Prior to our arriving in Thailand, we had heard from many friends and acquaintances about the great scuba diving in Southern Thailand. Always wanting to "get certified" but continually putting it off due to the cold waters of our home town Laguna Beach (according to Val temperature), we decided that a scuba certification course was the ideal Christmas present to ourselves.
With so many places to choose from (almost every Southern destination in Thailand offers scuba courses), we selected Ko Tao Island. Known for its superior scuba schools and incredible beaches, we settled on a place called Ko Tao Cottages where our instruction, diving and beachside bungalow were all inclusive at a fraction of the price we would have paid in the States. For four days we learned how to suit up, breath comfortably underwater, equalize with ease and swim with the wild life.
If only the wild life wanted to swim with us. It seemed that Asia had turned me into an animal magnet, and rather than the fish being afraid of us like our instructor told us (I warned him that I was afraid of the fish to begin with), they were following me, nipping at my legs, biting my hands--I was under attack! However, the silence of the water and the beauty of our surroundings made up for the aggressive fish brigade, and I must now admit that I am hooked. In fact, I have been trying to pursuade Fletch that we must buy our own scuba gear before we return. My "it's cheaper here in Thailand than anywhere" doesn't seem to be working though. |
