For the persistent...

Loads of more pictures below... i noticed people keep on having a look once in a while here, for them, I uploaded some of the Thailand pics!

The only way is up (by bus)

Last few days, been snorkelling at Longbeach (blacktip sharks all around), and went diving at Hin Daeng and Hin Muang... maximum depth we went is on the gauge above, but the site has depths of more than 80m... Excellent dive sites... a lot of coral and marine life... but we didn't find the manta's or whale sharks... good reason to keep on diving... allthough i doubt I'll find 'em in the north sea... About the travel and transport story, just booked a bus ticket to Bangkok for tomorrow, which should get me there early morning of the 5th, and my flight home is only at 20.30, so everything should work out ok. There's still airports closed here
in the south, and the trains are still on strike, but this way I'll get where I need to. There are warnings to stay away from demonstrations and government buildings in Bangkok, so will have to be a bit carefull... Bit sad to leave PhiPhi, love it here, but very much looking forward to seeing all of you again... and hear what you've been up to the past year... When I'm back, I'll post some more pictures, so keep following... Tonight, we're celebrating my birthday a bit early, cause I'll spend most of the rest of it on the boat and bus... We'll make up for that tonight, I'm sure...

Stil on PhiPhi, and not mad at PAD

So, quite predictable, but now reality... I didn't fly out yesterday... The airport in Krabi had reopened, but there was more then 10.000 people there waiting for their flight from the days before, so I decided not to bother... This means I'm not going to make it to Cambodja this time, which is a pity, but also means I can enjoy PhiPhi a few days longer... and go diving some more...

After 5 days of looking for a diving school that was going to King Cruiser, Anemone reef and Shark point, we finally found one, went, and enjoyed it a lot... allthough we had quite a lot of current, and getting forward was sometimes a tough job, we had some awesome dives, and close encounters with leopard sharks again... Diving the wreck was a very cool experience as well... pretty strange to see a ferry beneath the water, and strange to see most passengers were lionfish ;o) Anyway, as we're staying here longer, we're hoping to dive Hin Daeng and Hin Mouang in a few days, again dive sites not many boats go out to, so we keep our fingers crossed... and hope to see whale sharks and manta rays this time...
About the return, I think the best solution will be to travel up to bangkok by bus, and as the airport in bangkok hasn't been closed at all, I should be able to get home quite easily... (arriving 6th Sept at 13.45 in Dusseldorf) Hope to see you all back soon!

Does PAD want me to stay here?

Haven't dived Shark Point and the wreck yet, cause a few days ago fishermen had cut the boey that indicates the wreck. Yesterday it was put back up, so hopefully we can go out there tomorrow. The day after I'm normally going towards Cambodja. Not for sure yet, cause right now, Krabi airport(where I'm flying from) is closed, and there's a railway strike going on as well. It all has to do with demonstrations that have been going on for about 90 days already, basically, PAD (People's Alliance for Democracy) is protesting against the current government. Here's an article about it, and the transport problems... Don't worry, I'm not noticing anything here, except that every Thai is watching television now, and I'm pretty sure I'll find a way home (worst case scenario through Kuala Lumpur). Regards ;o)

Back to the islands...

After Khao Sok, changed plans a bit (realized my flight to cambodia is only on the 31st), so went to phang nga (instead of ko lanta), where we visited the bay that was filmed in James Bond (the man with the golden gun, for those who are interested). the day after went to Krabi, and visited a temple with loads of monkeys around it. Then took the ferry to Ko Phiphi, did a few dives ( Bida Nai, and Viking Cave), and planning to go diving more tomorow (Shark Point, Anemone Reef, King Cruiser Wreck!).

Some more of Thailand

Went to Koh Pan ngan, had a pretty crazy full moon party at Haad Rin, relaxed and snorkeled for a day at Haad Salad, then went diving at Sail Rock... Now in Khao Sok national park, went for a two day jungle trek, slept in a bamboo house on the water, walked and swam through caves, saw bats, big spiders, monkeys (!), chameleon.... Tomorrow I'm heading to Koh Lanta (saying goodbye to the belgian travel mates), getting ready for some more diving, and maybe do my advanced course... Again a short one, without pictures... will try to change this soon... keep it up in the cold ;o)