| 10 ° 6 'N, 99 ° 50' E June 7, 2010, 19:29  With our brand new PADI Open Water Diver graduates seemed like a good idea only for a day of taking. Nothing under water: for once to see what the island has to offer above water. Our neighbor here has an Internet cafe and also rents scooters, so we have him look for suitable equipment requested. Result: a hip-looking thing hum with wide tires. Koh Tao is not so very long ago inhabited affected and therefore not so many good trails. Actually there is only one 'main' road. Concrete road that runs from the north of the island to the south and connects the three largest villages together. Our village is halfway to 'highway' and after a short consultation we decided to go but north. Fifteen minutes later we were already at the end of the road. Koh Tao is not so great. So we just looked around the village at the end of the road and then to the south. Ten minutes later we met there at the end of the road. Renting a scooter is clearly less useful than expected. The fat tires did however think the scooter or off road could. We have tried, but a couple on a bicycle managed that in any event. Off-road is pretty rough because at the same site. We finally found a beautiful beach in the south and we just settled. The water was shallow in the bay and not very suitable for swimming. It was indeed still quite warm. Similarly, a good and wonderful idyllic place. After an appropriate amount of reading, relaxing, snacks and puffs we are back 'home' gone. On the way we once discussed with us what we want to do diving. Conclusion: we can continue diving. After a funduik tomorrow day after tomorrow we start with the Advanced Open Water course. That sounds like a lot but is actually just an excuse to 5 different and interesting dives. We may have some deeper, learn to navigate, create a dip in the dark, better learn to drive and go for a dive computer. Before dinner at our familiar place (no other restaurant met our criteria, many) I have a moment alone with the scooter on the road went. We got the scooter with an empty tank and had to do so in advance in gasoline. After our short ride today, there was a lot of gasoline, which was of course ... I'm driving toward a lookout point, fairly high. After twenty minutes climb about on the bike, mostly on concrete, but also often dried mud, I had a beautiful view of Mango Bay. Of course, I forgot to bring a camera, but that did not spoil the fun. The way back was even trickier: the scooter had a machine and had no engine braking. I suspect that the brakes are now quite worn. Upon returning the bike was thoroughly inspected. Then good food, early to bed and on to our first 'funduik.
michiel Dewit | Tags: Certificate , Diving , Koh Tai , Motorcycle , Beach , Thailand
Posted in Koh Tao | No Comments » 10 ° 6 'N, 99 ° 50' E June 6 2010, 13:42  We have PADI Open Water certificate  ! After four dives in open water (minimum 5 and maximum of 18 meters and a minimum time of 20 minutes per dive), and countless exercises under water, a pit friendly Theoretical and many fish we finally patented. Today we have the two best dives. In the first dive (18 m) was again an assistant along with a special camera in case photos are taken. We are to "Southwest" been at sea. It was a rock under water and it was beautiful! So many fish, colors, shapes, sizes and coral. I even 3 times a blue spotted stingray seen.
The photos in this post come from this dive. This afternoon we have to navigate on the surface and under water with a compass. Difficult and we're not good at, but we at least get back to the place of departure. The last dive was "only" 6 meters and we had a practicing Emergency ascents. If you have no air and you have checked off on your own. Exciting, but we're obviously not real without air. We have just completed the examination, respectively, and an error (Michael) and 3 error (me) we are well within the margin. Today there were more waves and the boat bobbed up and down. Now we are back on shore, it is hard not to keep on pitching. The diving has made us enthusiastic. Before we go off of this island will be at least had a fun dive with another instructor or divemaster. Just for practice. We will also consider another 2 dives from the following certification (Advanced Open Water). That would be deep diving and navigation, as this two things are very important. All in all, tired but satisfied. Time for a well deserved evening meal with a drink. We have much to celebrate today, we are exactly 100 nights away and of course open were waterproof. juutsel | Tags: Diving , Island , photos , Koh Tao , PADI , Thailand , fish , Sun
Posted in Koh Tao | No Comments » 10 ° 6 'N, 99 ° 50' E June 5 2010, 13:02 The theory that you must learn to get your PADI Open Water is pretty tough. For the first time Michael and I sit next to each somewhere to learn the same material. Very nice. This morning we started the reassembly of equipment. Then press 1 and Chapter 2, Section 3 and go through them the key. All well and good (0 error!) And yet a lot wiser. The first dive today was a bit exciting. Firstly, because clear whether Michael would be able to clear his ears, and because a large number of difficult exercises were under water. We had no fitness test done, so snorkeling 300 meters (nest egg). Then wealle were doing and stuff back into the water. The most we've practiced in very shallow water, so water you can stand. You go on your knees down to the underwater exercises. Just a grreep the tricks (which we now manage) simple: there is water glasses, emptying, breathing apparatus out of your mouth and back again, switching back and snorkel for breathing apparatus. Difficult: Breathing with a simulated broken mouthpiece for 1 minute (while breathing air suits are constantly under pressure), mask (goggles), and 1 minute breathing mask and a lap swimming. In addition, we had to simulate that we ourselves had no air and nieuamdn was around, ie, self controlled 'off. All very exciting and difficult ... but we can do it all. Michael ears are super and the official second afternoon dive (a dive is a dive only when more than 20 minutes at a depth of 5 meters or more remains) was a great succces. Unfortunately no photos this time but Michael was completely detached, the coral was beautiful ... and we are even "attacked" by territorial fish the size of a guppy. Actually quite cute. Tonight we go to watch the dive card and fill our logs and we are already half of our PADI. Super anyway? juutsel | Tags: Diving , Koh Tao , exercises , ears , PADI , the second dive.
Posted in Koh Tao , Thailand | No Comments » 10 ° 6 'N, 99 ° 50' E June 4, 2010, 15:38  Judica is a mermaid. Underwater, she relaxed and graceful. The undersigned has been under water a brick. Luckily it did not Judica the water whirl, instructor Robert holding me in the eye. The day began with a statement in the dive and then quickly to the boat. An instruction from the instructor in advance Robert warned us at the pier, especially in the middle to keep walking, because the animal was not nailed tightly. From the pier we had then one meter long giant step in making the boat. Witty and very Thai. The engine of the boat began to growl and pushed us firmly into a beautiful bay on the other side of the island. Clothing: wear all kinds of diving clothing and tools. It feels weird to you at length to rig before jumping into the water. A 'BCD' which makes inflating a balloon, a heavy aluminum canister of compressed air, a belt with lead rolls, mask with snorkel, two breathing apparatus with a long hose. Oh, and then a pair of flippers course. All in all definitely harm your dream weight. Then the great clown step into the water. Unnatural from the boat into the water just to walk. In the shallows a few exercises done. Breathing underwater was of course the base. Then the mask done, remove the mouthpiece and back do (not to panic in between of course) and so a few things. Then the real work for a little swimming underwater. Under water we noticed immediately that we were not alone. Hundreds of curious fish! Unbelievable how much life here, even in shallow water to see. As we arrived we saw deeper coral and many other, sometimes strange sea plants. Very special and unusual. A second dive, now without exercises and in deeper water, followed in the afternoon. Back from the boat into the water. Judica again showed a natural talent for the descent, but I had problems clearing my ears: a real problem because the pressure must be raised to ear pain (or even a ruptured eardrum) to avoid. Robert was very patient and happy with what I knew eventually cleared gimmicks to put down. A lot of beauty followed, sometimes breathtaking. Avery, a dive mistress in training, went with us and took pictures. Zelfr we can during the course any photos maken.We have really enjoyed the dive and decided to finish the course together, as my ears at least permit. Tomorrow morning first some theory and keys previously learned theory on this. And then submerged, may still be deeper than 10 meters above us we have left today. (Addition of Judica:) Delicious under water, silence, weightlessness and so much to see. Michael has bravely kept, in the beginning to practice breathing and all the creatures as closer but if we are to believe the stories of Robert. It can veeeel worse. Hopefully tomorrow the ears do well enough to make it together. After the afternoon dive, we have paid 2.5 hours on the theory. The next morning, and bulk than we're almost done with it. It's a necessary evil, but on the other hand it is also very nice to our brains once again to train. While travel is the only think you do the conversion of funds and now you have to learn new things. Tomorrow hopefully together under water, blub blub blub. Michael & Judica | Tags: Diving , Koh Tao , Thailand
Posted in Koh Tao , Thailand | No Comments » 10 ° 6 'N, 99 ° 50' E June 3, 2010, 14:49  Waking up on a tropical island not much larger than 20 square miles. This is a dreamy image edges. And yet that is exactly what we experienced this morning. A special experience. We began the day quietly. Around half past nine we got up, we hang some laundry and we went looking for breakfast. Some fruit, granola, yogurt and hot coffee met all expectations and needs. A fine start to the day. Then along the dive. At breakfast we had a good considered when starting a diving course and actually there is little reason to further postpone. So tomorrow. For Robert the dive instructor no problem. For today he gave us some snorkeling stuff and he proposed in the afternoon with some solid theory to begin. We had to find a good place to practice snorkeling available. Judica had snorkeled before, but for me everything was new. Breathe underwater, I had been on two introductory dives ever seen, but not swimming between fish and coral. An exciting and strenuous adventure. We saw lots of coral. White, very special, but a bad omen. It has been warm in recent years, making the algae which normally live in the coral and its color, the heels have now chosen. A sign of global warming? In the water we saw many small life. Fish, fish, whole schools of fish. The new camera can swim and could come along. We have your heart's content pictures. Some are quite well done, but the visibility was not perfect and made the most of muddy photos. On our diving course, we do not shoot (one line of the diving board), but there is a dive instructor in training along with some chocolates and it is probably to convince us the helping hand. At four o'clock this afternoon we went along on the dive for the first theory and the necessary paperwork. Medical clearance, liability provisions, rules of the diving association, et cetera. Necessary evil, but a sign of a well-organized operation. The theory was a video that much of what we had learned our previous pool dive and experienced brought up again. Useful, but sometimes laughable and tedious. So we learned that the snorkel and the breathing apparatus of compressed air system actually an extension of the dead were breathing apparatus. Interesting, but also a bit ... morbid. If our much needed sleep, this time in another hut - Yesterday we could involve a temporary hut, hut the same which we now sleep on the diving - have enjoyed the adventure begins tomorrow morning at nine hours. We then go to a quiet place to lay the foundations. The lesson lasts up to 1 hour. Judica is definitely for her Open Water certification, I decide tomorrow whether I 'all the way to go. michiel Dewit | Tags: Diving , Koh Tao , Snorkelling , Thailand
Posted in Koh Tao | No Comments » 10 ° 5 'N, 99 ° 49' E June 2, 2010, 8:56  Early in the morning, tired. ... I open my eyes and look at. I taste my lips saline. I lie not as soft as I am used to. My blinkers and I push up. ... Sea. I am lying on a bench next to the pier. On the table next to me is Michael. It's like six hours and the boat departs an hour. I enjoy it, well ... it could otherwise have done by bus, but on the bench, I slept better than the bus. We get on the boat and it is wonderful as we sail away. Slowly we leave the mainland behind and imagine myself on the high seas. The boat right on the island and I can not see. Wonderful behind the boat, still tired from the short night, I enjoy the sun on my skin. The island is dichterbj and as the contours become clearer, my heart beat faster. There are buildings of a city but there is no question. From the side where we ankomen miss the palm trees on the beach but otherwise it's like advertising a bounty. As we walk through the streets I is trapped by the atmosphere. These are narrow streets where cars fit through filled with boutiques, dive shops, internet cafes and restaurants. It is quiet, as if everyone is asleep but I love Relaxd. The cottage where we can is small but lovely to us. A bench on our porch, even their own private bathroom and closet space. The next week we're good here. Coming up snorkels and flippers but just to get a first exploration of the underwater world to do. juutsel | Tags: banking , bone , coach , Koh Tao , sleep , Thailand
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10 ° 5 'N, 99 ° 50' E June 2, 2010, 8:37 After a few days unexpectedly nice Bang Cook last night was the farewell time again. The travel agency we traveled to Bangkok, could give us a combination bus-boat tickets to Koh Tao offer. At six o'clock last night so we got on the bus to our little paradeiland on the east coast of Thailand. Then northerly Phangang Koh Samui and Koh was the prediction that the trip would not be long and the morning we would arrive as early as 9 hours. The trip was indeed very short. Around 7:30 last night we left with everyone from Bangkok. At two-thirty tonight (!) We put off the bus at the ferry to Koh Tao. So pretty soon. To our dismay, however, until the ferry departed at 7 am and we had to wait over 4 hours. So what we tried to sleep on the picknictafels on the quay. Anyway, that little fling aside everything else went smoothly. The island is beautiful, with palm trees and azure bays. Stuffers to all of the dive schools on the island to escape from the boat we immediately fled in an internet cafe and have Internet telephone number of the Dutch diving school proprietor who had previously Judica gecontact sought. With our new squat in Bangkok, Thailand phone we bought the man (Robert) called and before we knew he was standing at the door of the cafe. A very nice man that rest and reliability. Not unimportant. Diving courses on the island rather fixed prices, but the bonus was Robert us three free room nights booked per course offering. Since we could not say no to, of course, also because the houses look very nice and even after the course is still available. Judica go anyway and make the course as the first day like, I do him. This means that we then at least 7 days on this beautiful island. But I suspect that there still some more days will come when ... michiel Dewit | Tags: Outdoor sleeping , bus , Diving , Koh Tao , Thailand , Ferry
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