We all slept like rocks- the A/C is glorious!  Our hotel offers free breakfast at the restaurant down by the Sea.  It is like everything here, open aired.  Lots of variety and a great way to start the day.  For me the important thing is that there is coffee- there has been so Mama is happy.

We were to be to the dive shop by 9:00AM to get fitted for equipment- we all have masks but needed fins, BCD’s, wet suits and snorkels.  It took some time- our dive master is from England and his girl friend from Denmark.  This island is a destination for divers from around the world- it is on most peoples bucket list.

It was just the 5 of us in our group as we made our way with our gear across the street to the wharf.  Our boat was 3 in so we had to jump from boat to boat – a bit tricky with flip flops on and carrying gear- but thankfully we are all versed in getting on and off boats.

Our boat was long and skinny (not a proper long boat for those of you familiar with Thai boats) with a big nice open center where gear was organized, an area to sit and a roof area for sun bathers.

Had a couple other groups on our boat after everyones gear was stowed we took off.  It was about a 30 min ride to Mango Bay.  One of the girls from the other group got sick and poor Max was a shade of white i’d never seen on him.  We kept telling him to throw up because he’d feel better- he never could but eventually he felt better.

Mae had her own instructor as she was going snorkeling-a nice dive master from Japan.  They totally hit it off.  We got all loaded in after a little meeting about our buddies (Rob and I-Zach and Max) or formation in the water and fish we might possible see.  We were going along a sandy bottom to a coral reef.

We all jumped in after we were geared up.  My ear has been bad for about a month- but had no problem equalizing.  We took it nice and slow going down.   You could see the excitement in the boys eyes as we saw more and more fish.  Zach spotted the sea horse- there were 2 but the Mom’s gone off to have the babies.  We were hoping to see him, Zach found him on the sea bed he was about 4″ long and he was anchored to and around a rock.

We were down for about an hour- Jason (our dive master) had us checking in with him on our gages and if we were ok about every 5 minutes.  Max was literally like a kid in a candy shop.  He and Zach were supposed to be in from of us, behind the instructor.  Not Max, he was up and down the reef looking in nooks and crannies- tomorrow Rob and I will split up and be buddies with one of the boys.

Getting out of the water with all the gear on is a bit hard it’s so heavy!  The boys were ecstatic, it was a great 1st real dive for them (the lake counted for certification but very boring) and Rob and I enjoyed it as well.   The coral is healthy- last time we dove here there was lots of bleaching.  Global warming is, well global.  The island is experiencing a major draught- there was little rain here last rainy season. Hard to believe as everything is so green- some businesses and homes have wells some others have to ship water over from the main land.  Crazy!

We then drove to the next dive site, just around the way.  This area is dotted with little islands.  So very beautiful.  Our 2nd dive was great as well- viability is not eh greatest (maybe 20′, but it was very choppy on top).  We got back to the pier about 3:00.  Unloaded all the gear, washed everything out and headed back to our hotel. Tired and a bit hungry.  Mae had a great time snorkeling.  She is fighting either a cold or allergies.

We hung out by the pool for the next couple hours.  The boys went off snorkeling, Mae to her room to take a shower.  It was nice.  This is the slowest season for the island.  It will pick up again at the end of the month.

Boys wanted to stay at the hotel and eat- they are binging on satellite tv.  Mae, Rob and I walked into town (5 min) for dinner.  Of course we stopped for a massage on the way home- we were exhausted and ready for bed by 9:00PM.