Hi guys,
Sorry for the lack of posts, but we are working on a huge eco presentation to over 50 people... starting tomorrow. In the meanwhile...
Sunday, 31 October 2010
Thursday, 28 October 2010
Day 266 - 28th October 2010
Today, Jen and I went onto the afternoon boat. Although neither of us are able to dive just yet, we were able to help on board with transplanting corals for the rope nurseries.
We went to Twins dive site, where they have 4 buoy lines. It was quite busy with dive boats, and after mooring up, the divers entered the water to collect coral fragments. While they were diving, I spotted a dive boat from one of the biggest dive schools on the island, dropping an anchor. This is a photo of the dive boat. Dropping anchor is a ridiculous, and irresponsible practice that deserves naming and shaming. There is no need for it.
Anyway, rant over.... the divers returned and we cracked on with the transplanting as quick as possible to minimise the stress to the coral.
Then the heavens opened... check out the boat boy in his rain coat... it was sooooo cold!
Upon returning, it turned out that the owner of the dive school was having a birthday party, so Eco Film Night was cancelled... no worries... next week instead.!
x
SD
Tuesday, 26 October 2010
Day 264 - 26th October 2010
A fairly quiet day so far
This morning we rode into Sairee and bought Si a pair of sunglasses and then headed back to Maehaad to have brunch. We stopped at 'Zest' where we had a couple of lovely salads. After we popped down to Crystal to update the Eco boards and to see if anything was happen. Unfortanately it was pretty quiet so we stayed an hour or so and then headed home as Si was eager to watch the Vikings NFL game.
Tonight at 'Choppers' there's another talk by James Brook about the adventures of the 'Sea Shepherd' so we'll probably go to that...
This morning we rode into Sairee and bought Si a pair of sunglasses and then headed back to Maehaad to have brunch. We stopped at 'Zest' where we had a couple of lovely salads. After we popped down to Crystal to update the Eco boards and to see if anything was happen. Unfortanately it was pretty quiet so we stayed an hour or so and then headed home as Si was eager to watch the Vikings NFL game.
Tonight at 'Choppers' there's another talk by James Brook about the adventures of the 'Sea Shepherd' so we'll probably go to that...
Monday, 25 October 2010
Day 263 25th October 2010
Not much happening.
Jen has the onset of an ear infection, so to nip it in the bud, she has got on antibiotics and hopefully in a couple of days will be diving again.
Speaking of Jenny and teaching... she received the card below the other day, from a couple that she taught last month.... she was pleased as punch.
Jen has the onset of an ear infection, so to nip it in the bud, she has got on antibiotics and hopefully in a couple of days will be diving again.
Speaking of Jenny and teaching... she received the card below the other day, from a couple that she taught last month.... she was pleased as punch.
Friday, 22 October 2010
Day 26 - 22nd October 2010 (Evening)
Last night, as we were about to leave the bar, Jen spotted a kitten running around. Now seeing as there were a few dogs licking their lips, we decided it would be safer for the kitten, to take it home for the night..so, we found a box, grabbed some cat food from the shop and rode the bike home with him.. Boy was he a noisy little fella!
This morning, we went back to the bar area, and asked around.. No one seems to own him, so we took him to the animal clinic, who will look after and rehouse him... we both felt quite sad dropping him off :-(
Some exciting news... the coral nurserys that were installed on the 11th September (my last dive!) have started to come on... check out the 2 pictures below. The first one shows a new piece of coral growing out of the old one, and the 2nd shows how the coral has started to grow over the plastic tubing... long may it continue!
This morning, we went back to the bar area, and asked around.. No one seems to own him, so we took him to the animal clinic, who will look after and rehouse him... we both felt quite sad dropping him off :-(
Some exciting news... the coral nurserys that were installed on the 11th September (my last dive!) have started to come on... check out the 2 pictures below. The first one shows a new piece of coral growing out of the old one, and the 2nd shows how the coral has started to grow over the plastic tubing... long may it continue!
Thursday, 21 October 2010
Day 259 and 260 - 21st/22nd October
So, its visa run time....
As you may know, we have to get out of the country every now and again to abide by our visa requirements. So we booked another trip to the Burmese (Myanmar) border.
Our trip started at 9.15am, boarding the ferry on Koh Tao to the mainland town of Chumphon. Then once we arrived, on to a minivan for a few hours drive across to Ranong.
From Ranong, we crossed the border by boat to a resort known as The Andaman Club, through we went, and immediately back again... Back through immigration, back on the minivan, and back to Chumphon... Here is where we spent the night, as no boats were running by the time we were back.
Eating dinner on the street and a couple of Singhas, and it was bedtime... and up at 5.15am to catch the boat back to Koh Tao.
x
SD
As you may know, we have to get out of the country every now and again to abide by our visa requirements. So we booked another trip to the Burmese (Myanmar) border.
Our trip started at 9.15am, boarding the ferry on Koh Tao to the mainland town of Chumphon. Then once we arrived, on to a minivan for a few hours drive across to Ranong.
From Ranong, we crossed the border by boat to a resort known as The Andaman Club, through we went, and immediately back again... Back through immigration, back on the minivan, and back to Chumphon... Here is where we spent the night, as no boats were running by the time we were back.
Eating dinner on the street and a couple of Singhas, and it was bedtime... and up at 5.15am to catch the boat back to Koh Tao.
x
SD
Monday, 18 October 2010
Day 257 - 18th October - New Ear Update
So, I ventured again to Koh Samui to visit the specialist as he had returned to the hospital. Leaving Jen on Koh Tao again, was a bit dissapointing, but she had Eco work to do, and it would have been selfish of me to ask her to come, and sit around bored with me.
Anyway, leaving Koh Tao in the morning and arriving on Samui, I caught a cab straight to the hospital. Getting in, I had my blood pressure and weight taken as per usual (weird practice they do with everybody who comes in).
Upon seeing the specialist, he hoovered my ears out again. This time however, it was not the pleasant experience it was before. Some nerve in one of my teeth didn't like it, and it took a lot of effort to not flinch.
Once the ears were clear, he examined then, and got me to equalise. This was the 1st time in 2 weeks I had attempted equalisation... and it worked! So, he declared the perforation healed!
BUT! He also said that the bacterial infections had cleared mostly, but what remained were fungal infections... So, another course of new ear drops, and antihistamines. He anticipated 3-5 days of drops, and then 5 days before attempting to dive, if everything was cool... I am crossing my fingers!
Then it was back to the hotel, for a boring day... I went out for supplies, but I just don't like Samui one bit... seeing English louts drunk at 5pm is not a pretty sight and is rather embarassing to be associated with that.
So, food bought, it was back to the hotel, to play Formula 1 2010 on my PC, speak to Jenny, and bed.
Anyway, leaving Koh Tao in the morning and arriving on Samui, I caught a cab straight to the hospital. Getting in, I had my blood pressure and weight taken as per usual (weird practice they do with everybody who comes in).
Upon seeing the specialist, he hoovered my ears out again. This time however, it was not the pleasant experience it was before. Some nerve in one of my teeth didn't like it, and it took a lot of effort to not flinch.
Once the ears were clear, he examined then, and got me to equalise. This was the 1st time in 2 weeks I had attempted equalisation... and it worked! So, he declared the perforation healed!
BUT! He also said that the bacterial infections had cleared mostly, but what remained were fungal infections... So, another course of new ear drops, and antihistamines. He anticipated 3-5 days of drops, and then 5 days before attempting to dive, if everything was cool... I am crossing my fingers!
Then it was back to the hotel, for a boring day... I went out for supplies, but I just don't like Samui one bit... seeing English louts drunk at 5pm is not a pretty sight and is rather embarassing to be associated with that.
So, food bought, it was back to the hotel, to play Formula 1 2010 on my PC, speak to Jenny, and bed.
Sunday, 17 October 2010
Day 255 - 16th October
Another very quiet day, where we sat inside Dirty Nelly's all day out of the rain, playing board games, cards etc
Appointment has been booked for Samui specialist, so I travel there on the 18th October and return on the 19th. I am taking some new generation hardcore antibiotics, which are making me feel pretty crap.... no energy, shakiness, and some nausea... and I have been on these drugs for 14 days... so I guess the fact that we cannot do much at the moment is quite a blessing for me.
Anyway, another early night.
SD
Appointment has been booked for Samui specialist, so I travel there on the 18th October and return on the 19th. I am taking some new generation hardcore antibiotics, which are making me feel pretty crap.... no energy, shakiness, and some nausea... and I have been on these drugs for 14 days... so I guess the fact that we cannot do much at the moment is quite a blessing for me.
Anyway, another early night.
SD
Thursday, 14 October 2010
Wednesday, 13 October 2010
Day 249-251 - 10/11/12th October 2010
Firstly, sorry for the lack of posts recently.
Saturday night we went out for our last supper with Finnish Kati , who's leaving on the 12th and a couple of other friends. We had a delicious meal at the Indian in Sairee 'Shalamar' and then headed home.
Sunday was a pretty quiet day for Simon and I but in the evening it was party time. Kati's leaving party and Kats 25th birthday. Everyone met up at the Crystal bar where Kati was giving everyone Finnish liquorice shots. Both Si and I thought they were disgusting but everyone else seemed to be enjoying them.
After a couple of the student Open Water movies, Kati had put together a video of all 'The Best Bits' of the guys at Crystal. It was very entertaining and pretty emotional to be honest.
After the movies and shots finished off, 'Singstar' was put on and the karaoke began. It was just brilliant to see everyone having such a good time. A couple of hours later everyone headed into Sairee to the aussie bar 'Choppers' and then onto Lotus for a boogie. ..Simon and I didn't quite make it to Lotus as we were starving and stopped at the snackshack to grab a falafel pitta and then headed home.
Slightly hungover the next day we went down to Crystal as we'd organised a Eco dive to clean up the coral nursery at Twins dive site. Both Si & I were surface cover which was a big mistake as it was pretty rough and Si threw up several times. Not the best of days..
Saturday night we went out for our last supper with Finnish Kati , who's leaving on the 12th and a couple of other friends. We had a delicious meal at the Indian in Sairee 'Shalamar' and then headed home.
Sunday was a pretty quiet day for Simon and I but in the evening it was party time. Kati's leaving party and Kats 25th birthday. Everyone met up at the Crystal bar where Kati was giving everyone Finnish liquorice shots. Both Si and I thought they were disgusting but everyone else seemed to be enjoying them.
After a couple of the student Open Water movies, Kati had put together a video of all 'The Best Bits' of the guys at Crystal. It was very entertaining and pretty emotional to be honest.
After the movies and shots finished off, 'Singstar' was put on and the karaoke began. It was just brilliant to see everyone having such a good time. A couple of hours later everyone headed into Sairee to the aussie bar 'Choppers' and then onto Lotus for a boogie. ..Simon and I didn't quite make it to Lotus as we were starving and stopped at the snackshack to grab a falafel pitta and then headed home.
Slightly hungover the next day we went down to Crystal as we'd organised a Eco dive to clean up the coral nursery at Twins dive site. Both Si & I were surface cover which was a big mistake as it was pretty rough and Si threw up several times. Not the best of days..
Saturday, 9 October 2010
Day 248 - 9th October 2010
Today, Jen hit the dive boat with some friends to fun dive. I waved goodbye and settled down to another tedious afternoon.
However, around 3 pm, a huge pile of crap washed up. I went down to start clearing up, and soon a few more people gave a hand... around 15 in all.
What a terrible sight... and took hours to clean. It was dark, and then another pile came in.. so we all dragged the crap up, and found this in amongst it... still trying to identify it.
What this shows you is how damaging just throwing the smallest piece of rubbish in the ocean can be. It all collects together and traps creatures, usually killing them... such a bloody waste. I would also like to point the finger at the people who sat at the bar drinking beers and not lending a single hand, as if we do this for the fun of it? Come on people... its OUR BLOODY PLANET!
Many thanks to the people who did lend a hand. Thanks guys.
However, around 3 pm, a huge pile of crap washed up. I went down to start clearing up, and soon a few more people gave a hand... around 15 in all.
What a terrible sight... and took hours to clean. It was dark, and then another pile came in.. so we all dragged the crap up, and found this in amongst it... still trying to identify it.
What this shows you is how damaging just throwing the smallest piece of rubbish in the ocean can be. It all collects together and traps creatures, usually killing them... such a bloody waste. I would also like to point the finger at the people who sat at the bar drinking beers and not lending a single hand, as if we do this for the fun of it? Come on people... its OUR BLOODY PLANET!
Many thanks to the people who did lend a hand. Thanks guys.
Thursday, 7 October 2010
246 - 7th October 2010
Woke this morning to the lovely sound of an angle grinder & various banging! The building work next door has been a bit of a pain but when you fancy a lie in, it's really annoying ;-D
Today after brekkie, I cleaned the apartment which was very dusty and did most of my washing whilst Si relaxed and played 'Battle Field II' on his pc. It's been pretty gloomy outside, so havent really had the urge to go out. I think tonight we'll pop down to Crystal and watch an Open Water video or two and go to the Mexican for dinner
Today after brekkie, I cleaned the apartment which was very dusty and did most of my washing whilst Si relaxed and played 'Battle Field II' on his pc. It's been pretty gloomy outside, so havent really had the urge to go out. I think tonight we'll pop down to Crystal and watch an Open Water video or two and go to the Mexican for dinner
Tuesday, 5 October 2010
245 - 6th October 2010
For me, no news... I spent yesterday watching the trilogy of Back to the Future, waiting for the rain to go... today.. more of the same.
On the ears front, no massive changes... although the extremity of the itchiness has abated... but seems like it might be returning. So, a couple more days before making a decision to return to Samui or not. Its only my 3rd day on tablets, so can't expect miracles.
Anyway, here was our view and morning drive... such a pleasure... Monsoon is definately here! This was filmed as the rain was stopping!
On the ears front, no massive changes... although the extremity of the itchiness has abated... but seems like it might be returning. So, a couple more days before making a decision to return to Samui or not. Its only my 3rd day on tablets, so can't expect miracles.
Anyway, here was our view and morning drive... such a pleasure... Monsoon is definately here! This was filmed as the rain was stopping!
Monday, 4 October 2010
Day 244- 5th October 2010
Bored.... Not much to do but at least the sun came out in the afternoon..
So... small video for you...
What happens next?
So... small video for you...
What happens next?
Saturday, 2 October 2010
Day 242 - 3rd October 2010
So, after another terrible nights sleep (what sleep!) I was up and showered around 5am.. laying in bed was just too annoying, and overnight I had developed some pretty large swelling around my ear and jaw... not too painful, but pretty large.
I waited around until 7am and caught a taxi to Bangkok Samui hospital. Once there, the usual registration forms, blood pressure, temperature and medical history. Then a wait for the doctor who was due in to work at 8.30am.
Promptly, I was seen as soon as he came in, and he questioned me about the last 3 weeks, and I told him all I could remember... from all the different drugs, ear drops, syringing, cotton buds, paper etc.
First, he inspected the ear that was not ruptured, and cleaned it out, not through syringing as the clinics had on Koh Tao, but with a motorised suction device... the kind the dentist uses to suck up all the saliva while working on your teeth. A few scraps of paper... not too much and some wax came out. He said, that the ear canal was inflamed and infected.
Second ear, swollen (and apparently ruptured 3 weeks ago) was cleaned out as before. Nothing beside some fluid came out. It felt so nice when he was doing this as it was kind of scratching the itch that I cannot reach.
Anyway, ear cleaned, he told me that both ears are still infected, definately outer ears, but possibly middle ear infection as well. He could not see any perforation (which is good) but said there was probably a small hole where all the drainage is coming from.
So... to summarise. I am now on different antibiotics for the next 10 days... if there is no improvement within 5 days, I have to return to Samui for another examination. He said i should see a significant decrease in the fluid discharges from my ears within the next 3-4 days. I hope he is right.!
If the ears clear up, the specialist said I should wait another week to make sure the ears are fully healed before attempting to dive, and I have to pass 3 checks to ensure that I am good to go.
£200 worse off, I am now waiting for the ferry back to Koh Tao (which is delayed by 2 hours) and will get to the island by 5pm.
Just one point to make. I will not go on my own again... It was awful not having Jenny to just talk to, or cuddle, especially during my very long night of non sleep.
SD
I waited around until 7am and caught a taxi to Bangkok Samui hospital. Once there, the usual registration forms, blood pressure, temperature and medical history. Then a wait for the doctor who was due in to work at 8.30am.
Promptly, I was seen as soon as he came in, and he questioned me about the last 3 weeks, and I told him all I could remember... from all the different drugs, ear drops, syringing, cotton buds, paper etc.
First, he inspected the ear that was not ruptured, and cleaned it out, not through syringing as the clinics had on Koh Tao, but with a motorised suction device... the kind the dentist uses to suck up all the saliva while working on your teeth. A few scraps of paper... not too much and some wax came out. He said, that the ear canal was inflamed and infected.
Second ear, swollen (and apparently ruptured 3 weeks ago) was cleaned out as before. Nothing beside some fluid came out. It felt so nice when he was doing this as it was kind of scratching the itch that I cannot reach.
Anyway, ear cleaned, he told me that both ears are still infected, definately outer ears, but possibly middle ear infection as well. He could not see any perforation (which is good) but said there was probably a small hole where all the drainage is coming from.
So... to summarise. I am now on different antibiotics for the next 10 days... if there is no improvement within 5 days, I have to return to Samui for another examination. He said i should see a significant decrease in the fluid discharges from my ears within the next 3-4 days. I hope he is right.!
If the ears clear up, the specialist said I should wait another week to make sure the ears are fully healed before attempting to dive, and I have to pass 3 checks to ensure that I am good to go.
£200 worse off, I am now waiting for the ferry back to Koh Tao (which is delayed by 2 hours) and will get to the island by 5pm.
Just one point to make. I will not go on my own again... It was awful not having Jenny to just talk to, or cuddle, especially during my very long night of non sleep.
SD
Day 241 - 2nd October 2010
Today, I have made my way to Samui on Doctors advice. I returned to the clinic this morning to find they had gone away for 2 weeks, so I went to another clinic who said I should have gone to hospital 3 weeks ago.
So, I called my dive insurance (DAN Europe) up, they told me off for not going and now are not sure whether I will be covered. We shall have to see on that issue.
Anyway, small vid below..
I hope to be back on Koh Tao tomorrow, with good news, and not bad. Missing my lovely wife, who is still on Koh Tao.
x
So, I called my dive insurance (DAN Europe) up, they told me off for not going and now are not sure whether I will be covered. We shall have to see on that issue.
Anyway, small vid below..
I hope to be back on Koh Tao tomorrow, with good news, and not bad. Missing my lovely wife, who is still on Koh Tao.
x
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