Arrived safely in Koh Tao 6 days ago after a bus and boat transit from Bangkok which went smoothly. We were picked up at the pier by Buddha View Dive Resort Reps and whisked to Chalok Baan Kao to begin the briefing for our Padi Dive Course. The Open Water course took 4 days to complete and involved some classroom (back to school) sessions, pool sessions and 5 open water dives! It was great. We both thoroughly enjoyed it and we were with a great group of people and our instructor Jasper (one with the ginger hair – see pics) was nuts, he reminded us of Avid Merriman! He made it a joy to learn to dive. We dived in some pretty choppy conditions, so it was a bit nerve wracking - for Fordy anyway, but once we were descended it all went smoothly – and we now are hoping to do our advanced course along our travels. We saw some great marine life, stingrays, trigger fish, angel fish, butterfly fish, groupers, banner fish to name but a few (no sharks you will probably be glad to hear) although visibility wasn’t great on our last day it was still cool and the dvd is great – it will be winging its way home for you all to watch at some point. After an emotional goodbye, we were sorry it had to end we headed to Sairee Beach, where we booked into a cool resort and had our own beach hut and balcony – the comfort was great, as Dawn had contracted an ear infection!!!! She needed her dad! but Jay had to do! (she makes it sound as if it was the end of the world, but in truth! she had an earache for a few days)…..Dad it was sore. Sairee Beach is quiet, cool, relaxed, plenty of resting, eating and chilling. Jay is having a Mui Thai boxing lesson later – which I will be recording. We head to Koh Samui tomorrow for Christmas. Happy Christmas to everyone, hope you all have deserved breaks and eat far too much! Enjoy reading our updates in the New Year.  Thanks for all your messages, dad what is with the Mr Ford thing?  Paul great to hear from you, you do make us chuckle.  Marie great to hear from you, glad you liked Goa, i will email you about vietnam later with my recommedations.  Mom as usual your messages are as crazy as you, but its great to hear from you, we will ring you from Koh Samui.  Nicky your email is the longest one i have received yet, it took me 3 cuppas to get through it, but you know how much i like my cuppas! i liked it and the photo, cute as ever.