I woke up in the middle of the night and flicked an ant or mossie off me but worse was a general feeling of being bitten. Bed bugs, maybe. Our 6:30 pickup arrived at 7:05 an almost full bus. We joked when we first saw it before realising we really did have to squeeze in. Lucky for us it was only a 1.5 hour ride north in cramped conditions to Tablamu a sizeable port (and naval base) on the west coast. Mental note to ask if we can catch the Bangkok bus from here rather than travel back to Phuket. Without instruction we all follow the driver down the dock, collecting another ten people en route.
We wobble onto one of many swish looking passenger speedboats before being informed, as we sat packed like sardines in the back with equipment and supplies, of the 70 minute journey ahead. Despite being told we were staying on the South Siam 3, which sailed off as we approached, we boarded the South Siam 2 which looked a few years older. A cockroach caught my eye. Oh dear. It turned out we dived from this boat three times before transferring to the SS3.
The Similan Islands are tree covered granite outcrops, the edges of which are (large) boulder strewn and a few very picturesque beaches with no obvious developments spoiling them. The Similan Islands. The boulders continue underwater and these large smooth lumps of granite are the main underwater features. There's some good fishlife and our guide, Tjart, is quite good. The boat is mainly Germans and Swiss and we're the only Britons. All the passengers are certified and every dive is a different location even if the Similan Islands are only small and together stretch for only 10 or 20km at most. The boat is heavily overcrowded, though. Slightly better but not much on SS3. This is a better boat but no Blue Shark Two. Never have the good stuff at the start of the trip!
[I'm hopeless with names, the idea of the camera was so we could look the names up and be sure...] Feather Seahorse Zebra or banded lionfish fish Coral Rock Cod flutemouth fish fish hiding in coral... long tailed banner fish fish not hiding in coral... anthias banner fish scorpionfish clam
We change guide for the night dive but don't see a great deal. At least there's free soft drinks (very cold!) and a good supply of beer (B60 per can). For the first time we're sleeping near the generators which are very loud. I dig out the ear plugs -- good job I've been carrying them since we left.
South Siam 3, Donald Duck Bay, Similan Islands N8.66739 E97.64513 Elev. 16m! Donald Duck Bay, Similan Islands
Copyright 2003 Ian Fitchet. All rights reserved.
