Open Water PADI Diver certification completed!!

I have just spent 5 glorious days on Koh Phi Phi Island (West Coast Thailand) working on my Open Water PADI Diver certification! The certification consists of 4 dives in total with a maximum of 18 meters under the sea. I was also required to complete a final written examination (I passed with a little studying). I was amazed at the whole world that exists below; it was like being in a dream. We also have had the opportunity to see two shark, giant jelly fish, sting ray and blow fishes and of course many nemos (clown fish) and endless coral in all colors!!

Here is the under water proof of Quyet and I posing for our picture in our scuba gear!! Now it is off to Ko Tao (East coat Thailand) for a little more diving as I am working towards the advanced diver certification. I will retun to Bankok to begin teaching English on the 5th; I can't wait!!

SAWADEE KA !!! Hello from Thailand

*************After an after an exhausting 11 hour flight, arrival was safe in Bangkok; still bustling with excitement as I last saw it in July of 2007. Kho San road has not changed a bit; many travelers from all over the world, craziness, smelliness, touts selling anything imaginable and of coursethe best Pad Thai served from the street. I must admit two days there were enough and I was ready to move away from the smog and city heat....make the long trek to the beach.

Before I left for the beach, I did manage to take a day trip to one the the original floating markets outside Bangkok; about 104 kilometers called 'Damnoen Saduak'. According to the guide it was built by the Chinese over 75 years ago and the people whom live in the area only travel by gondola (small boats) amongst the canals. I enjoyed the boat ride and had to smile at the touts in and around the boats; so typical Thai always something to sell try to get me to buy!!

After almost 24 hours of bus and boat rides I am now Kho Phi Phi starting my PADI Scuba courses. The island is beautiful; if you have seen the movie The Beach; I am now sitting on the beach it was filmed.....

BON VOYAGE!! Celebrating with Friends and Family

Bon voyage is a French phrase borrowed into English meaning, literally, "good journey", and usually translated as meaning "have a good trip".

After the Bon voyage festivities with friends in the Netherlands, NYC and family in Rochester I am ready to depart for my trip armed with wishes of good luck and words of wisdom and encouragement.

So, maybe you wonder where I am going the next few months? Well here is a little high level itinerary:

Remaining weeks in August - Thailand: learning how to scuba dive
September - Thailand - volunteer work: teaching English to Thai children
October - Cambodia and Vietnam
November - India

I did not really arrange anything except for the flights and volunteer work. The rest will have to just have to fall at the mercy and fate and the Lonely Planet guide books. Then again, these things are not hard to arrange when you are there.

Stay tuned in for the next update after arrival in Thailand!