PADI Qualification Course with DiveAsia
I could not envisage a protracted stay in SE Asia without being able to dive and enjoy the underwater life as well. During my research I came across DiveAsia offering PADI qualifications for Open Water diving on Tioman Island. That’s what brought me here and I am so pleased to have taken this opportunity. The course is intensive. I arrived on Saturday at 13:00. By 14:00 myself and Alan Eandi were hard at work studying and being tutored the theory by our instructor, Linn Almqvist. Alan is from Argentina and Linn from Sweden. Six hours later the theory was done and we all went for supper together. Suddenly, Sunday dawned and by 08:30 we started the confined water diving skills levels 1-5. Normally this is accomplished in a swimming pool but we went into the shallows of the ocean where apart from learning to dive we could also see the coral and fishes – so much better than a pool. This took the whole day – nine hours later I was more than ready for a cold beer. Then on Monday and Tuesday we dived twice a day to complete the 4 Open Water dives and the qualification.
If I had written the script I could not have asked for a more professional, patient, supportive instructor than Linn or a nicer diving buddy than Alan. Linn is tough when she has to be but so encouraging and she put in a lot of her time to help me. Alan took to diving like a duck to water, I took to it somewhat like a balloon to water as I battled with buoyancy and balance. He was uncomplaining and very supportive and kind. When we dived and I was having problems, he had to wait around while Linn worked with me and all this while the coral and fishes were just asking to be admired. Anyway with all the kindness and care it all suddenly clicked into place and we had a great final qualification dive together. Thank you both so much!
All kitted up and ready to dive – Elred, Linn, Alan
Relaxing with a cup of coffee between dives
Got it!!!!
Hi Elred. We are now in Phuket and tracking your progress. One amazing experience we had in Krabi was attending a cooking class at Thai Charm Cooking School. Truly a “life altering” positive experience. http://www.thaicharmcooking.com and thaicharm999@gmail.com They have lunchtime and evening classes and will collect you from your residence and return you later. Only Bt 1,200- pp. worth every cent. Enjoy. Bon Voyage
That’s magic – glad you enjoyed – I’ll definitely book a class – thanks for the information. Sounds like you’re having a fabulous trip
enjoy
Well done El, glad to see you are having such a good time.
Congratulations to the divers license. Uli
Congrats on diving certification. It’s a beautiful world under water, sure you’re going to love diving. Enjoy!
We are following your trek. Great reading so far. Praying for your safety from us in Cape Town
Looks incredible and congrats Enjoy
Congrats Elred, proud of you mate!!
Thanks Iain. I’m having fun
Looks like paradise!
It is just delightful. Nothing like the Seychelles for instance. Just local family places and great water for swimming and diving
Congratulations Tex! It all looks fabulous and more interesting road kill than badgers!
Thanks Maeve. Glad you remembered the badger
Congratulations Elred, I am glad the blog is back!
Cheers Andrew. Need try update from km Melaka in about a week
Well done Tex!! xxx