This morning both Si & I went to Deep Down Productions to meet Andrew, our guinea pig for Si’s Underwater video documentary course. 

We sat down and went through the course outline and talked about his treatment (what his documentary is going to be about)   his first initial idea was sharks but due to the lack of sightings and limited timeframe we convinced him to think again, so changed to Symbiosis (Organisms that live together – Shimp & Goby)  There are 3 types of Symbiosis

1.       Parasitism – One organism derives nourishment from another causing harm (but not usually death) to the host.

2.       Commensalism – One organism benefits from another causing no harm to the host organism.

3.       Mutualism – Both organisms benefit from their association

Whilst the guys talked I ordered breakfast from ‘Zest’ (Coffee, Fried egg sandwiches) and then worked on the draft layout, schedule, tech requirements,  taking notes on Andrews storyboard wants, needs and possible dive site location to capture these.

Breakfast arrived and we took a short break.   We’d covered a lot and headed down to Crystal where we met Nathan who was going out on the longtail to ‘Junk yard’ dive site to move an anchor, just off of Mae Haad beach. As Andrew wanted shots of Decorators Urchins, it was an ideal opportunity to jump on the longtail to capture them.  Half an hour later, the guy headed off on the Longtail with Nathan.  Things being as they are, the boys ended up helping with the anchor and not getting much filming done, with Simon slicing 13 cuts into his hand grabbing a rope to save the boat capsizing, but getting barnacles like razor blades digging into his fingers.. No permanent damage..  In the meantime, I went for an awesome massage and met them on their return.

That evening we popped home to shower and headed back to Crystal as there was a ‘Snorkel Test’  for the newly qualified Dive Masters, once the deed was done, we made a quick exit!

Yet again Si was up ridiculously early and on the PC when I woke.  I got up and made a cuppa and an egg sandwich.
The day was empty today so didnt have to do a thing.   I got on with some washing and pottered about whilst Si was on the computer.

At some point we had to go to Mae Haad to collect the bike at Safety Stop after leaving it there (very wisely) after Song kran.

In the afternoon we watched ‘End of the Line’ a documentary about over fishing and then an episode of Eastenders before venturing out.

Down at Crystal we met a few people had a quick beer and then went to ‘Pranees’ for food and headed home.

It was a very quiet day after the events of Songkran…… thankfully…..!

Its Songkran!!!   Basically a massive water fight on the island.
For the Thai’s it’s the traditional New Years day from 13 -15 April.  Songkran falls in the hottest time of the year in Thailand, at the end of the dry season.  Songkran was originally celebrated just in the North of Thailand but now it’s spread across the whole country where in places it continues for 6 or more days but here in Koh Tao, it lasts 1 day.

Simon and I didnt go out until 2pm and on our journey into Mae Haad, we got absolutely soaked.  Our first soaking was in Sairee where we had to stop at the cross roads, kids shot us with their water pistols and a couple of girls ran over with an iced bowl of water.  So much for trying to stay dry. 

There were taxi’s (pickups) crammed full, travelling from one end of the island to the other, just firing water at everyone passing and when taxi’s passed it was chaos 😀    People on mopeds, bikes, foot armed up with supersoakers, such great fun.

Simon and I finally made it to Safety stop soaked to meet up with friends.  After having a drink and standing in the entrance, soaking every dry person passing for an hour or so, we refilled our guns and a gang of us marched down to Crystal (2 mins walk away) to soak any dry person hanging around.

The Crystal taxi was headed back into Sairee, to ‘Vibe’ beach bar so we all piled in the back shooting as many people on the way.

At ‘Vibe’ a vast amount of soaked Crystal people were shooting each other, playing around in the sea and dancing along with the band that was playing.  I just couldnt get over the warmth of the sea when I went to refil my supersoaker, it was like a bath.  Thank goodness for Songkran  ..just the way to cool down on a sweltering hot day..

Imagine the best water fight you’ve been in but having everyone in your village, town, city joining in.

We stayed at Vibe until 10pm and walked home for drying out and bed, while others partied the night away…!