Under the Sea

Maira (kickass adventurer from the Netherlands which aspirations of becoming Black Pete*) and Vlad (tanned Russian Yoga enthusiast who lived in Shanghai by way of Florida who always wore very tight speedos even when walking around town) wanted to sign up for a dive course but I was happy just to do some snorkelling, however I agreed to accompany them on their search for a good school just to get the lay of the land. As we pottered about from place to place comparing deals it came to light that taking your Open Water Diving Couse here, which meant you could dive anywhere in the world without supervision for the rest of your life, was remarkably affordable. Much more so than I had ever imagined. As I saw what was on offer with the discounts and accommodation included it seemed almost silly NOT to do it. Plus it would look great on the old CV.

After a serious amount of shopping around we settled on Sairee Cottage Dive School which were offering 15% off the original course price, plus free accommodation for each person and we could be on a course just us three together. It was ideal. The bungalows were of a higher standard than Mama O’Chai’s but not quite beachfront. So I paid my deposit and that was that – I was going to learn how to Scuba Dive! The course started the next day but it was classroom stuff first and that only began at 4pm so there was still time for beaching and relaxing as well.

Sairee Village is a lovely area of the island with a more relaxed vibe about it than closer to the harbour. Beachfront cafes sell fresh juices and health foods along with the age old traveller staples French toast and Banana Pancakes. The beer is cheap and the water is warm – you could really lose yourself here.

However I had some serious work to do, instruction videos were watched and homework was done all under the watchful eye of our intrepid instructor Jessie from America. She had come here on holiday 4 years ago and just never went home. Easily done I can imagine.

The next day was spent in the pool with all our kit on practicing our skills – I was awesome, as was Maira, Vlad looked like the underwater version of Bambi on ice – limbs flailing about manically while continually falling from side to side. As our training went on it was clear that Vlad was coasting a bit by relying on us to do his homework for him, He was also making it quite obvious that  he was rather keen on Maira who was 26 years his junior. So as he became more and more handsie and we became better friends we distanced ourselves slowly from him. It was a shame really as he was a very interesting chap all in all with more than a few stories to tell but it was not meant to be it seems. Even though we were still in the same dive group the threesome had become a twosome.

Getting back under the water was great and on our first dive we saw so many different types coral and fish including my favourite – the parrot fish! That is exactly the same colour scheme as my bike back in the UK. Some have described the paint job as unicorn vomit so you get the idea…..

Parrot Fish

The only underwater annoyance was Vlad who kept swimming into us and then the coral breaking bits off as he failed to gain control of his swimming. Poor Coral, Poor Fishes.

When we surfaced between our first and second dives the sea had gotten very rough and as someone who doesn’t really suffer from sea sickness I was quickly laid low with legs like jelly, spinning head, sweating and yes lots vomiting. I really must have been quite a picture bent double like an old lady clinging to the boat and unable to lift my own kit. Jessie was a star though, she helped me get my kit on, just waited while I vomited and then carried on - A true pro, especially as by the end of the dive all three of us were green.

Maira and Me before the sickness set in

Jessie kindly advised that we all get motion sickness tablets before our final dives the next day.

My time on the island was drawing to a close but I was just starting to get into the swing of it. Strolling the streets at night, buying street food of chicken kebabs and banana and nutella crepes. Sipping cans of Leo beer on my little terrace while burning incense and reading. Even though the days had been pretty intense the nights were calm and peaceful. I was really beginning to feel the calm radiate through me but time was running out. It was almost time to start thinking about getting to Singapore to meet L. This also meant my days of being a free spirit solo traveller were also coming to a close. No, I didn’t want to start thinking about that just yet.

So we completed our final dives with ease aided by the tablets – 5 baht a pop and the difference was astounding. Having to bend over the edge of a rocking boat while fixing together your kit is not pleasant when you can’t feel your face and everything is shaking. We also managed to see a Sting Ray, a Puffer Fish plus several Barracudas and Moray Eels that I still think are up to no good – they have a shifty look about them – just like the Sneak.

So now all three of us were Certified Open Water Divers - Maira and I were given 100% on our written exam and even though Vlad copied our answers he still got one wrong. Serves him right – I pity anyone who’s his underwater buddy in the future, I wouldn’t want to put my life in his hands.

*Black Pete is a Dutch character from Sinterklaas a Christmas Tradition at the beginning of December. Black Pete might disappear from history entirely as he is now sadly seen as a racist character. Poor Black Pete.