After a bumpy start in Bangkok (Andre had to spend some days at the hospital due to a spider bite infection), we decided to move further to Koh Tao and leave behind the troubled days. We took a bus in the late afternoon in direction to Chumphon, where we waited about 3 hours before taking the speed ferry to Ko Tao island, our actual aim. It was a long drive during the night and we arrived tired around 10 am, but not without experiencing the beautiful sunrise and landscape, as well as the clear turquoise waters around us.
https://www.carabaodivingkohtao.com
After a lazy first day relaxing by the pool, I started my SSI (Scuba Schools International) open water training to obtain the diving license. I decided for SSI instead of PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) just because it was cheaper, but at the end both have the same international recognition. Usually the complete course takes between three to four days, starting with a tutoring video and moving on to classes and underwater experience.
Planned Schedule
Day 1
16.30 pm - Orientation video (1 hour and 15 minutes)
Day 2
09.00 am - Classroom and theory
12.00 am - Lunch break
13.00 pm - Pool / confined session (until 16.00 pm)
Day 3
09.00 am - Classroom and theory / final exam (which we did instead at the end of the course)
12.00 am - Lunch break
13.00 pm - Open water 1 + 2 (until 17.00 pm)
Day 4
07.30 am - Open water 3 + 4 (until 11.30 am)
13.00 pm - Lunch break
14.00 pm - Final exam + dive log filling + certification
Before the theory, you're asked to register in the SSI App and then download the open water program you need to study. There are six chapters in total and it goes from the beginning of diving, rules, equipment, breathing, pressure, buoyancy, to the problems inexperience and irresponsibility can bring. Right after the classroom, we learnt how to put the gear together and went to test it in the pool. Crazy crazy! I must confess I had some trouble breathing with the regulator underwater as I'm not at all used to breath with my mouth, so at first I did swallow water and had to come up quite often. The mask was yet another challenge, since in many exercises we had to take it off and try to control the nose breathing and at the same time do stuff with our eyes closed.
On the third day, we went to open waters for the first and second dive trainings. The first training started from jumping forwards or backwards from the boat and swim to a nearby beach, where we did some breathing and gear exercises about 4m below water. The second dive was a bit more relaxed, about 8m underwater, and we got the opportunity to see some corals and small fishes.
After the intensive training, it was time to enjoy the evening and visit one of the best viewpoints in the island - the Two View Bar & Restaurant - where the food was also cheap and quite tasting.
After the meal, the Lotus Restaurant & Bar offered a nice fire show directly at the beach. In the same area, between Sairee and Mae Haad Beaches, tons of other options for a cosy evening can be found along a narrow but extensive pedestrian walkway.
The fourth and final day was, as anyone can imagine, the highlight of the course. At first we learnt how to use the computer (which looks like a watch) and monitor the information we were getting about depth, time, ascent stops and how to avoid decompression. We then went further down, about 20m (a bit more than allowed in the open water course) with the help of a rope and the constant reminder to do the Valsalva manoeuvre - performed by moderately forceful attempted exhalation against a closed airway, usually done by closing one's mouth, pinching one's nose shut while pressing out as if blowing up a balloon. It was the time not to only think about practice but to enjoy the marine life. We saw tons of colourful corals, fishes (big and small), anemonas, and many other animals that I cannot even identify. The second dive of 14m below was shorter due to our decompression time, but not less beautiful. Before getting our dive log and certificate card, we had to prove our knowledge of the last days with a 50 question multiple answer test.
Almost about to leave Ko Tao, but still enough time to do a round trip in the island and visit some of the best spots Andre found while riding the motorbike. The first one was the humble Pinnacle Beach.
Riding in the island can be quite difficult due to its many hills and steep roads. Viewpoints and beach areas are sometimes not accessible at all. One I recommend, even though the challenging road, is the Banana Rock Restaurant, worth it for its good food and astonishing sights.
The Freedom Beach is located actually not far from our resort and is the perfect spot to snorkel.
The last stop of the day was on the way to the Shark Bay, a road that goes both down and up and from where you can observe from afar the Shark Island.
Going back to Chumphon by night ferry and after it taking a bus to Malaysia, first stop in Penang.
Where to stay: Carabao Diving Resort
Where to eat: Two View Bar & Restaurant
Next destination: George Town / Penang, Malaysia
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