Khao Lak was actually a nice quiet place along the coast a 2 hour bus journey from Phuket. The place still had tourist but not at all in the same way as previous destinations. We stayed in a place called Banana Bungalows and had a great time. Main reason for coming here was to dive at the Similan Islands. Again, because of the price for all dives we could only afford one day’s diving.
Similan Islands were beautiful with the turquoise water. Visibility was great even though the variety of fish we saw was not that great in the marine park. Best season for it is more from December to May. However it was great fun flowing with the current under the water. We hardly had to swim at all as were floating through the corals. Beautiful!! We finished our diving around 4pm and calculated that we had exceeded our safety limits on the 2nd and 3rd dives, so had minor decompression sickness. This was nothing compared to the journey back to shore. By this time the weather had turned and we headed off in the speed boat against 3-4 metre high waves, not pleasant. It took 3 hours to get back to shore as opposed to an hour on the way out. Everyone on the boat felt like performing an exorcism, but managed to keep it down, what an experience (that is why Graham is looking so happy on the picture)….
Khao Lak was one of the worst affected places by the tsunami (Graham’s comment: which is why Mariana felt compelled to go there, only joking. Mariana’s sister will be going there at end of November so we thought we would check it out seeing at is on the way and to see the Similan islands.). We went to see the 25 metres and 15 tonnes boat that was carried 2 km into the shore. It is unbelievable to imagine the waves being 10 metres high at the beach and 3 metres high inland. The force of the tsunami wiped out 100 of the 133 hotels at this resort, killing many men women and children. The thai people did not even know what a tsunami was before this event, but are now prepared for any unfortunate natural events. Mariana also took some precautions, but sleeping with a life jacket on and always wearing swimming goggles as opposed to sun glasses.
We took a VIP night bus from Khao Lak that was not that VIP according to us. We wanted a bus with a toilet but not the smell that came with it. Graham also started a silent fight with the German in front who wanted to take back his seat. He tried his best to point the air con at the Germans ( just to be annoying) and kick the seat with his knees the best he could;)
Similan Islands were beautiful with the turquoise water. Visibility was great even though the variety of fish we saw was not that great in the marine park. Best season for it is more from December to May. However it was great fun flowing with the current under the water. We hardly had to swim at all as were floating through the corals. Beautiful!! We finished our diving around 4pm and calculated that we had exceeded our safety limits on the 2nd and 3rd dives, so had minor decompression sickness. This was nothing compared to the journey back to shore. By this time the weather had turned and we headed off in the speed boat against 3-4 metre high waves, not pleasant. It took 3 hours to get back to shore as opposed to an hour on the way out. Everyone on the boat felt like performing an exorcism, but managed to keep it down, what an experience (that is why Graham is looking so happy on the picture)….
Khao Lak was one of the worst affected places by the tsunami (Graham’s comment: which is why Mariana felt compelled to go there, only joking. Mariana’s sister will be going there at end of November so we thought we would check it out seeing at is on the way and to see the Similan islands.). We went to see the 25 metres and 15 tonnes boat that was carried 2 km into the shore. It is unbelievable to imagine the waves being 10 metres high at the beach and 3 metres high inland. The force of the tsunami wiped out 100 of the 133 hotels at this resort, killing many men women and children. The thai people did not even know what a tsunami was before this event, but are now prepared for any unfortunate natural events. Mariana also took some precautions, but sleeping with a life jacket on and always wearing swimming goggles as opposed to sun glasses.
We took a VIP night bus from Khao Lak that was not that VIP according to us. We wanted a bus with a toilet but not the smell that came with it. Graham also started a silent fight with the German in front who wanted to take back his seat. He tried his best to point the air con at the Germans ( just to be annoying) and kick the seat with his knees the best he could;)
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