KOH TAO - SCUBA

I took a night bus, then mini bus, then boat to an island called Koh Tao, where I did my scuba diving. The bus took about 7 hours and dropped us off at a bus station at 3am, where i rolled out my sleeping pad, strapped my backpack to myself, and passed out until 6am. This is when I got the minibus to the pier, and got on a 3 hour boat. This all cost about US$ 13. I arrived on the island at 10am, it was a 16 hour trip in all. I was a little dazed when I got to the island, and didn't feel like bargaining for a cheaper price on the taxi to the place where i had been told to go diving, so i just paid 100 baht (3 bucks). Apparently when you don't bargain, the driver gives you a beer as thanks, even at 10am. actually he gave me half of the beer that he was drinking (750ml, which is standard for a large beer in Thailand. 12 oz is about 330 ml).

I had been told about the Scuba Shack and went there to check out the diving courses. I was immediately told to sit down next to this crazy looking dutch guy named Merlyn. He was to be my dive instructor. We had a few beers and he told me the first thing to remember about diving. When you jump in the water, press the blue button!!! When you make your ascent after a dive, press the black button!!! Apparently he had a few students who got this mixed up...he was not happy about it.

At the Scuba Shack, I did my open water course, which allows me to dive to 18 meters, anywhere in the world. i loved it so much that i immediately followed it with my advanced course, which is a must if you want to do great diving. basically it means that you can go deeper (30m) which is where all the big fish are. In total, i did 10 dives, one night dive, and saw sea turtles, 8 foot sharks (one swam right at me, kinda scary but apparently they don't attack humans), GIANT 6 foot grouper, huge schools of big barracuda, trigger fish (which do attack humans, they are like the gangsters of the island) moray eels, many different kinds of rays, and much much more. Diving is probably my highlight of the entire time away from the states so far. Not only because it was so much fun, but my certifications will last for life, and it is a skill that i can use anywhere in the world. For once in my life I have found, and liked a sport where there is absolutely no competition. Anyone can dive! Also, the island is beautiful, and I met so many amazing people there, including my instructors who were the coolest people ever. I think I will probably go back to Koh Tao for the holidays, as there are many westerners there who will celebrate Christmas, and they are mostly young travelers and not "tourists." I also have a group of dive friends there that really make me feel at home.