Up and packed we headed to 'Zest' around 9.30am for breakfast. Whilst I ordered, Si popped down to the pier to confirm our Lomprayah tickets. 10.15am we were on the boat and off to Chumphon. Luckily for us today the weather was calm compared to the last few days.
Two hours later, we were off the boat and shuttled into a minibus where Si read his book and I played on my DS for a good few hours. Compared to our last visa run, the driver must have been sedated as he took it nice and slow PHEW!!!! ..and we arrived safely in Ranong where we went through passport control and then got onto another boat to the Andaman club resort in Burma. This is the first time we'd actually gone into the club, it was massive hotel, with all the amenities, spa, pool, casino, restaurants and duty free.
After a quick trip to Duty Free, where Si bought some aftershave we sat down for a coffee and then it was time to get back on the shuttle bus which took us the customs check in and then back to the boat.
30 minutes or so later, we were back in Thailand, through customs with another 3 months extention to our visa's and then it was back on the minibus for the 3 or so hour drive to Chumphon.
This Visa run, we decided to stay the night, not that there's anything in Chumphon but we thought a nice hot shower and a good nights sleep So being dropped off at the Farang bar, Si tried to log onto the internet whilst I went wondering to see what shops were still open as I wanted to buy some shoes, my crocs have just had it. An hour or so later, I trundled back after buying a T-Shirt for Si and a pair of croc, flip floppy things, for 70baht (£1.40) bargain!!
Before we headed to a hotel, we stopped for food at a restaurant just on the main street, sat down and ordered. Oh my God, i think I must have counted around 15 rats, running about, some just a few feet away from ours ..this slightly put me off my dinner (Chicken in ginger with rice & phad thai) but being so hungry we ate very quickly and left. A nice comfy night in the hotel, and it was up the next morning to catch the ferry back to Koh Tao...
xx
Wednesday 31 August 2011
Monday 29 August 2011
30th August 2011
Buoyancy World 2.0
Mini Thailand Deployment
Shark Release
UK Work
Visa Run
So much on at the same time! Today we hit the road to Burma... better go now, we are late for the ferry!! Back in 24 hours!!
xx
Mini Thailand Deployment
Shark Release
UK Work
Visa Run
So much on at the same time! Today we hit the road to Burma... better go now, we are late for the ferry!! Back in 24 hours!!
xx
Saturday 27 August 2011
27th August 2011
Dinner last night was lovely. Jen had a peppered steak, and a pizza for me!
I would have taken pictures but, my iphone takes bad pictures in dim light. The place was wooden built, posh service, and by the sea. We had a bottle of red wine (Jacobs Creek - which cost £30 !!!) and enjoyed the view. Nice, peaceful evening...
Back to Buoyancy World the next morning...
There is so much still to do, and today we had a couple of Divemaster Trainees come up for the morning to help. Its nice, but still disappointing that several did not show up even though it was scheduled for them.
For me there was some running around as the Mini Park Deployment was due to happen today. Of course, after all equipment was set up etc, it was cancelled due to the weather. In the afternoon, there was a dive site clean up scheduled, which due to the heavy waves and strong wind we decided to scrap. We ended up playing Settlers of Catan in Vibe bar.... And then home to bed...
On a sidenote, my brother is taking the 3 peaks challenge, which is to climb the 3 largest mountains in England, Scotland, & Wales in 24 hours.
If you would like to support him then please donate to the following link.
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/RoyDowling
Thanks!
I would have taken pictures but, my iphone takes bad pictures in dim light. The place was wooden built, posh service, and by the sea. We had a bottle of red wine (Jacobs Creek - which cost £30 !!!) and enjoyed the view. Nice, peaceful evening...
Back to Buoyancy World the next morning...
There is so much still to do, and today we had a couple of Divemaster Trainees come up for the morning to help. Its nice, but still disappointing that several did not show up even though it was scheduled for them.
On a sidenote, my brother is taking the 3 peaks challenge, which is to climb the 3 largest mountains in England, Scotland, & Wales in 24 hours.
If you would like to support him then please donate to the following link.
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/RoyDowling
Thanks!
Friday 26 August 2011
26th August 2011 - Bro's Birthday & Happy 5th Wedding Anniversary
More pictures from the last 2 days...
Jenny and I have been full on with the building, and today we have knocked off early to spend some time celebrating our 5th wedding anniversary together... maybe a little snooze and then out for dinner at Sensi Paradise... I shall have a report tomorrow... cos we have never been there!
On another note... its Roy's birthday... So, HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRO!!!
xx
S and J
Jenny and I have been full on with the building, and today we have knocked off early to spend some time celebrating our 5th wedding anniversary together... maybe a little snooze and then out for dinner at Sensi Paradise... I shall have a report tomorrow... cos we have never been there!
On another note... its Roy's birthday... So, HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRO!!!
S and J
Wednesday 24 August 2011
24th August 2011 - The Storm & Buoyancy World 2.0
So,
As the full moon rush starts to quiet, I had started another Rescue course with 3 divers and it started pretty normally... While I was on the boat teaching, Jen went to the construction area to start building our "Coral Wreck"..
During my standard boat day.... Jen was involved in building the a new structure for Buoyancy World 2.0...
During the time Jen was on land, I was having a exciting time! The wind had come in, and the water became extremely choppy. As we went to leave the dive site, our mooring line became caught in the boat propeller! With the captain and boat boy panicking, I ran to the back of the boat with another instructor. With the back of the boat turned to the waves, they were smashing through the back deck all through the bottom deck and straight into our engine bay... Kitting up, with a tiny cooks hatchet in hand, I moved to the back of the boat to jump in... When I got there, I saw a massive wave about to hit us. I held on to the back deck ladders and the wave hit me full force... It was awesome..
I had managed to hang on, and not wanting to wait for the next wave to crash into me, jumped in, and descended. Under the boat, the prop was totally caught up in mooring rope... so Mike and I set to work cutting the rope, but a few metres away as the boat was smashing up and down in the water above our heads. Suddenly after what seemed like an age, the rope snapped.... Watching the prop, all the rope fell away luckily... and it was free and clear... We surfaced and got back on the boat (not easy with those waves!) and headed back to Crystal, with the waves slamming against us... Not your average day!
Anyway, the next day, Jen and I headed to the Buoyancy World construction area and continued with James, Olly and Nathan to build.. its starting to come together!
As the full moon rush starts to quiet, I had started another Rescue course with 3 divers and it started pretty normally... While I was on the boat teaching, Jen went to the construction area to start building our "Coral Wreck"..
During my standard boat day.... Jen was involved in building the a new structure for Buoyancy World 2.0...
During the time Jen was on land, I was having a exciting time! The wind had come in, and the water became extremely choppy. As we went to leave the dive site, our mooring line became caught in the boat propeller! With the captain and boat boy panicking, I ran to the back of the boat with another instructor. With the back of the boat turned to the waves, they were smashing through the back deck all through the bottom deck and straight into our engine bay... Kitting up, with a tiny cooks hatchet in hand, I moved to the back of the boat to jump in... When I got there, I saw a massive wave about to hit us. I held on to the back deck ladders and the wave hit me full force... It was awesome..
I had managed to hang on, and not wanting to wait for the next wave to crash into me, jumped in, and descended. Under the boat, the prop was totally caught up in mooring rope... so Mike and I set to work cutting the rope, but a few metres away as the boat was smashing up and down in the water above our heads. Suddenly after what seemed like an age, the rope snapped.... Watching the prop, all the rope fell away luckily... and it was free and clear... We surfaced and got back on the boat (not easy with those waves!) and headed back to Crystal, with the waves slamming against us... Not your average day!
Anyway, the next day, Jen and I headed to the Buoyancy World construction area and continued with James, Olly and Nathan to build.. its starting to come together!
Sunday 21 August 2011
21st August 2011
2 videos for you. Both of them are Open Water courses from a couple of days ago...
The 1st 3 are my group, and the 2nd 3 clips are Jens...
The 1st 3 are my group, and the 2nd 3 clips are Jens...
Thursday 18 August 2011
19th August 2011
Another short quick one.
The rush has not stopped, and we are both shattered. Add UK work (even though the office is shut for another week!) and I am just sooo drained!
No complaints though... just give it a week and it'll be calmer (I think!)
Another group certified yesterday... Was pretty straightforward, no real dramas... just a few challenges with 1 student...
Laters peeps... back to work!!! Much love, and missing you all...!!!!
xx
SD
The rush has not stopped, and we are both shattered. Add UK work (even though the office is shut for another week!) and I am just sooo drained!
No complaints though... just give it a week and it'll be calmer (I think!)
Another group certified yesterday... Was pretty straightforward, no real dramas... just a few challenges with 1 student...
Laters peeps... back to work!!! Much love, and missing you all...!!!!
xx
SD
Tuesday 16 August 2011
August 16th 2011
Hey guys... Very short post....
Full moon rush, on the busiest time of the year means NO SPARE TIME.... I barely have time to go to the loo...
So, in the few minutes I have before bed.... Please bear with us for the next few days and blogs will be updated asap!!
Lots of love.
J and S
xx
Full moon rush, on the busiest time of the year means NO SPARE TIME.... I barely have time to go to the loo...
So, in the few minutes I have before bed.... Please bear with us for the next few days and blogs will be updated asap!!
Lots of love.
J and S
xx
Friday 12 August 2011
August 13th 2011
Wow... Its crazy busy here...
First, let me apologise for the lack of updates. Jen and I have been manically busy teaching.
During the last several days, we have both been conducting DSD (Discover Scuba Diving) courses. Then after that we were teaching a 7 person Open Water Course.. This was eventful...
The students were from different countries, 2 x Austrian, 2 x Dutch, and 3 Chinese. I knew it was going be one of those times, when 1 chinese student dropped out at the beginning due to illness. For the 1st day, there were 6.... Then the next day, the "sick" student decided she was feeling better and wanted to catch up. This mean't alot of reorganising, extra working hours for me etc etc.
After completion of the academics, we went to set up equipment for the pool session. Unfortunately, our tank compressor had broken down, and I had no tank available to me until 4pm... Usually I would start a pool session at 1pm... At this point , I called Jen and asked for help in the pool as it would be quicker with 2 instructors... thankfully she came to help...!
The pool session went generally ok, apart from my ear becoming painful about 30 minutes into the pool session, but with no choice but to carry on, I pushed through. 3 hours later and light fading, we had completed all the required pool skills.
The next day we went out to Mango Bay for their 1st dives. Dive 1 was not very fun. I took 4 people and Jen took 3. The plan was to all go together. When everyone was down the line and we started swimming, Jen and I got separated... no problem I thought... Unfortunately for Jen, 1 of the students she was with... was a nightmare... going up all the time, unable to stay below the surface.
When we got up, Jen was pretty cheesed off, and I felt a little guilty as she was only helping me out...So for the 2nd dive, I made certain we were all together and gave them a long briefing about buoyancy etc. Dive 2 was much better.
The final day, and up super early to do 2 morning dives, the boat headed to White Rock. On the students 3rd dive of the course they do a skill called Fully flooded mask. All the students were fine, apart from 1, who was stressed out to the max. During skills, as an instructor, I have to maintain contact in case they panic or something goes wrong. The student was fighting me off due to her slightly panicked state, but Jen and I held her down and reassured her that she was fine... It took 25 minutes to get her to perform the skill... By the time we had completed this and the other skills the dive was over. I felt a little sorry for the other students but what could I do?
Before the last dive, I gave another strong briefing, and we jumped in. Things were much improved and after this dive, both Jen and I were happy the course was done... my ear was also happy that it was over... It had been increasing in pain over the last couple of days.
Coming home after the paperwork, office duties photos taken and the video was shown, I was looking forward to a day off, but then the Operations Manager collared me and said that I was going to have to work the next day conducting 14 x Discover Scuba Dives! I was not a very happy bunny...Jen was also scheduled to start yet another course with 2 x Chinese and 2 x Dutch... So we went home and straight to bed, where I had a terrible nights sleep cos of the ear pain.
The next day, a rather stressful morning getting 14 people kitted up and in the pool with me and 1 other instructor, and then herding the people to the boat for their dive experience in the ocean. In the ocean, an instructor teaching DSD is only allowed 4 students, so more instructors came aboard to take some DSDs. I had 4 Spanish people who spoke barely any English!
During the dive experience, I carried 4 extra weights on top of my 4 weights... in case anyone needed extra weight during the dive. I ended up giving 7 weights out! Having only 1 left for me was pretty tough! Lots of breathing out and not much breathing in.!!
They all enjoyed the dive, and 2 of them ended up paying for a 2nd dive on the boat. Strangely, my ear actually improved after the dives!
Returning to port, Jen was still conducting her pool session with her new students... Another long session which finished as it was getting dark, so I helped her put kit away... we then had a couple of well deserved beers before going home and collapsing in bed..
Today, even though the UK office is closed for 2 weeks, I have had a barrage of emails from clients who suddenly want everything done in the next few days even though they were informed of the shutdown period. All I can do is get stuff ready for when Martyn is back, and put up with some unhappy clients..... So UK work for me while Jen takes her new students for their first dives... fingers crossed!!
xx
First, let me apologise for the lack of updates. Jen and I have been manically busy teaching.
During the last several days, we have both been conducting DSD (Discover Scuba Diving) courses. Then after that we were teaching a 7 person Open Water Course.. This was eventful...
The students were from different countries, 2 x Austrian, 2 x Dutch, and 3 Chinese. I knew it was going be one of those times, when 1 chinese student dropped out at the beginning due to illness. For the 1st day, there were 6.... Then the next day, the "sick" student decided she was feeling better and wanted to catch up. This mean't alot of reorganising, extra working hours for me etc etc.
After completion of the academics, we went to set up equipment for the pool session. Unfortunately, our tank compressor had broken down, and I had no tank available to me until 4pm... Usually I would start a pool session at 1pm... At this point , I called Jen and asked for help in the pool as it would be quicker with 2 instructors... thankfully she came to help...!
The pool session went generally ok, apart from my ear becoming painful about 30 minutes into the pool session, but with no choice but to carry on, I pushed through. 3 hours later and light fading, we had completed all the required pool skills.
The next day we went out to Mango Bay for their 1st dives. Dive 1 was not very fun. I took 4 people and Jen took 3. The plan was to all go together. When everyone was down the line and we started swimming, Jen and I got separated... no problem I thought... Unfortunately for Jen, 1 of the students she was with... was a nightmare... going up all the time, unable to stay below the surface.
When we got up, Jen was pretty cheesed off, and I felt a little guilty as she was only helping me out...So for the 2nd dive, I made certain we were all together and gave them a long briefing about buoyancy etc. Dive 2 was much better.
The final day, and up super early to do 2 morning dives, the boat headed to White Rock. On the students 3rd dive of the course they do a skill called Fully flooded mask. All the students were fine, apart from 1, who was stressed out to the max. During skills, as an instructor, I have to maintain contact in case they panic or something goes wrong. The student was fighting me off due to her slightly panicked state, but Jen and I held her down and reassured her that she was fine... It took 25 minutes to get her to perform the skill... By the time we had completed this and the other skills the dive was over. I felt a little sorry for the other students but what could I do?
Before the last dive, I gave another strong briefing, and we jumped in. Things were much improved and after this dive, both Jen and I were happy the course was done... my ear was also happy that it was over... It had been increasing in pain over the last couple of days.
Coming home after the paperwork, office duties photos taken and the video was shown, I was looking forward to a day off, but then the Operations Manager collared me and said that I was going to have to work the next day conducting 14 x Discover Scuba Dives! I was not a very happy bunny...Jen was also scheduled to start yet another course with 2 x Chinese and 2 x Dutch... So we went home and straight to bed, where I had a terrible nights sleep cos of the ear pain.
The next day, a rather stressful morning getting 14 people kitted up and in the pool with me and 1 other instructor, and then herding the people to the boat for their dive experience in the ocean. In the ocean, an instructor teaching DSD is only allowed 4 students, so more instructors came aboard to take some DSDs. I had 4 Spanish people who spoke barely any English!
During the dive experience, I carried 4 extra weights on top of my 4 weights... in case anyone needed extra weight during the dive. I ended up giving 7 weights out! Having only 1 left for me was pretty tough! Lots of breathing out and not much breathing in.!!
They all enjoyed the dive, and 2 of them ended up paying for a 2nd dive on the boat. Strangely, my ear actually improved after the dives!
Returning to port, Jen was still conducting her pool session with her new students... Another long session which finished as it was getting dark, so I helped her put kit away... we then had a couple of well deserved beers before going home and collapsing in bed..
Today, even though the UK office is closed for 2 weeks, I have had a barrage of emails from clients who suddenly want everything done in the next few days even though they were informed of the shutdown period. All I can do is get stuff ready for when Martyn is back, and put up with some unhappy clients..... So UK work for me while Jen takes her new students for their first dives... fingers crossed!!
xx
Tuesday 9 August 2011
August 7th 2011
Simon dropped me down at Crystal this morning as I was on the morning boat for the last two adventure dives (Deep & Fish ID) of my students Advanced Open Water Course. Our first dive was at Hin Wong. I dont really know this dive site but was told to head east from the pinnacle to get some depth which I did and was astounded by the amount of blue soft coral growing, then when heading back I spotted a Hawksbill turtle munching away so we spent a good 10 minutes just watching it, then would you believe it, another one chilling out under a table coral. My student was delighted as he'd only seen the concrete turtle at Buoyancy world.
Our next dive was a White Rock. A lovely dive apart from all the other divers. I counted at least 8 boats moored up ..I did my best to stay clear of everyone which proved to be very difficult at times. A very enjoyable dive, spotting sting rays, scribbled file fish, trevelly, big school of barracuda.
Back on land, students paperwork completed, I went for lunch with Simon, who that afternoon was going with the Crystal crew to check out the recently sunk/moved wreck. As I'm not a real wreck fan, I thought Id be in the office helping out but nothing was on my scheduling board so decided to go. Si took his camera and here is some footage...
Our next dive was a White Rock. A lovely dive apart from all the other divers. I counted at least 8 boats moored up ..I did my best to stay clear of everyone which proved to be very difficult at times. A very enjoyable dive, spotting sting rays, scribbled file fish, trevelly, big school of barracuda.
Back on land, students paperwork completed, I went for lunch with Simon, who that afternoon was going with the Crystal crew to check out the recently sunk/moved wreck. As I'm not a real wreck fan, I thought Id be in the office helping out but nothing was on my scheduling board so decided to go. Si took his camera and here is some footage...
Saturday 6 August 2011
August 6th 2011
Jen has been teaching, while I have been working on UK before the office closes for 2 weeks.
Tired from diving, we still attended the monthly Save Koh Tao meeting which details all the eco work happening for the next few weeks.
Lots of things going on... one of the most exciting ones is a National Shark Release campaign on the 3rd August. I cannot wait to get involved.!
View the trailer below..... and go buy a shark from this website if you want to help..
Shark Release Donations
Tired from diving, we still attended the monthly Save Koh Tao meeting which details all the eco work happening for the next few weeks.
Lots of things going on... one of the most exciting ones is a National Shark Release campaign on the 3rd August. I cannot wait to get involved.!
View the trailer below..... and go buy a shark from this website if you want to help..
Shark Release Donations
Wednesday 3 August 2011
August 3rd 2011
First time in the water... in ages!
My chest cough is still there, but going slowly... so we decided to tag along for the Reef Check with Nathan and his 2 students.
After doing a 67 minute dive... I needed to cough... a lot.. so left Jen and 1 student reef checking and went to the surface... I was getting chilly anyway! When I got to the surface... I coughed for a good few minutes... and lots of mucus came out, the dive must have shifted it.. Brilliant... Feel much better now!
Back on board, and after a surface interval, we went back down for a fun dive.. Jen had some equalising issues and bailed out of the dive, so the rest of us carried on, while she returned to the boat.
Tonight is Eco Movie Night... Whale Wars again... and this weeks episode looks very exciting..
Oh, this morning... the cat that frequents us, decided to bring her 2 kittens up to show us... bless... they are very timid... but thats to bet expected..
My chest cough is still there, but going slowly... so we decided to tag along for the Reef Check with Nathan and his 2 students.
After doing a 67 minute dive... I needed to cough... a lot.. so left Jen and 1 student reef checking and went to the surface... I was getting chilly anyway! When I got to the surface... I coughed for a good few minutes... and lots of mucus came out, the dive must have shifted it.. Brilliant... Feel much better now!
Back on board, and after a surface interval, we went back down for a fun dive.. Jen had some equalising issues and bailed out of the dive, so the rest of us carried on, while she returned to the boat.
Tonight is Eco Movie Night... Whale Wars again... and this weeks episode looks very exciting..
Oh, this morning... the cat that frequents us, decided to bring her 2 kittens up to show us... bless... they are very timid... but thats to bet expected..
Monday 1 August 2011
1st August - Dive Site Clean Up
So, still outta the water, and continuing to plough on with UK work.
A couple of days ago, I did venture out on the afternoon boat to act as surface cover for the Eco Dive Clean Day, that we have once a month...
In the morning, DMTs were scheduled to clean up around the Pier, where people arrive... To be honest, it was a crap heap... sooooo much rubbish... It was a very good hour spent picking up loads of plastic bottles, polystyrene containers, and glass.
Once we had finished, we took our full baskets and returned them to our pier to be collected later by the binman...
Then it was time for the dives... As I still have a crappy chest, I elected to do surface cover (arranging the boat, safety etc) ... Typically of the past week, bad weather came in just as we got on the boat, and I got pretty wet and damp.... not too pleasing....
Jenny, jumped in with other dives, and after an hour sitting by myself watching the bubbles on the surface, the divers returned.. Good news was that not much rubbish was collected.
x
SD
A couple of days ago, I did venture out on the afternoon boat to act as surface cover for the Eco Dive Clean Day, that we have once a month...
In the morning, DMTs were scheduled to clean up around the Pier, where people arrive... To be honest, it was a crap heap... sooooo much rubbish... It was a very good hour spent picking up loads of plastic bottles, polystyrene containers, and glass.
Once we had finished, we took our full baskets and returned them to our pier to be collected later by the binman...
Then it was time for the dives... As I still have a crappy chest, I elected to do surface cover (arranging the boat, safety etc) ... Typically of the past week, bad weather came in just as we got on the boat, and I got pretty wet and damp.... not too pleasing....
Jenny, jumped in with other dives, and after an hour sitting by myself watching the bubbles on the surface, the divers returned.. Good news was that not much rubbish was collected.
x
SD
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