Tuesday, October 7, 2008

in this installment, james swims with the fishes, but not in the gangster sense.

First off, Happy Birthday to my Father, who is 40-years-old today!

Second, I got to swim in open water today, and get right next to the most amazing assortment of coral, fishes, and worms. The best were Christmas Tree Worms, which are those weird fan things that stick out of coral and jerk back incredibly fast when you try to touch them. The move so fast they just seem to disapear.

I was completely in love with diving before I descended, just looking down the buoy line that disapeared into the vague shape of a rock, swarming with blue and yellow fish, was enough to fall in love. Although, lots of those fish enjoy coming up and biting you, which doesn't hurt so much as freak you out.

Unfortunatly for me, they seem to like leg hair.

It turns out that Crystal Dive Resort, where I'm staying and taking this course, is the second cheapest place in the world to get your scuba certification. It's very very tempting to drop the cash on two more days of training, then I could dive up to 30 meters (100 feet!) instead of 18. Being able to go lower would mean I could see sharks around the island (safe sharks, not flesh eating Spielberg sharks). I have the time but don't know if I have the money ... I could always some back, and for any of you interested in a vacation, you can get here for $1,000, rent rooms for between $4/10 a night, and meals also rangs from $3-10 depending if you want local cuisine or Italian (there are TWO competing Italian restaurants, one owned by an actual Italian man, NEXT DOOR to each other on a 21 square km island!).

Oh well, even if I can't afford the extra training I plan on snorkling like every day!

This place is gorgeous, but I havn't had a chance to explore just yet. I've been too busy diving!

It's a bit more expensive for internet here, so I'm signing off. Miss you all and can't wait to see you in December!

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Your dive sounds like so much fun!
Hope you're taking lots of pictures.
You will be so glad you kept a written account of your travels in 10 - 15 years when the memories are foggy. You can read them and feel like you're there all over again. What a great experience you're having. Of course you know that. ... I can just picture you jumping in to snorkel and dive around ... Chambers bay ... when you get home. What? Too cold? Nah.
~ A Pablo

Gooseshooter said...

Hey, I read that Ko Tao has the 2nd most accredited diving school - 2nd only to Carins, Aus. -don't know if its yours or not. You probably know all this, don't you? Love, Mom

Won't it be fun to swim with the seal lions here?

KathyB. said...

The fish like leg hair ? Maybe you could start a small business there, de-fuzzing legs without razors, wax, and creams.....and it tickles! Hey, a way to fund more time on the island and diving.....love reading your travelogue.