.... Waking up this morning as a qualified diver was pretty cool! I can't believe in just 3 days i've passed my SSI Open Water Course, and without giving myself a break, I'm straight onto the advance course, which will be done in 2 days, with 5 dives.. I had a quiet morning, had something to eat, then headed to big blue to start my advanced diving. My new instructor is Emma, (Not sure if I said before but my instructor for the Open Water, was Iain - I know our Ia...

Ok... Need to be honest, the alarm going off at 0600 this morning was a shock to the system! Showered, got my stuff together and headed to the meeting point half asleep! Got my equipment, and boarded Banzi the biggest Big Blue boat, we has a 45 minute boat journey to the Chumpon dive site. Got briefed about what we would be doing, 18 meters..! Whoop whoop... (At the point of going in the water I was just hoping my ears wouldn't mess about!) good news is they were...

Not having air conditioning in the room is a b****, the good thing is- at least my sunburn is going, and the rash on the back of my leg has gone!! I think it must have been the piriton, bite cream and sea water! Jumped in the shower, (Cold Water!) and as soon as you get out the shower the sweat starts, mixing the sweat with suncream isn't that great! Grabbed some breakfast before sitting down in Big Blue 2, and has our last lesson, and DVD to watch. Then the mome...

After an ok nights sleep, I slept on the top bunk bed, and the beds were rock hard & high, really didn't want to fall out! The air conditioning was amazing tho, even better as I was sunburnt!! Started the SSI open water dive course, which will allow me to dive up to 18 meters! (think it might come in handy when I get to Australia!). We started the morning in the swimming pool, got given all the equipment we needed, and jump in with our instructor, did a num...

I have finally made it to the beaches off the east coast of mainland Thailand, the Island of Koh Tao.! Arrived on the island about 10, after the boat seemed to just wait for about 30 minutes off shore. Not sure if there was a problem, or if it was something to do with a busy port.!? One thing I know for sure is that a boat can't derail, and I wasn't in the sea, so it hadn't capsized!! Jumped in a free transfer, it took about 5 minutes just down the beach to the ...