So they arrived, Daniel, Belinda and Adam, on "The Fast Boat". We were poised waiting in the Tree house place for their arrival, as we would see the boat as it zoomed by across the bay. We raced it to the pier on our motor bike and beat it. Mind you only because it did a lap of a smaller Island, Ngan Yuan. Off the jumped, Belinda I didn't rcognise as we hadn't met, so was looking out for the guys. Both of them wearing straw hats and Pilot Ray Bans, Bangkok edition. They looked like the classic Gringo.
Daniel and I hadn't seen each other properly for a good few years, only one sad occasion, my grandfathers funeral, so the week was not for party, (however he wasn't one to avoid a party in his time, so, had some fun!!) Anyway it was an exciting time, which we had been awaiting for what seemed like ages.
We had arranged accomodation for them in the style of small basic shed type huts or Bungalows if you are from Eastbourne. Overlooking the gulf of Thailand, from their balcony the sunset and the steps lead directly to the beach. Nice.
So they jumped into one of the many taxis, and Amy chaparoned them to there new home, Freedom Beach. The guys there chew some kind of drug called Betle nut, I think the spelling is correct, not sure though, basically they wrap a nut, in a leaf, then chew it, staining their teeth red, and making them funnier. So Dan and B and Adam were happy with their hosts, although a bit mental, greeting Danny from high up in the restaurant, shouting "Hello Danny", at the top of his voice, welcoming huh?!?! But he would even greet Adam the same way. Maybe has something to do with the way they walk, in their Thongs.
The first day was a slow day, as they had been travelling we retired up to Happy Daze to sample some Mushroom shakes, as that was what the group wanted, who were we to argue. It just so happened to get us all a bit twisted, with the natural beauty of the view and the hillside Jungle, it was very cool, and some were a bit speechless shall we say. Daniel and Belinda lasted until the grand hour of 9pm, poor luvs, so it left Adam, Amy and Myself wriggling around giggling and having a laugh until we eventually got bored. Adam, for those who don't know him, is my bro's best pal in Australia, a very cool guy who makes a mint, spends a mint and parties til it falls out of his ears. So we were prepared for anything. Coming to Ko Tao to party like its 1999 is not the best idea, so it ended up being much more civilised partying if you get me. Such is life.
The following days flowed gently, with lots of hanging around sharing doobies and sunbathing, until Christine, another friend of D&B&A arrived, nothing really changed, just had an extra mouth to feed. Christine is a cool chick, living in Sydney working in media, with my bro, his chick and Adam. Was warned she was a party animal too, and then she slept for 2 days after arriving, so it really must be the island.
After days and nights doing reasonably relaxed things, eating, sleeping, laying around, and farting, we decided it would be just to enter the ocean. We had been waiting for Daniel and Adams new tattoos to heal, as they had come to Thailand and both got machine tattoos, instead of the formentioned Bamboo. With Bamboo you can go in to dive, swim, sunbath, windsurf, rollerskate, anything! Like a tampon basically, but prettier, oh and its permanent.
So off we went to the dive shop I chose to teach them from, and they got there books etc, and off they went, to learn how to be a diver. I was excited from the moment I passed my Instructor exam about teaching Daniel to dive, it is such an amazing thing to do, exploring the oceans, we'll never be astronauts, so it is the next best thing. And Adam, B, and Dan all excited puppies, listened, took note, didn't freak, and were perfect students. They are now good divers, so whoopie, job done. Now Ma and Pa, and Amy's family then the world!!!! Took them to see sharks as well and all got to see the shadow lurking bebeath them as they hovered at 18m. Not the best day for sharks, but we went a couple of dives more after qualification, and we filmed the dives,took some photos, and now trying to burn the DVD. Will send a few home, some cool stuff.
Belinda had a birthday here on Ko Tao so celebrated with Mexican and a night getting mashed in the Tree House...................
