It should have been 6 days of learning to dive on the paradise island of Koh Tao in southern Thailand, but the weather had other plans. The 18 students and 3 staff from the Australian International School Hong Kong arrived at the start of the worst flooding to hit southern Thailand in 40 years. With their direct flight from HK to Koh Samui diverted to Bangkok due to strong cross winds, it was an ominous start. So already a day behind due to the flights, we chose to start the academic sessions at the World Resort in the north of Koh Samui. The PADI Open Water course consists of 3 sections, Academics, Shallow water training and then 4 open water dives. The rain had been relentless for 3 days and with no break in sight the Wild Planet / Planet Scuba staff began to fear the worse. Our trusty weather forecaster, Widguru, and soon 2 meter waves were eroding the beach in front of our resort. By the end of our first full day most of the theory work had been completed.
With the Lomprayah ferry to Koh Tao cancelled for day 2 due to frightening 3 meter waves and all of our scuba equipment trapped by flood water we chose to finish the academics. Thankfully the students kept their spirits high hoping for a change in the conditions so that we might make it to Koh Tao. As the flood waters rose on the main roads around the resort we were looking increasingly trapped.
A stroke of luck in the form of a 4x4 taxi allowed us to reach the besieged equipment store in time for us to start the pool session on day 3. Just as we thought things were going our way the clouds darkened and we were grateful to make it back to the resort. One half of the group would finish their exams while the others started in the pool. As the students had been able to do little more than study their manuals it was no surprise the average score was 92%. For those in the pool conditions were chilly to say the least. Most managed the first few confined sections but it wasn’t the normal pleasant experience it should be.
As the water levels fell slightly we decided to have a day out of the resort on day 4. The chances of getting to Koh Tao were diminishing and news from the Planet Scuba staff there was not encouraging. The Thai Royal Navy had begun to evacuate tourists who had become trapped on the island. In what appeared more as a publicity stunt than a safe rescue, 500 stranded tourists were flown by helicopter to the nearby aircraft carrier. While we enjoyed 10 pin bowling at the Tesco Lotus complex, hundreds were risking a helicopter ride in 30+ knot winds. We realised the right choice to stay on Samui had been made. As we headed back to the resort after an afternoon shopping in what remained of Chaweng the heavens opened again.
Our last full day looked to be the best yet. Conditions had changed dramatically as predicted by windguru, but the visibility underwater was barely 1 meter! It certainly wasn’t safe enough for training dives so we headed out to the few tourist attractions on Koh Samui that were reachable. After a brief stop to feed the elephants at the Island Safari the group chose to spend time feeding fish their dead skin. The global craze of the ‘Fish Spa‘ has also hit Samui. Having several hundred fish chew the dead skin off my feet isn’t my idea of a spa. But as it made the group smile it seemed worth it. Next stop was the Big Buddha statue and temple complex. Even more shopping opportunities were to be had. Our final stop of the day was the stunning beach at Choeng Mon on the north east tip of the island. It was sadly not as beautiful as normal with grey skies and rolling seas. The group as they had done all week made the most of it. Their final night would be spent in Chaweng at the restaurant of their choice. While most chose McDonalds the Mexican restaurant proved a strong favourite.
The group smiled from start to end even though their dream of scuba diving was not to be realised on this visit. As they flew out from Samui the following morning the sky was blue and already the weather was getting warmer. It was a bitter pill to swallow. The clean-up of the island (and our equipment store) was next on the list for the Wild Planet staff.
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