Goodbye to February 2011

Goodbye to February 2011

Time keeps just moving on and it's already goodbye to this years February! It doesn't help hat February only has 28 days, which makes it go by even faster.

Weather wise this February on Koh Samui was very nice! Especially after the first week it was really nice almost non stop! This is line with the last three years, only 2008 had some rain towards the end of February!

Malapascua beach

This was a month of lots of travel for me. I started the month on the small but beautiful island of Malapascua in the Philippines, where I taught a very successful PADI IDC.

Also my visits to Cebu were really enjoyed by me, even though or because of they were just for a day!

Talking about travel, this February recap is coming from Koh Lanta, another beautiful island but this time in the South of Thailand, where my work, teaching PADI IDC's and diving takes me!

In-between these two destinations I spend time on Samui as well and there were some very interesting events happening, first off and the immediately a very big event was the Royally sponsored cremation ceremony of Prakru Suntinonthakhun, a very impressing event.

Shortly afterwards it was the 100th day commemoration of Grandmother in law's passing away.

Two more Food on Wheel entries were published as well and since the topic is at eating, Ageha Sushi bar in Lamai was visited, enjoyed and described.

Plenty of things happening and I'm already looking forward to March, which is just around the corner and start tomorrow!

Apologies to my fellow Thai bloggers, this was once more a month were I didn't find time to look up your blogs!

Please keep checking in and let me know your thoughts on my posts!

Best regards,

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 10th February, 2011

Today's weather;

Samui has more sunshine to show for this morning, yeay! Current temp at 7am is 27.3C

Yesterday saw a nice sunny day on Samui with a max temp of 29C

The reason I came to Malapascua, an IDC and a PADI IE (exam) which all candidates passed!

Malapascua is going strong with nice weather and this morning and all of yesterday was sunny with a very successful PADI IE. Later this morning I'm off to Cebu and tomorrow back to Thailand!

Camille

Malapascua, Philippines island life

Malapascua, Philippines island life

My time on Malapascua is almost up. Today is the last day of the PADI IE and than the work bit is over an I'm back to Cebu for a night and than back home to Samui and Thailand!

Malapascua is mainly known for the possibility to spot Thresher sharks, one of the few areas in the world where that it is possible. I went on 3 early morning dives but didn't get to see them.

Before I take off from here, a few pictures that hopefully get the spirit of the island!

A map of Malapascua, it's a tiny island!

Some beautiful sunsets where available at no extra cost!

The village

The Philippines are catholic!

It was strange to see a church again and no Buddhist signs. I enjoyed my stay here and I can recommend a visit to this lovely island. There's not much action going on so if you're looking for a quiet island, this may be it.

Be aware that the water that's generated in a big local well for all the island is slightly salty! Bottled fresh water is widely available. There are enough restaurants available including an excellent Italian place; Angelina's!

Accommodation is relatively expensive, basic fan rooms start as low as 300,-PHP per night but a/c rooms are also available but start at a minimum of around 2.500,-PHP per night.

From Cebu city it takes about 3 hours by minivan or car to Maya, the northern point of Cebu island, followed by a boat transfer of about 20 minutes.

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 9th February, 2011

Today's weather;

Samui's weather is definitely changing and it's for the better! This morning sees a nice blue sky with plenty of sunshine. Current temp at 7am is 25.5C

Yesterday Samui had a an all day sunny day! Max temp reached 28.7C

Calangaman island beach near Malapascua

Malapascua's weather keeps going strong. Today the sun is out and about and yesterday saw a very nice and sunny day. The PADI IE is on it's last day today, so keep an eye out on my dive blog for updates! Tomorrow I'll be off to Cebu and the day after back to Thailand again!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 8th February, 2011

Today's weather;

Samui is experiencing some good weather, at last. There's a blue sky above the island this morning and it looks like it's going to be a hot day. Current temp at 7am is 25.7C

Yesterday saw plenty of sunshine all day long and no rain and it was warm on Samui. Max temp reached around 29C

Frog fish at North Point on Malapascua, seen during my fun dives yesterday, for more dive pictures check my dive blog

Malapascua is waking up to another sunny day and the first ever PADI IE on the island is about to kick off. Yesterday I did a couple of fun dives but today it's back to work again. The last couple of days I've been diving a lot with one of my IDC candidates, Anne, for her Instructor Specialties.

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 7th February, 2011

Today's weather;

Samui is covered under clouds this morning but the sun may break through again later during the day. Current temp at 7am is 25.5C

Yesterday saw clouds during the morning and a tiny bit of rain over Samui but the afternoon was sunny. Max temp reached 28.1C

Calangaman island near Malapascua, base in-between dives yesterday

Malapascua is once more nice and sunny. Yesterday was lovely here with plenty of sunshine as well.

Tomorrow the PADI IE will start after a couple of days rest from the IDC filled with plenty of dives!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 6th February, 2011

Today's weather;

Samui has light cloud cover but it looks like the sun may break through later today. Current temp is 26.3C

Yesterday saw a dry Samui and the sun even popped in for a while. The times they are a'changing! Max temp reached 27.7C

Malapascua; Sunny day, laundry day

Malapascua was lovely yesterday with plenty of sunshine and after a star lit sky today is more of the same sunshine!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 5th February, 2011

Today's weather;

Samui woke once more up under a cloud cover but it looks like it may clear up later today. Current temp at 7am is 25.7C

This is a late update because I was on a very early dive this morning and upon returning there was also some internet connectivity issues.

Yesterday saw a dry day on Samui with bits and pieces of sunshine but during the night there was a lot of rain. Max temp reached 28.9C

Malapascua this morning around 6am

Malapascua is clouded but dry and hardly any wind at all, it's nice and at last my cold that lasted about three weeks seems to be gone! Last night there was a beautiful star lit sky!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 4th February, 2011

Today's weather;

Samui is dry! It's slightly cloudy but no rain for a change. Current temp at 7am is 26.5C, a massive increase from previous days and it looks like the weather is about to turn for the better.

Yesterday saw a bit of rain during the morning on Samui but the afternoon was hot and the sun was out in full power. Max temp reached 28.1C

Malapascua has some near clear skies and hardly any wind this morning, things are turning for the better here as well. Yesterday saw a lovely and partly sunny morning but rain during the afternoon. It was two days in a row a very early night for me!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 3rd February, 2011

Today's weather;

Samui is still covered under dark clouds although dry at the moment. Current temp at 7am is 23.5C

Yesterday saw once more rain on Samui during the morning and cloud coverage during the rest of the day. Max temp reached 28C

Malapascua on the other hand is finally experiencing some sunshine again after three days of strong wind and cloud cover! Yesterday it was really cold, the socks had to come out!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 2nd February, 2011

Today's weather;

Koh Samui is covered by clouds this morning but it's dry for the time being with a current temp at 7am of 24.2C

Yesterday saw also cloud covered day on Samui and rain during the night time with a max temp of 28.8C

Malapascua is going through a second day of strong wind and occasional rain, it's coldish and damp here!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 1st February, 2011

Today's weather;

Samui has more rain to show for at the start of this new month. Current temp at 7am is 25C

Yesterday saw plenty of clouds and more rain as well over Samui. Max temp reached 29.2C

Malapascua's downtown main road

Malapascua is experiencing some serious wind this morning, it has been dry for the last couple of days but during the nights there's no need to even open the fan in my room.

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 31st January, 2011

Today's weather;

Samui is still covered in clouds although it's dry this morning. Current temp at 7am is 25C.

Yesterday saw many dark clouds all day long hover over Samui with an occasional shower. Max temp reached 29.5C

My bungalow at Malapascua, the one at the left side, view from the window here

Malapascua is covered by clouds and the two nice and sunny days are a thing of the past again. Last night saw a beautiful star struck sky but this morning it's clouds and wind all over again.

The current IDC is half way and today is a day off, most likely I will go for a dive.

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 30th January, 2011

Today's weather;

Koh Samui is covered on heavy clouds this morning but it's still dry. Current temp at 7am is 25.8C

Yesterday Samui saw copious amounts of rain with a max temp of around 28C

Malapascua island life

Malapascua is nice and sunny again this morning although there's a strong breeze. Last night saw a lovely star lit sky but around 11pm there was some very hard rain as well. Current temp here at 8am is around 26C.

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 29th January, 2011

Today's weather;

Koh Samui is still enduring plenty of clouds and it's looking dark this morning, with some more rain expected. As of tomorrow there seems to be a change for the better coming up though. Current temp at 7am is 24C.

Yesterday saw more clouds and bits and pieces of rain over Samui with a max temp of 27.7C

Sunny morning beach on Malapascua

Malapascua has for the first time since I arrived a very sunny morning and a nice morning temperature, it could get hot! Yesterday saw some more afternoon rain.

The IDC is running smoothly here, check out the dive blog for an update.

Camille

Cebu Transportation, PI style

Cebu Transportation, PI style

Having lived in Thailand now for 12 years and having visited almost all neighboring countries (Myanmar is still on my 'to visit' list), the Philippines is a first for me.

It's very Asian but also very different compared to Thailand, which I call my home. One of the things that struck as being very different is the means of transportation. The jeepneys are most likely the most famous sample and best known, however, on my trip by taxi from Cebu airport to the North of Cebu island, where I had to take a ferry over to Malapascua, I did notice two different means of transportation, the tricycle and the pedicab!

The tricycle is a motorbike with a rather big sidecar mounted to it in which up to 6 or 7 people can sit, plus their luggage. This is how one looks like from the back of, in the picture above.

This is a tricycle in action! Besides the driver, two people are sitting on the outside next to the driver, a couple of people are sitting inside the covered side mountain and seemingly at least person is hanging outside of the tricycle. Truly an amazing way of getting around for medium sized distances of in my estimate a couple of kilometers max. For longer distances the jeepneys will be a more convenient option, I assume.

A couple of parked tricycles, waiting for business

Than there's the option for even shorter distances, the pedicab, a push bike with a side mountain that holds two passengers There are two seats) and luggage. Amazing PI!

On Malapascua, the island where I'm conducting a PADI IDC, there's hardly any form of transportation besides your feet and an occasional motorbike.

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 28th January, 2011

Today's weather;

The wind around Samui seems to be slowing down again but it's still wet and this morning saw rain again. Current temp at 7am is 25.4C

Yesterday saw at rain regular intervals on Samui but not as much as the previous days. Max temp reached 29C

Typical Philipino dive boat on Malapascua beach

Malapascua has similar weather as back home, rain this morning, occasional strong wind and rain around noon yesterday. Current temp at 8am is around 24C

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 27th January, 2011

Today's weather;

Samui is clouded this morning and rain seems to be in the making. Current temp at 7am is 24.7C

Yesterday Samui saw more rain, at times very hard! Max temp reached

View from my room on Malapascua

In Malapascua, Philippines things are good. Had a good nights sleep and yesterday's strong wind seems to have gone. Current temp at 8am is around 25C

Camille