazing. We had 30 meters visibility for the first 3 days - those of you who dive will understand how amazing that is.

The food here is amazing as well and really cheap. I had a huge plate Panang Curry (yummy) for about $2! Other really good dishes are Masamam Curry and of course Phad Thai. I will def. miss the food when I leave.

After 7 days in Koh Tao, I've decided to go back to Koh Samui and do some relaxing on the beach - if I manage to get good weather, Monsoon season is upon us, it's been raining cats and dogs all day! - before I head off to Hong Kong.

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Photos

Beautiful Beach in Koh Samui
This was the view from my hotel, the tree we sat under kept dropping nuts and we'd get conked every once in a while

Anemone
The divesites were carpeted with anemones and these clowfish were everywhere.

Good Luck
The tradition is to light a balloon on the night of full moon for good luck

Ang Thong Marine Park
I went on a Kayaking trip through the marine park. Unfortunately my camera had water on the lens so there are spots on all my pics from that trip

Yellow Boxfish
I love the boxfish - it's bigger than my hand but it's so amazing

Deep Blue Sea
One of the many pinnacles in Koh Tao

Goby and Shrimp
This shrimp spends most of his day clearing out his hole. The Goby fish stands guard and when danger approaches the goby swims into the hole indicating to the blind shrimp that there's danger. I could've watched them all day

Christmas Tree Worm
The thing that looks like a flower is actually a worm. When you get too close to it it goes back into it's hole. After a few seconds it starts to come back out - looks just like a flower blooming

Striking a Pose
Yes... that's me... I'm very attractive in Scuba gear! ;)

Pancakes - Koh Tao
Making my lime & sugar pacncake in Sairee Beach. Yum!

Comments

[Mom]

Whale Sharks
Glad you finally got to see whale sharks!!! The underwater pics are beautiful.....you, too, in your diving gear.

[Jenn]

Great underwater pix! Must be rough living the beach life. You'll be happy to know (not) that we had snow swirling in the air yesterday- eeeeek! Soak up the sun while you can sister!! Jxx

[hannah Power]

Pics
The pictures were just fabulous. I've really enjoyed browsing your blog. I guess you'll soon be back to the world of work!!! Good luck, Love Aunt Hannah

[Anisa]

Wow! I can't believe the life you're living! Your pictures are absolutely stunning.