Business As Usual - Day 4, 5, & 6 with 7

Breanna and I have been running most mornings to get back into a fit lifestyle and where better than along the beach. The road along Kata Beach has been great at motivating us MOST mornings.
Last night we went to the Full Moon Party on Karon beach and had an absolute blast. Tim from my IDC class, Breanna and I spent a few hours there an even had the chance to send up a wish balloon (not sure what its called but check out the video). The Thai people really know how to celebrate a regular occurrence with all night parties at the beach .
Bre took her first trip with me to Le Meridian today to see what the resort is like and absolutely loved it. She was blown away by how tranquil the beach was that she wanted to come back the next day as well. We ended up having dinner at the Thai Kitchen again because the owner will make us any of the dishes she has listed with tofu so we have decided to try everything on the menu; tonight was garlic and pepper tofu and yellow curry tofu with vegetables. Wow! Best meal ever!
After we took a walk along the main road and after about 30 offers we finally decided we have to get a Thai massage. We popped into a place that looked busy and the people were happily enjoying their treatments. After some “negotiations” we were escorted to a couples area and were directed to strip to our undies which I was happy to do, ha ha. The whole experience lasted only an hour and when she was done I could go for another. I looked over to Bre who had an interesting expression on her face as I was certain she was going to want one every day. “I am so glad to be alive right now, I thought that lady was going to kill me” she said. She continued her story about the popping, pulling, cracking, and stretching that just took place over the last hour and swore that was the last one she would be getting. I guess I just got lucky but for a $6.50/hour massage I could go for one at least twice a day.
We spent the rest of the night strolling the streets and checking out the shops. We came across the perfect shirt that only people who have been to Thailand would understand. It said on it “No I don’t want a Fu*king massage, suit, or prostitute”.
The next two days were pretty much “same same” as they say here with classroom work for me and days at the beach for Bre. She has already finished her Twilight book and is eagerly looking for the second to begin soon. For now she is passing the days with reading about Buddhism and ways to live a happier more fulfilling life, something I hope to read soon.
Photos (click to see the entire album)

Night 5 Day 6

A Day Off…More diving – Day 7

Bre has been awesome all week with supporting me during my class work and when I told her I had a day off on Saturday I was surprised when she told me she wanted to do a boat dive. The shop owner I am doing my class through basically gave me the day free so it was a deal hard to pass up. We did a two tank dive in Bungalow Bay on Racha Yai Island off the south-east coast of Phuket, Thailand. I don’t know if it was the 83 degree water, the Lion fish, the clown fish playing in the soft corals, or the two dives that were over an hour long but both of us ranked these dives in the top 5 we have ever had.
Today also happens to be the King of Thailand’s birthday, yeah! Wait…all of the bars are closed, no sale of alcohol permitted at all? Boooo.
We had a nice stroll along the beach tonight and a wonderful dinner at one of the only places open. It was almost like we were walking around in a different city tonight. What was once a busy, can’t seem to move around without bumping into anyone type of city has seen its Yang. The Kings birthday. The only thing remotely happening tonight were the firework displays that certain hotels were putting on. Every time we would here a loud bang we would run to our balcony and look for the bright flashing lights and guess how far way each show was.
I also got to spend some time tonight talking to my good friend Neil Romans; bravely flying helicopters in Afghanistan for the US Army. I am happy to report that he is doing well and loves flying everyday although he misses his wife Victoria. We were able to reminisce about SCUBA diving a bit and made some plans for the future that I now look forward to very much.
This next week is going to be busy with more classroom, pool and ocean work so I may have a hard time keeping up with updates. Take care everyone, laa korn ( ลาก่อน , good bye in the Thai language).
Diving day photos (click to see the entire album)

Day 7 - Racha Yoi Boat Dive