Leaving Bangkok for Koh Tao

One of our Tuk Tuk sessions took us to a TAT - Tourism Authority of Thailand - office located on a deserted back street. I'm not sure if our driver got any commission from that office, maybe he was given something even though TAT to my knowledge is a governmental institute; which makes it commission free right?! You never know in Thailand... There were a lot of Thai smiles though - guess that means commission after all.

We had made vague plans about going to the east coast for the initial dives during our three week stay before arriving to the TAT office. One of the islands we had our eyes on was Koh Tao, a small island on the east coast, on the eastern shore of the Gulf of Thailand.

One of the TAT guys (let's call him "Mr Tat") quickly pulled out a number of brochures on diving centers based on the island. Without any real expertise or hard fact we decided on the Crystal Dive Resort and I got myself a nice little voucher from Mr Tat - the Thais are crazy about vouchers in all forms and colors - stating that I had paid for transport, a PADI Advanced Open Water course, and four nights in a room; 2 beds, AC, 500 Bath (app. 100 SEK) per night.

Transport meant night bus. Driven by a Thai cookie monster (he had a box full of cookies beside the steering wheel to keep him company during the night) and cooled with AC. The bus even had a tiny toilet - I didn't even bother to try to use it...

Fortunately no one else was interested in the first level of the bus which contained table and benches. Almost like a big bed. It was perfect for a long night trip on a bumpy road.

Had to wake up once though for a 30 minute break at a bus stop. Toilets, finally! Eh, ok, only the squat toilet variant, but who cares? It's Thailand after all.

The only problem with the night ride was that I got my backpack stuffed with ants. Ants on a bus! Seriously?! Hope that never happens again.