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Since childhood, I have been afraid of the depths of the sea. When I look down, I feel that it is too dark. I can't see the bottom, and I don't know what's down there.

The decision to overcome her fear by taking her first diving lesson changed everything.

One day, as I was scrolling through my Facebook newsfeed, reading through various posts as usual,

My eyes caught a promotional message from a page called Coral Grand Divers. They were offering a discount on scuba diving lessons at their booth at the Thai Travel in Thailand event.

The text contains approximately 3-4 images and an invitation that captivated my attention and compelled me to pause my reading.

I tagged Bo in a post about scuba diving, which she was already interested in. As a result, she invited me to the "Thais Travel Thailand" event, which was happening on its final day.

Upon arriving at the booth, the staff enthusiastically invited me to try scuba diving, describing it as a transformative experience. Before I knew it, I had impulsively paid a deposit for a PADI Open Water Diver course package, including four nights of accommodation, for 9,000 baht.

Upon our return, we researched travel options to Koh Tao. We found two main options: flying to Chumphon and then taking a ferry, or taking a bus directly from the ferry company.

We opted to fly, as Nok Air was the only airline offering flights to Chumphon, with two daily departures at 7:25 AM and 6:45 PM.

Booking link: https://www.nokair.com

Ferry Ticket Section:

We offer ferry services from Lomprayah, which includes pick-up and drop-off from the airport to the pier. Booking through their website is incredibly convenient.

Booking link: https://www.lomprayah.com

Day 1

We arrived in Chumphon around 8:30 am. We then walked out of the airport and found the Lomprayah counter on the left side of the airport.

A 200 baht ticket from the airport to Thung Makham Noi Pier includes a van transfer to the city first. Then, at noon, a bus will pick you up and take you to the pier.

The car dropped me off at the Lomprayah office, which is located next to Chumphon Railway Station.

After waiting for a while, at noon the bus picked us up to take us to the boat at 13:00 at the Thung Makham Noi Pier.

The interior of the boat is quite pleasant, clean, with cool air conditioning and comfortable seats.

That's Ed, a fellow Scuba student. We didn't know each other at the time of this photo, so I took it secretly. Haha.

After a while, I walked around the boat. Those who want to take pictures can go up to the deck, or those who are seasick and want to get some fresh air can go up and sit on the deck. 5555

After a two-hour boat ride, we finally arrived at Koh Tao!

Those who have arranged for hotel pick-up should exit to the left, following the pavilion. Hotel staff will be waiting to assist you. If you are unable to locate your hotel, please ask any staff member for assistance, as they are familiar with the locations.

This is the hotel car of Coral Grand Diving.

The car will drop us off here. Walk a little further and you will find Diving House on the left, as shown in the picture. It's the one with the brown roof.

The right side is the swimming pool for tourists who are just staying and not diving.

Upon check-in, guests will receive their room keys. The room included in the diving package will be a fan room. Guests who require an air-conditioned room will need to pay an additional 400 baht per night.

After packing up the classroom, our teachers scheduled a 4 pm meeting to introduce the curriculum and cover the theoretical aspects before moving on to the practical exercises. We have two teachers: Teacher Gui and Teacher Ping. The curriculum is outlined below.

- 4:00 PM on Day 1: Program Orientation

Day 2: Morning - Theoretical study, Afternoon - Practical training in the swimming pool.

Day 3:

• Morning: Practical training in the swimming pool.
• Afternoon: Scuba diving sessions 1 & 2 (maximum depth 12 meters).

• Morning of the 4th, theoretical exam. Afternoon, dives 3 & 4 (maximum depth 18 meters).

On the first day, I didn't bring my camera, so I don't have any pictures to show you. Teacher Kuy will distribute the Open Water Diving course book.

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Day 2

At 8:30 AM, the teacher asked us to meet in the classroom. We then continued with the remaining theoretical lessons in the morning. In the afternoon, we went to the water for practical training.

After completing the theoretical part of the course, Professor Ku invited us to meet him at the equipment room at 1:00 PM to choose the equipment that best suits our needs.

Extremely excited! I'm going scuba diving for the first time. I arrived first and have been waiting since 12:45 (not excited at all, haha).

Following that, Kru Gui and Kru Ping allowed us to try out the equipment, explaining how each item worked.

Subsequently, a buoyancy test was conducted, requiring subjects to float in a starfish position for approximately 3-5 minutes.

After completing the test, Krui and Kru Ping asked us to come ashore to learn how to assemble the equipment and prepare before entering the water. Then, they asked us to throw the equipment into the water.

Bo, my diving classmates Ed and Ying, and I.

On the first day, we learned about breathing through a regulator (underwater breathing apparatus), clearing a mask when water enters, using a BCD, the steps for submerging and floating on the surface, and trying out lead weights by using a lead belt to adjust to body weight.

We finished our studies and skills around 5 pm, and we were all exhausted.

Tomorrow, Teacher Kuy will meet us at 8:30 AM as usual to practice our skills and learn more techniques for underwater emergencies. Then, in the afternoon, we will finally get to go out to sea!

Day 3

We arrived at the equipment room at 8:00 AM and carried the equipment to the pool. Today, Krui and Kru Ping instructed us to assemble the equipment ourselves.

At 8:30 AM, Kru Gui and Kru Ping arrived. Today, we were tasked with assembling the equipment and placing it on land. Kru Ping then instructed us on how to enter the water with the equipment.

"Place the regulator in your mouth and hold the mask and regulator with your right hand. Grip the weight belt with your left hand and step to the edge of the pool."

"Look at me everyone… simple steps, step out like walking forward, and then boom!!! Down… down I go!!!"

"After going down, emerge and make a 'Love you' gesture. Oh, no! Make a 'Big O' gesture, which means we're okay!"

"Go ahead, Bo! Come on!"

"I'm getting off now!"

Bang! Oh my god! Why didn't you come out? Where are you? Oh, there you are. I'm okay.

We then submerged ourselves in the water. Krui and Kruping instructed us to practice the skill of removing and replacing our masks underwater, in case the mask comes off while we are in the water.

Translation:

Note: The original text is empty, so the translation is also empty.

The instructor then taught us how to hang underwater and control our buoyancy. We then practiced swimming around the pool.

Make an underwater ring.

The course concludes with instruction on various emergency water-exiting techniques.

It's time to set sail!

After lunch, Teacher Ku asked us to meet at the beach at 12:30 to board the boat.

We have arrived at our first dive site, the Japanese Garden. The first group will descend first.

This is our first dive, so Instructor Ping hasn't allowed us to bring our cameras down yet. We need to practice our underwater skills first, and she's worried we won't be able to focus on them if we're also trying to take pictures.

As I jumped into the water, my fear of the darkness beneath the sea intensified. I felt my mind wandering, and I became paranoid that something would pull me down.

Following the instructions from Instructor Ping, we exhaled and submerged, releasing air from our buoyancy compensators (BCDs).

As the head submerged, silence enveloped me. It was so quiet that I could hear my own heartbeat. Excitement and a thirst for new experiences began to replace fear. Everything felt as if it had been released. The sensation was like floating in the sky, with a sense of freedom, soaring endlessly like a bird.

After completing our skills training, Teacher Ping took us for a swim.

Today, I realized the breathtaking beauty of the underwater world, a splendor unmatched by anything on land. It made me wonder why I had not pursued this knowledge sooner.

Translation:

"Whoever gets seasick, the first time sailing will be a real torture in life. 5555 Once they're back on the surface, P'Wer and Bo donate a lot of food for the fish to eat. 5555 After releasing them, they feel relieved."

Today, we completed two dives at the same location. After surfacing, we recorded our dives in our logbook, noting the total number of dives completed.

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Day 4

Today, we will take the theoretical exam in the morning, followed by two dives in the afternoon to practice our skills in the sea.

The theoretical exam went smoothly. In the afternoon, we boarded a boat at the beach to take the practical exam at sea.

Upon arrival, the instructor, Kru Gui, instructed us to assemble the equipment before jumping into the water.

Translation:

On the return trip, a radio message from another boat reported a whale shark sighting. Whale sharks are rare and elusive creatures, often swimming alongside boats, making them a coveted sight for divers. Some divers, even after hundreds of dives, have never encountered one.

Our kind captain quickly returned to the boat and took us to hunt whale sharks immediately.

I was fully prepared to jump off the boat at any moment, with my fins and mask on, but it turned out we didn't make it in time. 😭😭😭😭 Big brother, you didn't wait for me!

No worries, try again next time. 5555

After completing the course that night, we went out for a small party, but we didn't take many pictures because we were drunk. 5555

Day 5

Today, we plan to rent a boat to visit Koh Nang Yuan, which is conveniently located opposite our accommodation.

Walking to ask the boat in front of the beach, got a price of 300 baht for half a day.

Nang Yuan Island is open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Drones and food are not allowed on the island. Nang Yuan Island has a viewpoint for taking high-angle photos, which takes about 10 minutes to walk up and is quite tiring.

After finishing our tour, we returned to collect our belongings to board the ship at 2:45 PM. We then boarded a plane back to Bangkok.

After that day, I always think about it. The first feeling I had when I saw the underwater world. Thank you to myself for overcoming my fear and taking myself to learn to dive.

Thank you to my friends who have endured hardships together. If there is an opportunity, let's meet again in the underwater world.

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