Scuba Diving is Awesome

We weren't planning on it, but shortly after arriving on the island of Ko Tao, Aaron and I quickly discovered that there are two kinds of people there: those that dive and those that don't. To avoid being outcast as snorkeling geeks, we decided to pony up our 2000 baht (about $60) and take a one day scuba diving course.

We were fitted with wetsuits and flippers and taken to the pool for some practice. We met two nice guys in the process from Denmark, Jem (left) and Per.

It was very weird at first, exhaling and inhaling underwater, but I got used to it and couldn't wait to get out there. Per (peer) had more trouble adjusting and actually decided to quit. He, unfortunately, missed out on this:

It was really amazing flying around underwater. We got lucky, too, and saw a sea turtle. We stayed down about 35 minutes and were 12 meters deep. That was the depth limit for us since we're not certified. You can get certified out there, but it was like 12,000 baht and takes 4 days. Certification is something I think I would like to do someday now.

Jem, Per, Aaron, and I all left Ko Tao together the next day for Bangkok. On our way out I saw this sign and just have to post it here because it cracked me up:

I should send it to Jay Leno. I especially like the question mark at the end of "Buy 10.. Get 1.. Free?" as if he might give you one free...or he might not.

Jem and Per are flying out of Bangkok in a couple days, whereas Aaron and I stopping here to re-fuel for our trip to Cambodia tomorrow (the 22nd). Aaron and I showed them around Bangkok like old pros last night. I ordered fried rice in a pineapple. It was good but, as I should have expected, there was too much pineapple. The waitress made fun of me because for 3 seconds I couldn't figure out how to open it up.

We found the delicious morsels below at a street vendor. They are little fried crickets. Aaron, Jem, and this guy from Texas all had a few. I wouldn't if you paid me.

There is nothing weirder, by the way, than watching young Thai girls walk up and by sacks of big cooked cockroaches to eat. They came in packs of three. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: other cultures are retarded.

Jem and Per also wanted to check out the infamous red light district called Patpong (okay, I was curious too). It was not an enjoyable experience. We went into a bar and were surrounded by Thai prostitutes I had to fight off. They lied to us about how much a drink would cost. Two started giving Per and I shoulder massages, which we did not ask for. We ignored them and after a minute, they asked for money. When I refused to pay, she--no joke--threatened me with a toothpick! I stood by ground and she poked me in the arm with the toothpick. We made a hasty exit and I was poked once more from behind on the way out.

Today, we took Jem and Per to some Thai malls. Thais love to shop. These things are several stories tall, huge, and loud.

You can see some of the many escalators there. Most the stores are smaller than American stores, some more like booths. The lighting was dark and moody on the fifth floor.

Some cigarette boxes have pictures instead of warnings.

I like the idea. Most Thais seem to be very against smoking. I've seen a Thai person smoking maybe two or three times since I've been here. Europeans, however, still smoke like chimneys.

At the cinema in this mall, they have a waiting area with rows of chairs in front of concessions. Seats are always assigned when you buy them in Thailand theaters, so I guess this gives you the option of waiting outside the theater if you like.

We saw Fantastic Four 2. I'm sorry to tell you this Dave, but it sucked...again.

Jem, Per, Aaron, and I are going to the bus station together tomorrow morning. They're going to Lopburi to check out the monkeys, upon our suggestion, and we're heading to Siem Reap, Cambodia, the town near the famous temples of Ang Kor Wat. We'll spend a few days there and then head to Pnomh Penh, the capitol.

Thus closes the chapter on Thailand for this trip. I feel like we accomplished a lot: about 10 cities, some trekking, bungee jumping, and now scuba diving. I'm kinda sad but ready to move on. I took my first Malaria pill tonight. Let's hope that starts kicking in soon, ey?

P.S. Sorry for the formatting issues with this post and others. Blogger is a headache to use when you're adding multiple pictures. It has major bugs and costs me at least a half hour each post.