Snorkel Trip

9th February

This was the best snorkelling trip I've ever done. After being reluctant to book it, as it was 6 hours and I am slightly afraid of jumping into open water from a boat, with lots of people around and me not being the most relaxed snorkeler. 

There were only five of us on our long boat. Two guys from Paris - France, Paul from Cambridge, a farmer, Min from China, a teacher, and me. The driver didn't speak much English but it didn't really matter and he looked after us well - particularly Min who needed a life jacket and a rubber ring - he ended up pulling her around with a rope.

The first part was a journey out to sea where the waves were splashing into the long boat. It was really fun.

We were taken to four different snorkelling sights off different islands around Koh Lipe. The first was in quite deep water but the coral there was so vibrant and beautiful! Min had a camera that could go underwater and the driver took pictures and video, diving down to film the fish. We went to further shallower places and it was so relaxed - we weren't rushed and I enjoyed the snorkelling much more.

These were tiny clown fish - or 'Nemo' - they were so cute, bobbing in and out of the sea anemone.

There were a lot of the spiky sea urchins I'd seen at the aquarium

And this a baby jelly fish

....and this strange creature....

I could hear a crackling noise as I snorkelled and apparently this is a sign of a healthy ecosystem where thousands of tiny shrimp are snapping away. There were so many brightly coloured fish, chasing each other and feeding off the coral. 

Here's a film made up of shots from Min's camera

She is such a sweet girl, but I think it's a shame the way Chinese Asian people are so afraid of the sun and the sea on their skin. She was covered from head to toe, even wearing socks and gloves! 

She was kind, to send me the pictures and video though. This one really shows how clear the water was

This was where we stopped for lunch - chicken and rice - and we had plenty of water and watermelon on the boat.

I came back feeling so elated but also chilled from such a nice trip!

Island locals houses:

I think this is - or was - a bar........but I'm not sure.

Later I went to North point beach where I fell asleep in the shade. The sunset there would have been lovely, but there was too much cloud. I lost my hat, then found it again, then got lost in the dark looking for the main road back to walking street. I bumped into a Danish couple who were also lost and we found the road together.

The Thai food so far has been amazing and I had fish fried in Thai spices - delicious!