Its been yet another 2 weeks since my previous entry. Apologies for the wait. I am just living life normally now and if i wrote a blog every few days not only would i be bored but you guys would also!

So now i have saved up 2 weeks worth of memories so here goes: :)

Well right now i am sitting at stempfer cafe (the most expensive/fresh/delicious bakery in khao lak) eating a greek salad, fresh bagette and a black coffee. If my friends would know that I am here eating that exact menu they would automatically assume that last night was big.. not just normal big... but BIG! and they would be right.... Last night was the first night of khao lak festivities celebrating the opening of the season here and welcoming all visitors to the area.. Half the street is blocked off to make way for the tents, food stalls, stages walk ways ect. The festival lasts for 3 days and everyone gets involves. its almost a chrismassy feeling you know. when the whole town gets together and dances if feels like christamas! So last night Becky, Marrko, Tuuli joined the wicked cafe guys Anya, josh and leanne (refer to bottom of the page for description and relation) for dinner and a few drinks at their cafe. The cafe is smack bang in front of a main stage so we got front row seats to all the thai dancing, hula hooping, lady gaga impersonators, and hideiously loud music! A few sang som and cokes then onto snapper for a dance... where we joined a bunch more of the KSA (khao lak scuba adventures) crew, my room mate Cato and some guests from the liveaboard a previously went on! The live music is always goo9d their at the atmosphere is always bubbly and happy and dancy which is why me and becksta and huge fans :) In happy snappy there is one band that plays every night except sundays! Its a thai band fronted with the lead singer called meow and the bassist is the owner of the whole bar! Obviously i know them by now, plus i know the set they play each night (it never changes so of couse i know which song is coming up next) haha. they sing covers of old songs, new songs, classics you name it so its always fun to have a dance. RIKKI they sing valerie! i always sing really well and cheers to you babe. when you get over here we will get on stage and sing out lungs out!!! so anyway front Happy snapper we hheaded to monkey bar... had a few more drinks and then back home by 5am. opretty much standard routine when your onland and have a day off the next day!

Ok next topic... SURF:..... Every day off i have heading down to memories bar either by myself or with Marrko and Tuuili for a surf. Surf isnt too bad here by now the monsoon season is dead waves are starting to die also. However in the past 2 weeks i have had 6ft waves, 4ft waves and usually around 2-3ft now... Early in teh morning or late in the evening the waves pick up a little bit. But its whether im awake or unsocial in the evenings whether or not i get there for a surf at those times.. so for me i rish it and hope that the waves arnt too bad from 11-4! lately i have been lucky! My surfing has improved out of site... Shannon (the canadian surf instructor) was telling me that march-may the waves are going to pick up a lot so I am praciticing as much as i can too get ready forn the big 10ft waves that i am going to tackle! I have a few pics of the beach. its gorgeous! very isolated. from the main road you take a 15minute long windy dirt roady to get down there.. and only locals no about this bar so its even better! nice and quiet! Ching the thai owner was telling me the story of why its called memories bar... its because he lost his whole family to the 2004 boxing day tsunami: His wife, kids, bothers, sister,s parents, uncles ect. and he faught back his land from the government (he obviously lost the papers in the floods) and 2 years ago when he finally got hios families land back he built this bar in memory of them! There are so many stories like this here! As you might not know Khao lak was worst his from the tsunami than any other place in thailand! When you look closely there is still rebuliding going on 6 YEARS LATER!

I was talking to Nat (from port of brisbane) last night via chat on facebook. Thought i woukld share some of our conversation to let you in on how im finding my new home in khao lak:

Natalie White

How are you??? Are you just loving it??

Prue Sinclair

Nat oh my god! i have found home, peace and like-minded friends... i am the happiest i have EVER been without a doubt!

Natalie White

Oh, that makes me feel so glad for you babe! That is just huge for you. I am soooooo pleased. What is it about where you are that is just so perfect?

Prue Sinclair

soooo where do i start :) so i live simply, like everyone else here... we spend money when its needed and we splurge a little on what for us in expenisve item eg. wine and cheese... so everyone is really laid back! There is no prejudice what so ever...

secondly the place is small but big enough to have different circles of friends and not see the same people out every night! But it is so nice to walk in to a bar or resturaunt or even just walk down the street and some pinches your butt or yells your name. Its so so lovely.

Natalie White

That is just so right for you. I am sighing with contentment for you.

Prue Sinclair

Haha....also... my work collegues are amazing. everyone enjoys socialising as much as possible... dinner all together whenever we are on land... everyone just enjoy catching up and hanging out together... I guess it could resemble boarding school, where everyone lives together but does there different thing during the day!

Natalie White

Prue Sinclair

the surf is great! the beach is beautiful... work is perfect. im well respected here!

Natalie White

So pleased that life has sorted out so well for you.

Prue Sinclair

(insert discretness) f*** I COUL:D GO ON and ON! Oh i have met some gorgeous women too ;)

.......

So there is some insight into how i feel about this place...

Oooh just a quick memory... Went to phuket yesterday by car with tuuli marrko, and cato (Marrko drove.) We initially went to take cato to the hospital to get her checked out. Lately cato has been getting extremely dizzy, disorientated and even losing vision underwater.. not good. So we made a day of it and tuyuli and marrko needed to got to the visa office in phuket so we all went together... tuuli and i got a facial.. we ate subway... we bought wine and cheese and fresh sourdough and brought it all back home for sunset and memories bar and enjoy a picnic together... see how nice is that! hmm perfect. Cato is ok by the way... she is having a week off to rest and then try again.. fingers crossed she ok next time.

So today I have a day off as i am flying tomorrow.. and we all know that you should NEVER fly withing 24 hours of diving!!!! I am off to the Boracay, Philippines tomorrow morning to meet my family there for a 2 week get together. Mum, Phil, Steff, Jordy, Thorne, and a 4 pack of family friends are all going to be living in the one house right on the beach! so excited to see everyone! I miss them a lot!

Ok so just to end this ENORMOUS blog here goes a little reference to my close friends here cause i will be talking about them a lot iover the next few months and i want you to know a little about them.

Cato: My room mate...29 this year... she did her divemaster training with wicked last year in the group after me... she is from belgium and is now working full time with seabees a german dive company here...

Leanne and Josh: These two came here as a couple. Leanne worked as a divemaster and eco warrior at wicked diving until last week and is now looking for freelance work. Josh runs the cafe with their close friend Anya. Leanne is 22 from scotland, josh is 19 from England... I always love catching up with these guys when i am on land...

Anya: Is the stunning dark haired, blue eyed german that is the other partner with josh runningthe wicked cafe.. shes 25 i thing... super friendly and often gets many stalkers hanging in the cafe when she is working just staring at her! A very close friend of mine.. She would do any for me and vise versa!

Tuuli and Marrko: Are KSA Instructors reining from Estonia... Over the past 2 weeks I have got to know them very well and now are probably my closest friends here. Both gorgeous looking, both 29... marrko works with me a lot on liveaboards... tuuli is having a break from diving since her DCS slip up at the beginning of the season! marrko is my twin... loves to surf, party, eat, chat! Tuuli is my down to earth girlfriend that keep me grounded and is always there for a chat and a laugh. Us three hang out a lot!!

Becky: This girl is my partner in crime... (like my substitute rikki :) oh riks i miss you!!). 27ish... from england. single and loud this girl is up for anything. we tend to be the last one on the dance floor, first to order tequila shots and first to be up on the dance floor. Shes a little tom boy who surfs, is the biggest dag, but has a run that is the most princessy run you have every seen! I will do anything for this girl and i know we are staying in touch for a very long time....

These are just the poeple mentioned in this blog... but these guys are probably my closest friends here.. they make mne smile, accept who i am and love me for the crazy person i am!

Hopefully this blog has been not tooo boring. Next one will be from the philippines with lots of photo's.

today i have lots to do. have to pack and get organised for the trip. maybe fit in an afternoon surf. oooh and its diego's birthday tonight so its mexican night at the wicked cafe... then off to thai bar for drinks and full moon party... sucks that i have to be up at 4:30 to get to the airport ;P

Grandma and pa. if your reading this. Many hugs and kissed to you! i Think abo9ut you guys all the time. I hope to talk to you both soon.

xxxxxx to everyone