| 10 ° 6 'N, 99 ° 50' E 29 August 2010, 13:07  All good things come to an end. That unlike misery, which sometimes seems no end to come. But it was a great time here on Koh Tao and thus the moment of parting had come at once. The day before yesterday, we worked the last time yesterday, much of our stuff has already been washed and packed. Today, remaining so actually only one round to say hello. A whole day we did not actually made. We had little inspiration. Yesterday morning we had some time to rush to the post office to be (our study were keen to go home), this morning no one waited on us. So last breakfast, last shower, coffee last, last five minutes on the bench before the house, toilet last visit, last sweep and so on. I was surprised how much crap we also have three months time, yet in that little house have managed to drag. But it's all gone. Some things we no longer needed, but were too good to be disposed of (including a beautiful kettle). That we have kept separate and "carried forward" to friends who still remain on the island (although they are not all equally). As a farewell present for Ed made. A large bottle of Tiger beer with two postcards (and a loose crown and Chang Schweppes tin tab). It may be false sentiments, but it still seemed a good way to cozy drinks at sunset at the end of one day in the water to remember. This afternoon we made a last lap Sairee. Anything viewed shops, the beach and walked 'beachfront' lunch. Then begrudged ourselves a massage. After all once the final days on Koh Tao. Both a delicious Thai style oil massage fee. Very relaxing and Thai massage for the first Judica. And the scooter: who had also returned. But not before all the luggage was dragged out of the house. I did the ride from the house to the village so a few times up and down ride. A good way too much heed to the 'last ride on Koh Tao store. The bike had a few scratches behind, so we had to dock. Fortunately not much crazy, but given the size of the scratches but still a lot. Ah, a known problem here on Koh Tao. Now we're the last to Pranee's Kitchen, waiting for our sinful Summer Citizens come to greet us. Four minutes ago, the first night movie, this time 'Fun with Dick and Jane (?) Started. To get him bite 8:30 we will continue to hang out, then we go on the boat. Which departs at 9 am for an 8 hour cruise to Suratthani, southern Thailand. Then with a minivan to the border with Malaysia in search of adventure in Penang. Frankly, my travel skills after 3 months rest and ease a bit rusty become so completely at ease I'm still not. But that good weather will come soon enough ... michiel Dewit | Tags: Koh Tao , Thailand , Departure
Posted in Koh Tao , Thailand | 2 Comments » 10 ° 6 'N, 99 ° 50' E 27 August 2010, 9:16 We are back in the dive shop, the sun burns and we are tired. The last two dives just had. With a fundiver and our own boat we left this morning. At Chumphon. In water showed that itself was great, hundreds and thousands of fishes, wonderful to view. Huge groupers that are as large as myself and trevelli's so big that it almost seems sharks. A good start. The second dive was at White Rock. We expected that visibility was poor but we were surprised when the water indentations. Down and looking for skates, our client had not yet seen. After yet another trigger fish I had not so much afraid of. Beautiful Angel Fishes and the occasional ray. Swim a bit further and there was a rock on a huge huge turtle. His shield only about 0.8 to 1 meter in diameter. We were the only divers in the area and have good self-enjoyment. Super cool! Zweommen we take a walk around the block because of trigger fish and came back to the same rock. There were adnere divers who have told us that the turtle was. Just when they went to look he swam away and we have the turtle is still in action. Later in the dive was still a young batfish. They are very curious and came around to my mask swam. It really felt a bit like a sort of farewell and it was one of the best dives on this island. Soon we get paid for the past week and we will elaborate lunch. Our client today has a 12 euro tip what is left is a small fortune. He also enjoyed our trip and wanted to further sponsors. What a morning. ... Tonight we celebrate tomorrow, and I dare not work slowly to the alcohol at the pool party. Unfortunately, no one we know to join us to celebrate but it is a solid success. juutsel | Tags: batfish , Diving , Koh Tao , last dive , turtle , Thailand
Posted in Koh Tao , Thailand | No Comments » 10 ° 6 'N, 99 ° 50' E 22 August 2010, 11:33 The fan blows cool to me what. The little benefit. My head is hot with anger, frustration and fear. Behind bars is a felang 'on a white ear gently snoring. We await the police. At the desk sits a Thai man whose official title eludes me completely. Next to me is the wife of the Thai half hour earlier still lay groaning on the hot asphalt. I've tried to explain the situation. The line drawing back some illegible handwriting note is their witness. It gives the main street on the back with them that we were on our scooter hit. For security and to show that I was aware of all traffic laws are on the drawing of a stop sign on the street and a highway speed limit for the scribbled. I must strongly urge in English to be spoken to. "Speak English, I do not speak Thai. Speaking Thai is impolite! " For several times, I indicated that I quite want to give some money so her husband can pay his medical expenses, but I'm certainly not going to guilt or promise to accept a crazy doctor's bill for my account to take. I explain once again that we were still clean, but that gentleman was driving too fast and thereby inhibit the timely. Moreover, I suspect him of having a drink. All that means, but not answered. The money I've been offered too little, is always telling me. I have to wait for the police and the entire medical bill, whatever it may amount to. When I ask if I should wait outside me is brutally denied. Lady and the man behind the desk unclear conspire in their attempt to make that clear to me. I look back at the hapless tourist behind bars and do not insist further. Then I realize that maybe I could use some help. Immediately after the accident I had the keys to the scooter Judica already given and asked her to go home. Better to be alone control. You never know with those Thai. The phone is still in Judica's bag and that has become home. I decide to take a chance and puffy Thai office to request a call. From my wallet I take the ticket of the dive and I ask if I should call number on it. The business card is taken out of my hand and studied. The Thai and Mrs. and I hear them discuss the name of the Thai owner of the diving call. Perhaps you know of them? I know that he esteemed, but will that help me? The phone call I do not have to commit. Ms runs as a leaf on the tree in the wind and starts talking about money. In my bid of 50 euros I received suddenly a counter-offer: 75 euros, which should be sufficient. I decide my eggs for money and choose not to nag about money. Carefully concealed from my portfolio I get the money. Everyone looks suddenly friendly again and now things are done is greeted. Mrs. offers me a ride home and I decide to drive only a little, just to show good will. The last kilometer I walk home. I know Judica wait for me and probably worried. Everything went so fast that I had not had time to see if she had hurt. Everything seemed okay, but ... At home it appears okay. Judica was naturally worried, having no idea what was going to happen. Miraculously, it appears our scooter determined not to have suffered damage or that gentleman had been to collect. Without scratching is down in his familiar spot under the tree. I tell Judica that everything is over a fizzle. Gentleman had some nasty scrapes on his left foot behind, but the base itself was also not broken, what most bruised. A lightning fast X-ray was that while I was on the desk sat expelled lady was not too unkind to me that you know to remember. Exactly whose fault it was still unclear. We were politely waiting for the intersection to run, but had by the steepness of the side road at the intersection is already doing. Mr. rode too hard. He suffers the pain and we are now a daily budget poorer. Sand it and not talk about it. michiel Dewit | Tags: Crash , Koh Tao , Police , Scooter , Thailand
Posted in Koh Tao , Thailand | 1 Comment » 10 ° 6 'N, 99 ° 50' E 22 August 2010, 11:00 We lay in bed with a big bucket of ice. Comfort food again today because a stressful afternoon. As Michael has his side of the story described here is just my experience. After a delicious lunch on the way home, to pile up on the main road running. While Michael facing left, I see a motorcycle right ahead of us. I call 'watch' and Michael looks around in slow motion, the engine closer. Not enough time to still move forward. The driver brakes, slipping and sliding our last few feet across the tarmac to meet. I jump off half of the motorcycle when it hits us. Within half a second Michael and I are back on their feet for us to bend over the Thai. Everything okay? We move the engine and moped on the side. Our scooter did not drive so I was afraid it was broken but Michael kept a cool head and pulled it out of gear. My attempt to shift the bike is now very easy going and I promptly pushed the bike against the Thai motorcycle that was our stand and began to moan. Oepsiefloepsie. From previous stories, we know that you people apparently well off can buy. Michael tried with a bid of 50 euros but it was denied because "You were wrong '. I ask Michael if I should go away, all the evidence and taking mean less hassle. While he the man to 20 meters distant clinic helps me try the bike. The mirror is crooked, but he starts. Michael is still out and I say that I go home. I dare not move faster than 20 and I'm afraid to be persecuted. We hear so many stories about mafia on the island. At home I put the bike "up" from the road down so that it can not be seen and go inside. Vibrating and I'm worried. What's my love? Pacing, go out and go inside. A second rest in my head. A cold shower air, and what I take myself for not thinking the worst and wait. In my head come up images of Thai prisons, lawyers, lawsuits and other disaster scenarios. I might even call someone to help? Michael said he would handle it and I do not want him in your way. He knows wat'ie doing. After 1.5 hours (was not too bad though I am a hunk of stress) is knocking at the door. I ask hopefully "Michael" and I fall into his arms. Eventually it all and we are particularly alarmed. Just cuddling in bed and an ice bucket is there to help. michiel Dewit | Tags: collision , moped , Thai
Posted in Koh Tao , Thailand | No Comments » 10 ° 6 'N, 99 ° 50' E 21 August 2010, 5:24  After yesterday message, the boat in time. When all his stuff to the excesses I heard rumors that the guests would come along to the DJL pool party. Thanks so nice because they had just completed the practical part (ie only a theoretical competition it) and they are also ready. In any case we have at this time as guests, but several couples together a nice group of young (18-35) by the mutual well with each other to find. The more the merrier. After we have dressed and dry weather stuff for later, packed up to DJL. We were the first and it was incredibly busy. The rest came slowly trickle in and we are in the line up for the BBQ. Through the crowd there was not enough salad, corn, and ultimately not enough not enough potatoes. It should not spoil the fun. I have the snorkel test the prospect tried to eat as much as possible so that a bit of a ground for all the alcohol. Tim, the owner of DJL, found it no problem when I was doing my snorkel test. In fact, I would get the bucket with alcohol free  Because we have such a large group came we were still free shots, great fun and the atmosphere there was already good at. After dinner I had there to believe it. Sooner rather than later, otherwise you lie at night in bed, so to spin. Marielle and Ed have the bucket ready and obviously I could not see what it was. She smiled rather sadistic and slowly I began to be too nervous. Soon the guests actually explained the whole idea of the snorkel test and then it was time. On a chair and put a small short speech by Ed. Then the mask and snorkel. Just a deep breath ... and then swallow a lot. I did not expect so much pressure would face. My cheeks were all right and the ball did not fit perfectly snorkel so the drink came off on all sides. Tim pulled the mask from top to bottom with a little breath of the message, unfortunately this he pressed my nose completely closed and that is entirely impossible. Finally, I have again cheated by my finger to slide underneath but the very full bucket was almost gone. Cheers all around and then immediately with Marielle pool, it remains a "pool party". The ladies were still waiting but the gentlemen jumped chasing me directly. The rest of the evening is becoming blurred for me. Somehow it started to pour again hard, though does not like in a swimming pool. It was very nice and the challenge of the banana to sit was also adopted. It remains difficult but we have a few winners  The snorkel test was around half past eight and 11 hours, my dear dear friend took me home. In between some things that I did not publicly on the site go up. Everything fit in the company, there are no clothes ... but assumed the snorkel test me for years to follow. Michael, the angel showed me through the pouring rain drove home while I could do little more than hold me. Home is "das Klo geküsst, brushing teeth, drinking water and rolled into bed. Tonight at 4 hours, I wake up please note and could not sleep. Outside there was a party going on Castle or the bass beats are forced through the night. Awake until 6:30 and then just a breakfast made. My poor intestines some solid food. Nice weather and crawled into bed for fifteen minutes I was back in one ear. Some thoughts ... I'm glad I do not get bothered by my bowels with each bit of alcohol but I do not drink the next time to see more! Not sick and no headaches so the hangover is not too bad, life really is better when you're sober. Oh ... and having someone to save you in embarrassing situations, and you take home and make you laugh is really great. I really appreciate it! juutsel | Tags: dive master , Koh Tao , pool parties , snorkel test , Thailand
Posted in Koh Tao | 1 Comment » 10 ° 6 'N, 99 ° 50' E 20 August 2010, 12:03  Only 7 days to work here and I start Sat. meantime quite touching. Communication is still stiffer and on top is a kind of paranoia come dive manager that we manipulated. Yesterday, after Ed frequently asked to be told that we are not happy (which is true). Immediately after he had said he regretted because it was hooked. The first reaction was "I knew that something played 'and' if they are not happy, they'll just go away." This morning when we walked into the dive shop manager wanted to dive with us. He had heard that we're not happy were and ... when we wanted to show that it is particularly the communication (as a dive master, you may have the dog track in the diving industry, but that does not mean we barked need to be) were all other irritations. Apparently it was not that we were not happy but he was not happy. According to him, communication is the biggest problem but there is something else. Either we have not convinced him that we are not manipulated and that he can provide the solution. There were customers inside and the smile back on his face. Although it was said yesterday that there were no fresh Fundi (no work), there was a fundiver and Michael went out on the boat. I would still take it easy tonight as we party. We're both ready for a while and I would still like the semi mandatory snorkel test. It's Friday and time for a pool party. We have our neighbor (Kartik from India) and also invited all instructors with a partner. It is really enjoyable and tomorrow I go sleep. Here is some good pictures of the dive shop, it's nice to yourself to have pictures of where we worked. Morning pictures from a (hopefully) very nice pool party with snorkel test. juutsel | Posted in Koh Tao , Thailand | No Comments » 10 ° 6 'N, 99 ° 50' E 15 August 2010, 11:04  It is still very busy on the dive. Michael and I try to vary it so that if possible we are not two consecutive four dives a day. It's physically exhausting.
The atmosphere is not really better ... even though the air was cleared, there are still other things that make us possible to avoid the dive manager. For example, my papers for the DM shelf until the day before sent. Michael had his number please note though and I was ready a week earlier. Now it would not much matter if I do not even supposed to do my internship. Let's see if we have it all arranged before we get away.
The work itself remains as stated still fun. Customers are generally very nice, cozy, and the mood on the boat is generally positive, with a bit of excitement for those who only just beginning. There is currently a Turkish couple that I take a lot of diving. They have made 10 dives per person and that means 5 (semi) working days. Both are good divers and I have also just feel like I have to work. We have in recent days over already seen a lot. The good news is that Murat has a camera and there are also pictures. Below you can see some pictures of new animals we have seen for the first time. I am now on my own in a completely empty dive shop. Before everyone went away again the delicious pancake for lunch and taken away after everyone was nice in my uppie around tampered. Everything is ready for the big group comes back soon. About two weeks exactly (as it looks now we will leave July 29) we go away. Time flies when I say so, but on the other hand, we work with not even one month and it already feels. Want to leave I do not pack everything and lugging around ... The road, as I look back or forward, just as others see things and people. In discovery, and then another month again two weeks vacation. It seems so strange now to Asia again to leave, but that is gradually getting closer. 2 more pool parties and somewhere a snorkel test.
Still enjoy the lovely sunshine here and humored all guests and customers. We're still on a paradise island and taken together, the disrupted communication than just a small blemish on an otherwise wonderful life. juutsel | Tags: Diving , diving manager , leaving
Posted in Koh Tao , Thailand | No Comments » 10 ° 6 'N, 99 ° 50' E 10 August 2010, 15:45 Today was just our world upside down. This morning we had a fight with our dive manager. A quarrel arisen mostly through tone and the fact that plans change (which we for the second time a bag of cash expense). Without too much to elaborate, I was later (Michael would still remain on shore due to ear problems) because I thought I needed to be there later. As a first call with the message 'you are' (a not so friendly tone). Then in the dive shop stating that the plans had changed and therefore I would miss a minimum of 600 TBH (you think, 12 Euros, which makes, but a meal here costs 40-80 TBH it's so much money). In response, I indicated that I did not mind the change, but the way it was communicated (ie tone) is. Michael was already quite pissed off after the call and threw something like, "so everything is broken" after it. Eventually we arrive five minutes after the store again worn with the message that we were not diving. There was a huge group of customers at the dive center, stress is everywhere. The dive manager came chasing us to say we were not professional (my thoughts, your communication is not very pro). Back home and lot on our tour. We like diving fun and we work hard but there's much good at. Convinced that we no longer have to come back, we went back to the shop to pick up our stuff. The other instructor (Ed) regretted all significant at the thought that we would leave. When everyone had left this afternoon, we sit in the shop and have geinternet next day and figured out where we were going. I was pretty calm but meanwhile Michael was the anger still slumber. The first dive group got back what we have not reached out to help clean up (later we are still accused of something is broken). The divers were diving from that group that we had already dived in recent days. They were now in a group of 7 (normally max 4) instead of diving and 60 minutes to 35 minutes they were all recovered. The dive master who at the last minute as a replacement was called did not meet the quality requirements. He had no briefing, the dive was too short, he was not approachable, etc. In short disappointed customers who all said, was better with you (although I seriously wonder how I myself with a group of 7 had done). all in all, a helping hand to hear that our work we have done well lately. After half hanging noon I could not leave my hands itched, and although Michael prinicipieel nothing would do but I have cleaned up here and there. The second group diving (including dive manager) came back and we helped clean up anyway. Our dive manager is a bit known as a mule. We would still like a conversation, otherwise the money we earn in recent weeks. Honest, I really have not gone but was not going to go through the mud. Eventually we had a discussion with the tone gradually became more moderate. Halfway there were new customers and some customers were complaining today. Then we continued the conversation and both sides have apologized. Het is dus afgelopen met een sisser, maar vanmorgen waren wij al bezig met hoe we alles weer in de tassen moesten krijgen. We blijven nog even. Een vermoeidende dag, maar morgen gaan we weer duiken. Chumphon, een diepe duiksite waar het zicht op dit moment super moet zijn. Let's go diving (again). juutsel | Tags: Duiken , Koh Tao , ruzie , stress , Thailand
Posted in Koh Tao , Thailand | 2 Comments » 10° 6' N, 99° 50' E 7 August 2010, 16:54  Het leven als duikmeesters (want ook ik ben inmiddels klaar met mijn opleiding), is tamelijk eentonig. Ik klaag niet, want ik houd wel van een beetje regelmaat. 's Ochtends naar de duikshop, materiaal uit het washok opruimen, tassen voor de duikers klaarzetten, een paar nieuwe duikers 'aankleden' in de materiaalkamer, kopje koffie, duiken, materiaal spoelen, met de duikers wat over vissen praten en hun logboeken invullen, dan misschien nog een biertje drinken met de duikstaf terwijl de zon in de zee zakt… geen vervelende regelmaat. Toch is het leuk als er zo nu en dan even iets anders gaat. Na een stressvolle dag in het water en in de shop ('hoe staat de pet van de baas vandaag?') gaan we meestal op een van onze vaste stekkies wat eten: schnitzel bij Bam Bam, curry bij Pranee's, fried rice bij Tukta of een gevulde omelet bij Yang's. Maar gisteren niet: we waren uitgenodigd voor de pool party bij David Jones' Locker, de duikschool waar de hoog-technische vriend Kris van onze Nederlandse instructrice Marielle werkt. Elke vrijdag is het daar feest in en rondom het zwembad. Met gratis barbeque! Wij stonden natuurlijk vooraan voor een paar verseverbrande spiezen met grote stukken kip, paprika en ui. Delicious! En na spies, maïs, gepofte aardappel en wat gekeuvel richting zwembad. Feitelijk geen grote verandering, want de bar grenst letterlijk aan het water. Vanuit het water een pilje bestellen heeft z'n hele eigen charme. Judica's waterdichte camera mocht mee en we hebben in alle meligheid dan ook de nodige malle kiekjes gemaakt. Zo zijn er plaatjes van Judica die probeert op een opblaasbare banaan te klimmen, beelden van duikinstructeurs die (verloofd en al) toch hun ogen niet van al het vrouwvolk af kunnen houden en natuurlijk een aantal obligate gekke bekken. Oh, en ik ben een klein handeltje begonnen. Op het eiland worden kaarten met de meest voorkomende vissen verkocht. Handig om uit te leggen (of na te zoeken) wat er beneden zoal zwemt. Zelfs de meest eenvoudig uitgevoerde kaarten gaan nog voor 600 baht (15 euro) over de toonbank. Dat kan natuurlijk ook anders. Na 5 dagen achter de computer (Judica: is het nou nog niet klaar? ik mis je!) alle vissen op een rijtje gezet te hebben, heb ik vandaag bij een klein drukkerijtje op het eiland mijn eigen viskaarten laten maken… voor een fractie van de prijs. Nu zien of ik mensen kan interesseren om mijn kleine geplastificeerde almanak voor 200 baht aan te schaffen. Zij blij, ik blij. Zo zie je maar, ook in het paradijs wordt handel gedreven. Had ik trouwens al gezegd dat we hier tegenwoordig elke dag flinke hoosbuien hebben? Het paradijs is een beetje ontregeld… michieldewit | Tags: BBQ , Duiken , Koh Tao , poolparty , Thailand
Posted in Koh Tao , Thailand | 1 Comment » 10° 6' N, 99° 50' E 6 August 2010, 4:26 Het leven van een duikmeester gaat over duiken. Dat is ondertussen wel goed duidelijk geworden. Ook al is het qua cursussen nog niet zo druk in de duikscool, de fundivers blijven binnenkomen en zorgen voor een stabiele werkdruk. Sterker nog, we werken ons enthousiast te pletter. Michiel is al een paar dagen klaar met zijn duikmeestertraining en werkt volop mee. Hij is druk bezig met het maken van accurate visherkenningspapieren. Als je Michiel een beetje kent weet je dat hij geen half werk doet en uren op internet bezig is de goede namen bij de vissen te vinden. Hij vermaakt zich uitstekend tussen het duiken door. Normaal zouden we het met twee duikmeester makkelijk afkunnen. Helemaal als je bedenkt dat de één 's ochtends duikt en de ander 's middags. Toch is het voorgekomen dat ik vier keer op een dag duik, puur omdat het druk was en dat er dan ook nog een DM van ergens anders mee werd gevraagd. Dit alleen omdat er ook DM programma's zijn waardoor we dan maar 1 klant op een duik mee kunnen nemen. Het is ontzettend leuk, maar ook hard werken. Om half 8 's ochtends zijn we in de shop en als we 's avonds om half 8 weggaan zijn we doodop. Daarvoor werken we wel in het paradijs, hebben we over het algemeen erg leuke klanten en is de sfeer in de duikschool hersteld. Het leven is goed. juutsel | Tags: DM , Duiken , Koh Tao , Thailand
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