Hin Daeng Hin Muang

This trip was a very fruitful one. I not only survived a trip alone, met new friends, experienced new things (first LOB) and gained a lot of knowledge.

My phone rang and dennis (my instructor) on the other line said i would be taking MV Mermaid II, a very big boat instead of MV White Manta. I was apprehensive yet excited, all sorts of mixed feeling were going thru my head. Worrying mostly. Wondering if I would be able to mix well with the people aboard, which would eventually affect my dive. But as night fell i was not left with any choice but to put my feelings aside as i went to bed. I arrived at Phuket early in the morning 07:30am, I was pleasantly greeted by Ms Kay Golding, an English born-Australian bred lady with a bubbly cheer. I'll always remember her rich voice answering phone calls "Mermaid liveaboards! GOOD MORNING!"

To much relieve i was well accepted by all, by the end of the 2nd dive. My bunk mate (Kaori Suzuki - left) a tannned, petite blond japanese lady, who spoke as much english as I could articulate japanese was the sweetest darling. (I'm truly blessed to be rooming with her.) Initially I thought she was a quiet and reserved person as she was always sitting alone during meals but as I observed closely she was actually very keen to get to know me and interact with the others. Maybe just shy towards the rest due to the language barrier. I was the only other asian whom she could best connect with compared to the rest who mainly communicated in German or english, to which she was very foreign to.

On my right is Chris and left is Walter/Wally (either not "whatever") are both Americans. Chris who lives in India works for wireless system company. Thank you for sharing your wonderful pictures and travel tales. Walter, on the other hand is a travel agent from the United states, who travelled wherever his feet took him. Numerous places I could only dream of going. Also thru'out the whole trip sharing many of his exciting and interesting expeditions and road trips. "Do take care of yourself, dear walter." i hope to see you in Singapore one day.

<- This is Beto, a Brazillian who speaks 5 different languages (English, porturgues, Japanese, spanish and German). He is our Cruise Director and also Dive Master for my sub-group. His humour is subtle, his smile is alluring. His manner is gentle and his advices are empowering. Never failing to assure my comfort thru'out the trip. Thank YOU very much. This is Danny Van Belle (right), an underwater videographer. Once you get to know him, he is extremely friendly and caring, and ever ready to dispense dive tips and knowledge. With his 2000 over dives in 10 years, he is more than suitable. Thank you for reminding me about my no flight time.

NOW this charming English gentlemen on the left is JEZ, also an underwater videographer and photographer. His pictures and videos are as exquisite as his megawatt smile. He's got a bag load of humour hiding up his sleeves just waiting for the right moment to dish it out. "I can make spagetti..." I exclaimed during one of our meals and he replied "just the spagetti or with the sauce". Well, Jez if you ever make a trip to Singapore, you'll know if its 'just spagetti' haha...

These two dashing skin heads, are Christoph (with glassess) a Swiss and Andree a Greman. Sadly with a failing memory I could not recall what he does for a living, but as for Andree he was one of the Dive Masters on board. Danke for the cocktails on Phi Phi Island :P i'm hopeless when it comes to alcohol keke... After a night of Fun on Phi Phi Island, it was a time of farewell bidding and photo taking for me. MORE PHOTOS!! yeepee!! And to bed i went...

Before the yoke jumps out of the sea, before the break of dawn, my unwilling departure was certainly not lonesome. Dear Kaori's companionship was truly touching as she bidded farewell before the dinghy sped off into the black sea.

To all my lovely new friends, till we meet again. Enjoy more photos at public.fotki.com/adeline