One conversation leads to purchasing a ticket and before you know it, you're on the island of Ko Tao signed up for a learn to scuba dive course! This was never part of my plan, but I guess my plan leaving Burma was to kinda go with the flow. In the end I just decided that getting a visa and going back to Burma would be too expensive, so I chose to start moving South towards Malaysia. Ko Tao is a diving and snorkelling island. It's packed with tourists, and I ended up in a room next to an all night pool bar! Culture shock! It's fascinating to people watch the mix of Chinese, Scandinavian, French, Italian and British tourists here. At times it is hilarious to see the cultures clash and watch the reactions ... This is especially evident watching the Chinese on the beach next to the Italians ... Makes my day :) In someways I haven't left Burma as all the workers here are Burmese. So I still get to say "Mingalaba" and "Jezutinbaday" and have interesting conversations about Burma.
I did the learn to dive course, which was scary, but I'm glad I did it. I can't believe I actually made it, considering I still can't put my face under the water without pinching my nose. Seeing the coral and swimming around with these large, strange colourful fish is like being transported to a whole new world ... Wow! Yesterday I took a taxi boat to another island for snorkelling. Really beautiful and fun. Fascinating to watch the absolute chaos of the taxi boats. You have to climb over 10 longtail boats to find your own and everyone is yelling and driving around all crazy... But somehow you get back, totally soaked and thanking the universe you are still alive, and all is fine. I'm burnt red, but loving the sun. Tonight I'm heading by ferry and train to Malaysia ... Hopefully the beautiful weather follows me. xo
No comments:
Post a Comment