17th to 20th - so I’ve been off on the most amazing liveaboard with Sea Dragon Divers, Khao Lak. It was superb, totally faultless. Diving was amazing, I joined on Tuesday night, transfered to the port about an hour and a half North of Khao Lak. Overnight boat transfer to Ko Tachai ready for diving there on Day 1, four dives that day (although I only didn’t do the 4th which was a night dive). Fortunately we moored overnight so no travelling so a decent nights sleep in my bunk (I’m sharing a room with five others, mixed male and female). Everyone on the boat seems lovely, food is excellent and diving so far so good.

Day 2 onto the Surin Islands, three wonderful dives here and also an hour on the most fabulous beach between dives 1 and 2.

After dive 3 it was time to shower and get ready for our cocktails and BBQ night. We were moored up for the night, but due to cocktails followed by shots (Korean Saki!!?) with some of the other guests, I was awake by 3.45! Fortunately no bad hangover as such but really not smart considering the best dives of the trip were scheduled for the final day, but smart isn’t always fun is it!!??

Day 3 dives - there was a lot of swell and current so it was challenging getting on to and out of the ribs. The two dives were both at Richelieu Rock and it is probably one of the most amazing and breathtaking dive sites I’ve had the privilege of diving. I was literally crying (with joy) under water, I was blown away…

After the dives we headed back to Port and were then transferred back to the dive centre in downtown Khao Lak. I will definitely be back to dive the Similians with these guys it was absolutely fabulous!

Meanwhile whilst I was off on my liveaboard, J remained in our hotel outside of Khao Lak, he had arranged for us to move into a fancy hotel for a night or two so I was dropped at the very lovely Eden Beach Resort (on Merlin Beach). We popped out for drinks and dinner and caught up, basically J had been exploring by scooter and getting stoned (yes cannabis is legal here!). It was lovely to then head back to the hotel (we had eaten at Kanlaya). I grabbed a nice hot shower, desperately needed after three days at sea and felt human again.

21st - day on the beach and by the pool at Eden, followed by a Thai massage on the beach, J had the full works but I only had my feet done as concerned about the nitrogen still in my system from diving… then we got ready and wandered out of our hotel to dine in a locals place called Mali (although it was full of mainly those Sun Lounger reservist-type tourists, you know the ones I mean 😘).