Underwater adventures Koh Phi Phi

Oct 8 . Koh Phi Phi – underwater world

Did I get offered two breakfasts yesterday, today I don't get any. But seeing that we are heading out into rough waters that was better for me anyway.

Chris is already waiting for us, all the gear ready and we just have to carry some stuff and make our way to Phi Phi Harbor to hop on the boat. First stop is Bida Nok a fantastic dice site a bit further out from Phi Phi Leh. Marcus can just relax as a Discover Scuba Diver everything is prepared for him. I go over all the gear again and set it up with Chris' help. A little review is good since it looks a bit different to what I was used to. And then the rough waters hit and my stomach starts to churn instantly. The boat moves up and down and all I can do is just try and not throw up. One final review of commands and signals and the boats positioning and repositioning. I can't wait to get into the water and off the moving boat. And finally! We reached our spot, one big step forward and there we are! Hello underwater world!
As if by command two – harmless – leopard sharks pop out and greet us the moment we start our descend. Sweet! We practice a bit with the equipment and then continue. It's so nice just to follow Chris around. No navigation and depth checking, just swim after the guide and keep an eye on air. So much nicer, you can concentrate fully on the underwater world, and what an underwater world it is. All kinds of fish and reef animals, plants. Just woooooow! Since pictures say more than words and I don't have an underwater camera, just check this out to get an impression of what I saw.

Diving Bida Nok

After a FANTASTIC dive it's back to the boat. Since it's still raining and windy (damn was it nice to escape that underwater) instead of heading to Shark Point we are moving to the Viking Caves.

The boat is still moving a lot and I have to concentrate hard getting really motion sick. I refuse the lunch politely, nothing would stay in at this moment.
Getting to Viking Caves I once again can't wait to get off the boat. And it is a rewarding jump. There is an artificial sunken reef as well as a natural reef there that make diving great. Not as great as Bida Nok but still extremely remarkable.
Some impressions taken from other people:
Diving Koh Phi Phi
Amazing marine life later we hop on the boat and once everyone made it we head back to Koh Phi Phi. Since we had such an early start it's only about 1 pm so most of the day still ahead of us and already experienced so much. The weather's gotten a bit better by now and Vilma, Reija and Jonna meet us at the dive shop when we get back. They wanna spend some time at the pool but I guess for me it's better to nourish my sunburn another way. After a walk through the middle of the island I treat myself to an Aloe Vera massage. And yes, does that feel good. Since it starts pouring the moment I want to leave the massage salon I stay in and go for a foot scrub while the others get ready and we meet for early dinner.

On the way we get by a Travel Agency that sells the Ferry tickets to Phuket 50 Baht cheaper than all the other ones we have seen so we book for 250 B each and already secure a hotel and transportation there as well. Transportation is crazy expensive, just as on most islands. 150 B (I hope I remember right) for a Minibus to hop from the Ferry terminal to Patong Beach. Well we need to get there somehow. So tomorrow Phuket, all arranged and day after morning flight to Singapore.

Dinner is again in the Swedish restaurant and I am going for some Mexican food today. Yep, having Mexican Food in a Swedish restaurant in Thailand. Globalization says Hello! We shop for bit afterward but prices are inflated compared to Bangkok, so it's more window shopping only.

Long Beach for some farewell cocktails enjoying some fire-show and acrobatics show on the beach and wading in the water. Music is good, good cocktails, good friends... could this just last forever?