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I
last visited Thailand in 1980, and whilst its seldom a wise
practice to revisit after an indecent interval, I had many
happy memories and felt the risk was worthwhile.
The
joyful perusal of countless brochures, and helpful advice
from our local travel agent, revealed that only 'Beachcomber'
alias 'Speedbird' were able to tailor a sensible
package deal which included staying at the Phuket Island Resort
Hotel.
Members
should understand that the air fare to Thailand is highly
competitive and, at bucket shop prices, is around the same
as the cost of going to Florida. The actual cost is around
£0.05p per mile, It is fourteen hours flying time, but
it is an encouraging thought that the overall cost of living
is a good deal cheaper than Florida. There are other pluses.
Thailand has, in my opinion, a great deal more going for it
than most of the Far East, and at the right time of year,
the certainty of good weather.
The
service in most of the better hotels is outstanding. They
really enjoy making your stay a happy one. Not without reason
is Thailand known as the *Land of Smiles'. Where else
would you find a young almond eyed, beautifully dressed, smiling
girl, pouring out chilled beer, whilst kneeling beside your
chair?
There
are two tourist centres with diving establishments in Thailand,
at least two well known ones, Pattaya and Phuket. Pattaya
is a two hour bus ride from Bangkok, whilst Phuket, lying
almost in Malaysia, is one hour flying time from Bangkok.
You can bus it, but its a twelve hour trip.
Pattaya
is not for everyone. Its a popular watering hole, and whilst
the diving can be excellent, crowded beaches, particularly
at weekends, can have their disadvantages. Phuket on the other
hand, has some truly outstanding beaches. There are half a
dozen three to four star hotels on the island, but tourism,
other than in Phuket town, is not obtrusive, It also has some
excellent diving.
There
are diving operators working from Patong Beach, a tourist
honeypot, and live-on-board cruises are organised by 'Fantasea
Divers'. There is a PADI training facility 'Submarine
Divers' working out of Kata, Karon Beach, who advertise
daily diving trips and 4~7 day tours to the famous Similan
Islands, However, from previous experience, I chose to remain
faithful to the Poseidon Nemrod Diving Centre at the Phuket
Island Resort Hotel where I stayed.
The
diving is run by Klaus and Marita Orlik. They ran the Benidorm
operation during our summer, and from November to the following
April the dive school in Phuket. Both Klaus and Marita speak
good English, are superb guides, and above all, are keen and
sympathetic photographers. Apart from their very considerable
diving experience, they are backed up by two dive boats, the
smaller being approximately 12m long, and four compressors,
together with some thirty sets of hire equipment. You would
be wise to take your own DV and ABLJ, and protective clothing
against the coral.
The
waters immediately around Phuket are green, and the diving
norm is to motor to one of the many offshore islands and dive
in the blue water. The Orlik's run two-day trips to Phi Phi
Island, where apart from some splendid diving, you can visit
a cave from which is culled the ingredients of bird's nest
soup. If you were ever tempted to try this Chinese delicacy,
a trip to this cave will most certainly reorientate your views.
The Similan Islands are also superb. They are unihabited and
infrequently visited, other than by fishermen and divers.
Its a nine hour sailing, usually departing after dinner and
returning two days later.
The
daily trips are all-day, two-dive trips, There are numerous
dive sites off the larger islands of Raja Noi and Raja Jai
in the south, and to the east the virtual sea mounts of Bin
Hmusang and Doc Mai provide many rolls of suitable film subjects.
The water visibility varies (doesn't it everywhere?) from
5 metres after a week's blow, to 50 metres two days later.
My 'subjects' varied from a lovely three metre fan
coral to a pic of three mature crayfish occupying the same
rock ledge. Shark are frequently seen, but seldom when one
is armed with the correct lens to photograph them.
A
good deal of motoring is required to reach the better sites,
but this is not reflected in the costs. If you are on holiday
with diving as your main purpose, the time taken becomes a
pleasure and not a nuisance. Plenty of trips are organised
for non-divers by the major hotels, cars and motor cycles
can be hired, and there are numerous taxis to take you to
the restaurants at night. Phuket is notorious for its seafood,
You will need a visa if staying more than 15 days. Credit
cards are accepted In most places. The voltage is 220V.
If
you are not too impoverished, or support the view that you
can't take it with you, I heartily recommend you give Phuket
a try. |
