Sorry for the lack of posts everyone.

The last couple of days we’ve been in Koh Samui to extend our visas, watch the new StarWars movie which the boys were very eager to see, go Go karting and do a little shopping.   
We came over with Tina and Carsten and have been staying at our friends Daves place ‘Cocooning’.

The trip over from Koh Tao was pretty hairy with many a green face on board which the others found pretty entertaining 😀  

As soon as we arrived, we took a bike to the Immigration Office to extend our visa… its about a hours ride, and we both had numb bums by the time we got there.. luckily the rain held off.

Friday nights are are always good staying at Dave’s as the whole street in which the hotel is located on, is closed to traffic and ‘Walking Street’ appears.  Loads of craft, clothes and food stalls line the entire street.

We spent some time perusing the stuff for sale, looking for presents for our “Secret Santa” gifts at the dive school. Then it was back to the hotel and a fairly early night after Dave starting bringing out shots.

Waking the next morning we were straight out on a motorbike that we rented and looking at new bicycles since Jen’s bike is a bit knackered now. Undecided, we left and went shopping at Tesco’s until we met the gang at the Go Karts. Jenny won the first race, and I won the other 3, so Team Dowling kicked butt !!

After karting, we went to the new cinema to see Star Wars in 3D… !! It was awesome (no spoilers).

Waking today, we went for a quick blast of last minute shopping (found some English cheese!).. and then its back onto the ferry for a choppy ride back… We have bad weather coming on the 22nd so we may get stuck if we don’t head off now!

Yesterday I finished an Open Water course.  This is the first PADI course I’ve taught since July, so it felt a little odd and I did feel a bit rusty to be honest.

Anyway, I started with 4 guys but during the second video, 2 guys came out and said that they wanted to give up as they’d been partying for 3 days and they needed sleep.  So before the end of the first day, I had a 50% drop out.  I did manage to complete the rest of the course with the two remaining chaps and one has gone onto do his Advanced course which I’ve opted not to take as I have a Eco Student arriving and need to meet and greet as he’s only 17yrs old.

So today I’m going to have a pamper day.   I’m going for a swim, I’ll try and get at least 40 lengths done and then dry off in the sun, that’s if it doesn’t cloud over and pour down 😀   After that, I think it’ll be time for a lovely Thai massage and have a manicure & pedicure at a bargain price of 500 baht which is just under 10 UK pounds  …Bargain!!!

I know it’s early but we’ve put our Christmas decorations up.  It does feel really odd being away from the family at this time but we’ll be in the UK in just over a month.  Getting excited already 😀

Kirsty, our ex lodger, kindly left her Christmas tree with built in lights and some fairy lights which make the house look very festive 😀

Before Christmas, we need to do a Visa run to Koh Samui to get an extra 30 days, so we’re going to go over with Tina and Carsten for a little mini break.  Hopefully we’ll be able to meet up with some of the old Crystal crew to see the new Bond movie and to go Go-karting.

Oh, I saw this and thought of you Fi Fi  😀  Eeeehhhhhh!!!!!

December already, where has the year gone?!!

Will,  an ex Divemaster has been back on the island for the last week.   He works at sea, so doesn’t get out much, does month shifts and can’t drink but when he does, he goes for it, in a good way.  A  typical Irishman 😀

So the last few nights, Simon and I have had quite late nights (by our standards anyway) and last night was his last night and there was a snorkel test taking place for 11 newly qualified Divemasters.

This means for them, being introduced, talking briefly about how long their Divemaster has taken, the most embarrassing & memorable moment, whilst having to drink a welcome shot, downing a bucket of alcohol through a mask/snorkel and then spinning around their stool 3 times and running into the sea and back without spillage 😀     ..so as you can see the bar was unusually full.

Where they’ve knocked down the old office, the back wall of the bar has gone (far right of top picture) and now the bar has moved under the big screen and they’re using Crystals old reception desk  as the new base   …I can see Poo (Thai chap that runs the bar) using this forever, he’s not one for spending or giving anything away.

So the night ended with everyone going to Sairee to carry on drinking and Simon, Pizzey and I stayed until we finished our drinks and headed home just before midnight.  We were in fact he last people to leave the Crystal bar  …Shocking!!!! 😀

Time to detox!!