Thailand: Similan Islands Diving

Similan Islands provided close to, if not the best diving I have ever done (Tonga coming in very close if not slightly better). We did 6 dives over two days - we were meant to do 7 but didn't have the stamina for a night dive after a 5:30am rise, a 3 hour bus/speedboat trip and 3 dives!

The crystal clear warm waters of the Similan held much to discover. We saw sharks (leopard, black tip reef), blue spotted rays, lionfish, moray eels with cleaner shrimp), garden eels, colourful nudibranchs, massive schools of fusiliers, 1 lone tuna (yum yum), a frogfish, flutefish, clownfish, triggerfish...so many fish....and heaps of coral....so much coral!! You get the idea - was amazing!

Our boat, the South Siam 4, was fully equipped and very comfortable with a large upper deck, air conditioned lounge, dive platform, sundeck and basic double cabins. The food was fantastic too - a full Thai and western buffet for breakfast lunch and dinner.

We arrived to a boat full of Swedish divers, who left that afternoon leaving just 4 divers and a snorkeler. We slept well (and early) that night, rising early for our first dive just as the sun was coming up - magic! We were very lucky to get a quiet night as the next day we swapped over with a very large crowd of very noisy Russians with very little English and questionable diving skills.

Would highly recommend any divers heading to Thailand make the effort to go out to the Similans and South Siam Divers are well worth looking up to get you there.

Next Up: Kata Beach, Bangla Rd, Elephants and the rest.

Don't forget, for a more detailed account, go here, and for more photos, go here.

Thailand - Phi Phi Island

Still clutching to the remnants of a fantastic holiday its time to tell you all about it. Sarah has been busy blogging a day by day account here, but my brain is still in muddled holiday mode and a little less concise than Sarah's so you get the mixed up broad overview from me - I haven't even done mine in order! For no particular reason, lets start with Phi Phi...

Phi Phi Island

Keen to escape the ubiquitous European Speedo clad men of Kata we arranged for 4 nights on Phi Phi Don at the PP Cassita hotel. Arriving at the wharf we were presented with the usual throng of hawkers and long boat drivers and (eventually) ushered onwards, hot tailing a porter who led us through the rabbit warren to our hotel.

Although Phi Phi has come a long way to recover since the tsunami in 2004 there are still reminders everywhere - the place is a construction zone, with building supplies steadily flowing from the pier to the various new buildings in trolleys (there are no cars on Phi Phi).

Despite the construction Phi Phi is still a haven for backpackers from all over the world, again providing some quality people-watching fodder! Some tips for young players:

• Don't bother getting out of bed before lunch, Phi Phi doesn't "open" till midday
• Alcohol is consumed from a bucket - a much faster and cheaper route to becoming inebriated enough to fight your friend in the Thai boxing ring (to win another bucket of course!)
• For a cheap and delicious meal with friendly service and great ambiance, try "the Rock", find it on the other side of the construction zone. Best Tom Yum Goong on Phi Phi!

While on Phi Phi...

• Sarah and Brent braved the cliff and went rock climbing while Duncan and I watched from the beach.





• Brent and Duncan caught themselves a King Mackerel each with (quite a lot of) help from our Thai fisherman guide.

• Went of a sunset trip to the uninhabited Phi Phi Le (where the Beach movie was filmed) where we went snorkeling and then took the secret cave entrance to Maya bay and sailed back to Phi Phi Don while watching the sunset.
• Spent 4 relaxing evenings at various beach bars drinking cocktails, delicious fruit shakes and watching fire dancers.

• Got a relaxing $12 massage and my toenails painted by a lady boy as her (real) girl friends serenaded her with Brittany Spears, Not a girl, not yet a woman.
• Visited Long Beach for a bit of a snorkel and to get away from the bustle of the main town.

Next Up: Diving in the Similans.

Dont forget, for a more detailed account, go here, and for more photos, go here.

Kob khun kha Thailand

Arrived back in Sydney this morning. Although its good to be home, I hate that feeling when you walk in the door and realise that all you have in front of you is lots of washing, an empty fridge and the imminant return to work.

I really enjoyed Thailand, plenty of fun stuff to do but enough time to just chill out also. Highlights were... getting saturated on Thai new year (Songkran), Diving in the Similans, Phi Phi island hopping, kayaking the hidden caves on PhangNga and riding the elephants.

I will write up some more later though when I post some photos.

To keep you interested though, my dive buddy, El, has posted some photos here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/elceg/sets/72157600066823786/

Weather report - HOT with an evening thunderstorm.

Arrived in Thailand a week ago now. You can pretty much sum up Thailand in one word - HOT - I am melting! The heat is so oppressive that even the shortest wander will leave you in a bath of sweat. Lucky there are lots of lovely beaches (and resort pools, with pool bars!) to stay cool in!

Have spent time on Kata Beach, checked out the interesting nightlife in Patong, done a cooking course and are now on Phi Phi island. We also did a night on a liveaboard dive boat in the Similan Islands - the diving was close to the best I have ever done - spectacular.

Will write more and post pictures when we get home.

Happy New Beer 2007

So I thought I would be clever (ie lazy) and do a NaNoBloPoMo (National NO Blog Posting Month) but I enjoyed it so much that it became a NaNoBlogPoTwoMo. Back into it in 2007 though, promise - well maybe not promise, but I'll give it a go.

2006 was a big year. I moved to Russell Lea, left Legal Aid, joined the HSNet team, got engaged and killed approximatly 13 fish. I have dieted, boot camped, camped, mini breaked, fished, cycled, walked, frisbeed. Farewelled 2 grandmothers, supported my man through skin cancer and radiotherapy. Celebrated birthdays, weddings, robert burns, australia day, new year(s), christmas.

Just been to Smiths Lake for a week to recover from 2006 (photos). 2007 will be the year of wedding planning, another busy one I am sure!

Happy New Year!

Jervis Bay Camping

A few weekends ago the Sunday Social gang braved the freezing weather and went camping at Jervis Bay (here). The camp site was great, real bush camping, with open fires and a river but with the convienience of drinking water and a toilet block - my kinda camping!

We had a lovely sunny day, perfect for a bit of fishing a few ciders and a comfy chair! And when the sun went down, a warming fire, a lamb dinner and plenty of red wine.

More photos

Possums, but no koalas

In the short break between ships, Brent and I headed up to Port Stephens for a dirty weekend at the Wanderers Retreat. We stayed in one of the treehouses, set amongst the treetops and complete with a spa bath and a not so luxurious (but surprisingly unsmelly) composting toilet. It feels like there is no one else for miles waking up and seeing nothing but trees around you. There are meant to be koalas in the trees, but all we saw were some naughty cheese eating possums and some mystery animal digging around in the the bushes that eluded our torchlight.

Saturday we hired a boat and went fishing (I managed to catch 7 fish, all to little to eat, but still a victory over Brents 1 fish) and walked up Tomaree head for a look at the view. We tried to get into a sand dunes tour on Sunday but everything was booked out so we did the next best thing and went tobogganing! We also did lots of beach walking, laying about, and eating, but that goes without saying I guess. As always...photos.

Sitting on our balcony in the trees

New Years in Swansea Heads

Degenerating

For new years we headed up the coast to a holiday house in Swansea Heads. Thanks Elise for organising the place (it's not like you didn't have plenty of other diversions!) - it was awesome.

Did all the normal beach holiday things, swimming, fishing, dinner at the club, avoided the 45 degree heat by watching a movie.

The house had a large spa in the master bathroom which we just had to try out (fully clothed) at around 11:30 new years eve!

More photos here.

Tassie Road Trip

Cradle Mountain

Taking advantage of cheap flights, Brent and I headed down to Tassie for a relaxing short holiday, taking in Hobart, Launceston and the West. I thoroughly enjoyed myself, everything is so laid back and relaxed yet well organised. I think I have added at least a couple of weeks to my life with all that fresh air! (although I may have compensated for it with all the food and drinking!)

Day 1
- Flew down to Hobart on the late flight
- Picked up our XTrail - the idea being that I would instantly fall in love with it and let Brent buy one!

Day 2
- Mt Wellington
- Port Arthur
- Eaglehawk Neck

Day 3
- Cadbury and Cascade factories...mmmm chocolate and beer :)
- Drive to Launceston (I was the designated!)
- Scenic tour of Brents old stompin ground
- Evening Walk in the Gorge and a Chinese dinner

Day 4
- Tamar Valley wine tasting and strawberry picking
- Drive to Sheffield (the town of murals?!)
- Tasmazia!
- Dinner down the pub.

Day 5
- Cradle mountain, walk round dove lake
- scenic drive to Strahan
- Beers in the sunshine and a seafood pizza

Day 6
- Cruise out to the Gates of Hell, past the fish farms, down the Gordon River, walk in the world heritage rainforest, tour of Sarah Island.
- Back home for a BBQ in the caravan park and crash out at 8:30!

Day 7
- Scenic drive through world heritage area, back to Hobart for our flight home.

Photos here.

Camping and Kangaroos at Caves Beach, Jervis Bay

Spent the long weekend camping at Caves Beach Jervis Bay. It is a beautiful grassy campsite with resident kangaroos and a short walk in so you really feel like you are away from it all. We braved a snorkle in the 16 degree water, but mostly I did a whole lot of nothing.

The locals






The boys

Patto catches the disc

Monkeys in Malaysia

We did a number of different tours in Malaysia but the highlight was definetly our trip to Sandakan to see the Orang Utans and the Probiscus Monkeys. It also happened to be my birthday - thus creating a new tradition of birthday animal experiences.

We set off (very) early at 5:45 for a quick flight across Malaysia Borneo to Sandakan and then on to the Sepilok Orang Utan Centre. The centre rescues baby orang utans that are orphaned by clearing for plantations, nurses them back to health and releases them into the protected jungle sorounding it. Some Orang Utans will never become truly wild again, but some will eventually be transported back into remote jungle areas to boost numbers in the wild.

We watched the 10 o'clock feeding, where the keepers place bananas and suger cane on a platform for the semi-wild animals. We saw 8 Orang Utans including 2 babies on the day which was apparently a good show up. There was also heaps of cheeky macaques who would sneak up and steal the food when the keepers were not looking, then fight each other for the takings. Brent and I were mesmerised by the antics of the Orang Utans and the Macaques and took heaps of photos and had to be dragged away to get on the bus.

Mother and child, hanging around

Note the Macaques watching for falling bananas

Macaque come down to say ello

After a delicious lunch at an old colonial house overlooking the harbour we set off again, by boat this time, in search of the probiscus (long nosed) monkey. After about a 45 minute trip past endless mangroves and the occasional stilt village we slowed for some monkey spotting. Didn't take long to find some, and where there was one there were usually others as they hang out in harem and bachelor groups. Had to be quick though as once they got wind of us they would leap from their vantage point in the trees to cover in the undergrowth. We also spotted kites and other birds as well as the odd macaque.

There are photos here if you want more of a monkey fix.

Photos

I was intending on writting a bit about our holiday to go with the photos but I am still in holiday mode and couldn't be bothered right now. So in the mean time here they are:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/alisons/sets

I'm back

Had a fantastic time in Malaysia. Amongst other things, we went up a big mountain, walked in the treetops, saw the men of the forest, searched for the big nosed monkeys, swam with the fishies, did lots of shopping and ate our own body weight in noodles and rice!

Photos and more details later.

P.S. All the fish are still alive but Stevie looks a bit sick - I think he must have missed me.

I'm in Malaysia!

Arrived in Sabah yesterday to a wonderful 30 degree sunny day. After curing our jetlag with this:

Yin & Yang - 110 mins
Him : Aromatherapy Reflex Footbath ~ Lavender
Body Wash ~ Coffee Scrub ~ Herbal Steam, Jacuzzi and relax time with champagne
& strawberries ~ Balinese Massage or Warm stone Massage
Her : Aromatherapy Floral Footbath ~ Lavender Body Wash ~ Javanese Lulur ~
Herbal Steam, Jacuzzi and relax time with champagne and strawberries ~ Balinese
Massage or Warm Stone Massage.

we headexd into town for some serious handbag shopping and noodle eating! The hotel is fantastic with our room overlooking the water and the offshore islands.

More news and photos later - I have an appointment by the pool with a cocktail.

Crikey! We sure did have an Awesome time at Australia Zoo.

Brent and I headed up to Brisbane last weekend to catch up with Brents sister and brother and get away from Sydney for a long weekend.

Saturday was spent wandering round Southbank markets and getting to know Kellys new Border Collie puppy, Medusa who was rescued that morning.

Jaime and Kelly have a menagerie of animals, with 2 dogs (the other ones a rottweiler), 2 cats, 3 birds, a yabbie, and numourous fish (yabbie food) wandering their gorgeous 2 story house. I was well entertained by the antics of the 4 legged animals as they got to know the new puppy.

On Sunday we headed out to the Glasshouse Mountains to Steve Irwins Australia Zoo. This place is amazing! Steve puts every dollar he makes from it back into the zoo and you can tell. We started the day with shows in the Crocoseum. We saw tigers, snakes, free flying birds and of course the famous crocodile show.

The highlight of the day though had to be the tiger enclosure, where a glass wall is all there is between you and the frolicking tigers. The keepers play with the cats, throwing their toys into the water so they will leap in after them - Crikey - it was awesome!!

Thanks Jaime and Kelly for a great weekend.

More Photos

Scuba in Husky

Last weekend Elise and Michael organised our annual pilgrimage to Huskison. Each year we book campsites at the Husky caravan park, a beautiful spot right on the beach, perfect for a pre breakfast swim followed by a day of snorkelling in the national park.

This year I organised for Sarah, Duncan Michael and I to do a couple of boat dives on the Saturday. We headed out to Pt Perpendicular to the Pyramid Rock and Pinnacle Cave dives. On the way 2 dolphins played at the bow of the boat giving us a wonderful up close view. We also saw penguins and lots of birds.

The dives themselves were interesting - although the first dive saw me spending more time playing with my bouyancy and trying to get it together after almost 2 years out of the water. Wasn't exactly graceful in the water - as you can see by the photo! We saw lots of fish including hungry gropers who we taunted with urchins, old wives, nudibranchs, octopus and a weedy sea dragon (which I missed while I was adjusting my bouyancy - damn it!)

When we arrived back in Huskisson, the weather, which had been beautiful all day, turned bad and after a quick shower we retreated to the Husky pub for the evening.

The rain continued into the night and the next morning the planned snorkling was cancelled and we headed back to Sydney.

Thanks Elise for organising another great husky trip!

Sarah's Photos

Photos from our trip round Victoria here

New Years 04/05 on the beach at Norah Head