Well, I’ve metaphorically got the shit kicked out me in the last year, and have realized the feeling I once sought can be found by ripping around SE Asia on a scooter. There is some intangible freedom that comes with being in a tropical paradise, nobody really knows where the hell you are, just flying through the streets, anywhere you want to go an option.
This was the cure for my blues once I made it to Khao Lak. I had come to join a diving trip liveaboard with a local dive shop, Sea Dragon. I have dove with them two years ago, and they were also recommended by my friend from Indo, Chehab, whom worked with them last year.
I did have 2 days to kill before we would depart, so I grabbed a bike, and ripped around a bit, heading to a beautiful peaceful setting on the beach. Khao Lak is a bit of a sleepy little town, so I just kicked back and relaxed. The beach is stunning this time of year. However, it must always be remembered, that this was the hardest hit area in all of Thailand by the tragic 2004 Tsunami. A strong reminder being the giant police boat sitting many kilometers inland from the ocean, which had been dumped there by the 10-12 meter high wave that struck the long coast line. It’s hard to imagine the sight of such a beast, when you stand looking out at the ocean, in its current peaceful state.
Two days passed by in relative peacefulness. I was still fighting some nagging negative emotions, but was sure that heading out on the boat with a good group of divers, cranking out 9 dives in 3 days would cure this.
I checked in with the group on my second day here, and by 8:30 pm that night we were off to find our faithful vessel.
Stay tuned for a report from the stunning dive sites of the Surin Islands and Richelieu Rock!