Koh Tao (Nov. 11, 2014)

Well, the taxi showed up as he was supposed to this morning, and I was early to catch my high speed catamaran over to Koh Tao. It was a great ride, not too bumpy, and really fast over the water. I think it took about an hour and a half to get here. I was met by a guy holding a Crystal Dive sign who directed me to walk about 50 meters down the beach from the pier. There it was, Crystal Dive Resort. I checked in, filled out a bunch of paperwork and was shown to my room.

Exiting the high speed catamaran

View from boat approaching
Koh Tao

Sign at the pier

My room is amazing. I have a beach bungalow, with a big, bug free double bed, and fan that points right onto the bed. There’s a little bathroom and pretty much nothing else, but I’m alone, and it’s perfect. So cool that it is even included in the price of the scuba course. I am so glad I signed up for two certificates as I think I am going to like it here. The island is very small, and pretty much caters to divers and tourists, but is not crazy. My place is located away from the party zone, but close enough to walk easily to check it out if I want to. I am so happy! 

My toom

Going into my bungalow

Room view #2

View of Crystal Dive Resort

Oh yes, I keep forgetting to tell you that I am in love with the Thai version of a bidet. It is so brilliant, and I think I will buy the attachment just before going home, to hook up in my bathroom. Every bathroom in Thailand has one of these hoses with a sprayer on it, that you use after going to the bathroom to clean yourself with. Super fresh, and easy to use, without taking up all the space that a bidet does. Brilliant! 

Thai style bidet.......brilliant!

I arrived around 10:30 am and had some time to kill before starting the first part of my course, at 1:00. I decided to walk around a bit, locate the 7/11 and take a mini sight see before my session. There are a lot of resorts, guesthouses and hostels along with many dive shops offering various dives and courses. I found a nice side street through a guesthouse, that led down to the beach, and sat there for a while on a rock, in the shade with my feet in the water. Just lovely, and so peaceful. 

View on walk

View on walk #2

View on walk #3

View on walk #4

A favourite drink of Green Tea and honey

View #4

Sitting on the rock with my feet in the water

Feet in the water view #2

Don't you just love Thailand?

Then I returned to start the dive course. There are four people in my class, one is even from Winnipeg if you can imagine. The others are from New York and Australia. They are all in their 20’s, but the instructor, an English woman named Jenny, is fairly close to my age. We went through a lot of theory this afternoon, including completing little chapter exams, watching instructional videos, and taking up answers for the practice questions we had. We did a bit of practical though, which was really fun, and that was hooking up, checking and organizing our tanks and BDC vests. That is the hoses, tanks of air, and release valves for breathing under water. That part was really cool and I feel ok about knowing how to do it. We were instructed, then had to put together, and take apart the gear three times on our own. There is quite a lot of checking and testing to remember as well as proper hooking up and gauge work.

For dinner I went to a restaurant called Wang’s, recommended to me by the instructor. It was great. I had Thai curry coconut fish soup. It had chunks of tender fish with vegetables that were just slightly crunchy still. Cauliflower, green beans, carrots, and potato in a really tasty, and spicy broth. Absolutely delicious. I will be back there.

Yang's restaurant

Thai curry coconut fish soup

I walked through some other streets after dinner and then came back to my bungalow, had a shower and put the fan on me. It isn’t air con, but seems to be fine for cooling and better yet, keeping any mosquitoes away. My course starts at 7:45 am tomorrow and we go into the pool for some confined area practices. I’m so excited.

Have a good day all.