We're off to Phuket Island Thailand Today, 6 Oct 04

[sabine_john]

and boy am I nervous... and I don't know why...
must be because this is such a new place and the thought of open water, overwhelmingly exhilerating. Friends and family are all so happy for us. We want to say thanks for the supportive responses to all our inquieries for the last month or so.
Funny, the other day sabine said, "Maybe I'd be just as happy if we just snorkeled...(Phuket) I laughed pretty hard at this one. I agree with you experienced ones - we must have no idea how much fun and excitement there will be in store.

Are we ever ready?! We've (I'VE) been packing since Friday! Dunno how much it weighs but I'm glad they have wheels!

We'll be sure and take extra personal security precautions since we were warned about strange thieving habits (objects being placed on your person without knowing and then a local accusing you of thievery, threatening to call the police and then blackmailing to extort $$$.) - it could be bogus but we'll be on guard.

The reality we know is the people are so friendly and that the food to be so darn good - we hope we don't exceed our weight limit coming back!!! since we expect to gain a few pounds - heheh!

We know to leave the environment alone - no picking up shells or worse live/dried/retail sealife... we're off to a great start.

Phuket See-Bees will be taking care of our add'l diving equip and daily boat trips and we've heard nothing but good to great things about them.
My mom joked and said to take pictures of ourselves along to leave with the boat crew!! hiliarious! - wha? you mean she was right!!!??
huh? :11:

so long as we are off to explore!
john and sabine :07: :07:

 

[stevenl]

Have fun. And don't worry about somebody putting things on you and you than accusing of theft.

The food is excellent, but normally people loose weight from diving, so you might even come back very healthy and in excellent condition.

I hope to see you while you're here.
Steven

 

[Beth2]

The food is excellent, but normally people loose weight from diving, so you might even come back very healthy and in excellent condition.

I hope to see you while you're here.
Steven

Losing weight from diving? Is that true???

 

[stevenl]

Normally, yes. Just check out most of the diving instructors, they don't have too much fat (and that is not just because they don't have enough money to buy some decent food).

Diving (as all excercise, and even if you move as little as possible diving is still exercising) is really very good for losing weight, you will just have to control the appetite most poeple get after diving, and stay away from the beers that are so tasty after diving as well.

 

[Albion]

on the last night treat yourselves to a meal at 'Ban Rim Pa', it just north of patong town set up on a cliff overlooking the sea. Book table with sea view for about, oh i dunno about an hour after sunset, whatever time that is. Get there before sunset and enjoy a cocktail watching the sun go down.

Its a bit pricier than the other restaurants around but well worth it as a last night treat imho.

 

[Beth2]

....you will just have to control the appetite most poeple get after diving, and stay away from the beers that are so tasty after diving as well.

Oh that's a difficult one...
But come to think of it, I usually binge lots on diving trips but I seldom gain weight after that..
LOL, must be some truth in it after all!!

and boy am I nervous... and I don't know why...
must be because this is such a new place and the thought of open water, overwhelmingly exhilerating. Friends and family are all so happy for us. We want to say thanks for the supportive responses to all our inquieries for the last month or so...

Phuket See-Bees will be taking care of our add'l diving equip and daily boat trips and we've heard nothing but good to great things about them.

so long as we are off to explore!
john and sabine :07: :07:

Have fun guys!
Do post some pics and tell us all in this thread about your trip when you return!
By the way, I've been to Phuket about 2 years ago..... I find Patong too touristy and commercialised. If you have time, I suggest you explore the other beaches south of Phuket (ie Karon beach & the beaches southwards) Nicer sand and more exclusive!

 

[stevenl]

They're staying in Chalong, so close to the pier.

Patong I think is a very nice experience for an evening, but I agree with you it is not the place I would prefer to stay.

 

[Universal Diver]

Have a great time. If you are in Patong and like sushi, check out "Tabeta". It's an all you can eat sushi restaurant on 2000 year road. It was brand new two years ago and I'm hoping it is still there. Not so expensive unless you buy tea. In Japan, the tea is free! Not there.

If you have time, a dive cruise or liveaboard is highly suggested. The diving outside of the Phuket area is fantastic. I saw three whalesharks on my last trip ou there!

Chris

 

[sabine_john]

Thanks for the supportive comments and recommendations.
So as we thumbed our noses at the weather in Germany (it was rainy) - we frowned at ourselves when we arrived to what else but rain!?
rain the next day, and rain finally cleared up on the 8th...
weather's been great since then. Couldn't be happier with See-Bees, their service is nearly perfect. We've seen most of the offered daily trips so far - can't say we're thrilled about the view underwater... it's varied from 5-20m...
I'm personally disappointed but have made peace with the fact that we are still thrilled to see what we can see. I love diving now more than ever and will give much more detailed report later especially when Sabine gives me her impressions. We are overall very, very happy... there will be pics to post... but compared to what I've seen on the website these might at least be good for a giggle or a laugh...
let's just say I only today started using a flash unit with my little underwater cam...
Aside from one dish that nearly melted my lips off... the food has been great.
The people nothing but friendly!!
We're already planning another trip next year...
maybe Malaysia...
we heard of some even more beautiful places there...
maybe Similan Isl..
we'll see...
thanks and more soon!
john and sabine :07: :07:

 

[gabyne]

Losing weight from diving? Is that true???

stevenl is right - I also made this experience of losing weight several times during dive holidays... This is really perfect since it's not so exhausting as running or aerobics... This way, I always lose the kilos I gain in between the diving holidays or during wintertime...

Luckily, I don't get the typical after-dive hunger and I don't like beer, so it's quite easy for me...

I think, it must have to do with the dry air you're breathing and, more important, the ability of water to drag away warmth from the body even if you're diving in 28°C water. So the body will need a lot of energy to stay warm, I guess, and therefore uses up a lot of calories... (just one theory... )

Gaby