It doesn't rain under water!

The weather has been give and take during our stay at Koh Tao. It's rained one full day which happened to be our busiest academic day and then twice more in short spurts each while we were either diving or in the classroom. So it hasn't bothered us much at all. However when it rains it REALLY rains! Today we experienced a quick 1/2 hour (or so we thought) thunder storm, just before our dive the skys parted and was blue and beautiful. On our way out to SW Pinnacle for our 4th & 5th final dives the storm regrouped and raged without a sign that it might dissipate soon. SW Pinnacle is on the other side of the island which already has more rough waters so we were forced to turn back and dive Chumphon Pinnacle again - this was a bit disappointing as we just dove this same location yesterday. Once we were in the water all disappointment disappeared - as we saw many many sharks. Once we dropped down to 28 meters there were sharks everywhere! We were very close to some, our instructor reached out and all but touched one. Don't worry Avery - none of the sharks tried to eat us :) Again during this dive and the next Levi and Jen were without our instructors or classmates. These solo dives have done so much to boost our confidence in the water.




On our next dive to White Rock, the storm hit its peak, hard rain, huge waves, etc. However below the water it was quite calm. From the boat we took a photo of the rain pocked sea, which we thought looked pretty neat. On the way back hordes of flying fish swam next to our boat sailing out of the water, neither of us have ever seen anything like it :)


Afterward we briefed our dives with our instructors and classmates over beers. The lanky bearded (very hairy everywhere actually) Israeli man chatted Levi up most of the evening. Jen thought this was a humorous sight - picture: Levi, Mr. Apple Pie in his t-shirt, swim trunks, & Tiger beer - Youov (Israeli guy) in his snug Coca Cola t-shirt, dressed only in his minimal coverage speedos from the waist down, legs crossed, sipping his coke from a straw :) So far we've met people from several different countries and are quiet enjoying all the diverse people and views.

It's supposed to rain in Koh Tao for the next 3 days so our departure this evening couldn't be more perfect. We're hoping the rain doesn't follow us to the West coast.