The Beach

I didn't think I would, but the day after my first post-diving night on the beers/buckets, I made it to the beach, along with my dive buddies - Dan, Corina, Michael and Dan's mate Brendan. What I mean to say is: I made it to 'The Beach'. I was not at all surprised to find that it was almost (but not completely) unlike the beach in the movie. It was, however, a very nice beach, and we spent some real quality time there, doing sweet FA.

When I left my job back in Bristol, I thought I would wake up every morning with a huge grin on my face, leap out of bed, get on my knees and thank my lucky stars that I didn't have to go to work. Well, the feeling of novelty surrounding leading a jobless lifestyle quickly fades - you inevitably forget about the work-a-day stresses as your experiences change and your focus shifts to something new.

However, as I lay on that beach in four inches of cool crystal clear water, my hands lazily playing with the finest sand, my eyes sleepily exploring the cliffs surrounding me, I had one of those 'get on your knees and thank your lucky stars' kind of moments.

It's all about time. It's when you know that you have the time to just lie there and do absolutely nothing in one of the most beautiful places on earth that you realise how lucky you are.

Koh Pi Pi rocks

Table Coral City

More cool coral where I saw a five foot shark in shallow water (but no-one believed me)

We hit the beach

Dan may not thank me for publishing this, but I think it captures perfectly the lazy mood of the afternoon

Leo on the beach. Oops, no that's me, isn't it?