We just got back from our 5 day special New Year trip around the best dive sites in the Similan AND Surin Islands. Wow, what a great way to start off the new year. They say that the way you spend your new year is a good indication of what is in store for the year to come, and if that is indeed the truth, then we are all in for a treat!
We were really lucky to be joined by some wicked guests. From the U.S, Terry, Jane, Sara, Jake, Leah, David and Deb. Bree and Jo from Australia, Denise from Singapore, Katrin, Maria and Jim from Sweden, Marijke and Coen from Holland, Diana from Russia, Matt and Michael from the UK/ Thailand, and last, but most certainly not least, Craig!
As our trip leader we had Colin, and Dive crew Brett, Deaw, Chris, Sinan, and myself, Christa. And of course, best boat crew in Thailand, P’da, Ead, Captain Wit, Tow, Top and Duew. With all of these characters, it was next to impossible for us to have anything less than a great time, and we did exactly that….
Our trip departed on New Years’ Eve, and excitement and anticipation was in the air. We all introduced ourselves and got into the groove of the night fairly quickly. We had a sparkly fireworks display, and set the party scene on the top deck And because of this special night, we treated ourselves to a sleep in for the following day, 8:45. Haha, can you imagine? 8:45 being considered a lay in, thank you diving gods (and Colin) We spent the rest of the year chatting, and joking around, enjoying a few wobbly pops, sharing highlights of the year 2013, and then cracked open the bubbly just before midnight. Because there was no official clock, time, or countdown, we took the opportunity to announce “Happy New Year!” multiple times, as well as, “Merry Birthday!” and “Happy Hanukah!” and all sorts of silly cheers! The night carried on for some of us, more celebrations and laughs were to be had on this special night…
We woke up in beautiful and sunny Similan islands! Good morning, 2014! We had an epic big breakfast, and everyone was keen to get in for their first, of many dives of the trip. We were lucky to have sweet diving conditions, great weather, and such cool people.
We had a couple of beach visits, all had a few laughs playing “Vampire”, I hosted our first Wicked Quiz night of the year, shared had plenty of time up on the sun deck basking in the glorious sunshine, ate like kings and queens, and enjoyed lots of Wicked Diving!!! With 15 dives all up, we visited some of the best sites that the Similan and surin islands have to offer! We were lucky to see lots of marine life including mating octopus, cool nudis, frogfish, ornate ghost pipe fish, turtles, sea snakes, napoleon wrasse, and so much more!
With newly certified Advanced and Nitrox divers, and 3 of our guests hit their 100 dive mark! We all had a really enjoyable trip and a truly wonderful beginning to this brand new year! Happy New Year Everyone, from the whole Wicked Family
-Wicked Diving Thailand