Grey skies, early morning rain and large swell on the open sea all reduce visibility but do not dampen the joy of being in an underwater world after a year above on solid ground. An island surrounded by hard coral and many beautiful tropical fish. New fish I had never seen before; bright yellow trumpetfish, boxfish, cornetfish, lionfish... as well as many old reliables; barracuda, angelfish, anemonefish, wrasse... I was very excited to see my first octopii (three of them, though only two varieites). I am looking forward to Shark Point tomorrow.

We moved location to a beautiful small hotel right by the beach in Karon/Kata. It is downseason and still post-tsunami so the guy gave us a very good deal. We have two lovely rooms, sea view from our balconies (and mum's bed) and a nice pool, all for a tenner a night for the three of us. Not bad. We are enjoying relaxing, reading, eating and having Thai massages. The three of us zooming out to dinner on the one motorbike..."when in Thailand"!!