As I write this next blog I am sat looking out at a clear turquoise blue ocean and a small white sand beach. Surrounding the beach are rocky boulders leading up to the hills covered in green palm trees. We have just come back from our final two morning dives with the dive school we have been diving with for the past three days. The sun is shining and its perfectly quiet. Bliss.

We left Koh Sok National Park (and with it my new friends: Phillipe and Phillop (the French gekkos) and the big lizzard called Eddie Lizzard! ha ha! That still makes me laugh now!) for Surat Thani, a small town on the coast where we could get the ferry across to Koh Tao. However, we made the decision to 'island hop' across, stopping in Koh Pha-Ngan for one night and avoiding the dreaded Night Ferry. The ferry trip took us passed Ang Thong National Marine Park, made famous as the actual beach from 'The Beach' movie is located here. We sadly didn't get a glimpse of 'The Beach' but it didn't matter-the beach we stayed on on Pha-Ngan was pretty much perfect (and probably less crowded as it didnt have Di Caprio and his hippie buddys hanging around playing cricket) Here we watched an awesome sunset and ate possibly the best Spring Rolls I have ever tasted...mmmm....

The next day we headed for Koh Tao and from just approaching the island you can see the difference in geography. This island is basically a massive pile of boulders balancing on top of each other, themselves balancing on rocks below sea level. The rocks below the sea however are the most interesting as they are covered in all different types of corals, which of course bring about loads of different marine life.The coral and visability is that good that you can just walk out from the beach a few metres, look down and see coral and fish swimming by, without even getting your head wet. However, there is only one real way to see this island, and thats underwater with a tank of air strapped to your back.

All in all we have done seven dives here - one shore dive and six off the boat. They have all varied in visability, depth and marine life seen. After not diving for a while (Dan not at all in the open ocean) it took a couple of dives to get completely comfortable with the equipment etc. However each dive has just got better and better and Dan in particular has become more relaxed (actually practicing his slow breathing outside of the water to ensure he uses less air!) We have seen loads of fish-most of which I dont know their names, but include Parrot Fish, Angel Fish, Barracudas, Porcupine Fish, Trigger Fish (including one particularly dominant one called Trev!), Sea Snakes, Sea Slugs and one little Clown Fish (Nemo). I also made friends with a friendly bluey/green fish (I have no idea what species) who kept banging his head on the front of mask during a safety stop. I called him Bob and I truely believe we are now firm friends.

The plan from here is to get a boat/bus combo ticket up to Bangkok. Spend a day or so in the hectic city before heading across to Cambodia. Although its been a short stay in Thailand, it's been great and its given us a good feel for the country. In general the tourist areas are just that...touristy, however with good reason as the country is beautiful, weather fantastic and beaches jaw droppingly stunning. There are still areas of Thailand that seem still 'untouched' but it seems these are gradually reducing. The Thai people are also lovely-always ready to help you and make sure your ok. There are also some real surprizes. Koh Sok was amazing and really due more credit than it was given in 'The Lonely Planet'. And Koh Pha-Ngan was so peaceful and tranquil despite the island being dubbed the 'Party Island' due to the Full Moon Beach Parties held once a month on the east coast of the island. I'm looking forward to seeing Bangkok, though now when I look out again at this Stunning view....I'm wondering if I could perhaps secretly hide away on the dive boat and becoming a dive bum forever.