Diving in New Waters

From the jungles of Koh Sok, our international foursome headed for Ko Tao, an Island off the southeast coast of Thailand renowned for its cheap diving certification courses (plus it is north of Ko Phag-nag island where the infamous full-moon parties are held).

Remi and I didn’t have our diving certification (Mael and Soel Ki are experienced diverd) and the course included free accommodation, we decided to enroll.

So I enrolled in a three-day open-water diving certification program that qualified me to dive anywhere in the world, with a buddy, down to 15 meters.

I completed the course on March 25, by birthday, and the next night, Friday, I, and my twelve peers, went out for our final ocean dives, dinner and drinks on the beach.
I look forward to future oceanic exploration.

Earlier the same day, between diving and dinner, I was walking around town when I met Ho, a Korean man, who discussed his long-distance relationship and his years of traveling with me. He bought me a mango shake, took me for a spin around part of the island on his motorbike, and read my palm- In four years I will have a lucrative job according to my left hand. I sure hope he’s accurate because I’ve spent more than I intended on this trip.

From Ko Tao, we traveled to Bangkok for one night before taking a bus to Siem Riep, Cambodia.
Traveling with a group again has been surprisingly pleasant. We all get along great, I save money sharing rooms and I don’t have to worry about landed in areas after dark.

I am enjoying this experience because I know I will be alone again in four days, when I must return to Phuket and prepare to set sail. No longer will I be surrounded by peers and community. Once I return to Thailand I will be leaving on a boat with one individual, and hours of solitude while he is out surfing, for two months.

I’m cherishing company while I have it and looking forward to hanging out with myself again in the near future.