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Dino's Travel Blog

Thailand - Diving Safari

Mon June 1, 1998

Written on Wed, 29 Apr 1998

A while has passed since I last updated you, but I have to let you know about my incredible 4day/4night diving trip out to the Similan and Surin Islands.
The Similan Islands are 6hrs off the southwest coast of Thailand and the famous Surin Islands near the Burmese border were the 2 destinations we dove at. It was at Richelieu Rock, Surin Islands that I had the most memorable dive of my life! WHALE SHARKS!!!! Two in one dive! These creatures are the largest animal I've ever seen in the water; one was over 20ft long and immensely wide. They moved so gracefully under water as their big eyes followed us as we swam. We got close enough to these beautiful animals that we were able to touch them, and I tried to ride one’s tail until it decided to fling me off and swim away. Whew, what an experience. We also saw white tip reef and leopard sharks, large turtles, moray eels, sea snakes, different species of ray fish in addition to swimming through schools of large tuna, parrotfish, triggerfish, lion and butterfly fish. Anyway the list goes on ...not to mention the dolphins that raced along the boat and occasionally decided to pop their heads out of the water to check us out—it was like they were on a safari of their own. All in all, a pretty fulfilling diving safari I would say.

I also successfully completed my "Advanced PADI Scuba course" on that trip, why not? The price was more reasonable since I was already paying for the base cost for the boat. We all slept 'open air' on the top deck of the boat under star filled skies as the boat slowly rocked us to sleep. One night the skies gave us a fabulous sound and light show.

Our boat had to get towed back a partial way by another dive boat because (get this) we lost our propeller and drive shaft; a minor technicality. This little mishap was kind of a blessing in disguise because it was timed perfectly for us to witness a departing convoy (practically an armada) of colorful and animated squid boats heading
out to sea. What a site--there must have been hundreds of them! I shot a whole roll of film of them alone. I think I may have taken 25 rolls of film so far.

I hated the incredibly touristy and expensive resort Island of Phuket, and as soon as I was able to get myself to the airport, I flew to the other coast. Once I arrived at Kho Samui, I took the first boat north to the quaint and rustic Island of Kho Phang Ngan. So as of Saturday I've been a beach bum. I got a daily beach volleyball game happening reuniting the countries of the world; for example, yesterday we had travelers from Denmark, Germany, England, France, and Canada (just me), all play together. Later we find ourselves at the local bar, with cozy furniture and hammoks enjoying the Island's many delights.
This Island's is famous for its Full Moon party, where everybody gets pretty reckless for 24hrs. I'm hearing mixed reviews about this event, and I may decide to clearly avoid it, we'll see, it's not until a couple of weeks yet. From here I'll make my way south to Indonesia, Bali way. Although I hear Bali is really touristy I will probably find myself in one of the 3 Gillian Island's off the coast of Lombok. I may stop somewhere in Malaysia for a week or so. I get a bunch of key information from all the other travelers which I then cross reference with my travel books.

Ciao for now,

Dino