Crystal Dive Resort

A quick tour around the Crystal Dive Resort at Koh Tao.

The "main" road leading up to the resort. It's actually more into than up to the resort since the resort is built around the road which is far from "main".

The resort's main building which holds a small office, an even smaller dive shop, a spacious pub (eh... might be that you need more space when you have had a few beers or something), and a storage room for all dive equipment.

Same building, different angle. Dive equipment storage room entrance and some barrels for rinsing the equipment.

Happy dive master number #973954 reporting for duty in the small office; that's the PADI reference number.

Another view from the small office. Nice. I could get used to a view like this if it was offered at my office. Let's see, I need a desk by the window and a beach, that's all. Nah, skip the window, just move my desk to the beach.

One of the walkways in the resort's bungalow area. All kinds of creatures were present, not just us - saw a huge lizard that quickly disappeared under a bush when I approached it.

Our - at least for a few days - bungalow. Got three beds; me and Per shared it with another guy from Sweden that we met on the night bus down from Bangkok to Koh Tao.

We started with a fan-only bungalow but quickly decided that an upgrade to the air conditioned version would be a smart move. The upgrade costed 300 Thai Bath (60 SEK, 9 USD) per night for the whole room; we split that on three so it was nothing.

http://www.crystaldive.com/

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.

Bangkok Police Department

Action shot of Bangkok's finest. One police man ready to take off. One police man gently stroking the synthetic fabric of the cushion.

The bus picture outlines what most likely is a secret meeting between police men and undercover police men (the bus to the right in the picture). They are either discussing infiltration techniques or just hanging out. It's difficult to say from the angle the picture was taken...

Honestly, what do I know about that?! I'm a simple man, not part of any police force even though some Thai people suggested that with my length (almost 2 m) I surely must be - "Mister, you must be a police, a real super cop"...

Yeah sure, I can be your cop. Apply Thai smile.

Green oases in Bangkok

Squeezed in between roads propped with Taximeter cars and noisy Tuk Tuks you'll find quiet green oases perfectly hidden away in the midst of central Bangkok.

The city is flooded with Buddha statues of various sizes. Small Buddha. Big Buddha. Even Bigger Buddha. Standing Buddha. Sitting Buddha. Almost Sleeping Buddha. Sleeping Buddha. The only variant I didn't see - expected one though - was a Tuk Tuk Buddha. Maybe on the next trip...

Note that bringing a statue on the flight home without a specific license from the Dep. of Fine Arts is not recommended due to customs regulations - most tourists (including me) don't have a clue about that. You don't want to end the trip with a permanent stay at Bangkok Hilton.

The temple areas are perfect places to escape from Tuk Tuk drivers trying to sell you a ride to the next tailor shop. It's most relaxing - bring a bottle of water and you can stay for as long as you like without being forced to leave the area due to dehydration and the necessary quest for a 7-eleven store.

Tip: Take the 10 Thai Bath Tuk Tuk tour if you can't decide / don't know which temples to visit.

Tuk Tuk for 10 Thai Bath

This is how it usually goes when a white man (haven't been to the beach yet since it's only the second day of the trip so there's no suntan to speak of) is being introduced to the cunning world of Tuk Tuk commerce in Bangkok.

White man being approached by a free Tuk Tuk driver:

"Tuk Tuk?! Tuk Tuk?!"
"We're you going Sir?"
"We're you come from Boss?"
"Swajden? Haj, guddag, tjennare Mister"
"You been in Thailand before Sir?"
"You seen Big Buddha temple Boss?"
"No, that place is closed Mister."
"No that place is very pricy. I know better place Sir."
"Special celebration. Only today. Must take you there now Boss."
"10 Thai Bath, special price for you my friend. Happy hour Mister."

10 Bath, yeah right... Ok, I'll go. It only costs 10 Bath which is like 2 SEK. It's nothing. How bad can it be? Let's try it out.

The driver. Doesn't he looks a bit fishy - is this really the way to the temple we agreed on? Well, I have no idea and I don't think Per knows. Bangkok is after all a big city and this is our first time in it.

Ok, there was a big Buddha statue at the first stop. Good. Seems like we, after all, are in control of this ride.

And there we lost it... For 10 Thai Bath you don't just get the temples. It was a trap. You get, even if you don't want it or need it or ask for it, a ride to a local tailor where you're supposed to order a suit, or why not two suits. The driver gets a small commission from every such stop. It's tailors, jewellers, export shops (no idea what that is - I guess they sell something), clock shops - you name it...

I actually ordered 3 pair of pants in the tailor shop on the picture. Had to try it. It was good quality and "special price for me" since I was the "Boss".

Summary: It's a never-ending story for 10 Bath with a lot of Thai smiles and a few Mister, Boss, and Sir thrown in. The ride is fast (and secure? no, it's not) and noisy and the first round is fun. Don't take a refill though. You'll just see more of same same.

Tip: To escape from a tailor shop - this can actually be a bit tricky in Thailand, they are very committed to sell you something - ask for their business card and tell them that you'll get back when you have decided what to buy. Don't forget to fake a big Thai smile.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuk-tuk

30 degrees Celsius in Bangkok

Just arrived in Bangkok for a three week stay in Thailand with Per Edin, colleague and dive buddy. Initially we're staying at the New World Lodge Hotel near the well-known backpacking district.

Sign just outside the hotel pointing out the backpacking district and a nearby temple.

Since nothing, except the flights to and from Thailand, was planned before the trip we'll have to take a few cold Chang / Singha beers and discuss what to do and where to go from here.

And yeah, it's warmer here than in Sweden at this time of the year. It was around ten degrees Celsius in Sweden when we left... That's end of October in southern Sweden - still possible to play golf though.