We had only intended on staying in khao lak for 3 nights so that we could go diving on the Similan islands. When we arrived we were soon informed that diving on the Similan islands doesn't start until the 25th, we extended our stay and tried to occupy ourselves until then. There isn't much in khao lak other than a beach and some shops ....oh and a lot of Germans. I didn't realise until we had arrived that khao lak was the worst hit town when the 2004 tsunami devastated Thailand.
There was a police boat that was swept 2km inland that has now become a tourist attraction, Ed and I both fancied seeing it out of interest. Yes it was just a boat in a field, however it made us both realise how powerful the wave had been when it hit land. After seeing the boat we stopped at the international tsunami museum, I think it should be put on a list of dark tourism as its very sad. Ed and I both left feeling depressed. All those poor people who died and some who have never been found were all on holiday/travelling like us. It was even more disturbing that in the museum they left imagines of dead bodies( some were obviously western) in the videos and pictures, it was a very sobering day.
After the previous days experience we were excited to be heading out on a catamaran for the day to do some diving. The weather was looking good the sea was calm, it took nearly 2 hours to get to our first dive sight. The boat only carried 16 people plus crew, 8 were snorkelers and 8 were divers. We were split into 2 groups and were soon given our briefing, the guide was informing us that we would be going down to 20 meters and doing some swim throughs.... I started to panic, I'm still a relevitively new diver with only 5 dives in my book and only being an open water diver I'm not meant to go deeper than 18 meters. I told the guide this and he yes yes no problem we will dive at 18 however the other 2 in our group can dive at 20. That's when the trouble began.... The other lady in our group asked me how many dives I had done to which I replied 5 She went off on one saying how she couldn't be expected to dive with me as she had 160 dives.... Ed knowing how I still lack confidence when it comes to diving butted in and stuck up for me. I was now a nervous wreck and still expected to dive with this rude woman. I almost didn't get in the water as I felt that I would be slowing the group up and using my air before hers! Needless to say I did get in the water and the diving was fantastic. We didn't see any sharks or turtles, however the underwater scenery was stunning. I did my first swim through... After a little resistance from myself as I hate confined spaces. After 45 minutes we came to the surface and I was so pleased that everything had gone ok and I was looking forward to the next dive. They only told me afterwards that he had taken me to 22 meters however my ears had been ok and nothing had gone wrong so my confidence had returned a little. The 2nd dive was just as great, still no sharks or turtles :0( however it was still beautiful. The whole day was a great experience and we ended the day with a few celebratory beers.... Not too many as we were leaving for Khao Sok the following day.