April 2011
April 13th is the Thai new year and is celebrated with the biggest water fight in the world, at Real Divers we always shut up shop and join in with the fun custom. Neil, Pete and James were joined by the usual suspects, Kuz, Cookie, Gary, Drac, M&M, Stan, Frederick, Daryl, Tyler, Kevin and our pet Ape also a couple of newbe's John, Dylan and T.J. The usual powder and ice cold water were thrown everywhere for the next 7 days, the only people who didn't seem to enjoy it were the Russians, now come on! it's sunny, nearly 40 degrees and it's quite refreshing to have a bucket of water tipped over your head or thrown in yer face lol.
April was really a very hot wet month, not just with the festival but the diving as well. Real Divers were diving the usual Pattaya sites but the majority of the dives were done in Samae San. The Hardeep, koh chuang and shark fin, good viz, calm conditions and a great bunch of divers. Gary, Kuz, Daryl, Drac, M&M, Fred and Stan thanks for coming diving, the laughs and the ones for the road.
Well done to the Canadian lads Dylan and T.J who had fun on their discover scuba diving course, our DM Cookie who is their friend took them to a temple where all 3 of them were bitten by a monkey and ended up having rabies injections, i wouldn't mind but there is a big sign saying don't play with the monkey it bites, well done lads lol.
John strolled in shell shocked from the water festival, he became an Open water diver and loved it so much he did the Advanced course as well, we also taught him how to enjoy the festival. Well done John hope to see you again soon.
Well done Kevin for becoming our newest Real Rescue Diver, Emo and Cookie taking him through the paces, i hope you enjoyed the course and catch yer when you get back here.
Well done to Stan, nearly there just that couple of extra percent to finish your divemaster then onto the A.I course with Cookie, should be fun.
A big thanks to everyone who came diving and snorkeling with us, it was a fun month to get wet, apart from if you were that Russian on the motorbike lol. The town is getting quiet now, the next couple of months will be slow which is good for some and not good for others but one thing for sure is, we will still be getting wet.
OK everyone once again i see it as it happens and if i don't, throw a bucket of water in my face.... Snoop.
Special note:
Next year we are running a 3 day dive/relax trip sometime over April and November to the islands off koh Samet where Pete and Neil used to work 14 years ago (haha lets see how much they remember). Get in touch if you're interested.
May 2011
The first 2 weeks of May was a sad time for Real Divers it seemed like every other day someone went home, i suppose it's that time of year, anyway cheers to all the lads and lasses and didn't we have a nice time. A lot more diving was done in Samae San. As well as the nice trip to and fro looking at the Thai countryside we actually got to dive Hin Chalam (shark rock) which was fun for everyone because we don't dive there as much as we would like but then again neither does anyone else. For those of you who don't know where Hin Chalam is? its the furthest island out from Samae San, its the only dive site i know of that has different marine life and corals to the other usual dive sites we dive in Pattaya or Samae San.
The other nice thing is its great for every level of diver with the corals starting from just a couple of metres going down to the depths of 40 metres with interest. It was a fun day out for all with a few cold ones when we got back to the shop. Cheers once again to Kuz, Gary, Stan and Daryl for all the diving they done, hope you enjoyed it.
Well done to Tony and Karen on completing the Advanced course, the wreck dive on the Khram was awesome over 10 meteres viz, hope to see you again soon.
Well done to the Norwegians Ola and Joachim who came to Thailand for the first time, we always have to smile at the first timers because we remember our own first time so well, oh those were the days lol. They both completed their Open water and Advanced course and had a great time around the town as well, i'm pretty sure we will see you again sometime. Thanks to everyone who came diving and snorkeling with us, hope to see you again.
OK everyone until next time, my eyes are open and i will see it as it happens.... Snoop
Special note:
Next year we are running a 3 day dive/relax trip sometime over April and November to the islands off koh Samet where Pete and Neil used to work 14 years ago (haha lets see how much they remember). Get in touch if you're interested.
June 2011
June is the slowest month of the year, Pattaya almost stops haha yeah right, even Remo went back to Canada but of course he will be back probably sooner, rather then later. This left the two brothers to do all the work, i don't know why everybody thinks that is so funny lol but before Remo left we had German Mike walk in to do some diving and all the fun and games of the Rescue course, well done Mike for completing the course with Remo going through the blues of going home and for the way you chugged that horrible Lao Kow rice whiskey and beer down the Golden Snorkel, hope we see both of you soon.
Then it was the return of Oz as Phil and Brad came to do some diving, Brad also going on and becoming a Master scuba diver keeping the brothers busy with 5 specialties, well done Brad it was great to see you again, beers an all and good luck with your instructors course.
We also welcomed Toree from California who came and completed his Advanced and Rescue diver course and we even made a new saying "just do a Toree" the man loves diving and just loves the town so much he tried to buy it, well done Toree believe me we will never be able to forget you lol.
Next up was Todd from America, Todd came to Pattaya for the first time to dive and dive he did. Todd completed his Open water and Advanced courses and had a hell of a time with the Pattaya daylife and nightlife, well done Todd i know you enjoyed it.
Well done to Cheech and Chong for completeing the Discover scuba diving, we had a great day out there sun, sea and sand. Hope to see you back for the open water course next year.
Thanks to all our friends who dived and snorkeled with us and drank with us, hope to see you all again in this wonderful place called Pattaya.
So what is usually our slowest month of the year where we kick our feet up ended out to be quite busy, well done to Neil and Pete i've never seen you do so much diving in a month, the cob webs are truly off.
So until next month my eyes and ears will be open and i'm watching you as it happens.... Snoop.
July 2011
July was blue skies and sunshine, the rainy days of June had disappeared. The diving was fun because this is the time of year when the currents are really running so the drift diving was great, especially at Koh Man Wichai and koh Krok. There were sightings of large marble Rays and Turtles having to go with the currents, thats how strong they are but it was great fun drifting along with them, all in all some great diving.
We also had a few of the die hard Real Divers back, Nobu was back for his Enriched air specialty and the drinking of the amber nectar from the green bottles and of course the bangers and mash which he is addicted to, well done always great to see you Nobu, we will see you again sometime before the new year.
We also had Takashi come in to do his Advance course, he had fun on the wreck and drift dives. One of Takashi specialties is to strap a video camera to his motorbike and race through the Pattaya traffic as fast as he can, makes great video for some near misses. Well done Takashi for the diving and the driving hope to see you again soon.
That is Yeksy in the background trying to get his buoyancy
Toree stayed on from June and completed his Rescue diver course, he had a great time on the course and also a great time chugging the golden snorkel full of Thai rice whisky (what a beast). Catch you when you get back here Toree, i'm sure we will hear you before seeing you lol.
Well done again to Todd for starting his Rescue course see you next month for the golden snorkel, i promise you we will clean it after Toree. Also well done to Sean, first time to Pattaya he so nearly started the Open water course but got caught up in the different diving activities, probably breaking rule #2 but he bought the open water book for next time, well done Sean, it will be good to see both of you again.
Next up was the Aussies, two completely different characters, Daryl and Steveo, Daryl loves diving and the beach road life while Steveo loves the diving and the bars lol, Daryl completed his Enriched Air Specialty as well as starting his Divemaster course, alls looking good and going well apart from every time a lady walks past the dive school Daryl tries to abscond her but fails miserably, probably should stick with the diving lol. Steveo completed his Enriched Air course as well as having a great time around the Pattaya bars, well done Steveo we know you enjoyed it.
sorry Steveo, we didn't have a photo of you, everybody
make sure we take a photo of you or this happens lol
Thanks to all the divers and snorkelers that came out on our fun day trips, they were enjoyable days in the sun at the Pattaya islands and we hope to see you all again for more fun in and out of the water.
Just a quick note about our November trip to Koh Samet, The trip will be 2 nights and 3 days, it will be a fun trip with diving and living the good life.... we have a few places left so if you don't have your names down just get in contact with us for information about the trip, it's going to be a gooden "Real Divers style".
So until next month i will be sleeping with one eye open watching all your moves, whether they are good or bad and remember i don't miss a thing.... Snoop
Bangers and Mash
Daryl Leave the Turtle alone and the dummy lol
Usually as soon as Remo goes home in come all the students and this year wasn't any different, firstly in came Joey from Holland to do his Open water course, well done Joey, first time to Pattaya and first time diving, he had alot of fun in and out of the water. See you when you get back here.
August 2011
August was another sunny month, very little rain and a whole lot of diving going on. We were back in Samae San jumping from island to island and of course the Hardeep shipwreck which is always nice to dive. Thanks to Steve, Jerry, Luke and Al for the 5 days of diving with us, hope to see you again soon, it was fun diving with you and the cold beers after, the two brothers need a holiday theirselves after that. Well done to Paul for completing Advance course and the wreck specialty, even though the Hardeep has a bit of wear and tear these days it was still nice to see her holding up especially when we were inside, great dive and we even got to see the 2 huge marble rays as well as the turtle, see you when you get back.
Pattaya was its usual fun and games this time of year with the currents, a lot of drift diving in the mornings but we are starting to get the slacks in the afternoons. Well done to Jovaun from the US on completing the Open water course in 3 days which is not easy but you did it with flying colours, hope to see you again soon.
Well done to Andy from England who also completed the open water course, first time to Pattaya and im sure it won't be your last, see you in December.
If Samae San was the icing on the cake this month well the speed boat trip to Koh Rin was the cherry on the top, it took 45 minutes with flat seas. We left at 10am (i've never seen the customers looking in such good health) 2 great coral dives on north rock and south rock and still got back before 3pm for cold beverages at the nearest watering hole..... great day out for all.
We also welcomed back our longest serving divemaster trainee Dennis from Holland lol he has been doing the course for the past six years, he always reminds us that Rome wasn't built in a day and we always tell him neither was his DM course but we knew that along time ago, anyway he is 4 dives away from completion and the Golden Snorkel (i wonder what he will drink down that) lol well done Dennis, next up for you is the 10 year Assistant instructor course.
Yet again thanks to everyone who dived or snorkled with us and hope to see you again when you get back for more fun and adventures in and out of the Pattaya waters.
Until next month which is looking busy already with aload of Real Divers usual suspects coming in, my eyes and ears never deceive me.... watch out watch out the Snoop is about.
September 2010
While the rest of the country is flooded with water levels nearing the definition of a dive Pattaya has been one of the only places you can still walk on dry land, as Real Divers we don't mind getting wet anyway.
The diving has been great this month with the viz getting better daily, it was 12m viz by the end of the month. Lots of sightings of turtles and over at the elephant ear rocks the black tip sharks are about again, they love the high tides and go in between the two pinnicles in water only about 3 metres deep, great sight to see and you only get to see them if you're snorkeling the bubbles of scuba scare them away.
With blue skies, sun shining and calm seas we welcomed back alot of Real diver returners, 1st of all US Sean came back to do his Advance course as usual it went diving, drinking, hangover, diving, drinking, hangover, LB, we can't forget that Tequila day but he had alot of fun diving the wrecks of Pattaya, well done Sean.
Next in was US Todd, Irish aka Yeksy and Aussie aka dog, now Todd just loves diving he started off with the fun and games of the Rescue course, rescuing panicked Yeksys and unconscious dogs lol Yeksy also completed his Rescue course as well as somehow injuring himself on the boat, this is how it happened! as the boat was moving a wave hit the boat side on and even though he hadn't been drinking? Yeksy wobbled and fell over against some tanks "ouch" don't worry the tanks were ok and Yeksy went on to finish the course. Dog who had just started his Divemaster course had plenty of fun assisting on this rescue course and after the course with the Golden snorkel achievement awards, well done to the lads for passing both tests.
Toad having fun in and out of the water
Yeksy finding his feet, well just about.
You can't teach an old dog a new trick? or can we!!!
Todd, Yeksy and Dog also went on to complete their Enriched Air course so now they can dive those shipwrecks for longer times, well done.
Aussie Steveo who is here every other month stopped in to also complete his Enriched Air course well done mate catch yer back here soon.
Well done Darren for passing the Advance course, happy days on the wrecks and the coral sites and see you soon for the Rescue course.
Thank you everyone who came snorkeling or diving with us it has been a good month to get in the water if you are a diver and a bad month for everyone else who has been hit by the floods in Thailand.
Ok until next time i will keep my ear to the ground, watch out the snoops about.....
October 2010
October is a great month for diving Pattaya, good viz, sunshine and glass top seas what else would a Real Diver need apart from winning the lottery and maybe a few other things lol anyway back to the real world.
Well done to Sean as he was put through the tests of becoming a Rescue diver and passed with flying colours on the course and down at the local watering hole.
We also welcomed back the Japanese Real Divers, Takashi and Yu. Well done Takashi who also completed his Rescue diver course and well done to Yu who completed the Open water course and had a great time on his first visit to Pattaya, see you when you get back for some more diving and i hope you forget that Bangkok memory lol.
Well done to Todd who went in and out of the wrecks on his Wreck course, just remember rule #2 otherwise it could get you in trouble lol.
Congratulations to Mike from the US who completed the openwater course, it's always nice to have new divers who really enjoyed the course hope to see you again soon.
October is great time to do some night diving with its high tides and flat seas, lots of squid and octopus to be seen as well as large sting rays.Thanks to all the divers that went on the trip and made it a great night of diving and we still got back to enjoy the Pattaya nightlife, can't be bad.
Sean getting his Rescue diver award
Todd on his way to the wreck
This is what you look like when you're going home, cheer up lads
Takashi resting before the Rescue course and having a good time underwater
The sun set on the way to the night dive
Getting ready to descend
The divers having a bite to eat after the dive
A big thanks to everyone who came diving with us whether it was coral diving, wreck diving, courses or just enjoying a days snorkelling out at the Pattaya islands hope to see you all again soon, keep safe.
So until next time i will have my nose to the ground and sleep with one eye open..... Snoop.
November 2011
November is always a chilly month on the boat as we tend to get the Northern winds rolling into Sunny Pattaya and the temperture takes a slight drop. The diving is fine and the visibility gets better due to the change in temperature. The HTMS Khram has been a great dive site this month due to the slack currents, the RD Team really took advantage and the divers had a great time exploring this fine dive site. November turned out to be turtles month it seemed that nearly every dive site we turned up to the team and divers got a chance to see the huge hawkbill and leatherback Turtles, the biggest one we saw was a metre and a half long probably the biggest with seen for some time and very friendly towards the RD divers as your see from our photos.
Well we had our mate Mike a.k.a Dog and Dannie return to crack on with their Divemaster courses, we will keep you updated as they make their way through the best Divemaster Internship in Thailand, also Todd a.k.a Toad passed his Divemaster Internship well done from all the team at RDs. Toad is going more into Tech diving with a very good friend of the brothers, good luck to the Toad hope you enjoy the 60 metre dives. German Mike the train driver diver stopped at the RD station for a few days diving and fun in Pattaya.
It's a dogs life but someone has to do it...
Also American Mark came here and passed his Navigation specialty well done and see you back soon for the Padi Rescue course. Well done to Val the Aussie lady who came here and passed the Padi Scuba diver and she had so much fun she went on to make more fun dives with our Divemaster Dayrl a.k.a Dingo well done mate.
Manchester Mike who passed the Padi Openwater course well done mate see you back for the Padi Advanced course soon. Steffi, Claus, Edna, Rubin and Sally the Teachers from Bangkok who came here to escape the floods and you all did great on the Padi Discover scuba diving see you back soon for the Padi Openwater course.
Dannie enjoying herself on the course and on a dive...
From left to right: Ron, Tyler, Mike, Kuz, Steveo and Neil
relaxing on a day trip to the Pattaya islands...
Happy Birthday to Neil... aka Freaky...
Well our good friend Kuzo rolled in and dragged Neil out for some fun dives lol also Neils birthday was on the 11th and we know how to celebrate a birthday the RD Way lol. Sean who made it to Rescue diver well done now its back to work and see you back here for the Padi Master scuba diver on your next leave from Afghanistan. We would like to thank you all for diving and sailing with the RD Team. Get ready for December its gonna be fun in the Pattaya sun with the Elite RD Team. Dive safe i see it as my eyes open..... Snoop La Coot
January 2012
Well we hope everyone had a great time and have got over the hangovers from the New years celebrations and now it's time to DIVE .We started the new year with Lewis who came all the way from the UK and completed his junior Padi Openwater and Advanced course .Well done young man and see you back here for the Padi Rescue course .Mike from Manchester nice job on the Padi Openwater course ,now its back to partying for you lol .Rob From Canada well done mate for all the work you did on the Padi Openwater and Padi Advanced course now its back to work and see you back for the Rescue and Divemaster later this year and this time please dont give us the vile flu bug again lol Devling the Dublin city lad who passed the Padi Openwater course and had a great time in Pattaya City ,when you get back next time Pete will let you win a game of pool lol . Debbie and Jo the wee Glasgow ladies who kept us laughing the whole time on the Padi Advanced course well done girls and good luck with your exams .Matt who loved the wrecks so much he went onto complete the Padi deep.Nitrox and wreck spec well done and see you next time to complete the Padi Master Scuba Diver course .The Lads from 1 Para thanks for coming out and making the Padi Discover Scuba diver next time the Padi Openwater course and more fun in Pattaya City thats an order lol .The diving in January has been very good with calm seas good vis and we have been going out and making a few night dives on the local near islands .Koh Rin and HTMS Khram have been by far the best dive sites this month lets hope it keeps up .We are planning the Samea San trips towrds the end of Feb so hope to see some of you divers on the cannoe again lol .Well Mike A.K.A. Dog has nealy finished his Divemaster Internship .His done a cracking job on this course and has taken some very nice photo's of the local dive sites and divers having fun well done mate .Cookie from Canada is back with us for 3 months of fun in the sun .Irish Gary / Aussie Terry who left his busy job selling cars in Afghan for a few weeks of fun in Pattaya good luck mate and 1 for the road .The diving Swedes Mr Kristian and Gabby thanks for diving with us guy's .Aussie Brad and Aussie Steveo and Freddie from France cheers for coming out on the boat and the beers afterwards lol and a big Thanks to every1 who sailed with us this January .I see it as it happens Snoop la Snoop