Day 9: Phuket "You for Scuba?" **

** Copyright of Marge and Along Came Polly

Heck, yes I'm for SCUBA! Finally it's time to put all the things I've learned to the test! We took a boat for about 1 1/2 hours to Racha Yai, a small island off Phuket. I actually got a bit seasick which surprised me (partly due to the strong waves and partly because I was reading), but nothing that wasn't cured once I got in the water. We had a guide just for the 2 of us which was great. He also took all these pics of us. Hopped in the water and down we went!*"Under the Sea" plays here*
My ears adjusted just fine after a couple of minutes, and I had no problems at all. It's so fantastic down there! So. many. fish! I saw all kinds of starfish, sea cucumbers, moray eels, tons of coral,...I could go on forever. We did 2 dives - each about 45 minutes (felt like 15 minutes) to about 18 m & 15 m with lunch in between. Both dives were great minus getting bit by a fish. It drew blood! Call the paramedics! Ok - it had healed by the time we went back up, but it did hurt for a while. They were feeding the fish with bananas, and the fish become like piranhas and go crazy swarming it and munching on everything in sight. It's a finger, not fruit! After that minor event, everything was great.

If you've ever vacationed with me (Shamewalkers - shout out!) or heard me talk about vacations (ok, that's everyone!), you know how I love me some snorkeling. And while I do like the quietness of snorkeling - listening to fish munch on the rocks, this is so much better I can't even believe it. It is a lot more effort and money, but it's worth it to see so much more. I can't wait to go again in the Philippines!

Kavita had a good day starting with a 7 am run on the beach with Muay Thai fighters. They took off sprinting; she took off sprinting! "It's the eye of tiger; it's the thrill of the fight!" They turned around at the end of the beach and took off again; she stopped and walked. Let's give her credit for trying to keep up with people that have no fat on their bodies on a vacation workout. "Yo, Adrian! It's me, Rocky!" Afterwards she had another productive day of sleeping on the beach under an umbrella. "You know how I feel about the sun!" We all came back around the same time exhausted and hungry, so we decided to eat crazy early (5 pm). Then, of course, you know what time it is!

Daily Massage Report Time!
We passed three different massage places right in a row vying for our patronage before we ate. All gave us a flyer with the exact same prices. How to choose?! As Kavita read them, she noticed that the first one had written at the bottom, "We are well educated." SOLD. Typical - Indians and their education! (Thank goodness, right, Mom?!) Kavita was correct as she got what she thinks was the best foot massage yet! She likes her SO much, she's coming back tomorrow for more with Hong and maybe...gasp!...getting another full body! Boston got a 'head and hands' massage which he says was awesome. I got a foot with K that was really good. She added in bonus back, shoulder, head, and face. My back is really sunburned (let's consider using sunscreen next time in Thailand), so that part was downright painful. I didn't scream out but REALLY thought about it. I just kept thinking, "She'll move on soon....soon..." Considering how much everyone like theirs (excluding my painful parts as that was really just my fault), I give Sabai Sabai Massage 4 1/2 stars!
Later we headed to a food stand to get what can only be described as "nectar from a bee's arse" (quote from Irish divemaster we met today) or banana with chocolate pancakes. Kavita claims this is actually an Indian food - not with the bananas and/or chocolate though. All I know is that:
a) It's probably for the best that I didn't discover these until now considering the amount of lard involved.
b) I will most definitely be having one tomorrow. (update: He wasn't there before I left. :( lard withdrawal)
c) It is just more evidence of Thailand's deliciousness.

More pics of scuba here

I wanted to upload a video of the banana pancake, but it is refusing on both here and youtube. Maybe later.