Travelled with Serkan and Cihan (Germans) to Ko Tao to do some diving. While they turned out to be top of the class Aaron and I were a different matter.

The first day we started in water only a couple of metres high and things didn't go well from the start. Me and aaron struggled to stay on the bottom much to the annoyance of the instructor that kept telling us it was because we weren't breathing right but in fact it was because we needed more weights. Things then started to improve but not for long. When it came to breathing in through your mouth and out through your nose while under water, a skill needed in order to clear your mask from water, we were at a stand still. We both instantly became divers with special needs, so much so we were both given our own 1:1 support. After what seemed like hours of trying aaron succeeded which deffinately put me bottom of the class. After a few more attempts frustration set in. I now understand those kids in my class that came out with some choice words and phrases because I used a few of these my self inbetween the tears. On returning to the boat I accepted my fate that I was not cut out to be a diver much to Aarons irritation as he was now bottom of the class.

The next morning while the rest were in the classroom Aaron went off to special class to play catch up this time starting in the swimming pool. He would catch up the class work in what seemed like detention the next day. However aaron percievered and should soon be qualified to do open water dives to 18 metres. I will stick to the snorkelling where I can simply lift my face out of the water if I need to clear my mask.

Apart from the diving we have been making more friends, drinking and eating. Pretty much more of the same. It sure beats teaching a class full of children.