Manta Queen 2 Trip # 166 The graceful Manta Queen 2 set out for its one hundred sixty-sixtieth voyage since hanging the Khao Lak Scuba Adventures name on December 12, 2014. It was its thirteenth trip this season heading out for three days of diving and three nights at sea. Guests boarded the vessel from USA, Switzerland, Germany, China, Sweden with PADI Instructors from Tawain, England, Australia, United States. On our first night, we set out to sea and headed to Koh Bon in the Similan National Marine Park. An island famous for MANTA RAY sightings, we were lucky enough to be graced by ones presence just one dive in, after having a close observation of cuttlefish laying eggs while butterfly fish snatched them away for breakfast. With excited guests eager for more, we left to do out next two jumps at Koh Tachai. Blessed again by the spirit of the sea, our final dive of the day witnessed another massive MANTA RAY swimming while still at the surface. Immediately descending to catch a closer look, the giant beauty was as friendly as could be and swam right up to us, checking everyone out as we were doing onto her. Wings spreading more than five meters wide with a smile that could brighten the night sky, she was back and forth swimming all around us. Teasing us as she swam away only return for breath-taking photos and life-changing encounters. In addition to that, there were loads of baraccudas, trevallies, fusilliers, and other schooling fish swarming in every direction as they hunted there supper. Day two we awoke for another morning dive after remaining at Koh Tachai for a night of dive tales and curltural exchanges from around the world. Briefing as the sun rose, we were all wondering if Miss Manta would still be around. Just a few minutes into the dive we learnt that she had moved on, only to trade places with a WHALE SHARK!!!! This three meter plus juvenile came from all directions making sure every diver on site caught a glimpse of her majestic body and thrilling motion. Nearly the entire dive was spent watching this baby play around, even breaching the surface so the snorkellers and anyone on board could see her too. The weather became rough that day and unfit for the open environment of Richellieu Rock as planned, so the highly trained and experienced captain decided it was best to turn back south for calmer, safer waters. But of course, after seeing multiple mantas and a whale shark, nobody had any complaints. So what was in store for us if not Richelieu? MORE MANTAS!!! Now the third in just two days for us, this time back again at Koh Bon. Everybody had seen what they were hoping for so it was now time to move to the playground that are the Similan Islands. Granite boulders above and below the surface offered amazing swim-throughs, cliffs, walls, channels, deep blues and shallow reefs. The highlight for some as we found an Indian Wasp Fish and Sea Moths, Spearing and Peacock Mantis Shrimps, turtles, sea snakes, rays, and thousands of other reef fish. Upon surfacing, we were welcomed by a sunset that most people can only dream of. Crystal clear water stretching out to the horizon while eagles soar above from island to island. Day three was quickly here. Sadly, it would be our last day as a group after making new friends and spending time with old. After rising for a beautful Similan Sunrise, we made our first dive of the day at Elephant Head Rock for even more swim-through action. This fun site is a personal favorite for many guides as it offers a chance to put your buoyancy to use and challenge yourself as the overheads came in all different sizes. While we had our adventures underwater, three snorkellers saw their first blacktip reef shark swimming in the shallows! Next came Anitas Reef for a relaxing dive before sailing back east towards mainland Thailand. Calm waters and a perfect snorkelling weather gave everyone a chance to enjoy all the Adamen has to offer. Afterwards, an enormous lunch catering to every appetite was served consiting of spagetti with meat sauce and massamam chicken curry, both with the vegetarian version for our herbivores onboard. We had rice, Thai pork with kale, salads with homemade dressing, and fresh fruits. Our talented chef had to workhard to out-do his mashed potatos from the previous night that he artistcally molded into a perfect turtle! As we headed back to Khao Lak, we had one final dive at Premchai Wreck. An old tin-mining vessel close to shore that offers dozens of honeycomb morays eels living along side white eyed morays and giant moray eels. The place was covered with scorpion fish and stone fish changing their colors to blend in the the wreck. Nudie branches offered fine macro photos and the swarms of a thousand schooling fish around gave for some sweet videos! All in all, it was a fantastic trip with amazing guests. They made the staff feel very relaxed and were a fun, easy group. It felt more like diving and hanging out with friends as every guest was so kind and well manored. Khao Lak Scuba Adventures would like to thank them all and welcome them back to join us again for their next holiday. We will miss this group, but look forward to each one to procede. If you would like to have your chance to see all the amazing creatures we did together, wed love to hear from you!
Posted on: Mon, 15 Dec 2014 10:25:02 +0000
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