Sun - December 12, 2004Sunday, December 12, 2004 (Flight from Bangkok to Sydney)Those darn anti-malaria tablets again. Weren't we
suppose to get visas for Australia? Yet another mini-van from hell and it was
only a matter of time before we broke down in the middle of nowhere. Did those
visas process already? Good-bye Asia - Australia, here we come!
Posted at 08:08 PM Read More Sat - December 11, 2004Saturday, December 11, 2004 (Bangkok - Thailand)Our very last day in Asia is upon us and it's
time to reflect back. Meticulous record keeping. Sending home another parcel. So
much time in Thailand but so little of the country seen (above ground that is).
The Grand Palace and how not to offend. A selection of photos to reflect on
Asia.
Posted at 03:51 PM Read More Fri - December 10, 2004Friday, December 10, 2004 (Bangkok - Thailand)Avoiding the circling predators is now second
nature to us. An honest tax driver, for a change, and the ride back to the Khao
San Road backpacker's ghetto. No rooms available? We laugh in the face of such
adversities. Another full-body work-over from a dainty little Thai woman with
oily hands. What was that you said? Looking for the information
superhighway.
Posted at 04:49 PM Read More Thu - December 9, 2004Thursday, December 9, 2004 (Train from Surat Thani to Bangkok - Thailand)How do you explain the difference between soft
and hard boiled eggs using nothing but sign language? What kind of a bus will it
be today? Tempting fate with the overnight journey back to Bangkok. So very
close to achieving our original goal of travelling. The hunters moving in for
the kill.
Posted at 12:14 PM Read More Wed - December 8, 2004Wednesday, December 8, 2004 (Khao Lak - Thailand)History repeating itself. A list for of chores.
Replacement batteries for our dive computers. Sadly, running out of time here in
Thailand. We still need to get from Sydney to Melbourne somehow. And now,
finally, for some general lounging around.
Posted at 10:50 PM Read More Tue - December 7, 2004Mon - December 6, 2004Monday, December 6, 2004 (M/V Koragot – Surin Islands - Thailand)Good morning, wakey-wakey! As far as the eye
could see. A cold breakfast at sea. The most spectacular dive of the trip with
some truly ancient sea creatures.
Posted at 10:44 PM Read More Sun - December 5, 2004Sunday, December 5, 2004 (M/V Koragot – Surin Islands - Thailand)Wasting no time getting wet. That initial splash.
It takes something special to make it a special dive. How to stop an argument
before it starts. The wonderfully colourful peacock mantis shrimp. Get those
shrimp out of the way of my camera.
Posted at 10:40 PM Read More Sat - December 4, 2004Saturday, December 4, 2004 (M/V Koragot – Surin Islands - Thailand)Making friends with the hotel manager has its
rewards. Exploring the pleasures of the local beach. My daily technology fix. A
new mask and snorkel at the right price. My growing library of DVDs. Is this
boat going to topple over?
Posted at 10:34 PM Read More Fri - December 3, 2004Friday, December 3, 2004 (Khao Lak - Thailand)Brain surgery in a tumble dryer. Where are my
fins? Rudibranch heaven. Extended bottom time whilst concentrating on the macro
world.
Posted at 11:26 PM Read More Thu - December 2, 2004Thursday, December 2, 2004 (Khao Lak - Thailand)Ordering lunch for breakfast. The
other
wreck dive on the West coast of Thailand. No wonder everybody wants to dive
here. By by favourite snorkel and mask. Soccer sized porcupine fish and schools
of bat fish. What happens if this engine fails whilst at sea?
Posted at 11:21 PM Read More Wed - December 1, 2004Wednesday, December 1, 2004 (Khao Lak - Thailand)The long journey takes its toll. Wreck diving
where few dare to go. The perils of diving. Another diving opportunity presents
itself. There is a very large steak somewhere here with my name on
it.
Posted at 11:15 PM Read More Tue - November 30, 2004Tuesday, November 30, 2004 (Khao Lak - Thailand)Trying to sleep whilst upright. Forced to
enjoy
the public bus. The longer the journey, the more pampering required but first we
have to con our way in. Confirming our Surin Islands live-aboard.
Posted at 11:08 PM Read More Mon - November 29, 2004Monday, November 29, 2004 (Train from Bangkok to Surat Thani - Thailand)A last minute change of plans sends us hurtling
across the continent. Good news on the budget front. What does that four-letter
word mean again? The ups and downs of travelling.
Posted at 11:04 PM Read More Mon - November 22, 2004Monday, November 22, 2004 (Train from Surat Thani to Bangkok - Thailand)So long, for now at least, to Khao Lak. The
broken glass incident. A nasty surprise waiting for me when the Bangkok Air web
site finally started working again. Another 'fun' ride across country. Not much
happening in Phun Phin. The AOK for the laptop repair. The slow, night train
back to Bangkok.
Posted at 07:40 PM Read More Sun - November 21, 2004Sunday, November 21, 2004 (Khao Lak - Thailand)Another hard day in paradise doing nothing at
all. Still looking for that illusive cheap flight to Cambodia. Sorting out how
to repair my defective CD/DVD drive on the laptop. Wrecking the wreck dive idea.
Not all travel agencies are born equal. Resting up before tackling the world's
largest schnitzel.
Posted at 07:20 PM Read More Sat - November 20, 2004Saturday, November 20, 2004 (Khao Lak - Thailand)The result of three intensive days of diving. The
bliss of doing nothing. More practical logistics to worry about already. Still
thinking about those wreck dives.
Posted at 05:39 PM Read More Fri - November 19, 2004Friday, November 19, 2004 (Mariner-1 – Koa Bon - Thailand)How not to sleep on a constantly rocking boat.
Too much air consumption but at least breakfast was good again. Off to the
middle of nowhere and our last dive of the live-aboard but will it be worth the
effort. A tip for the hard working Thai crew. Let the pampering begin. Falling
quickly into a deep sleep.
Posted at 05:37 PM Read More Thu - November 18, 2004Thursday, November 18, 2004 (Mariner-1 – Similan Islands - Thailand)A much needed change of the controls. Breathing
by medication. There's always something missing. Up close and personal with a
huge shark. Another fabulous breakfast and another excursion with the fins.
resting after the dive - but just how much was I affected by the sun? See what
happens when you drop a cigarette! Rounding off the day with a top-deck
BBQ.
Posted at 05:30 PM Read More Wed - November 17, 2004Wednesday, November 17, 2004 (Mariner-1 – Similan Islands - Thailand)An auspicious start to our new life on the ocean
waves. Sorting out the divers and a thorough a dive briefing. A major
catastrophe with our equipment. Stunning visibility beneath the surface of the
water. My favourite meal was a nice surprise. A quick snorkel around the bay.
Too many near death experiences. Chucking the food overboard without being
caught in the act.
Posted at 05:21 PM Read More Tue - November 16, 2004Tuesday, November 16, 2004 (Mariner-1 – Similan Islands - Thailand)Departing Koh Lanta for our first foray into the
world of live-aboard diving. Meeting familiar friends. A two-hour ferry to
Krabi. The wacky races across country. Not yet started and already planning the
next live-aboard in the busy dive shop. In need of booties. Looking for a way to
pamper ourselves after the live-aboard. Topping up on snacks and batteries.
Where did our backpacks go? A mini monsoon as we boarded the
Mariner-1.
Posted at 05:12 PM Read More Mon - November 15, 2004Monday, November 15, 2004 (Koh Lanta) Nothing to see here; move along. Not much else
to do here other than eat, walk or get bored. Reflecting on our Thailand budget
to date. We have crabs! Looking forward to more diving after tomorrow. Will this
be our last chance to see a whale shark?
Posted at 09:05 PM Read More Sun - November 14, 2004Sunday, November 14, 2004 (Koh Lanta - Thailand)That holiday feeling again. Moving about the
island is difficult so we
have
to relax. Just exactly what is an
America
breakfast anyway? I quick dip into the deep
blue so see what I could see before the heavens opened up. Getting closer to
that live-aboard. A relaxing and romantic stroll along the beach before a
massage and evening sampling of the local, fresh fish.
Posted at 11:07 PM Read More Sat - November 13, 2004Saturday, November 13, 2004 (Koh Lanta - Thailand)Our last day of diving out of Koh Lanta.
Auto-pilot kicks in the early in the morning. The ever expanding range of
tolerable foods. A few tiny rocks in the middle of the open ocean. Getting to
grips with the camera. What makes a good dive? Some real treats beneath the
water. All the best dive sites around the world await us.
Posted at 01:48 PM Read More Fri - November 12, 2004Friday, November 12, 2004 (Koh Lanta - Thailand)A day apart. Another driver from hell episode.
Learning more about underwater photography. Why is that idiot always
photographing that piece of slate? Too many fish to count but, once again, I
miss the main event. Budget busting Fiji. Watching to sun set after it did it's
best to burn me.
Posted at 09:32 PM Read More Thu - November 11, 2004Thursday, November 11, 2004 (Koh Lanta - Thailand)The early bird gets the
fish.
Breakfast on the boat. Everything taken care of for us - all we have to do is
relax and enjoy the diving. Stunning diving and snorkelling is what we came for
and found. Learning more and more about underwater photography. The whale shark
that got away. Watching ourselves at the end of the day. Back home to another
romantic sunset dinner and an early bed.
Posted at 10:17 PM Read More Wed - November 10, 2004Wednesday, November 10, 2004 (Koh Lanta - Thailand)A slow boat to the mainland but this time without
the turbulence. Boat - coach - bus - ferry - truck - resort. Sorting out our
diving package and settling into our resort with a romantic twilight dinner on
the beach.
Posted at 09:10 PM Read More Tue - November 9, 2004Tuesday, November 9, 2004 (Koh Tao - Thailand)Diving makes you tired. What about that aborted
dive then? Ready to leave this paradise - but another awaits.
Posted at 08:49 PM Read More Mon - November 8, 2004Monday, November 8, 2004 (Koh Tao - Thailand)Once again into the deep.
Viz
getting better but still not spectacular. Sandy's health certificate turns up
missing. Our next island oasis has now been determined. Showing off our photos.
Rounding off the evening with a nice Sunday roast.
Posted at 08:48 PM Read More Sun - November 7, 2004Sunday, November 7, 2004 (Koh Tao - Thailand)The hard work of doing nothing. Once again, our
thought turn as they must to our onward journey. The West coast of Thailand
beckons. A/C on the quiet. A successful night dive followed by the cleaning. A
torn muscle.
Posted at 07:51 PM Read More Sat - November 6, 2004Saturday, November 6, 2004 (Koh Tao - Thailand)I can see clearly now - not! A diving disaster at
sea as we got lost from the rest of the group. Thinking about how to tackle the
rest of South East Asia. Heading West to find clearer waters. I'm snorkelling in
the rain. Failing components of the laptop.
Posted at 10:41 PM Read More Fri - November 5, 2004Friday, November 5, 2004 (Ko Tao - Thailand)It's a hard life, here in paradise. Pick-up truck
taxis. In search of sharks whilst snorkelling at Shark's Bay - and then the spa.
How to treat a grazed knee with nothing more than what is lying on the ground.
My first night dive with the new strobe is very much a success, despite the poor
visibility beneath the waves.
Posted at 10:39 PM Read More Thu - November 4, 2004Thursday, November 4, 2004 (Koa Tao - Thailand)Sensing paradise. Trying to study with falling
bombs around us. Testing the dive gear. A quick refresher course in SCUBA diving
before our first fun dive of this trip - after an Olympic sprint to the
shallows. Replacing some of that sapped energy.
Posted at 10:22 PM Read More Wed - November 3, 2004Wednesday, November 3, 2004 (Ko Tao - Thailand)Misjudging our arrival time losses me a few extra
valuable minutes of sleep on the train. Train to truck to boat to our picture
perfect island paradise like no other. Low cost relaxation and diving. It rains
but you have to see it to believe it. Dinner at a nearby pub and adding up the
pennies.
Posted at 10:29 PM Read More Tue - November 2, 2004Tuesday, November 2, 2004 (Train from Bangkok to Chumphon - Thailand)A good start to the day was
not a
sign of things to come. Being squeezed for every penny can get tiresome.
Thirteen passengers out of a maximum of ten in a minibus. The long boat to the
floating markets. What does one have to do to get a boat all to oneself? The
release valve is activated again. Those blood-sucking parasites! A huge fake
after all. Some well earned relaxation by the pool and the effort of rolling
over ever now and then. Our train to down South.
Posted at 10:25 PM Read More Mon - November 1, 2004Monday, November 1, 2004 (Bangkok - Thailand)An unexpected extra day in Bangkok is put to good
use tending necessary chores - parcels, medication, visas &
flights.
Posted at 12:11 AM Read More Sun - October 31, 2004Sunday, October 31, 2004 (Bangkok - Thailand)Sleeping through the grogginess. Where is the
post office? SEA visas. The growing photo library in need of maintenance. Greasy
egg rolls for lunch. SCUBA safety and the doctor's certificate. An afternoon
swim on the roof and catching up on the low-down. Halloween celebrations.
Topping up our supply of camera juice. Lively supper as the atmosphere starts to
glow. The masseuse from hell.
Posted at 11:57 PM Read More Sat - October 30, 2004Saturday, October 30, 2004 (Bangkok - Thailand)Still relaxing well into the morning. A change of
currency. The long way to the weekend markets. Setting the birds free. A new
suit is just what we don't need. Topping up on drugs. A handful of the many
thousands. Some you win and some you loose.
Posted at 12:42 AM Read More Fri - October 29, 2004Friday, October 29, 2004 (Bangkok - Thailand)The double-decker to the airport. A little white
lie turns out to be quite fortuitous. Did we need visas after all? The famous
Kao San Road and our first glimpse of Thailand - but is it really Thailand? When
haggling goes bad. Surveying the lay of the land. Sorting out some diving
options. A nice, oily, back rub to top off the day.
Posted at 11:38 PM Read More |
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