Early start on our first day of diving. We have around a 30 minute walk from our hostel. Still umming and aarghing about hiring a moped on Koh Tao. We started the day with some classroom learning and some exam questions. Seems quite self explanatory but we just want to get out there and start diving!! The initial larger group was split into 2, so there was 9 of us in total, with 2 instructors.

We sorted out what gear fitting who, including our BCDs (buoyancy control devices) -get me! And headed out on the boat.

We had to do a swimming test, 2 laps around the boat and then 10 minutes of treading water. It was relatively easy even for me (although one guy couldn't managed it so had to leave the course). We were then asked to set up all the scuba gear and dismantle a good few times so we got our heads around how it all worked.

And then we were ready to dive!! We jumped in off the back of the boat and swam with snorkels over to a place called Japanese gardens ,a shallow bay with beautifully clear water and white sand. Here we started to learn the skills required to pass the course, things like simulating we're out of air and need to use our 'buddies' alternative air source. The 'buddy' system means on recreational dives you always dive with someone else, and have to be within an arms reach of them at all times (jay was my buddy ☺️).

After a knackering few hours we headed back to shore where jay and I ate dinner on the beach and watched the sunset with a beer. We were also joined by 2 Thai dogs who we really wanted to bring home!

On the 3rd day of the course we again looked into moped hire (getting pretty tired with the half an hour walk each way at least

Once or twice a day), but after seeing a few others getting scammed and being told we had to leave our passports as a deposit we decided against it.

We had our final exams in the morning, which were pretty informal. We all passed so just the practical bit left to get signed off. Today we did more skills like having to take our scuba gear off completely under the water and flooding and emptying our marks at 5 meters down. We then went on our first proper dive, down to 8 meters. It was an incredible experience, under water life is a true testament to Gods artistry!! We saw some amazing coral, fish and I even saw a sting ray (jay missed it).

In the evening after getting to know are group much better we decided to go out for dinner with a Canadian couple called Rachel and Gordon (Gordon....would you believe it). We had a lush meal on a balcony over the beach, there are loads of lanterns and lights everywhere (the Thai's know how to do ambience). Jays had his first entire fish of the trip.

On our last day we had a super early start (although as with everything in Thailand we sat waiting for an hour). We headed back out on the boat, which has 3 squirrels in a cage with leads on, they let them out to run around the ship...(very odd and very smelly in the Thai heat). Today we needed to complete 3 dives going down to 18 meters, visibility down there was not as good and it does become a little scary but also that most amazing thing I've ever done!! We saw more coral,

Incredible fish and even a ship wreck. We completed the last

Of our skills and we passed our scuba course, getting a life long certification to dive up to 18 meters on our own (if we feel brave enough).

We spent the afternoon on the beach, and jay treated himself to a massage. Later we met the group for dinner and some drinks. Here we were given our log books to keep a record of all our dives to come....can't wait to fill it up!!

Tomorrow we start the looong journey to Cambodia.