Going down

Asia. The largest continent, yet the hitherto least explored. By me, that is. I hardly think one week in Israel and one impromptu half-day in Singapore counts, so this time I'm going to Asia in-depth. And I mean that literally: The first country I'll be visiting is the land of smiles, Thailand. Even though it has a lot to offer and even more that I don't yet know of, one of its finest assets is undoubtedly that Thailand is a diving paradise on earth. And dive I shall!
 
Diving
 
My tour starts in Khao Lak, for a liveaboard to the Similan Islands. As the arranging company, Seadragon, describes it:

"Similan Islands & Koh Bon - 3 day / 2 night
Our unique fun boat, the only liveaboard boat specifically catering to travellers or those of you on a budget, offers lots of good diving, good food & good company at a very affordable price.With only eight customers onboard, supervised by two professional dive staff, we are able to offer a very personalised trip and friendly service with the emphasis on safety, good food and diving, diving, diving...During the trip there is plenty of time for visiting the different beaches and exploring the islands, including the chance to climb to the top of the famous rock formation at Ao Guerk for beautiful views over the bay, or visit the National Park Headquarters on Koh Miang.Enjoy the diverse diving of the Similans, from the extensive coral reefs to the canyons and gullies formed by underwater granite boulders with numerous swimthroughs. Also you will make a dive along the near vertical slope of Koh Bon - the only true wall dive in this area, and keep a careful watch for the manta rays, often seen playing in the waters near this island.And in the evening, relax on our open-air sundeck. With no air-conditioning onboard and therefore no generator running at night, the Nangnuan is one of the last boats in the islands offering total peace and quiet. Bring along your guitar - this is the perfect setting for those lazy tropical evenings."
 
As if this wasn't enough, I will also take an upgrade course to become an Advanced Open Water Diver.

Photography
I distinctly remember one of my first thoughts during my very first long journey. After a dive trip to the Great Barrier Reef in November 2005 I said to myself, 'Next trip I'm bringing an under water case for my camera!'. Well, I didn't. More than six years later I finally found what I was looking for. A priceworthy case that took one incompetent shipping company and roughly six weeks to reach me.
 As if that wasn't enough, the only compatible camera have been off the market a couple of years, so I had to peruse the used items sales sites. But at long last, I had the full set: A Canon Ixus 80 and its compatible 40 metres waterproof case.
And I bought a new DSLR, as well, 'cause, y'know, I like photography.
 
 Overlanding
 
Eventually I intend to bus myself to Bangkok, from which I will embark on an overlanding tour lasting nearly six weeks, including visits to Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.
According to Intrepid Travel, I can expect to bargain like a local in Bangkok's markets, see the temples of Angkor rise out of the jungle, delve into Khmer history in Phnom Penh, experience rural village life at a Cambodian homestay, explore Sihanoukville's tropical surrounds, relax on Nha Trang's beaches, stroll the atmospheric streets of Hoi An, wander through Hanoi's Old Quarter, admire the stunning limestone crags around Vang Vieng and take a riverboat cruise on the Mekong.
After which I will finally be heading back into Thailand, to finish in Chiang Mai, high up int the north, and high up in the mountains.
But first, we go down. 30 meters down.