31st Aug 2011

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

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

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!

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

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!

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...

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