Shortly after my last update in Koh Lanta, I departed, seeking the next sunny destination. It cost lots of money to get to Koh Tao, but I'd heard such great things, I decided to just go for it.
It turns out the trip was well worth the money. I ended up travelling from 11:30am, Thursday morning, until 6:30am Friday morning. Taking two buses and a night boat, waiting hour upon hour in overly-priced, conveniently-placed transfer points.
I had been away from civilisation for about four days, in a paradise prison, where you couldn't really leave the resort on foot, without some serious walking shoes and stamina, since there seemed to be nothing within about 5km of the resort. In this heat, I decided staying in and around the resort, dipping in the resort swimming pool and turquoise sea, sounded like a nicer idea.So, with that being said, it was nice to see lots of people again and re-visit my small talk skills, which have improved massively here, by the way. What I love about traveling and meeting new people is that, no matter how many times you ask the same questions; "How long have you been in Thailand for?", "Where are you going after Thailand?", "How long are you traveling for?", "Where are you from?", "What do you do back home?" - you always get a fresh set of answers and thus a completely different conversation sparks. Sometimes you find common ground with so many people you didn't expect to have anything in common with. Fabulous.
I digress.. as usual.
So, I arrive in Koh Tao, after what I had expected to be a rough nights sleep on a night boat, that, at first glance, looked like some sort of military base (see the picture below - left). Actually, it turned out to be the best sleep I have ever had on any mode of transport. So I arrived, pretty chirpy and ready for my next island experience.
Me, a Belgian couple and a Japanese girl, Hiromi, all of whom I met at some stage during that 19 hour journey, were instantly bombarded by reps from different dive schools and resorts. This is annoying, particularly when you've only just opened your eyes, you're starting to heat up and sweat again and you're busy trying to heave your luggage on to your back.. but usually they up being very useful. Especially if you're like me and never have a bloody clue about where you will be staying at your next destination.
I had been warming up to the idea of giving scuba diving a try. "Why?" you ask, well, yes, good question. I have a terrible fear of deep water and I'm not a strong swimmer.. very far from it. However, Koh Tao is known for it's diving. It's cheaper than anywhere else in the world and I had heard great things from people I'd met along the way, who also were very nervous about the idea.
Hiromi came here for diving too, so we decided to go to New Way Diving and stay in a guesthouse next door that offered deals on accommodation when doing a diving course. I signed up to do a DSD day course - "Discover Scuba Diving". The next day, I went down to sign the paperwork, get a short brief on the health and safety (which did not ease my mind, let me tell you. I have never seen the word "death" written on a piece of paper that many times in my life) and get sized up for the diving equipment.
The first dive went well. My ears seemed to give me some trouble, but I just thought it was normal, so I powered through for half an hour, looking at the amazing corals and underwater wildlife. Beautiful. Turns out, on my first dive I only went under about four, maybe four and a half metres. After returning to the boat, having a cigarette to calm me down (while it was a beautiful experience, I don't think I will ever feel comfortable with depending on plastic devices for survival) and some watermelon, we went back in the water for round two. My ears started hurting around five metres, but I really wanted to go down further. I was wrong to do so.. I got down to six and a half metres and my head felt like it was going to pop and my ears felt like they would explode any second. My instructor took me up to three metres to try and equalise again, but despite using all the correct techniques, nothing was happening. We surfaced, then tried once more. I got down to four metres this time and my ears felt like we were at six and a half again. I was in agony and started almost hyperventilating (which, by the way, does not feel good when you have only a regulator supplying you with oxygen!) so I had to be taken to the boat and couldn't finish my second dive.
Irritating, but at least I gave it a shot. I used to have sinus issues as a child and I get pretty bad headaches nowadays due to dodgy sinuses, so I was expecting it to be a little harder for me to equalise anyway. But it turns out, underwater is a totally no-go area for me below about two metres!
Regardless, I am glad I experienced it, the corals and fish were gorgeous to see, but I'll stick with snorkeling from now on!Apart from that, I've been out drinking with new-found island friends and lazing around on the beach some more. I did yoga by the beach this morning (it was so hot, it felt like the Bicrum Yoga I did in Hungary!). I saw a little queue of ladies dressed as if they were going to the gym, so obviously I had to check it out. I've neglected exercise for long enough. I am glad to be doing it again (even if it is a travel workout consisting of water bottles and my packed 11k backpack!) and eating healthily again, even though eating healthily is something that I find extremely difficult (and boring) to do in Thailand. All the Thai food is fried (not to mention delicious) and their corner shops sell cakes, crisps and not much else!
I went out and booked my bus and boat trip (dear god, not again) to Bangkok. I leave tomorrow afternoon and expect to arrive in the city early on Tuesday morning. Yay. I cannot contain my excitement.
On the plus side, I am returning to Nong Khai, hopefully via sleeper train, on Thursday morning, to revisit all of my lovely friends there and to celebrate my 21st birthday on the Friday. Mummy has sent me a surprise package that I have promised to open on Skype to her :)
I am sad to be leaving this little piece of heaven, but alas, it is too expensive down here and I need to last a little longer in Thailand. I'm not ready to leave just yet! Get me back to Nong Khai prices. I just wish Nong Khai had a beach!
Looking forward to a Koh Tao pub crawl this evening with the divers. Should be a good end to my stay and I'll be nice and refreshed (ahem) for my long bus journey tomorrow ;)
No comments:
Post a Comment