Once on board the Catamaran I spoke to a couple dive schools and liked the sound of Crystal Dive so decided to go with them upon arrival in Koh Tao. After hour journey across water to Koh Tao I waited at pier with Crystal Dive rep to be taken to the dive school. Here I met Joel (the Aussie from the taxi at full moon party) and he too was planning on doing his diving with Crystal Dive. Taxi took us literally 2 mins around corner and dropped us at the school where there seemed utter chaos going on with hundreds of people all here to do their Open Water. Was not enough rooms to accomodate everyone (the pacakage includes accomodation together with Open Water certification). We were told we would be sleeping in the classroom together with three other english guys who had just arrived as well. A couple hours later we were then told we had been moved to a luxury presidential style suite was this ok?? What do you think pal we all backpackers and you offering us luxurious accomodation suite!!!! We ended up with an air conditioned room which normally sleeps 2 but had 5 of us in. Pretty tight but hey we were all here to dive so not bothered. I do just have to mention the bathroom though, it had full on water features in it and was all tiled and just totally awesome, I know I am getting excited about a bathroom, but when you have spent time at places where you can sh1t, brush your teeth, shave and shower all at the same time these kind of luxuries do become exactly that, luxuries!!! I did enquire about Diabetes and diving but they were soo busy they just kept saying tomorrow, tomorrow when you fill out questions form, no problem.

The following morning we had to meet to complete paperwork. Had to tick box to confirm about Diabetes and Joel had to since he had asthma. I then had to speak to a guy on phone who said no way coupld I dive here and there was no GP on island who could sign me off to dive!!! i had done plenty of research on internet leading up to this which said diving with Diabetes was not an issue these days so I was pretty annoyed to be told this but realised nothing I could do now........ Joel also told same thing as he had pretty serious asthma so we were two medical rejects who would not be diving in Koh Tao, GUTTED! Had to move accomodation as a result although we were given a self contained appartment with tv and dvd player etc so not too bad, although we did now have to pay for it as we were not diving!!! We both went had few beers that night as a result and decided to get ferry back to Ko Phangan next day as we both liked it there and thoguht a couple more days would be good fun.

Got ferry at 4pm next day and left Koh Tao with bad impressions of it. Firstly wnet at really bad time as straight after full moon party they get really busy with everyone leaving neighbouring Ko Phangan and secondly I came here specifically to do my diving as it is supposed to be some of the best in Thailand only to be told I couldn't dive!! Im sure in differant circumstances I would like this place but given my impressions of it Ko Phangan was the place for me to be returing to for a couple days on the beach!!!