So I am back from my time diving aboard Scubacat with the kids from Concordia. After arriving back on dry land I met up with Sarah who was responsible for making the trip possible. Over a drink she told me more about the Reef Check program, diving around Phuket, and amazing stories of the people of Patong beach and events that happened on the 2004 tsunami that hit and caused so much devastation. It was amazing to hear that even in the face of loosing everything stories of laughter, generosity, and kindness emerged. The thai people really are amazing and I do love visiting here, I have already encountered so many individuals that go out of their way to help me out for just a few baht, earning an honest living and with smile on their face. It makes me certainly want to come back.

Just one of the many shop fronts that look more at home 50 years ago than the present day

The very next day I was straight into the 2nd Asia Pacific Coral Reef Symposium. A conference that in it’s second year has grown greatly and this year had 450 attendees from all around Asia and the world.  There were a a few familiar faces at the conference but not many, but it was a fantastic opportunity to meet many of my peers and some big names in the study of coral reefs. I had a great time whilst I was there and learned a lot about the science that is taking place in the Asia/Indo Pacific region, which is an area of particular interest to me.

One of the dancers at the Symposium banquet, traditional thai dances and live music as we ate was great entertainment. As the night moved a keyboardest came out and played all the 90’s classics. I felt like I was at my 4th form disco again!

Other than that I have been zipping back and forward from my backpackers to the conference on the back of motorbikes, darting between traffic and sliding around corners in the rain. Lets just say at 7:30am when this is your mode of transport, who needs coffee. Sampling the local delecacies and getting a small taste of real thai town without the masquerade cast over the culture like many of the tourist hubs. Wandering the streets have been good to experiment with my camera, there is so much character as you wander the roads of Phuket city, one can find any number of open workshops, food stalls, and local food markets to keep you entertained for hours.

Flying through the streets on the back of a scooter. It’s the quickest, cheapest, and most exciting way to travel.

A guardian at temple nearby accommodation

A concrete mixer sidling the footpath

I am off to Pulau Weh, a small island just off the Northern tip of Sumatra, Indonesia tomorrow. I am spending 5 days with Lumba Lumba divers to experience the amazing diving at this remote diving opperation before heading up to Guam to meet up with 2008 Australasian scholar Steve Lindfield. I’ll let you know how it goes!

Till then

Will