Phuket low season that never was...

Wow! Where is time going to? Phuket has what some describe as 'low season' from May to October inclusive. I am usually a bit depressed at this time. I don't like being quiet and not having much to do. Bring on 2012 and this low season has been manic! When i returned from the UK in June, business at SUB AQUA Dive Center (where I am Manager) immediately ramped up through July with the European Summer holidays kicking in at the same time as the Australian winter and great low season deals on Phuket hotels/flights.

More than just 'business', I got involved with a new project. You can read more about it on SUB AQUA Dive Center's blog but what started out as a small united group of Dive Centre Managers trying to do their best for Phuket is coming to fruition with the first planned event, 'Dive Against Debris' on 30th September 2012. It is the first time in all my time in Phuket that I have seen business owners/managers (particularly those in the diving industry) come together to do good. The event on 30th September looks set to be huge and I have put a lot of effort into gathering support for the project and offering logistical support in the run up to and on the day.

Then in August, I had the holiday of a lifetime. Mik and I flew from Phuket to Bali, spent 2 lovely nights in Ubud before flying on to Bima to joining Worldwide Dive And Sail's diving liveaboard to Komodo National Park.
Here are some photos from our trip:-

Villa Mandi, Ubud - tranquil setting

The best carrot cake I have ever tasted - Kafe in Ubud

Our place for a couple of nights

I could eat at this restaurant in the paddy fields of Ubud every day

I'll take the salad...

It tasted as good as it looks!

Ubud is so tranquil and beautiful

I was made up to find that cocoa beans grow in Bali!

Tea and coffee tasting - I am in heaven!

Me attempting a wood carving - I was rubbish at it!

This guy was sharpening blades for the feet of birds cock-fighting. Brutal!

Cycling in the countryside in Bali - Mik and me

This little girl let us walk around her home. Bless her.

Big smiles as we stop at a Balinese temple for a rest

Back on the road... or kind of off-roading really

This was a daily occurrence once we were on board the boat

First morning - we are awake just about. Time for dive briefing!

Had to include this - it was our 9 year anniversary!

Then came the Komodo dragons!

Dragon loving - LOL

Relaxing with a gin and tonic on the sundeck after a day of great dives

Tourist photo - Komodo National Park - tick!

Me and the man on Komodo Island

There ain't no dragon gonna eat me!

Me and my home for 10 days - ain't she lovely!

Indo Siren on 10 day Komodo diving tour

Absolutely beautiful vessel and great crew!

Close-up with the boat in my sights!

Fellow divers and crew on board the Indo Siren trip to Komodo August 2012

Then it was back to work! But there is a balance between work and play so if I took holiday in August, I then got stuck into my triathlon training and sorting the dive centre for high season. (Yes, not long now... 25th November is the Laguna Phuket Triathlon!). In September, it has been time to play a little again...

On 19th September Mik turned 40 and it was time to make sure he enjoyed every moment of celebrating it. With a few surprises, like a night at Serenity Terraces Resort , he had a lovely time. As I write this, he is off still celebrating with one of his gifts (rental of a Ducati Monster motorbike) and razzing around the Island with a couple of friends that have termed themselves 'Pie N Mash MC'. Ha! I'm so happy for him. Here are some photos of the fun we have had over his birthday week:-

The 'big' gift!

Surprise birthday cake taken to his workplace in the afternoon of his actual birthday

Evening of his birthday and it was time for a sundowner at East 88 beach lounge

Our apartment for the evening

Me and the man - combined age of 70! Crikey!

The band we rocked out with at his Party

The next morning... collection of gifts... mainly alcohol based. LOL!

 That's it. You are all updated. This week is going to be mostly spent making final preparation for the Go Eco Phuket 'Dive Against Debris' event on 30th September. Day full of press conferences and presentations to participants this Tuesday and the Rawai-Naiharn Dragon Boat Quiz this Thursday evening... It's all go this low season! Happy times.