Kimi B Ley

Reef Rescue :Coral Nursery (Phi Phi Ley)

2008-06-30T10:44:00.043Z

I have written previously on the subject of the coral nursery located by Table Coral City on Phi Phi Ley, a joint research project and initiative headed up by the PMBC (Phuket Marine Biological Center) and Andrew Hewwitt (The Adventure Club).

Background: The concept behind this nursery is the use of forestation techniques to remove small coral fragments from donor colonies and suspend them on nursey racks above the substrate aiding reproduction and monitored growth with a reduced threat from corallivoes (e.g. parrotfish, crown of thorns etc.) Once these fragments reach an appropriate size they are then transplanted out onto the surrounding reefs (as in December 2007 archives).

Unfortunately this month around the 13th June, it was noticed by our divemaster Ya that the nursery had sustained some unspecified damage so Jon and I set out to investigate and ascertain what the damage was and if there were any temporary measures we could instigate until such time as Andrew Hewwitt or Doctor Nalinee from the PMBC could come over. There are 2 nursery racks, each approximately 2 metres by 10 metres, suspended by ropes screwed in to the sea floor and bouyed up by inner tubing and bouys under each palette. These ordinarily then lay horizontally at around 8 meters underwater (so at a 90 degree angle).

Somewhat laiden down with an extra tank and reg. set, a liftbag, rope, some mooring buoys, hammers, and all gloved up we arrived to what you see below. The northern rack instead of looking like this "-" vaguely resembled an "s" on its side. One end remained as it should be but the other was hanging down to the sea bottom. The Southern rack had flipped towards one side so was at a 180 degree angle.

It took us approx. 35 minutes to analyse what the problems were, and it appeared that one rope had gone, another was completely entangled and that there was insufficient uplift or buoying left. We hammered away at some of the molluscs which had attached themselves to the buoys and tubing under the rack and worked our way carefully amongst the ropes and lines to dis-entangle them which added some lift to the northern rack. The southern rack required a little more planning and work, so we attached a lift bag to the central rope on one side of the rack and started to inflate until we arrived at the desired angle. We then tied a new length of rope (which happened to be climbing rope...just as a temp. fix!) between this rack, a sea screw and the other rack in a V shape.

We added a few extra small buoys to this rack on what had been the fallen side and released the air from the lift bag...all was temporarily at least as it should be again thankfully!!!

I am pleased to report that last week Andrew and some members of the Greenfins organisation managed to spend the day on the nursery, and have fully replaced all the ropes and removed more molluscs so that all is better than new:)

Global Shark Assessment

2008-06-15T09:45:00.005Z

Divers: You have very valuable experience and information that can be put to good use in scientific surveys. Many of you may know that the number of Marine Protected Areas and no-take zones have increased dramatically in recent years, so we need new methods (alternatives to fishing) to determine how species are responding to protection.

Why is this important?

Sharks are an essential component of marine ecosystems; yet, human pressure has put many species at dangerously low abundance levels. Determining what tools (e.g. Marine Protected Areas, coastal development, undisturbed nurseries, fishing regulations, etc.) are best for their survival will be essential for restoring, at least in part, these systems to their former resilience.

Project Description:

A group of researchers including Christine Ward-Paige are part of a working group that is conducting a Global Shark Assessment to evaluate how shark populations have changed since the beginning of industrial scale fishing, and to make predictions about how these populations will respond to global climate change and to different methods of fishing and protection.

Specifically, they are using scuba diver's observations to census shark populations at different spatial and temporal scales via two surveys: Historical Sightings Survey (HSS) and Current Sightings Survey (CSS).

The study will not only provide valuable information about where sharks are surviving, but it will also show that scuba divers can provide valuable information that is comparable to that provided by fishermen or volunteers in the Breeding Bird Survey.

WHY would you want to fill out a survey?

With overwhelming evidence that shark populations have declined dramatically over the last 50 years, there are still places where some shark species are persisting and even thought to be thriving. Identification of these species and areas is an important step in determining the best method for recovery. In a time when the number of no-take zones and fishing restrictions are increasing, there is a need for acquiring data through alternative, non-extractive methods. All scuba divers/snorkelers that have been in the ocean can help with this effort.

WHO can help?

ANYONE that has ever dived/snorkeled in the ocean! There are two surveys: Historical Sightings Survey (HSS) and the Current Sightings Survey (CSS). Ideal candidates for the HSS are dive professionals or recreational divers. Since preliminary interviews suggested that most dive professionals do not keep logbooks, the survey asks divers to report their sightings and effort from memory. Preliminary research suggested that divers could recall the level of detail being asked in the HSS with reasonable accuracy; however, divers that do have logbooks are being encouraged to fill out the survey from memory and then with the logbook to get an estimate of error.

CSS gets divers to report sightings (or no sightings) for each dive. This survey is more specific and detailed than the HSS. All ocean going divers (professionals, recreational, and tourists) are candidates for this survey. CSS is not to be filled out from memory, it is for dives that you have environmental and sightings information for (either you have just done this dive or it is recorded in a logbook)- again it must include dives where you did and did not see sharks.

HOW to help?

1) Fill out the online survey- it should ONLY take a few minutes (1-2 minutes per area) by clicking on the logo above, OR 2) Send Christine an email (globalshark@gmail.com) and she'll send you an excel survey. THEN forward this survey to as many divers or dive shops that you can- the more people that fill out this survey the more we will know about the sharks people see.

Holland and Barrett are selling shark products!

2008-05-30T10:25:00.002Z

A close friend of mine, Keith Muncie has just returned to the UK, and in his local Holland and Barrett health store, found they are selling products made from Sharks, specifically cartilage.

By stocking this Holland and Barrett are giving a psychological acceptance to the slaughter of our sharks, not to mention actively indulging in the trade. He complained to the manager and emailed them.

Holland and Barretts reply was:

“Holland & Barrett takes the threat and welfare to endangered species very seriously and would not be selling any product that contained a by product of an endangered species of shark which is listed on the World conservation Union's Red List of Threatened Species.”

“Shark cartilage is a hugely popular dietary supplement used by thousands of our customers. It is taken by customers who say that it benefits their health with ailments such as arthritis. There is also clinical evidence that back up such claims, which suggest that the shark cartilage product combats pain relief of debilitating conditions such as Osteoarthritis.”

Hmmmmm !
Unbelievable!

A huge UK based store selling products made from shark fins? Over 200 million sharks are slaughtered every year, just for their fins, so stores like Holland and Barrett can increase profits. The live shark is usually thrown overboard to die a slow and painful, finless death. Pointless!

Please take a few minutes, like Keith suggested to me, to email H&B customerservices@hollandandbarrett.com to express you utter disgust, protest to your local stores, anything to get the point across. Lets take some action, try and make a difference. It just takes a minute or two, send an email, please. We all love to see Sharks but every year their numbers decline.

As the slogan goes... "WHEN THE BUYING STOPS THE KILLING WILL TOO!"

Also pass this on to as many people who might find this interesting.

Lets do our bit to help
Many thanks

Klong Thom: Hot Springs

2008-05-08T11:59:00.001Z

Jon and I recently headed off for a wee holiday from Phi Phi. We collected his trusty stead from Krabi town and decided to roadtrip round to Ko Lanta catch up with some friends, eat some different food and then roadtrip back. Our first stop was about half way round at the Hot Springs in Klong Thom, and after an hour on the back of that bike it was more than welcome!!!

Nui Beach Ko Lanta

2008-05-08T11:54:00.000Z

Lanta Old Town

2008-05-08T11:16:00.000Z

Chang (Elephant)

2008-05-08T11:10:00.000Z

The Emerald Pool "Sra Morakot" Klong Thom

2008-05-08T11:07:00.001Z

Krabi : Boat racing

2008-05-08T11:04:00.000Z

In these photos you can see Khao Khanap Nam, the 100m high hills rising from the water and the symbol of Krabi. If you look to the left of these hills you can just make out Wat Tham Seua (Tiger Cave Temple - look for the golden pagoda), one of Thailand's most famous forest Wats, 1272 steps up to the top of a karst hill surrounded by 1000 year old dipterocarps. Jon and I reached the temple grounds at just about the hottest part of the day so didn't attempt the climb on this occassion, but did receive blessings from one of the thai nun's there in the complex.

Jon and I were fortunate enough to arrive back into Krab town on one of the boat racing days.

Songkran 2008...A happy and wet Thai new year!!!

2008-04-13T11:16:00.000Z

2008-04-13T11:15:00.000Z

2008-04-13T11:13:00.000Z

2008-04-13T11:12:00.000Z

2008-04-13T11:11:00.000Z

2008-04-13T11:09:00.000Z

2008-04-13T11:07:00.000Z

Generalness

2008-03-26T12:16:00.013Z

I do honestly keep intending to actually write something instead of just posting up photos but time passes superquick on this crazy lil island!!! It has been a superbusy high season and I'm diving pretty much every day, and then teaching theory or confined skills so time at the computer is pretty scarce!!! There's so many funny little tales too but I am limited on time again today so they will have to wait for another time. Lots of old friends have been out to visit and dive and catch up though which rocks, and Evan arrived today, that crazy kiwi oostybags so we start his courses tomorrow YEAH!!! (After a rather tasty bbq of fresh fish that Jon has just nipped into the market to get for tonight). Yep so Hughbert was out here, Claude is over at the moment, Macky, Louis and Lara were over for a bitty, Davekat arrives in a few weeks and Twila and Leo at the end of April...as well as Clare having been around quite a lot and randomly bumping into Gavin from years ago...it's all goooooood:)

So here are a couple of diving pics:

Lionfish

Hawksbill Turtle

Anemone Crab

Barracuda

Banded Seasnake

Batfish

White eye moray eel

Frogfish

Ornate ghostpipefish

Some random pics

2008-03-26T11:01:00.000Z

And just prettiness...

2008-03-17T03:22:00.001Z

Karma, Ko Lipe

2008-03-17T03:20:00.000Z

And back to Lipe

2008-03-17T03:18:00.000Z

Langkawi

2008-03-17T03:17:00.000Z

Ko Adang

2008-03-17T03:16:00.000Z

More Ko Rok

2008-03-17T03:15:00.000Z

Ko Rok

2008-03-17T03:13:00.000Z

Those pics!

2008-03-17T03:12:00.000Z

More pics from Ko Rok, Langkawi, Lipe and Lanta

2008-03-16T11:21:00.002Z

More Piccies

Kimi's Kratong

2008-03-15T10:42:00.005Z

Ya and Lisa being creative

Whilst on a bit of a photographic catch-up, here is my kratong from Loy Kratong last year (in November so am a bit behind here...oops)...Ya and P Nok sat outside teaching us how to make our own to send off to sea...not bad for my first effort eh?

Lipe, Lanta and Langkawi...

2008-03-15T10:33:00.001Z

Apologies again for my tardiness...muchos diving etc., been happening out on this wee island. I did a week off recently though which was superfab. Clare, P Nok and I sailed down to Ko Lipe on Brian's sailboat, stopping off at Ko Rok and Adang on the way. Clare and I then hopped on over to Langkawi for a visa stamp, I spent a couple of lovely (but over too quick) days at Karma Bar catching up with a lot of the old skoolers before a night in Ko Lanta and then back here. I do keep intending on writing more but it really is a very busy high season here and I've been working on some PADI Award criteria etc., blah,blah...hehehe. Thinking of you all though, oh and incidentally I cut my hair back supershort now to any of those who actually know me;)
I will add in more photos soon...

Koh Lipe

Ko Lanta pics

2008-03-15T10:18:00.002Z

Ko Lanta

Relax Bay - Ko Lanta

Kimi's tour around Blue View Divers

2008-01-29T06:34:00.003Z

Okay so welcome to a wee tour around Blue View Divers, and therefore my day...

Blue View Divers Shop

The View from our Shop (not too shabby eh?)

Part of our Classroom

Inside Blue View (some of our marine conservation certificates and info.)

Kathleen - our traditional longtail boat, custom made by local tradesmen in Krabi from local hardwood specifically for diving. She's a quick and ecologically sound option, equipped with tank racks and easy to moor onto mooring buoys at the dive sites. Kathleen enables us to access the small beaches and lagoons and is able to be beached for our surface intervals.

When in Thailand dive the thai way!!!!

Blue View Divers...

2008-01-28T04:55:00.001Z

Bamboo and Mosquito Island, Ko Phi Phi

2008-01-28T04:35:00.002Z

Some shots around Maya

2008-01-27T13:24:00.001Z

A few crimbo piccies...

2008-01-27T09:23:00.000Z

Jon doing a fab. impression of the grinch!!!

Jon, Me and Vou dog full of christmas spirit

Some of the Blue Viewers....

Christmas Love and Wishes to All

2007-12-24T08:01:00.000Z

Blue View Divers clean up regularly...

2007-12-11T11:11:00.000Z

Blue View Divers has recently started daily beach clean-ups during our surface intervals when out diving for the day. Particularly around Maya Bay (given its shape and location) a lot of plastic, styrofoam and other non-biodegradable debris is washed up onto the beaches from the surrounding areas. Note to tourists: this is a marine park please stop throwing your cigarettes, bottles etc. off the boats!!!

So far we are very encouraged by the response this has been eliciting from other people unrelated to the dive school on the beaches at these times...many come up and thank us, and some even ask is they can help us and join in!!! Generally we can fill a black bin liner in under 10 minutes, and it comes back with us to the island where it is disposed of appropriately.

Phi Phi Clean-up Days...

2007-12-11T10:34:00.001Z

On the occassion of H.M. King Bhumibol, who truly inspires and works with and for his people's, 80th birthday Ko Phi Phi hosted a 3 day clean-up operation. (A small trivia aside: King Bhumibol, the 9th King of Thailand, is the longest reigning monarch in world history).

On day 1 (3rd December) Ya, Linda (a customer who had been diving with us for a number of weeks) and I joined the Coral Transplantation Group. Approx. 10 months ago Andrew Hewitt (of the Adventure Club and Phi Phi Dive Camp) in partnership with the Phuket Marine Biological Center, the National Institute of Oceanography in Israel, and supported by the European Commission created a coral nursery near Phi Phi Ley. The nursery consists of racks and mesh trays suspended above the substrate, allowing juvenile coral fragments removed from donor colonies to grow with a reduced threat from sedimentation and corallivoes.

Rehabilitation sites (between the depths of 6 and 13 metres on the site of Table Coral City)had been marked out for us with small buoys and string and photographed. The transplantation involves locating natural burrows in the hard substrate (or large dead corals) and then using a nail and hammer, or handscrew, to enlarge the burrow to the size of the coral fragment's lower tip (which is enclosed in a plastic tube). Approx. 1 inch of this lower tip is inserted into the hole with the living part of the coral fragment then touching the substrate. A bamboo stick may also be inserted as a wedge to ensure that the fragment stays tightly in place against water motion and fish attempting to feed. If properly installed the fragments start to build a calcium carbonate base and attach themselves to the substrate within one month. These juvenile fragments will grow and in time fuse together.

On the more experiential aspect of this we had a great time although this was HARD work!!! A 103 minute dive and 87 minute dive later I was pretty achey. The increased resistance of water as opposed to air means that hammering into hard substrate takes some doing!!!And on land I guess I must use my weight or body as resistance when I'm using a screw, so it was trial and error working out how to do so underwater where in effect I was weightless!! Once I had the technique though I was pretty satisfied with my efforts, and Linda's assistance in passing me all the tools I needed whilst maintaining neutral buoyancy. We also had to ensure that the fragments are inserted not too near living or different types of coral as these may actually attack each other...

Day 2 involved Lisa, Tee and Bell joining the Long Beach dive site clean-up, bringing up marine debris.

Day 3: Keira, Bell and Tee were involved in cleaning up the underwater tsunami memorial and then in the release of clownfish (nemo's) into vacant anemones. Around 1000 clownfish were shipped over from a Krabi fish farm and divers took them down in jamjars, located anemones with no clownfish living in them and introduced them hoping for appropriate habitat and the ensuing symbiotic relationship. Bell in particular loved this day, and I quite wish I could have gone along too!!!

Catch up from the tiny tropical island

2007-12-02T08:46:00.002Z

Well I've been somewhat lax again at keeping this updated eh? I have been back in Thailand, living on Ko Phi Phi again since mid-september being a professional beach bum and scuba instructor again (working at Blue View Divers)...it is sooo much better than splendid!!! It's been my birthday, Ya's birthday, Loy Kratong and general happy,happy, joy,joy times. I've taught many a fun person to dive too and will get round to writing more soonest!! However as of tomorrow we are involved in a 3 day clean-up operation in celebration of the King's birthday here, tomorrow I'm out transplanting juvenile corals from the artificial reef for starters...will let you know how it all goes but in the meantime here's a few shots from so far...

Leopard Shark

Lionfish

One of my Open Water students (Anne-Marie) with a Hawksbill Turtle

Little Tigertail Seahorse I found on Palong North

Lisa, Cian, Me, Ya, P Nok and Vou dog

Ya and Vou dog

PP peeps reunite: The Orchard

2007-07-30T17:13:00.000Z

Awwww it's the end of an uber-splendid weekend up at The Orchard, Eastbury, scene of the West Housewarming, Sue's bday and Clare's leaving bbq...

Soooo many of my fav. peeps made it to Clare's: Twila, Leo, John, Maria, Keith, Laura and Thomas(made in pp), Jenny and Neill, Sophie (hardcore lady made it down from Edinburgh!), Andy...as well as the West clan, Sue, Peter, Andrew(aka the man, the legend :Adam West made it over from Jersey too), George, Toby and superfast Alfie...

There was the pre-party party including the obligatory humpy hugs from Neill for an unsuspecting Sue, and a copious amount of alc-i-hol did floweth as we descended en masse down the local...

Come the actual party day, we left poor Maria in bed afflicted with a near-terminal case of vino hangover, Clare had a projectile vom incident upon waking and preparation commenced. Pimms on the lawn, croquet (kudos to Tobi for valliantly attempting to teach these malcontents the actual rules), scones, bbq, trips over to see Jake the horse, some amazing (near-olympian standard)facial gymnastics from Jenny and the odd trip to the local made for a fab, and on ocassion messy weekend:)

A few personal highlights:

Sophie almost garroting herself as she attempted to dodge the tent guy-ropes...

Jenny deciding the party wasn't over and talking swedish loudly to herself in the bathroom, followed by a thorough search of the kitchen, opening and even ocassionally closing the drawers and cabinets...meaning I put her to bed 4 times!!!

Pete marching straight up to Neill as he was about to take a croquet shot, standing directly in the way and asking "Red wine old boy?" carrying a bottle and glass...

Somerset...Piers Simon Appeal

2007-07-10T12:25:00.000Z

www.pierssimonappeal.org

Okay, so Clare had been in contact on her return to englandshire with Cecilia Simon, mother to Piers Simon, who died in the tsunami, and subsequently set up a foundation in his honour. The foundation funded much of the dive camp, and house builds on the island. Anyway, asides from being an amazing person, she and her husband Harry, hosted a mini festival at their farm in Somerset, July 7th, with all moneys raised going to phi phi and other tsunami related projects... these people work from the ground, and make sure the money goes to the right places.

6 bands, a load of booze, cream teas for the older members..there was camping on the grounds...so Clare rallied the troops and pulled together a great group of us pp peeps.

Well after weeks of frankly no-show shite british summer weather we had a gorgeous clear,blue,hot,sunny day for the revelries. I met a well-prepared Clare, Glen and Aidan at Salisbury station for our road trip down Somerset way...equipped of course with a variety of pasties (Clare has been lapping up the pasty-ness during her stay), and beer. As an aside I was very relieved to hear from Aidan et al. that the London Dungeon (one of the sights visited earlier in the week) remains scarey and darned good...relieved as I remember visiting it as a wee one and being scared in a good way and wanted to check if it was just coz I was young and impressionable as opposed to the cynical aged old bird I am now..hehehe;)

Anyhoo back to it...the first hour or so was spent erecting the biggest tent I've ever seen, no mean feat for 4 people that have never seen it up. The West Manor as I have christened it is a 10mx10m shelter which can sleep 16, park a landrover in the middle of it and has 4 space-type bedroom pods coming off each corner...it rocks and is an amazing festival tent!!! So all settled and with Clare's family now arrived too, Pete and Sue West, Tobi, George and Alfie (and dogs) we started on the cider-a-thon!!! Oh yes, this be Somerset and the cider did floweth!!!

Shortly thereafter Dan the Man and his Lovely Lady Lou arrived from Yeovil about 10 miles away(which may not sound much but is impressive since allegedly he struggles to find his house from Sainsburys). Next came lil Jenny and James in their rather splendid cowboy hats (which Dan did his dammedest to acquire) and we were a full compliment. From here on in it all turned into a camp-a-drink-a-thon, and even I who have not touched cider in about 16 years enjoyed the local wares;) To be honest at one point I may have scurried/stumbled to retrieve a spare camera battery from my wing of the West Manor Tent and fallen akip for an hour...oops!

We all pretty much rocked-out, drank muchos and had a very, very cool time catching up and dicking around in the middle of a field in England (which is one of those odd but cool things when your connection to each other is an island the other side of the planet).

Oh kudos to the Simons obviously and to Micheal Eavis for turning up and showing his support too.

Snakebite

2007-06-24T08:52:00.000Z

Okay so this is immensely random but 100% true...I arrived full of enthusiasm (heavey on the sarcasm yet again- when will blogger get round to adding tone of voice?) for another night shift last night. During handover I was surmarily advised that one of our residents, who happens to have a teeney,tiny alcohol problemo had been bitten by a snake!!! it transpires that whilst under the influence at a friends house he had been handlng their pet snake, which just so happens to be an illegally imported member of the viper family. The snake appears to have taken umbrage and he has 2 he-uge fang marks on his arm!!!! An ambulnace was called and he was deposied on the pavement outside (since the pet snake is illegal...smart cookies eh?)
Fortunately he arrived at hospital within 7 minutes of the bite and had anti-venom administered which was just as well as he was informed it would have killed him otherwise!!! The bite made his right arm swell up massively and due to the venom being sunk directly into his vein he immediatley passed out....anyway the point I'm meandering slowly towards is that on coming round in the hospital his response was " that's not quite what I expect when I order a snakebite" hahahahahahahaha!!!! HONESTLY..this really is not a joke!!! Sometimes my job fills me with joy peeps:)

Sharm-ing in general

2007-06-20T01:09:00.000Z

Clare and I apres-dive chillaxing

Over the last year more than a few farang (westerners) in both Thailand and now Egypt believe on first sight that Clare and I are sisters...flattering, but neither of us really see it...This holiday Clare, Twila and I decided that for ease and comfort we were Leo's 3 wives (lucky bugger eh?hehehe) obviously with Twila being wife number 1. Now please accept this as my purely personal opinion from subjective experience over the 3 times I've visited Egypt, but I find myself in a constant state of discomfort, defensiveness and agitiation around egyptian men. Perhaps it's because they repress their own women so much but they pretty much look at you and treat you as if you are a whore there for their amusement and are damn rude with it-yuck!

I generally disliked Na'ama Bay, except for the dive college. It is very touristy, with a main strip akin to my imaginary vision of Benidorm or some other such delight (being heavy on the sarcastic tone). Neon lights, a Hard Rock Cafe, TGI Fridays, Pacha, Pizza Hut, KFC...getting the picture? And the inability to walk further than about 4 steps without someone trying to sell you something, pull you into their full of tourist-tat shop or get you an extortionately priced taxi.

I would defo. return to Egypt for a diving holiday but only if it were a liveaboard trip (which would also allow me to dive the Thistlegorm again as a night dive...oooo, eerie)

Sharm el Sheikh: 3rd-10th June (The divey bit)

2007-06-20T01:02:00.000Z

A few pics still to be added, but getting there:)

Leo, Me, Clare and Twila (My girls from Phi Phi, and Leo;))

Alrighty then, Leo had booked a dive package with Red Sea Diving College, Na'ama Bay, since Twila and him had worked in Honduras with one of the instructors working there. I would wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone considering diving around Sharm, and wish in particular to express big thanks to Angela and Hooch.

Monday 4th June
Local Diving, Sharm El Sheikh
Dive Site: Ras Umm Sid
Max. Depth:21.3m
Average Depth:12.5m
Duration/Bottom Time:55mins
Beautiful viz., fabulous gorgonian sea fan forest.

Surface Interval: 2.30
Dive Site: Far Garden
Max. Depth:21.3m
Ave. Depth:14.6m
Bottom Time: 55 mins.

Ras Mohammed

2007-06-19T23:56:00.001Z

Tuesday June 5th
Ras Mohammed

Dive Site:Raz Ghozlani
Max. Depth: 30.1m
Ave. Depth: 17m
Bottom Time: 51mins

S.I.:1.16
Dive Site:Shark Reef & Yolanda
Max. Depth: 27.4m
Ave. Depth: 12.5m
B.T.: 66mins

Met Dave the turtle, quite a celebrity in those there parts!!!Dave is hawksbill turtle and regular sight to divers in this area. In January this year, an instructor from Red Sea Diving College was contacted by Sinai Protectorate Wildlife Unit as Dave had suffered injuries to his shell, caused by a boat propeller at the end of last year, and was becoming progressively unhealthier despite efforts to keep his wound dry and clean. With the permission of the National Park the staff at the diving college erected a stone-walled base enclosure topped with heavy plastic netting and rope, within his natural habitat; warm, clean water continuously flowing. Although weak Dave could float and breathe unaided, and the staff started a daily ritual of initially tube-feeding, and then hand feeding Dave. Turtles must eat with their head at a 45 degree angle, and maintain this position for 5 mins. after feeding, so a few staff were needed!!! Along with vitamin and antibiotic injections, and proper wound care Dave quickly regained his strength. A fibreglass cast of his shell was then made, covering but not directly applied to the wound so that Dave can heal from within...the fibreglass should at some point come free. He has now been released back to his old stomping grounds where we came across the plucky chap...aaaah!!

As for the Yolanda part of the name...this is wreck for tec-divers...but it's cargo of toilets, baths, tiles and lino are at around the 20m-ish mark, stacked together and now artificial reefs covered in such delights as fire coral, home to scorpionfish, stonefish and lionfish, and a convenient resting place for blue-spotted rays. This is a wicked dive site, espcially hanging out in the azure blue...

S.S. Thistlegorm

2007-06-19T23:54:00.000Z

Wednesday 6th June (Clare and I)
EARLY start, 4.30am pick-up!!!! Sweet Baby Je-he-sus we're a dedicated bunch eh? Clare and I were sensible enough to take Angela's advice and bring a blanket, so as soon as we'd set up our equipment we laid down on the bow under the blanket as the sun came up, approx. 3.5 -4 hours rest prior to reaching the Thistlegorm...mmm, zzz...

Okay so the history, The S.S. Thistlegorm was constructed as a Merchant Navy Vessel for the war efforts in 1940. 126m in length she was to carry munitions and supplies out to allied troops, the 8th Army, in Alexandria. Due to ze germans occupying a large portion of the Med. she had to sail around the Cape to the Red Sea. Along with her escort she, and approx. 9 other ships, were told to wait at Shag Rock for further instructions since there had been a collision at the mouth to the Suez. On october 5 1941, 2 german bomber aircraft were sent out on a mission from Crete to locate and bomb a large troop carrier, the Queen Mary, however she was not within their fuel range. As such, the pilots were told to fire on the largest allied target they came across; the Thistlegorm. 2 bombs were released hitting hold 4, detonnating much of the ammunition on board. Sadly 9 men lost their lives.

Dive Site: S.S. Thistlegorm(exterior)
Wreck Dive
Max. Depth:27.4m
Ave. Depth:17.3m
B.T.: 42mins
24 degrees

A great dive, the blast zone was very apparent. Anti-aircraft guns, machine guns, the caterpillar tracks for tanks, the locomotive engines that were blasted either side of the wreck, some of the shells you could even make out the manufacturers date still...

S.I.: 1.10
Dive Site: S.S.Thistlegorm (interior, penetration)
Wreck Dive
Max. Depth:24.3m
Ave. Depth:17.3m
B.T.: 41mins
WOW!!! Very,very cool dive...left thigh-high wellies, motorbikes lined up in row after row, bedford trucks by the tens...the tread still clear on the tyres, merely a layer of silt atop it all. You could peer through some of the smashed and absent windscreens through to the gauges inside...Truly amazing!! As if time just stood still...

S.I.:2.56
Dive Site: Shark Reef & Yolanda
Max. Depth:23.7m
Average Depth:13.4m
B.T.: 51mins.

Saw Dave the turtle again,(along with a further 2 hawksbill turtles) so Clare and I stopped off to pose with the wee fighter;) This was defo. the right time of day to hit this site (about 5.30pm), well now, or a dawn dive at a guess. Immense schools of fish, batfish and travellies, and again he-uge 5ft napolean wrasse...their eyes are bigger than mine!!

Straits of Tiran

2007-06-19T23:52:00.000Z

Thursday 7th June
Straits of Tiran
Dive Site:Thomas Reef
Max. Depth:28.3m
Ave. Depth:14m
B.T.:47mins
24 degrees
Oops and Ouch poorly crackly ears for me!
Bluefin tuna chasing around a school of thousands of fusiliers/rainbow runners. I love massive schools, especially when they adjust to you and you're just hanging there right in the center of them. Lots of Blue Triggerfish too and a curious lil turtle who decided to swim along with us for a good 10 mins of the dive.

SI:1.10
Dive Site:Gordon Reef
Max. Depth:24m
Ave. Depth:13.4m
B.T.: 53mins
Moses Sole, Picasso Triggerfish, Giant moray eel, Octopuses, The ClareWesticus Nudibranch(an amazing find Clare!)...super lovely dive

Friday 8th June
Straits of Tiran

Dive Site:Woodhouse Reef
Max. Depth:31.4m
Ave. Depth:17.3m
B.T.:42mins
23degrees
FREEZING!!!OUCH!!! I was unaware that my nipples could hurt quite sooo much through even 3 layers of neoprene...forget crossing your arms, my hands were firmly on each breasty-dumpling...hahaha! No, this was pretty painful, I became cold and shivery quickly, then felt my back tensing up, the muscles going rigid:( I could have done with some fat insulation, or bioprene!

SI:1.31
Dive Site:Jackson Reef
Max. Depth:25.9m
Ave. Depth:14.3m
B.T.:44mins

Na'ama Bay: House Reef

2007-06-19T23:39:00.000Z

Saturday 9th June (Twila and me)
Dive Site:Angela/Marlena's House Reef Na'ama Bay
Shore Dive

Ahoy Me Hearties...

Max. Depth:15.8m
Ave. Depth:7.6m
B.T.:79mins
26degrees

Dragonfish, feathertailed ray, blue-spotted ray, eagle ray, reef cuttlefish, ghost pipefish, turtle grass...Loved this dive, didn't want to come up! Even posed for a couple of silly pictures in a rowing boat at 12metres;)

Dragonfish

Reef Cuttlefish

White-spotted Eagle Ray

This feisty little clownfish took a slight dislike to me...I was taking a closer look at a pipefish approx. a metre above his host anemone when I received quite a thump, initially I figured I'd been kicked in the heeeead by a fin until I saw Angela and Twila laughing as this fella swam at my head full-pelt again to warn me off his territory!!! Hahaha...About a minute later Twila made the same mistake...strong chap!!!

Blue-spotted Ray

What kids have to say about the sea...divers check out no. 12;)

2007-06-15T22:32:00.000Z

1) This is a picture of an octopus. It has eight testicles. (Kelly age 6)
2) Oysters' balls are called pearls. (James age 6)
3) If you are surrounded by sea you are an Island. If you don't have sea all round you, you are incontinent. (Wayne age 7)
4) Sharks are ugly and mean, and have big teeth, just like Emily Richardson. She's not my friend no more. (Kylie age 6)
5) A dolphin breaths through an asshole on the top of its head. (Billy age 8)
6) My uncle goes out in his boat with pots, and comes back with crabs. (Millie age 6)
7) When ships had sails, they used to use the trade winds to cross the ocean. Sometimes, when the wind didn't blow, the sailors would whistle to make the wind come. My brother said they would have been better off eating beans. (William age 7)
8) I like mermaids. They are beautiful, and I like their shiny tails. And how on earth do mermaids get pregnant? Like, really? (Helen age 6)
9) I'm not going to write about the sea. My baby brother is always screaming and being sick, my Dad keeps shouting at my Mom, and my big sister has just got pregnant, so I can't think what to write. (Amy age 6)
10) Some fish are dangerous. Jellyfish can sting. Electric eels can give you a shock. They have to live in caves under the sea where I think they have to plug themselves into chargers. (Christopher age 7)
11) When you go swimming in the sea, it is very cold, and it makes my willy small. (Kevin age 6)
12) Divers have to be safe when they go under the water. Two divers can't go down alone, so they have to go down on each other. (Becky age 8)
13) On holidays my Mom went water skiing. She fell off when she was going very fast. She says she won't do it again because water fired right up her fat ass. (Jule age 7)

Diving Holiday: Sharm Baby, wo-hoo!!!!

2007-06-15T03:08:00.001Z

Okay just a teaser whilst I get round to doing a proper entry, but in essence Leo,Twila, Clare and I, who had all worked and lived on Phi Phi together but are currently in Blighty decided a dive holiday was in order, so 3rd June-10th we hopped on over to Sharm El Sheikh to see what the buzz about diving the Red Sea was all about.

We stayed in the Hilton Waterfalls Resort, a rather lush and luxurious 5* number with 7 pools, and even a funicular to take you from reception down to your rooms or the varying layers of pool-age!! We did find the top pool which included a pool bar and a no children rule to be a most pleasant locale for apres-diving drinkies. The weather was fabulous, over 42 degrees each day...and I have to give kudos to the egyptians for the local beer, Sakara...pretty tasty.

Diving was twice to three times daily, in crystal clear very blue water...albeit a tad chilly for us girlies at between 23 and 26 degrees. I was in a long 5mm wetsuit, a short 5mm, and a thermal rash vest with a hood!!! Muchos fun was had.
I miss diving soooooo much:(

Here I am being King/Queen of the World...Titanic stylie!

May...be

2007-05-24T00:50:00.000Z

Well May has been decidely average really until the last few days...specially after the fabulous weather of April,still there is now a kiss of summer in the air methinks...wo-hoo!!!!

So what's been happening on the kimmy-go-round? Well I made my decision to return to Thailand to teach diving again come high season. I am financially no better off than when I stopped living there, due to the high cost of living as a single person in Brighton. So I figure if that's the case then its time to return to what, where and who I love. I miss diving, the lifestyle and my friends there every day. It has defo. been the right decision, I feel as if an invisible weight (or lead soup) has been lifted from me and am so buzzy, altho obviously now I'm impatient;) So am currently in the process of applying for a 6/7 month sabbatical from work, which'd mean I have the option to return here next uk summer and make some cash again if I so please. Having said that once my mind is set that's it, so I'm going even if they say no. Still I'll blather on about work momentarily no doubt (in essence I am sooo over my job now).

Obviously Another highlight for me was Chelsea winning the F.A. Cup and generally having a lovely weekend with the Babe and Sista...cheers guys X. This was made even more enjoyable since Babe is a kop fan and had sent me a somewhat dismissive email about how the F.A. cup this year was just really a play-off for 3rd and 4th places in the Champions League, and them then losing this evening...hehehe!!! At least we got something this season son!!!

Lovely lady Clare has now arrived UK-side and I'm muchly looking forward to some quality girlie time come bank holiday monday...shopping, food, sun, gossip. And we decided to escape to Sharm el Sheik (Egypt) for a week's diving and 5* luxury with Leo and Twila at the start of June so am uber-excited!!!! The 4 of us all back together and diving, hurrah!!!! Should be amazing...especially since I've been totally stuck in diving headspace since returning from Thailand.

An escape from work is sorely required, I have so little tolerance or patience at the moment, and each month await which new policy or pay change or whatever the management will devise to make my job even more difficult. The latest is a decision that when we work overtime on nights we no longer get paid enhancements for doing so, enhancements being applicable to unsociable hours, all od which a night shift is. So I get £12 ish less an overtime shift now than I have for the last 3 years...genius! I remeber an ex-collegue of mine referring to the management here as a bunch of do-gooders that do no good, and sweet baby je-he-sus I agree. The night shift is an invisible shift...most problems, crises etc., occur at night and we get on and deal with it as it happens without the ahem "benefit" of management or admin or extra staff being around. The incidents on a night shift are generally more severe than of a day, yet really none of it actually happens because the day staff and management aren't here, or the residents that cause us constant difficulty at night aren't like that during the day...tossers!!! Getting the picture? Yes Kimi has had more than enough abuse and weak management and its not as if this job'll ever go anywhere...aaaaaaaand breath. Okay mini-rant over.

And lastly welcome to the world Angel Elizabeth, born on 9th May, sawadee ka and congratulations to Mr Boucher.

The Great White Shark Song- Inspired!!!

2007-05-18T12:37:00.001Z

2007-05-17T04:48:00.000Z

Enough said...here I go again...

Sustainable Fishing: Marine Reserves

2007-05-17T04:41:00.000Z

The North Sea might not be as glamorous as the Pacific or the Indian Ocean, but it's a vital marine habitat that is at risk from over-fishing and destructive fishing methods. For instance, North Sea cod are in trouble. Despite being one of Britain's best-loved foods, in the past two decades their numbers have dwindled to the point where they are facing total collapse.

The Arctic Sunrise is campaigning for large areas of this degraded sea to be turned into marine reserves - national parks at sea where all marine life, including cod, can get some respite from the ravages of commercial fishing. Only by setting aside large areas of our oceans can we protect their ecosystems and allow them to recover and thrive. It would also ensure a future for a sustainable fishing industry for generations to come.

For the latest news from the ship and to send messages to the crew, read the North Sea Tour blog (click the link in my fav. blogs section)

For the past seven years, EU scientists have recommended that, to give stocks time to recover, no cod should be fished at all. But the fishing industry, even though it's no longer a significant contributor to the UK economy, remains a potent political force and so nothing is done.

Now, at long last, some practical measures are being discussed which could improve the situation: the EU Marine Strategy Directive and the UK Marine Bill both contain measures that could result in much more coherent controls on all human activities at sea, protecting the marine environment and the species that depend on it.

We think that as much as 40 per cent of the North Sea needs to be protected if recovery is to be successful, but neither the EU or the UK government has shown any signs of committing to such large reserves.

If they don't, there will probably be no fishing industry to speak of in a few decades. And we're not the only ones who think something must be done; recently the Royal Commission on Environmental Protection declared that 30 per cent of all UK waters should be designated no-take zones.

Despite this, the fishing and other industries are lobbying hard to weaken environmental protection proposals in both the EU directive and the Marine Bill. Environment secretary David Miliband is working on both and so is perfectly positioned to push for large marine reserves - write to him now.

Supermarkets and sustainable fishing

2007-05-17T04:39:00.000Z

MCS Sustainable Supermarket Survey - Supermarkets Tackling The Issue Of Sourcing Sustainable Fish

The latest Sustainable Supermarket League Table has recently been published by the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) as part of its continuing Consumer Awareness campaign. The Table is based on the performance of the main UK supermarkets against various criteria, including the policies that shape their buying decisions and the sustainability of the fish they sell. Since last year's survey (published in March 2006) a number of fish identified by MCS as from unsustainable sources have been "delisted", or removed from sale by various supermarkets. Full details can be viewed at www.fishonline.org.

Waitrose and Marks and Spencer are placed jointly at the top of the League Table. Both companies are strongly committed to sustainability and have a reputation for only selling fish from responsibly managed fisheries. Tesco and Sainsbury’s are placed third and fourth respectively.

Marks and Spencer, Waitrose and Morrisons all have the distinction of not selling any fish from the MCS List of Fish to Avoid. Waitrose sells the greatest number of fish from the MCS Fish to Eat List (26 species), followed by Morrisons (22 species) and Tesco (20 species).

The MCS consumer awareness campaign continues to be immensely successful in achieving positive change. Many kinds of fish from over-exploited stocks have been removed from sale by a number of supermarkets, and the sale of fish products from sustainable sources has grown with the informed consumer's demand.

Species of concern still on sale in some supermarkets include marlin, Atlantic cod from overfished stocks such as the Eastern Baltic, plaice from the North Sea, warm-water prawns trawled in the wild, and Dover sole from the Eastern Channel.

Labelling of fish products is one area in particular where MCS considers all supermarkets could improve. MCS would like to see all fish products labelled with their common and scientific name; specific area and method of capture; and an indication of its sustainability through, for example, eco-labelling, allowing the consumer to make fully informed decisions about the seafood they buy. Morrisons has made significant improvements to it’s labelling of counter fish since last years survey which now includes scientific name and method of capture.

MCS Supermarket League Table 2007

First Place (Joint): Marks and Spencer, Waitrose
Third Place: Tesco
Fourth Place: Sainsbury’s
Fifth Place: ASDA
Sixth Place: Morrisons
Seventh place: Co-Op
Eighth Place: Iceland
No response received from: Somerfield

Diving piccies: Sipidan and Phi Phi

2007-05-16T06:11:00.000Z

Check out these photo albums, all taken by Lisa from Blue View Divers. There are some truly astounding piccies of both Phi Phi and Sipidan, where she's just returnrd from a wee birthday break.

Sipidan

Ko Phi Phi

Treehugger alert...whales again!!!

2007-05-16T01:40:00.000Z

The challenge - on May 27th, join other whale defenders in a global gathering to support the whales - by taking to the streets for the Big Blue March. It's a simple task - make contact with other whale defenders, and get together in your city or town wearing a blue t-shirt to form a Sea of People!

Why May 27th? While the Big Blue March takes place, the International Whaling Commission Meeting (IWC) will be in session in Anchorage, Alaska. At the IWC, diplomats from around the world make crucial decisions on the fate of whales throughout in our oceans.

At last year's meeting, 33 countries - led by pro-whaling Japan - voted in favour of the "St. Kitts Declaration", essentially an attempt to restart commercial whaling, which has been banned since 1986.

Since then, whale defenders - like you - have been busy, helping to motivate countries around the world to protect the whales. Really busy! Recent months have seen several countries joining or rejoining, like Peru, Cyprus, Slovenia, Croatia, Costa Rica and Ecuador - or even swapping sides to vote for the whales, like Nicaragua.

Last week, Ecuador decided to rejoin the IWC - and to vote for the whales. Last year, Nicaragua was one of the countries voting for commercial whaling - now's on the whales' side. The decisions of these governments have been massively influenced by people who signed petitions, sent emails and artwork to the government of Ecuador, or turned up on the doorstep of Nicaraguan embassies with massive cut-out whale flukes to form a symbolic "whale graveyard". In Iceland, where the whaling ban has been ignored, the government is now in a quandry over the future of whaling, following sustained pressure - more than 70,000 people have signed a pledge promising to visit Iceland if the government stops whaling. With every tourist worth about US$1,169 to Iceland's economy, is it any wonder that the government is pausing for thought?

Kiwi weekenders

2007-04-30T08:03:00.000Z

Doug Jupiter Mcdonnell of the cosmos and Hanky

Great Quotes#1: Tom Robbins

2007-04-30T00:29:00.000Z

If carlsberg was an author it'd probably be Tom Robbins, in my opinion the finest, most fabulous and inventive user of the english language!!! Read some if you haven't...trust me.

"She lunched on papaya poo poo or mango mu mu or some other fruity foo foo bursting with overripe tropican vowels."

"Disbelief in magic can force a poor soul into believing in government and business."

"Humanity has advanced, when it has advanced, not because it has been sober, responsible, and cautious, but because it has been playful, rebellious, and immature."

"It is never too late to have a happy childhood."

"Philosophers have argued for centuries about how many angels can dance on the head of a pin, but materialists have always known it depends on whether they are jitterbugging or dancing cheek to cheek."

Great Quotes#2: The Sea and Diving

2007-04-29T23:50:00.000Z

The cure for anything is salt water - sweat, tears, or the sea. - Isak Dinesen

Buoyed by water, he can fly in any direction - up, down, sideways - by merely flipping his hand. Under water, man becomes an archangel.
- Jacques-Yves Cousteau

From birth, man carries the weight of gravity on his shoulders. He is bolted to earth. But man has only to sink beneath the surface and he is free. - Jacques-Yves Cousteau

What's important in life is not how many breaths we get to take but those moments that take our breath away. - Jaques-Yves Cousteau

No human being, however great and powerful, was ever so free as a fish. - John Ruskin

Why do we love the sea? It is because it has some potent power to make us think things we like to think. - Robert Henri

"I'd like to be....under the sea....in an octopus' garden in a cave..." - Ringo Starr

"we'll hold hands and watch the sunrise from the bottom of the sea." - Jimi Hendrix.

The Deckies...

2007-04-29T23:20:00.000Z

Evan(hard at work or hardly working?)and Nice Kiwi Doug(over for a brief weekender visit)

Evan, Macky et moi

The deckies...these are figures of some local renown around Brighton, they walk the beach all day through the summer renting out that british icon of the summer; the deckchair. I am not one, however my kiwi boys Dave and Evan are, as is the uberfab Macky, and I've met a fair few of the others(Niso, Josh et al)...and am not adverse to spending a day reclining down there, supping beer from the Fortune of War, reading a book and overseeing their activities;)

Must comment that it is far easier returning to the UK when the weather is bright and warm as it has been this April, if this is global warming then I'm all for it;) It's really pretty enjoi-able to be able to sit outside down at the beach, fresh air,sea and sunlight.

Sleeping in Hammocks...

2007-04-19T11:04:00.000Z

Well in case it wasn't abundantly clear (or you're slightly slow) I was back in Thailand of late: Phi Phi, Lanta and Lipe for 6 weeks. I had a superb time back in my second home, and am still an islander at heart. The cameraderie and community is so strong...don't think I'm all rose-tinted nostalgia however. I remember and know that at times island madness/fever takes hold, that there are times you wish everyone didn't know everything, but...I still miss that crazy lil island and my peeps there. A couple more higlights...

For the first time in all the years I've dived I dived in a rash vest instead of wetsuit, such ease of movement, the feel and sensation of the 31 degree water... I loved it and am chuffed I was talked into giving it a go!!!!

I also discovered a new found enjoyment of, and appreciation for Losammah dive site, the last site I dived before returning to the UK:(...it was mindblowing and uber-amazing!!! You know how it is when you see something or somewhere in an entirely new light?

Barry – I enjoyed many a sambuca-fuelled evening with the irish pikey, and must admit to muchos respect for his electrical skills (and hidden articles up terribly high above a well-known London landmark and stadium). You are the daddy!!!! The glaring sight of his pastey-white arse having dive-bombed into the pool will haunt me for some time yet...;)

SuperScuba Jon helped me break a hammock with our immense combined obese-esque weight, shared the odd singha and king cruiser cocktail (so named as it gets you wrecked), and offered me a temporary position as his Personal Assistant. I feel his profound loss over his long-owned comfy shoes disappearing, apologies;)If I had the time I'd organise a charity drive to send care packages of carrots, onions and peas over to him since those are the only veg he can face. Thank buddha (or should it be Oh my buddha?)Ya is over and making him her rather delicious homemade chips. Thank you maak maak and long time. Miss him...

Clare one of the best friends you could be lucky enough to meet, and strong beyond belief...I'm so excited you're coming to the uk for summer!!!Thank you, thank you, thank you XXXX

Vix and Fausto – miss you loved-up guys, and Fausto could have been over for years. Fausto...love that you and Cian went up into the jungle bamboo-hunting, Fausto most insistent that bamboo doesn't look like bamboo, therefore they spent an evening hacking at anything non-bamboolike...inspired!!! Vix, always amazing and beautiful...Thanks chick.

Also big up to Johann, Evan, Jamie and Connie at Dusk Bar, and Padrey and Ming at Talay restaurant both up at Sunset Village, Viewpoint resort.

And all the other islanders: Jenny, hopefully we'll get more time together soonest; Neill, keep healthy, and clothed; Toby,X,Donald,Paul,Tim,James,Mark at Tiger and Sports Bar;D.D. obviously; Cian and Lisa; Ya...and all the folks I've forgotten to name...loves y'all.

So in all likelihood and if all goes to plan, I'll sit out summer in Brighton and then head back and work high season on pp as an instructor again!!! Yeeee-ha, Wo-hoo!!!!

Birthday Boy: April 4th

2007-04-18T08:43:00.000Z

I was honoured to be about on phi phi for D.D.'s birthday. I've known D.D. on and off since he arrived on pp about 4 years ago, and used to work in the shop next to the one I worked in. He is a superb pool partner, gossip and dancing partner and style afficiando!!!Blue View Divers provided the boat for the day and we headed out diving....

Lisa, Ya, Archie, Vix took DD, I took Evan and Pookie came out on the boat too.

It was DD's millionth DSD (discover scuba diving), since he never gets round to doing his OW course (slacker) but that means he's very good in the water and obviously loves it....and it was Evan's first time diving...na worries bro believe!!!I love taking and teaching friends diving for the first time, watching how mesmerised and enthralled they are(and it helps when they're a natural).

Diving Diva...There were underwater renditions of happy birthday, a birthday kiss,a birthday dance....and during dive 2 D.D. saw his first turtle!!! Tim Ecott expresses it well in his book Neutral Bouyancy “to swim at a respectful distance from a turtle and match its pace without making it fearful is to fall in love, charmed by ancient eyes”.

After a great day diving with friends we headed to Pums Restaurant in the evening. D.D. manages Pums on Phi Phi, and many of his close friends and dedicated fag hags came to eat his divine food and keep him company.

The next morning we enjoyed a girlie sesh at ton sai massage, manicures and pedicures to beautify and pamper ourselves.(Please no comments about the fact there were 9 girls at one point dealing with us...your feet get pretty minging and hard when you walk around barefoot or in jangles:flip flops) Muchly enjoyable and amusing...there now exists the D.D. Pedicure, painting each toenail a different colour nail varnish...rainbow feet..I love it!!!

Ki'ora: Evan

2007-04-18T07:19:00.000Z

Aaah, my crazy kiwi winner of a friend!!! A fellow face-licker, closet nature-documentary lover, keeper of random knowledge (therefore not too shabby in a pub quiz), advocate for the belief that if you were at sea it would be useful to employ some dwarves, who could carry limes on ammo belts about their person to compliment tequila, rum and prevent scurvy, and my fellow Brightonian friend came along and joined me for a couple of the weeks I was on Phi Phi.

He unfortunately never got round to getting a bamboo tattoo of a trout riding a tricycle on his back, nor frangipani coming up his side over his shoulder and up his neck as he had hoped :( However the ocassional drinks may have passed our lips here and there!!! He made a fabulous boy toy and member of Team Jesus for D.D., drinking comrade for Archibald 3rd (also on a wee visit up from the wedding on Lipe), regular piece of furniture at viewpoint pool and bar, and dancing partner, all-round friend for me:)I have even forgiven the up-chuck his first night upstairs in my mates bar, Tiger...(forgiven, yet find hugely amusing)

Evan and Fausto at Tiger.

Arcie and Evan

We trekked up to viewpoint (after a heavy night, in the midday heat requiring me to pause about 6 times on the climb), down through the jungle to Runtee Bay for a spot of snorkelling, bouldered over to Loh Moodee, and Long Beach one afternoon...pretty active huh? Anyhoo basically Evan saw his first shark...yeah!!!! Blacktip Reef Shark!!!
It was also a constant source of interest to see what Evan would find each day to replace his ear plug piercing...varying from frangipani, dead coral, pink straws to bamboo...such initiative!!!

The original plan was that Kiwi Boy, Dave-cat, was due to join us too on his flight back from N.Z. All did not go to plan though, and being easter etc., he was unable to bring his ticket forward so remains in kiwi-land until the end of May.

St. Paddy's Day

2007-04-17T11:26:00.000Z

St. Paddy's day necessarily meant muchos drink and frivolity (and a lil mischief too...sorry). Happy Irish-ness to D.D., Cian, Barry and Padrey!!!

D.D. and I pouting our way through the festivities

Clare, moi, D.D. and Barry

Barry and I were feeling the caleigh dancing vibe on the street...

Jenny, Clare and Me upstairs at Reggae Bar

Cian may not have made the whole way up the hill to bed at the end of the night, requiring Lisa to get up,dress,put her contact lenses in and search and recover him from a brief nap-break part way up at 4.30am!!! and I should thank Jon for doing the gentlemanly thing and escorting me home via sunflower bar's comfy sofa...what a hero;)

Blue View Divers - Ko Phi Phi

2007-04-17T06:22:00.000Z

Okay, so as a general enthusiast, instructor and ex-islander these are the guys I dive with every time I return to Phi Phi. I must send a heartfelt thanks and much love to them for the dives, fun and friendship they continue to offer me...thanks to you all xxx

Blue View Divers can be located nestled on the hillside, part of Viewpoint Resort and Sunset Village at the far end overlooking Loh dalum.This is diving as it should be in Thailand, off their customised longtail boat Kathleen, allowing access to the beaches and bays the larger dive boats cannot reach. They offer small diving groups, and a personalised service, lead by friendly, relaxed and professional staff, a far cry from the hurried, conveyor-belt diving experience. Boats leave at times of day where other dive schools and their divers are rarely encountered, frequently leaving Blue View Divers the only divers on a selected dive site. This school is active in marine conservation and clean up days, and supports close ties with the local community including the free training of the thai rescue team. Blue View dive because it is their passion, more than a mere tourist-trap business, staffed by people who wish to share the joy and priviledge they experience whilst diving daily in Phi Phi's spectacular National Marine Park.

http://blueviewdivers.com

Jon is one of the most competent SSI and PADI instructors I ever had the opportunity to work with. He exudes calm, confidence and patience, enabling even the most nervous student to enjoy their diving experience. A close friend and diving partner yet don't just take my word for it, check out this review in the thai newspaper The Nation:

Lisa is an enthusiastic and fun Divemaster, thorough in briefings and post-dive logging taking her customers through fish books, explaining more about the behaviour and life of the marine life seen earlier. On a more personal note, congratulations to Lisa on reaching her 500th dive whilst I was over this time!!!

Barry is also an adept, fun divemaster and all-round great guy (albeit with a dubious sense of humour-sorry Baz) to be found staffing the new Blue View Divers Beach Club located as part of Sunflower Bar on Loh-dallum beach itself, with the beautiful Ya.

Congratulations to Ya for completing your DM course, a welcome, friendly addition to the team...who has truly astounding air-comsumption, a real pleasure to dive with!!

Clare is the founder of Blue View Divers, and joint owner and manager with Cian. I had the pleasure of being both close friends and working side-by-side as instructors with Clare all those years ago. Clare has been a familiar, respected face on Phi Phi for 7 years now, and her knowledge of the island is second to no other farang. She helped lead the tsunami recovery efforts on the island, speaks fluent thai and knows pretty much everyone...it is her personality and knowledge that is the essence of the dive shop. As she walks about the island Vou-dog is never far from her side, and is defo., the shop mascot, to be seen protecting his territory up at Viewpoint Resort, sleeping off a hard day in the shop, or bounding up and licking the salt off you!!!

Cian is the new partner and manager, although long term friend of BVD. His friendly enthusiasm, ideas and drive are a refreshing and positive addition to the team...along with his professional attitude and sense of humour. He makes everyone feel welcome and special, and as a previous travel agent on the island has plenty of ideas for dry-day activities

Or if in Ko Lanta...

2007-04-17T06:10:00.000Z

If you wish to dive from Ko Lanta, my advice would be to try these guys:

Run by Saffron and Darrel, you have a choice of 2 dive resorts under their management; Scuba Fish and Narima Diving, both exceptionally professional and friendly dive shops.

http://scubafish.com
http://narimadiving.com

Diving - Immersion

2007-04-16T16:48:00.000Z

So lets see whether I can do credit to my passion...scrabble around for appropriate words...express the enticing nature of tropical scuba diving...hmmmn!

Amongst the Ko Phi Phi Marine Park are two spectacularly beautiful dive sites, Bida Nok and Bida Nai.You sink below the surface to a mass of life hanging in the depths amongst the coral. The rock walls and pinnacles are covered by velvety pink and red barrel sponges and intricate gorgonian sea fans larger than me. You emerge through a swimthrough, the glassfish parting before you to hover effortlessly above the reefs,gorging yourself in the abundant colour.

Red and white squirrelfish shelter beneath vast sheets of plate-like table coral, damselfish dart in and out of the bony branches of the staghorn corals tipped with blue or white, and whip coral rises above the reef battling, flailing and writhing in the current. The richness and diversity of this underwater fairytale cake-icing landscape offer up knotted fan corals; white, yellow, pink, purple, black soft corals, hawksbill turtles feeding on pink bubble corals, and mounds of brain coral.

You hang motionless, air bubbles a glittering trail to the surface, priviledged to be amongst schools of yellow-striped snappers moving as a single entity; black and white striped seasnakes gliding, hunting or swimming to the surface for air; tiny, cute yellow boxfish swim about their snout pursed like a kiss; the trumpetfish hover head down;the copious tropical colours of the parrotfish and wrasse, angelfish, butterfly fish and emprorers- so regal, in stark contrast to the vaious species of moray eel mouth agape, looking like as if its swallowing testing the current for morsels to eat; clownfish dart in and out fiercly protecting their anemone, anemones of fleshy blues and pinks; scorpionfish so well camoflauged and adapted, often only their eyes betray their position to the keen diver;lionfish feathery finned suspended waiting for its prey;tigertail seahorses so delicate, perfect and bizarre nestled and anchored amongst the roots of fan corals, sprouting from nooks in the rock walls;anemonecrabs and porcelain crabs minute visible only as the current lifts and gently drops the underside of larger anemones; oriental and harlequin sweetlips;lobsters antennae protruding from a crevasse; perhaps the simple beauty and grace of a featherstar freeswimming, no longer clinging to the top of a fan; and the graceful leopard shark saunters effortlessly past, so perfectly designed,so elegant...sunlight penetrates the water, the silvers and neon colours shimmering and glinting...

Diving “provokes joy and contentment in a world where people find less and less space to experience their own personal space” (as Time Ecott says in his fab book Neutral Bouyancy). Each dive is a haven, freedom, equilibrium, allowing your mind to free itself of the everyday clutter of the terrestrial world, allowing perspective. There exists a degree of intimacy in diving with other people, no verbal communication, merely a shared experience, look or signal...

Na, can't do it justice, you'll just have to give it a go eh?

ooo, mwah

2007-04-16T16:45:00.000Z

Save the Shark!!!!

2007-04-14T02:22:00.000Z

My phone rings. It is a chilled out day following a heavy late night at Tiger:

Toby(all breathless): Where are you? Do you know where D.D. is?
Kimi: I'm relaxing in the bungalow, haven't made it out yet, probably same for him.
Toby: There's a shark washed up on ton sai beach near the hospital!!! It's still breathing, I need help to try and get it back in the water. What do I do? Can you come down?
Kimi: S**t!!! Keep it wet, I'll be down soon as, I'll get some peeps...

Kimi phones her mates at Blue View Divers and grabs Evan. Kimi wuns (walks, so fast its pretty much runs) across the island in 38 degree heat, sweating 90% proof from the night before, picturing and planning how to float the shark, what we may need etc.

Nearing Cabana hotel, phone rings:

Toby: Where are you?
I tell him
Toby: What's the date Kim?

Oh yes April 1st!!! April f**king fool!!!!
I am unable to repeat the remainder of our conversation at pretty much any hour, who knew I possessed so many expletives?! As I finish the call Barry runs up, closely followed by Ya, Jon and Cian. Blue View Divers had shut the shop so that all staff could help!! Hmmmmmn...hehehehe!!!

We all then have to walk back past Sports Bar (the daytime haunt and sister bar to Tiger staff) where they are all laughing "ooooh save the shark, save the shark"...buggers!!! They got us soooo good that I couldn't even really be cross, rather had a grudging respect for their ingenuity...(and we got a free beer each for giving them a laugh.)

On a theme they'd also put up a sign outside advertising non-eco friendly tours, "150THB Dynamite fishing on Hin Deang" or " Come spear-fishing in our National Marine Park - Whalesharks, Mantas, Turtles and Dolphins... Boys!!!

Moray eel eats thumb - the vdo

2007-04-14T01:36:00.000Z

Slight tangent warning!!!

Okay, so long time readers and amigoes will know a lil story of a friend of mine having his thumb somewhat bitten off and removed by a moray eel...and sometime later having one of his toes transplanted into it's place. Finally it's available for public consumption so have a lookie:

Thumb Gets Eaten By Eel! - For more funny movies, click here

The Karma Wedding - March 7th

2007-04-13T04:32:00.000Z

The bar has been set!!!!

When I first arrived on Ko Phi Phi all those years ago there existed a legendary bar on the beach, called Karma Bar. Many since tried to emulate it but with little success because it was the staff, the warmth, generosity, spirit of fun and laissez-faire, and in particular Kansas Jeff that provided it's essence. Together with Princess Fiona, they and Karma Bar moved to Ko Lipe in 2004, which was the beautiful, charming, utopian setting for their wedding.

Words alone cannot touch or begin to define their special day, surrounded by friends and family who had all travelled from and represented most countries on the planet (and perhaps even other galaxies- guru Din!). From South Africa, Canada, the US of A, Germany, Sweden, France, Ireland, Scotland, Singapore etc., to the Chao Ley community of Lipe, all were enveloped in the real joy and love shared by this couple.

The procession down from Mountain Resort; their thai flower girls scattering petals along the sand before them; the floral arch under which they wed on the beach in front of Karma; receiving the traditional buddhist thai water blessing (Rod Nam Sang - Rod: Soak, Nam: Water,Sang: Conch. The couple wai(hands together similar to a westerner praying), whilst guests pour sacred water from a conch over their hands as a blessing) whilst holy string connects both their heads symbolic of their spiritual union; after sunset releasing thai lanterns up into the night sky; the fireworks; the fireshow; everything so very perfect that I am unable to do it justice.

http://karmabar.net

Mrs Kansas Jeff and Mr Princess Fiona

2007-04-13T04:29:00.000Z

The Bride and Groom

2007-04-13T04:28:00.000Z

Ko Lipe, Karma Beach

2007-04-13T04:26:00.000Z

Karma beach

2007-04-13T04:25:00.000Z

Sunset over Lipe

2007-04-13T04:24:00.001Z

D.D. and Toby letting off a lantern

2007-04-13T04:24:00.000Z

2007-04-13T04:20:00.000Z

I had so much fun catching up with old skool faces that had in our lil transient way parted ways for other places, then all come back together for the Karma wedding.

Walter Lauter Laufer, it could have been yesterday instead of 3 or 4 yrs. Happy memories of you teaching us military gun drills in pp karma, where's wally costumes made of coconuts...everyone should have a pocket-sized Wally to keep them smiling. Loch, Darrel, Saffers, Trev, Simon, Wanna, Cowboy Kiang, still all amazing...

My travelling companions Toby and Donald, my beautiful friends Clare, D.D., Vix and Fausto I had an uberfab. time on Lipe with you all.

Clare, D.D. and Me dolled up for the wedding

2007-04-13T04:19:00.000Z

Donald, Toby, D.D. et moi

2007-04-13T04:18:00.000Z

D.D. working it with Chao Ley children

2007-04-13T04:17:00.000Z

Wally "Hello my friend"

2007-04-13T04:16:00.000Z

Walter, Darrel and Saffers

2007-04-13T04:13:00.000Z

More of Brighton in the snow

2007-01-25T09:01:00.000Z

I realise it may not excite most (I am not a fan of cold weather meself),but it was sooo beautiful and sparkly yesterday that I'm putting more pics up...

(Not bad considering I took them with my camera phone)

2007-01-25T08:56:00.000Z

2007-01-25T08:54:00.000Z

Kiwi's Thai Tale.

2007-01-25T05:31:00.000Z

Kiwi's tale...this is priceless. Beautiful boy left for Tahiland the day before me, so I'd emailed him some advice and contact details for his first few nights in Bangkok, since it'd be his first time over there. Unfortunately both myself and Ginge (a mate of his who worked on the deckchairs with him over summer and was also holidaying in Thailand) had emailed a dot com addy instead of dot co.uk.

Therefore Kiwi boy tried Samsong and buckets (thai alcohol), and woke in the morning thinking he had a spot coming up on his neck as it was itchy to find he had acquired his first tattoo!!! A proper thai bamboo tattoo, and no recollection of it at all!!

The next night he thought he'd smoke instead, and asked his friendly tuk-tuk driver if he knew of anywhere he could get a smoke...NO!!! The tuk-tuk guy took him into an alley where him and 2 other blokes mugged him of all the money he was carrying! The driver was a decent enough chap though and still drove him back to his hotel. Of course Kiwi could not report this to the police since the tuk-tuk drivers and them are allegedly in cahoots, and really he should not have been trying to purchase any such substance.

So Kiwi has less than a tenner left, doesn't have either my, nor Ginge's contact details and has to get down to Krabi province.

Eventually (and can't remember how) he ran in to G down that way, who helped him out cash-wise. They quite merrily spent a few days in Ao Nang, although kiwi misjudged when one of the buses was about to stop and so leapt from the top of it before it stopped....ouch!!!

The first I know of any of this was receiving a phone call from a friend on pp telling me that my kiwi was with her and looking for me. (He'd vaguely remembered the name of one of the dive shops I'd worked in...well he though it was d for diving as opposed to visa diving, but they sound similar). So at last we're together!!! Except Kiwi is limping, and moaning, like men have been known to do about the bus foot injury. Upon inspection it becomes apparent to me that his foot is most likely broken, and he really shouldn't be attempting to walk on it. So in stupid degree heat I leave him sat on a path and run to borrow turtle's bike so at least he can keep the weight off it.

We hopped on the ferry back to Ao Nang, and I commented after 20 mins. that it would rain (you get pretty savvy at watching the sky when you live by the sea), so I was heading inside the ferry. I was right, and upon coming back out found kiwi asleep, outside in the rain!!!

Suffice to say that this night was his last night in Thailand before heading back to New Zealand until march-ish, so I strapped his foot up, medicated him and we partied. Partied to the point where I ended up packing for him, since it was quite apparent he'd be unable too. We had an uber-fabulous, fun night though, and I kinda miss that crazy cat :(

P.S. on arriving in bangkok he went to the hospital, and required crutches for 3 weeks and 2 seats on the 12hr flight to N.Z.
P.P.S. It would then be the first time in over 4 years his parents had seen him

2007-01-25T05:28:00.000Z

Kiwi n Kimi

Walking Home in the Snow

2007-01-24T11:34:00.000Z

Well, a few highlights of my walk home from work this morning at 8.30am. Not too shabby (I really am becoming Brighon-centric)

Towards the Palace Pier

2007-01-24T11:22:00.000Z

West Pier en hiver

2007-01-24T11:12:00.000Z

The Royal Pavillion

2007-01-24T11:04:00.000Z

2007-01-24T11:03:00.001Z

Snowy Minarettes

2007-01-24T11:03:00.000Z

2007-01-24T11:02:00.000Z

Just like an iced cake

2007-01-24T11:01:00.000Z

2007-01-24T11:00:00.000Z

Across the gardens to the North Gate

2007-01-24T10:59:00.000Z

Thailand trip

2007-01-17T06:40:00.000Z

Christ, takes me long enough to catch up on myself eh?

Short version, I had a super time, lapped up the diving, sun and time with good friends didn't want to come back, and am already planning the next trip.

.....

Ok, a slightly more detailed version including highlights of my favourite bits (much like match of the day, if like me you are too poor to have the Sky PayPer Match thingy) will follow shortly...honestly I mean shortly ;)