Yesterday I finished my 2 person (Chinese) Open Water course. All went really well and I for the girl to overcome a fear of water, I was very impressed and so very proud.
Today, Si's got a couple of DSD's (Discover Scuba Diving) and is currently in the pool with them, just going over a couple of basic skills and then will be on the afternoon boat for their dive.
I've actually got the day off but decided to come down to Crystal to help Si out getting his DSD's equipment ready and now Im just sat in the bar typing away and looking at the paintwork of the office and surrounding buildings and thinking, should I, shouldnt I paint it. I've been thinking this for some time now and I think what Im going to do is, make a little sketch as to what needs to be done and then go to the boss and ask him how much he'll pay me to do it ;-D
Friday, 30 September 2011
Wednesday, 28 September 2011
29th September 2011
Not much to report really.
The island is very quiet, the weather is pretty poor, delay our efforts to get our "coral ship" into the sea..
I have been working on UK stuff, and a new promo video which seems to be taking forever.
Jenny has a 2 person Chinese Open Water which she completes today.
In other news, I have booked MotoGP tickets for Malaysia in 3 weeks... 3 QUID A TICKET!!! AWESOME... Now I just have to figure out how to get there...
xx
SD
The island is very quiet, the weather is pretty poor, delay our efforts to get our "coral ship" into the sea..
I have been working on UK stuff, and a new promo video which seems to be taking forever.
Jenny has a 2 person Chinese Open Water which she completes today.
In other news, I have booked MotoGP tickets for Malaysia in 3 weeks... 3 QUID A TICKET!!! AWESOME... Now I just have to figure out how to get there...
xx
SD
Saturday, 24 September 2011
24th September 2011
Guess what we saw this morning? A Whaleshark YAY!!!!!! ....and it's only because Sylvain, a french guy who's been doing an eco internship here, asked us to join him for his last couple of dives on Koh Tao.
Still half asleep on the boat, there was a shout over the radio that a whaleshark had been spotted at Chumphon Pinnacle, the deep dive site that we were on our way to. The excitement that spread around the dozen or so people on the boat was unbelievable, so much so that everyone kitted up 5 mins before we'd even got the dive site :-)
When the boat finally stopped, everyone jumped in, we had our camera's passed down and began our hunt for the whaleshark. The visibility was pretty good, 20m+ and accompanied by a mild current. We all went off in our separate groups. Sylvain, Si and I stayed around 15 meters and looked up, down, around into the blue ... we were becoming quite disheartened then suddenley all you could hear was this 'tap tap tap tap tap ......which could only mean WHALESHARK!! ..but unable to determine the direction of sound and not being able to see who was tapping was so so frustrating. Then in the distance we saw a barrage of bubbles, it had to be over there! So finning frantically, to catch a glimpse, a large object headed towards us. We hit the record button and started filming. Oh my goodness, seeing one so close takes your breath away.
I was so glad that it stayed around so that Si could see it. A few months ago he pulled out of a morning dive due to a sore throat and what did we see ..you've got it, a whaleshark! He was devastated to say the least. ..The only ever time Simon has seen a whaleshark was 2 years ago!
Feeling very happy at the moment, we've both signed up for tomorrows morning dive. I doubt if it'll still be there but we're going just in case ;-D
Si's put together a clip of Sylvain, with the whaleshark at the end... here you go!
Tonight we're going out for dinner with Alan & Heidi, the couple we first stayed with on Koh Tao, so that should be fun.
Thank you so much everyone for my mails, cards and prezzies ...It's lovely getting post ;-)
xxx
Jen
Still half asleep on the boat, there was a shout over the radio that a whaleshark had been spotted at Chumphon Pinnacle, the deep dive site that we were on our way to. The excitement that spread around the dozen or so people on the boat was unbelievable, so much so that everyone kitted up 5 mins before we'd even got the dive site :-)
When the boat finally stopped, everyone jumped in, we had our camera's passed down and began our hunt for the whaleshark. The visibility was pretty good, 20m+ and accompanied by a mild current. We all went off in our separate groups. Sylvain, Si and I stayed around 15 meters and looked up, down, around into the blue ... we were becoming quite disheartened then suddenley all you could hear was this 'tap tap tap tap tap ......which could only mean WHALESHARK!! ..but unable to determine the direction of sound and not being able to see who was tapping was so so frustrating. Then in the distance we saw a barrage of bubbles, it had to be over there! So finning frantically, to catch a glimpse, a large object headed towards us. We hit the record button and started filming. Oh my goodness, seeing one so close takes your breath away.
I was so glad that it stayed around so that Si could see it. A few months ago he pulled out of a morning dive due to a sore throat and what did we see ..you've got it, a whaleshark! He was devastated to say the least. ..The only ever time Simon has seen a whaleshark was 2 years ago!
Feeling very happy at the moment, we've both signed up for tomorrows morning dive. I doubt if it'll still be there but we're going just in case ;-D
Si's put together a clip of Sylvain, with the whaleshark at the end... here you go!
Tonight we're going out for dinner with Alan & Heidi, the couple we first stayed with on Koh Tao, so that should be fun.
Thank you so much everyone for my mails, cards and prezzies ...It's lovely getting post ;-)
xxx
Jen
Wednesday, 21 September 2011
20th September 2011
We’ve not been teaching at all over the last couple of weeks. The peak season has passed and we’ve only been offered a one person Chinese wreck speciality which neither of us can teach. So fingers crossed we’ll get work soon.
To keep busy, we’ve taken out some eco students, Sylvain & Kim on some afternoon and night dives which has been fun gathering garbage and doing some Coral watch. Yesterday, we hit the HMS Sattakut for some fun, and to ascertain what life had come to live at the wreck in the last few months.
Today, the eco gang met at Crystal and took the longtail out just offshore to try and break up/bring up a sunken boat which is destroying a area of coral. For something that’s been in the water a few months now, we only managed to break small sections of the boat with a hammer and a few tools. On our next visit, we definitely need a crow bar or two. It’s really hard work.
Today, the eco gang met at Crystal and took the longtail out just offshore to try and break up/bring up a sunken boat which is destroying a area of coral. For something that’s been in the water a few months now, we only managed to break small sections of the boat with a hammer and a few tools. On our next visit, we definitely need a crow bar or two. It’s really hard work.
What else have we been up to? I cleaned and sanded down one of the eco boards near the pool which took hours. Then when I was just about to paint it, some DMT’s came along and said they’d help which they did and now, one girl’s drawing a few designs/wording for the edging which will look super once it’s done. Nath, Sylvain and Si put a new thatching on the roof, so it almost looks like new.
The weather has not been great over the last week. The day usually starts off lovely and then by lunch, the skies darken, wind picks up and then it lashes down.
Pretty irritating when we were suppose to deploy our boat/ship at Buoyancy world this week which has now been postponed ..typical!!
Pretty irritating when we were suppose to deploy our boat/ship at Buoyancy world this week which has now been postponed ..typical!!
Si’s always busy with UK work and is at present downloading a film for tonight’s Eco movie night ‘Carbon Nation’ which I’m very much looking forward to seeing...
Well, it’s time to shower, get dressed and whiz down to Crystal, ready for the movie night.
Bye
Saturday, 17 September 2011
15-16th September 2011
Hi everyone,
Thank you for all my Birthday wishes. I had a fabulous time.
Simon woke me with a lovely rendition of Happy Birthday and told me to pack a few things as we were off on a mini break YAY!!!! He'd booked a couple of nights at the Jamahkiri resort, a couple of miles down the road. What a surprise!! It’s one of the best, if not the best hotel on the island. Stunning grounds, deserted pool, fantastic spa which I made full use of, of course with a 3 hr steam, aloe vera wrap, facial and massage ..sheer bliss :-D
Simon woke me with a lovely rendition of Happy Birthday and told me to pack a few things as we were off on a mini break YAY!!!! He'd booked a couple of nights at the Jamahkiri resort, a couple of miles down the road. What a surprise!! It’s one of the best, if not the best hotel on the island. Stunning grounds, deserted pool, fantastic spa which I made full use of, of course with a 3 hr steam, aloe vera wrap, facial and massage ..sheer bliss :-D
We had super room overlooking the whole of Shark Bay and what made it even more special, it had a huge bath/Jacuzzi in it ..arghhhh!!!!!!!!!!! Funny the things you miss.
The only downside was the 154 steps up to the restaurant :-D
Two days being waited on hand and foot was just bliss. It was exactly what we both needed, time away together, recharging our batteries.
Mini break sadly over, we popped into Crystal and lo and behold, there was a package with the cutest prezzie inside from Iona & Chloe ...THANK YOU so much, it makes me smile every time I look at it.
Simon finally ate his long awaited Cheese & Picallili sarnie... Delicious!!
Simon finally ate his long awaited Cheese & Picallili sarnie... Delicious!!
Tuesday, 13 September 2011
14th September 2011
Finally an update.
Over the past week, its been full on with the boat... I wanted to finish it as it had been dragging, and the ceremony is in 4 days...
So pretty much all we have been doing is welding, welding, welding... most days just me and Jen (and maybe some kids hanging around) up at the construction area.
Nathan took some video on his stills camera the other day... here it is...
Apart from bad weather hampering things on a couple of days... we have been able to just plough through, coming home tired and shattered most nights.
Above is an adapted bin bag, that Petra (another instructor) implemented as an impromptu rain coat... very nice!!
The construction area is located near the post office, and since I constantly think about the missing parcel... I decided to go down and talk to them.....
Now the guy in the post office is not the most friendly fellow. Trying to explain to him about the missing parcel was annoying, especially since he made it as difficult as possible. Anyway, eventually he allowed me to look through the delivery book for the past month (thankfully no data protection act!!)... Scouring through the book, my name was not to be seen... but then I came across a delivery for "Matt Bolton, Crystal Dive" which had not been signed for...
I asked the postmaster if I could look at the parcel... he wanted to see my passport... I asked if he could just see my name on it... eventually he looked, and...... YES it was the parcel that Roy (my bro) had sent about 6 weeks ago!! I was so pleased... I rushed home to get my passport, and 7 baht storage fee (cheeky gits!).
Now, I am in the possession of some toothpaste, mosturiser (which Jenny loves!), choc chip cookies... and PICALLILLI !! I love the stuff, and am building myself up to buying a french baguette and some cheese... and smother it with the picallilli.... its making me hungry now!!
Along with the food bonuses, there was a beautiful picture that Emily had drawn, and a photo and letter from Mum & Del.. Thanks guys! It was tortuous waiting for it... but so happy I finally found it!!
Back to our coral boat... yesterday, 7 more hours spent welding... and its finally complete!! Now, with deployment in the next couple of weeks... we wait and see what happens...
Righto... I am off to have a Cheese & Picallilli baguette.... and maybe a choccie biccie!
x
SD
Over the past week, its been full on with the boat... I wanted to finish it as it had been dragging, and the ceremony is in 4 days...
So pretty much all we have been doing is welding, welding, welding... most days just me and Jen (and maybe some kids hanging around) up at the construction area.
Nathan took some video on his stills camera the other day... here it is...
Apart from bad weather hampering things on a couple of days... we have been able to just plough through, coming home tired and shattered most nights.
Above is an adapted bin bag, that Petra (another instructor) implemented as an impromptu rain coat... very nice!!
The construction area is located near the post office, and since I constantly think about the missing parcel... I decided to go down and talk to them.....
Now the guy in the post office is not the most friendly fellow. Trying to explain to him about the missing parcel was annoying, especially since he made it as difficult as possible. Anyway, eventually he allowed me to look through the delivery book for the past month (thankfully no data protection act!!)... Scouring through the book, my name was not to be seen... but then I came across a delivery for "Matt Bolton, Crystal Dive" which had not been signed for...
I asked the postmaster if I could look at the parcel... he wanted to see my passport... I asked if he could just see my name on it... eventually he looked, and...... YES it was the parcel that Roy (my bro) had sent about 6 weeks ago!! I was so pleased... I rushed home to get my passport, and 7 baht storage fee (cheeky gits!).
Now, I am in the possession of some toothpaste, mosturiser (which Jenny loves!), choc chip cookies... and PICALLILLI !! I love the stuff, and am building myself up to buying a french baguette and some cheese... and smother it with the picallilli.... its making me hungry now!!
Along with the food bonuses, there was a beautiful picture that Emily had drawn, and a photo and letter from Mum & Del.. Thanks guys! It was tortuous waiting for it... but so happy I finally found it!!
Back to our coral boat... yesterday, 7 more hours spent welding... and its finally complete!! Now, with deployment in the next couple of weeks... we wait and see what happens...
Righto... I am off to have a Cheese & Picallilli baguette.... and maybe a choccie biccie!
x
SD
Friday, 9 September 2011
7th & 8th Sept 2011
I've been busy teaching Open Water with 3 lovely individuals. 2 American Airline pilots, Dan & Sarah and a Parisian girl Caroline.
They breezed through academics, confined and the exam. Taking them diving was a pleasure, infact they were so good it was just like taking fun divers out, apart from the skills. Shame not all students are the same ;-)
Last night we all met 'Vibe Lounge' to watch their Open Water movie. We all sat down on a long sofa and watched intently and giggled away. I love watching my students. When you're leading, you don't catch everything they do in front of the camera and I was in hysterics when Dan came up to the camera and started to do some air guitar ...not what I expected at all.
Watching them made me feel very proud especially when at Buoyancy World they swam through the buoyancy rings perfectly and under the big octopus's legs. They were better than some of the advanced divers I've taught.
After far too many G&T's we said our goodbye's and headed home to bed.
Tomorrow, Simon & I are heading down to the Buoyancy World construction site for more metal bending and welding.
They breezed through academics, confined and the exam. Taking them diving was a pleasure, infact they were so good it was just like taking fun divers out, apart from the skills. Shame not all students are the same ;-)
Last night we all met 'Vibe Lounge' to watch their Open Water movie. We all sat down on a long sofa and watched intently and giggled away. I love watching my students. When you're leading, you don't catch everything they do in front of the camera and I was in hysterics when Dan came up to the camera and started to do some air guitar ...not what I expected at all.
Watching them made me feel very proud especially when at Buoyancy World they swam through the buoyancy rings perfectly and under the big octopus's legs. They were better than some of the advanced divers I've taught.
After far too many G&T's we said our goodbye's and headed home to bed.
Tomorrow, Simon & I are heading down to the Buoyancy World construction site for more metal bending and welding.
Tuesday, 6 September 2011
6th September 2011
On the 4th, while I was working on the shark release video, and hiding from the sun, as the welding incident was still causing some issues, Jen decided to join the "Swim For Sharks" held by a dive school called "Big Blue".
The swim, involved swimming around the whole island of Koh Nang Yuan (the island next door).
Doing a circuit of the island is no mean feat, the distance is about 3km, and Jen had never swam for a long distance. She finished in 1hr 27mins, dealing with strong currents and choppy waves. A good job done, and if Jen gets time I am sure she will tell you about it.
That evening there was a party, but neither of us attended, as Jen was tired (no surprise!) and I had a mountain of work to do... including format my PC..!!
The next day, Jen started an Open Water Course, and I started a Reef Check Course....
x
The swim, involved swimming around the whole island of Koh Nang Yuan (the island next door).
Doing a circuit of the island is no mean feat, the distance is about 3km, and Jen had never swam for a long distance. She finished in 1hr 27mins, dealing with strong currents and choppy waves. A good job done, and if Jen gets time I am sure she will tell you about it.
That evening there was a party, but neither of us attended, as Jen was tired (no surprise!) and I had a mountain of work to do... including format my PC..!!
The next day, Jen started an Open Water Course, and I started a Reef Check Course....
x
Sunday, 4 September 2011
4th September 2011
Yesterday was Shark Release day, and sadly... it did not happen.
Short video below showing why....
Short video below showing why....
Saturday, 3 September 2011
2nd September 2011
This morning we're sat silence in 'Cafe Del Sol' tapping away on our pc's, munching breaky playing catch up. Since our visa run we've been busy. On the 1st Sept we helped out some more with Bouyancy world construction. I left around mid day to take two eco students on dives to Aow Leuk to check out the coral nurseries while Si carried on welding for most of the day.
Later that night he suffered severely that night and the day after with Arc eye. Pretty scary, as at one point Si couldnt even open his eyes they were so painful. Not something I'd ever like to experience.
Today is my Aunty Babs's 90th birthday, so HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNTY BABS! 90 years young! I hope you enjoy your surprise party!! AND a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAULSY, my big brother for tomorrow. We both hope you have an amazing day and we'll be raising our glasses to you both :-D
Today was Mini's deployment. Basically MINI have donated a life size mini car concrete structure along with a concrete telephone box, underground signs and massive (over 6ft tall) concrete letters, spelling out MINI.
After hours of rigging, manouvering were craned onto the back of trucks and then transported down to the pier straight onto the Tally Sub night boat which then set off to Aow Leuk bay to be deployed. Si was filming all of the land shots whilst I along with 3 other videographers were on Crystal 1, following behind to film all of the underwater action.
It was a pretty slow but good day, everyone was given 'Mini' shirts and had crew passes for a free evening of food and drink. By the time we got back, we were pretty tired so grabbed something to eat locally and then went to the Babaloo bar where we all intended to just have a couple of drinks but as you can imagine with a free bar, we worked our way through the cocktail menu and ended up all pretty smashed. We'll put some footage on the blog soon ;-D
Later that night he suffered severely that night and the day after with Arc eye. Pretty scary, as at one point Si couldnt even open his eyes they were so painful. Not something I'd ever like to experience.
Today is my Aunty Babs's 90th birthday, so HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNTY BABS! 90 years young! I hope you enjoy your surprise party!! AND a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAULSY, my big brother for tomorrow. We both hope you have an amazing day and we'll be raising our glasses to you both :-D
Today was Mini's deployment. Basically MINI have donated a life size mini car concrete structure along with a concrete telephone box, underground signs and massive (over 6ft tall) concrete letters, spelling out MINI.
After hours of rigging, manouvering were craned onto the back of trucks and then transported down to the pier straight onto the Tally Sub night boat which then set off to Aow Leuk bay to be deployed. Si was filming all of the land shots whilst I along with 3 other videographers were on Crystal 1, following behind to film all of the underwater action.
It was a pretty slow but good day, everyone was given 'Mini' shirts and had crew passes for a free evening of food and drink. By the time we got back, we were pretty tired so grabbed something to eat locally and then went to the Babaloo bar where we all intended to just have a couple of drinks but as you can imagine with a free bar, we worked our way through the cocktail menu and ended up all pretty smashed. We'll put some footage on the blog soon ;-D
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