Racha Yai, underwater paradise

Patong has a really nice beach, if you are into them. I thought I should see what all the fuss was, but seeing as how I cant stand sand getting into places it just doesn’t belong, I thought I would do the next best thing and see what was under all that water.

So while Queen Jo-Jo and her harem decided to be one with nature and see the sights from Hefalump-back, I went scuba diving.



Phuket is renowned as one of the best places you can go to scuba dive. I was a bit anxious, as I had never been before, but when I had a chat with the friendly sales-rep at one of the many dive shops located in Patong, he put all my fears to bed. For next to nothing, I could go out for a whole day of sun, surf and really big fish (oh my!), all without any experience to hang my hat on.

After getting up late due to the alarm on the mobile (damn time zones!) I rushed out front, eagerly awaiting my pickup. Could have had my cuppa as it turned out, the ride was late. Anyway, feeling a bit grumpy, he finally turns up. I pile into the mini-van, and get to chatting with my new dive-buddies. Good mix of people, all friendly, and even a couple of Aussies!

We board a large boat run by the friendly team Scandinavian Diver, down at Chalong Bay, and proceeded out to our dive site, off the coast of a little island called Racha Yai. An hour later, we were getting rigged up. For some reason they had gotten my size wrong, so no wet-suit for me. Not caring though, as the water was a balmy 25 degrees C.



I was told a few basics by my instructor, the very helpful Kristian, and then I was waddling to the edge of the boat, with what felt like 100 kilos of lead on my back. Straight down to the bottom first, have to do a bit of training with the breathing regulator.



After a few false starts with the weights (I kept floating up!), I was as ready as I was going to get. A bit panicky with the breathing, but it seemed to settle down pretty quick, as I kept getting distracted by all the amazing sights.



It was another world down there, like slowly flying by as the world passed beneath me. Visibility was awesome, at least 30 meters.



There were fish galore, too many to count. Corals, anemones and other stuff I can’t even begin to name. After 40 minutes, which felt like just 5, I had to ascend as my air was getting low.
Up goes a flag so the boat knows where we are, and before you know it. I was back aboard.



After a lengthy lunch break, I was ready for more. Down we went again, this time a bit deeper – 12 meters or so, as I am just a newbie. This dive was even better, as I could concentrate more on the sights, and less on how goofy I felt in the giant flippers.



It wasn’t long before we came across a sea snake. I got within a foot of it, to see better - I didn’t think about it until a lot later, but they are very deadly (and me being petrified of snakes too!).

Again it was over too quickly. This time the boat was a long way off, and I spent the next 30 minutes treading water, getting pulled further and further away from the island. All ended well, just as I thought they would have to send out the search boat, the captain saw us, and back aboard safe I was.

Highly recommended, and I will definitely be back for more.