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!!

Finally, what we’ve been waiting for and hearing about for years is actually happening.

The Crystal office has finally been taken apart / knocked down  ..and apparently, the scheduling room, restaurant and bar will be soon to follow.

The office/reception is a major change  ..the actual move was not very organised… surprise surprise!! Moving the office from the beach, up to a modified classroom was very chaotic and to me, it seemed like it was left to only a few people to get things done.

Walking around the old reception, I’m actually astonished that it’s still standing with all the window frames taken out, it was riddled with termites and there are only a couple of pillars holding everything up.

I think we’re both in shock as we didn’t think we would see the day.

What’s really good is that we have a lovely new airy kit room for all our equipment.  It’s secure, it’s got TV surveillance and the equipment can air and dry properly  All that’s really needed are a few little tweaks here and there.

On another note, last night was the Loy Krathong festival.  The Thais celebrate this for many reasons, the main is the rice harvest that has ended and its time to thank the Water Goddess for a years worth of her abundant supply as well as an apology for polluting the waters.  Some believe that this is the time to symbolically ‘float away’ all the anger and grudges you have been holding onto and including a fingernail or lock of hair is seen as a way of letting go of the dark side of yourself, to start a new, free from negative feelings.  They say if your candle stays alight until your Krathong disappears out of sight, it means a year of good luck.