Woke up early this morning and did two morning dives. It's nice being certified- I can just go and dive and enjoy it. I didn't have to do any skill testing (ie taking my mask off underwater, doing emergency ascents, sharing air with your dive buddy, buoyancy testing, etc). It was a gorgeous dive- I saw a huge puffer fish, trigger fish, eels, big grouper, sting rays, and so many beautiful fish.
Back in time for a quick shower before heading to the ferry for a 2 hour ride to Chumphon then an overnight train to Bangkok. I'm sitting on the top bunk in my 1st class sleeper car as I write this.. and as the train rolls along I think about the people I met who work at Ban's. There was Jimmy- a nice young guy from Ireland. His love for diving has led him to work at dive shops around the world. Then there's Nat, grew up in brooklyn, lived in connecticut, traveled the world and then settled in koh tao and is working on becoming a dive instructor. I met others but there is a similarity in all of the people I met- they have found happiness. I give these people credit for following their passion - moving out to this tiny, remote island in Thailand, and doing what they love: diving. Happiness is not served to you on a platter, I meet so many people who wait for it to come, and I meet so many people, twice and thrice my age that still have not found it... and here these dive instructors are: happy.
I leave koh tao excited about the adventures I've had with diving. it was a gnarly experience (yes that's the word i want to use). Diving in tao is phenomenal. The island itself has diving, amazing sunsets, spectacular views... but if you want to be connected with the world, sleep somewhere comfortable, or go to a hospital (they don't have one)... koh tao is not your destination. so koh tao... sa wa dee crap (goodbye)... I liked you, but I didn't love you.
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