Ko Samui- Giant's Fishbowl

We have encountered many forms of transportation including a ferry out to Ko Samui. I see why some may call it Paradise. Though we arrived at the beginning of rainy season, it is no cause for a detterent to enjoy the island and beaches galour. Snorkeling, sailing and sun-tanning are all traditional highlights to the resorts. Massages, dancing and drinking all provide afternoon and evening entertainment. Afternoon rains rarely put a damper on plans, unless you are caught in the downpour or the electrity goes out for an undetermined amount of time. Beaches are subject to the stereotypical illustration of an earthly paradise- white sandy beaches, pale blue or light green water with dark areas marking underwater rocks. Palm trees lining the beaches create a picturesque Corona commercial. Islands big and small, within view, tease visitors with all sort of possible adventures.

We chose our adventure as diving off the coast of Koh Tao- a medium sized island by land but one or two streets long as a town. Setting off to two sites, Mango Bay and Japanese Garden, we dove for 2 hours. To be sure to have a successful dive, it is important to have enough weight on the weight belt- this way the probability of shooting up to the surface is lowered- unless you're me. Once my weight was fixed, the dive went beautifully.

Diving, to me, is like being in a giant's fishbowl. I was waiting for some young giant's chubby finger to tap or bang on the glass, to get my attention. Coral, rock, fish, mussels, clam- all look much bigger, yet somehow I till knew I didn't fit in.
A school of hundreds of Fusiliers congregated near where we were. I positioned myself underneath them and the specs of light shining through magnificently lit up the fish. A giant clam peacefully sat looking large enough to fit at least my head in it's mouth. Our second dive fashioned a narrow and low ceilinged swim through. It is pertinent to make sure not to hit any coral so as not to destroy it.
Swimming in the open is a difficult feat enough not to slam into the coral, but when there's a narrow way to swim it becomes much harder. Don't worry- I think my fin hit the wall once.

Fish swim around you like you're just another part of their world. Fish eggs float like mini jellyfish preparing to hatch. Triggerfish are kept at a distance as to not aggravate them. Sea cucumber small and large slump to a side on the ocean floor while Bannerfish bottom feed looking for some nice snacks. Sea anemones flinch to a soft touch and small mussels close with the snap of fingers.

Though changed by human interference, the colors are never-ending. A soon as you think you've seen all the colors, a new fish comes by challening the previous thought. These aren't just the standard rainbow colors of a prism taught to children.
Various shades of all colors imaginable and thensome paint the marine life. To take a few colors above the water would do grievous damage to any fashion sense, yet all the colors together underwater miraculouly match.
They match in such a manner that it is just understood that these organisms were intentionally placed together.

Though tired and quite hungry after a dive, the reward is a cooled beverage on the beach, listening to the waves, watching the few lights scattered on the horizon, firelit lanterns floating by in the sky and of course, the quick on-set of a migraine.
Just as disruptive the word migraine is to this description is how disruptive it felt. Luckily, it didn't take away from my experience as a whole. Ko Samui is definitely a worthwhile getaway. I would add it to the list.