Valentine's Day in Koh Tao

With no pressures of needing to buy roses  at triple the going rate, no diamond stores in sight, no need to make sure you get your reservations in early and in fact not even sure what day it is, valentine's day was quite stress free amongst the Klassen's.

After a day of taking the same path along the shoreline to our favourite swimming cove I swung in a hammock and read a John Grisham novel while Anna and Brad went scootering and exploring the Island (I did get my turn later). Later I won at dice against Anna (which I have to say because it's the only game I have won so far) and while chilling by the water was told Brad was taking me out for dinner.  Leaving Anna to fend for herself.
Where else can you go from beach to slipping on a sun dress, no worries for shoes because you have to take them off before entering the restaurant anyway. Then walk along the sand over a bridge to sit under the stars and for only $45 drink and feast while reclining on coushions and looking at the moon!  The bonus of no expectations.

The path to get to our favourite swimming cove.
Anna's a natural at whatever she does!

Yep, a truly fun night out with my best friend!

Newest Klassen Diver!

A four day course of classes, pool time and four open water dives!

No sleeping in for this girl!

Early mornings and long days.

Almost like school but better........

Classroom time!!!  Yes!! 100% on the final.

Coming back in after second dive as an official diver!

Diving with dad!

Chillin on the boat between dives.

Instructor said she was a very calm diver.

Anna said who wouldn't be? Just the fish and me and my bubbles.

Anna's dive group with Alex their French instructor.

Party after graduation.

Anna had to keep reminding them she was only 16!

It was an absolute delight to share a whole different world that not many experience with our 

daughter.

And after a fantastic day of diving, here is our end of the day sunset.

Lazy Days in Koh Tao

So what did you do today?

I would often feel bad at home if I felt my days were not productive enough or interesting enough.

I am getting over that here.

In a place where there is no agenda but "to be in the moment" there is never a wrong answer.

What did I do today?

Watched the bay wake up while I was journaling.

Or maybe....

Went for a dive and saw amazing coral and fish.

Oh and then one day....

while Brad and Anna were diving I slept in and went for a Thai massage to relax; as all this walking, diving and laying around is hard work.

Or that day.....

We found a little quiet beach and read and lazed around dipping in the very warm water to cool off.....

.....and of course....

Every evening enjoyed the sun bring changing colours over the boats and fellow tourists by our little bar while sipping a drink and sharing stories of what others saw and did and where they are from and why they are traveling and where the next place we might go and do a little more of the same!

It was a good day!!

Tomorrow we might kayak and snorkel, dive or take a long boat and tour around....

We'll see.

That's tomorrow!

Koh Tao - Sunshine Dive Resort

So we are now on the Island of Koh Tao (Tao means turtle) and has world wide fame for its diving and snorkelling. Which is why we are here.  

Anna is going to get her Padi open water certification and Brad is in his happy place. Underwater!!  Where the sites are always changing and the quiet completely surrounds you.

As part of Anna's certifications we get cheap lodging at $10 / night.  It reminds me of family camp, though this one is more like backpacker camp.  Rustic, simple, a few stains but clean.  At $10 we had splurged as the cost was for the hot water and room fan. The crowds are young and all have interesting travel stories.

We stand out a bit but with a growing relaxed outlook we are fitting right in!

A look at our present living quarters and the beach front bar.

View from our deck.

Easy Bar where they make one strong G & T and the beer is cold.

A few more Koh Phi Phi photos

A few more photos of Koh Phi Phi and the reality of how tourism is growing.

Oh to have been one of the firsts to discover these beautiful places!

Joining the masses on the early morning ferry run to Kho Phi Phi!

Welcoming sights of sailboats tucked into corners and those talking a long boat to check out the surrounding smaller islands.

Arriving into port! Pay your clean beach tax and find your slice of  white sand and a cold beer!

Making our way through the mazes of the markets along the walk way where everything is two to three times more expensive then Phuket.

Peek a boo vistas! Yes there is water!

Yes we made it! 

Phuket

Arrival

Our first intro to Thailand is Phuket Town, a near cousin to Penang in Malaysia and filled with old Sino-Portuguese architecture, reminiscent of sea shipping between India and China. It is not on the main beach stretch and even locals wondered why we weren't staying at the high end resorts Phuket is famous for.

Arriving at our hotel was actually comical.....

1. The taxi driver tried to up sell our hotel by pulling in to ask for directions into a travel agency where they came out to talk to us...

2. He pulled in to three or four gas stations looking for air for his flat tire but they were all closed

3. He was still bewildered on what streets to take to find our hotel that Brad directed him with his GPS app on the phone....

Thank you Brad.

It is hard to describe first impressions.  It is run down but has a charm that comes out in the buildings, the decorative tiles in the uneven sidewalks and the quiet calm in the way Thai people do life.

First breakfast:

Out and about

We haven't done much more than walk about ourselves as we are right in the historic center of Old Town  but here are some of the modes of travel.

                                     

We have also timed our time here with a festival. A combination of their celebration for the Chinese New Year combined with the Phuket Town Festival.  Just steps from our hotel door the parks has been transformed into a huge stage for dancers, the streets  are lined with vendors selling stickers, car wax, clothes, purses, beauty products and food galore.

Pad Thai, deep fried everything, soft shelled crabs, corn on cob, insects, waffles, sushi, and any kind of thing on a stick you can imagine from squid to hit dogs to pig snout.

Anna and Brad ate deep fried silk worm. I couldn't convince them to try the deep fried cock roaches.

There is also a shrine set up for gifts to their Chinese gods.

Lots of gold and red and lights!

Yummy fried silk worms!

BUT THAT'S NOT ALL!

Our last day in Phuket was spent joining the masses to go to one of Thailand's most famous and claimed to be most beautiful Islands- Kho Phi Phi

So off on a 1 1/2 hr ferry ride to take in the beauty of this tourist infested island.

I have no idea how we got this picture with no people!!!! Great photo shots thanks to Anna! 

Reflections on our first three days:

- Brad can get us anywhere 

- breathe deeply

- take more risks with the language

- be okay to look silly and slightly clueless

- don't forget sunscreen

Did I mention it's cooking hot here???

Departure Day!

Can't believe it!
After all the talking the day is finally here! We are really doing it!
Lists have been checked! Documents in order! House in good hands!
All bags weigh under 20lbs!
Okay Brad's is 13, Anna's is 15 and mine is 19. But in my defence I am carrying the meds and laundry packets.

Last but not least are the most necessary items..... Humour, patience, grace, adventure...
Check, check, check!

See you in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Bali!