Got the ferry from Koh Pha Ngan over to Koh Tao - people come to Koh Tao for one reason - to get certified by Padi for scuba diving. Koh Tao is known as the Turtle Island and it's alot smaller than Koh Samui. Arrival is via Mae Haad Bay on the west side - we decided to dive with Buddha View Diving School to the south - Chalok Baan Kao Beach - away from the main Sairee Beach. This was to get away from the more commercial Thailand. This Island is beautiful, some of the beach views from the Buddha View restaurant are awesome. On arrival I counted 6 people on the beach - so peaceful. The first shock was going in the classroom and having homework to do!! Theres 5 chapters to Padi Open Water with 4 tests in the classroom and a final 50 question paper towards the end- multiple choice though! First was practising in the pool and then out on the boat and into the sea over the 4 days the course takes. Its all about breathing - don't forget to breath (yeah pretty important huh)!! Anyway, initially I flapped around in the water like an flid intill I got the knack of it! ....and my god is it addictive! Swimming over the coral looking at Puffa, Trigger and Angel fish is amazing. (saw other fish also but I haven't a clue what they are called!) It makes up for the weather here - it's rained every day since we arrived but nothing as s***e as Britain.(ha ha). Our instructor was Alex pictured on this journal entry - very funny geezer - forfits for doing any skills wrong was "one tiger" (beer)- needless to say we had to buy him a few beers at certification. Its so much cheaper to do this course out here than in England - and it's so much fun!! Have dived Mango Bay and Japanese Gardens where the coral looks like little Bonzi trees. In the evening theres a BBQ and the food is good - alot of fresh fish from the bay. In the main town there are also clubs - we went to Whitening which is planted just next to a beach - all out doors and yes they sell buckets here as well. Having passed Open water I can now dive to 18 metres - I"ve decided to do my Advanced Open Water at Buddha View too..it means I'll then be able to dive to 30 metres - included is a night dive with underwater torches!! Should hopefully get to see some turtles and sharks! Think I've found a new hobby... .........to be continued..........