So arrived into the bus station at 4:30, bit earlier than expected, but means we can get the 6:30 ferry as opposed to the 9:00 one. Short walk through mersing to the ferry terminal, then the fun began...
So waited for our counter to open so I could exchange my PayPal receipt print-out for tickets (most ridiculous online ticket system ever!). With tickets in hand I was happy and went to sit with sophie, then found out the ticketing system wasn't even nearly done! Had to queue somewhere else to register our names and passport numbers, then queue somewhere else to pay the £5 island conservation tax, then another queue to collect the boarding passes. By the time I'd worked out and done this it was time to queue for the ferry, was told 'ferry queue A' 10 mins later over the tannoy, 'queue in ferry queue B', so changed to that! Eventually managed to get onto the ferry though, absolutely packed, every seat filled.
Got off at our stop and wandered along the road to tioman diving centre, had some breakfast along the way, then got a tasi the final distance. They were obviously expecting us and welcomed us very warmly, went and chilled on the beach and had a bit of a snorkel. Lots if coral and fish right off of the beach, real nice :-)
Harry rocked up at 12:30ish and we went and got some food, then helped them take 24 tanks off of a boat just coming in. Then Harry had to do is afternoon session so me and soph just chilled some more. I had re-cleaned and sealed my cut by now so don't plan to get back into the water today :-(
Chilled at the dive centre watching people come and go, had a bit of a practice on the slack line they have set up as well. Eventually got bored so me and sophie wandered to the shop (no chance of getting lost, literally 1 road on the island). Got some booze and food, was really nice as the island is duty free, so the booze was massively cheap!
Got back and Harry finished his diving at 6 o'clock. We got a lift on the dive boat over to the other side of the bay, where Harry's dive centre is. Really nice place, quite spartan, but right on the waters edge (although the bedrooms are far away, but literally only use them or sleeping in). Saw Romina as well, although she headed off for a night dive pretty soon after we arrived.
Chilled with Harry, although he had to pop out occasionally to re-fill tanks. And eventually Romina returned as well, had a few drinks then went for some food (BBQ organised by the resort). Stayed up until 11ish playin cards and chatting with Harry and Romina, then bed.