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*NEWS* |
Similans Dive Trip - Mermaids Live-aboard March 2008 The Mermaids Phuket Live-aboard April 2008 arranged by
Mr. Crowley (PADI Master Instructor) with assistance from the divers was as awesome, as always. The
dive boat had some
great characters aboard. The last Divemaster course (overseen by Crowley) was quite an exhausting
yet rewarding dive training experience. Many of the new (Pictures open in a new window - pop up) - The Mermaids divers on the trip were of course Mr. Crowley, Max, Rick, Rob, Kyle, Barry, Sean, Suzy, Fiona, Stefan, Matt, Mike, Stacey, Stephan, Eric, Andy and Peter. We were joined by a fun couple of groups from Singapore and Germany which added to the atmosphere and chatter on the boat. A few of the Mermaids divers decided to head for Phuket Island a few days prior to the dive trip for a little holiday to soak up the Phuket culture. When I met them in the Bomerang Hotel they all looked "cultured out" and ready to get diving the Similans. The rest of the divers congregated at Phuket airport for the drive to the boat stationed at Taplamu, Khao Lak, Thailand. Khao Lak was the area of the Thai coast most devastated by the Tsunami but still has a very active port where many live-aboard and Similan Day Trips are taken from. It's very encouraging to see the progress in the rebuilding after the disaster also. Diving from Khao Lak is now as easy as it always was. On route to the live-aboard boat supplies were gathered such as personal luxuries, batteries for underwater cameras and dive torches etc. At approximately 20:00 all were aboard and relaxing on the "Wicked Witch" operated by Seaking Divers based in Chalong, Phuket. The boat is very comfortable with superb crew and not long after boarding food was served - this was warmly received by all. We set sail for the Similans some time near midnight - the crossing from Tap Lamu to the Similans Islands is just a short few hours of cruising. We awoke at the first dive site of East of Eden ready for the dive, and what a dive it was. The sheer colours on the site with great sun penetration was blinding. All knew that this was the beginning of a very special trip indeed. Some of the Similan Islands are closed for Coral reef growth and conservation of what is already thriving. The dive sites still open are fantastic making for a great Similan trip. The dive sites that we took this trip were:
Each of the dive sites held something new with many seeing firsts such as Leopard sharks, frog fish etc. Please do have a look at some of the pics that the guys and gals gained. Photos were dedicated by many divers on the boat including Faye from the Singaporean party - many thanks indeed Faye. There will be a couple of pages with good shots displayed. Just a little fun too... (If any further pics are required these can be arranged). Many thanks to all of the divers on the trip - a live aboard is made or broken not just by the diving - you must have a good crowd on the boat also. Thanks to all a great time was had in and out of the water...
Photo Pages: The Similan Islands are closed between the dates of 16th May 2008 through early October for the low season and again coral growth and development. During this time the dive boat offers liveaboard dive trips to Phi Phi and the surrounding great dive sites. Any time you wish to join please do feel free to contact Mermaids Diver Center. Live aboard trips can be organized from Ao Nang, Krabi also.
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Divermasters wished for a relaxing
trip to the Similans Islands, Thailand for some incredible recreational diving. This will assist
them to relax whilst retaining diving skils prior to
returning to Pattaya, Thailand for the IDC (Instructor Development Course) and
PADI Examination within the next 6-8 weeks
(written 08.04.08)... Many of the divers on the live-aboard mentioned feeling better divers and
learning a lot after making 4 dives per day - mainly deep in unfamiliar dive
conditions.
