Diving Koh Tao and Chumphon Aboard the Tapana Catamaran

The Tapana Catamaran is a brand new, twin hull dive boat. It's very nicely appointed and, for the most part, very convenient. During the monsoon season the boat does weekend live aboard dive trips from Chumphon. We made the trip by driving from home in Korat to our condo in Cha Am and then on to Chumphon.

On the way we stopped at a new restaurant, Ribs Mann, near Khao Yai National Park.

Bay at Prachuap Khiri Khan

Prachuap Khiri Khan

Ao Manao (Lemon Bay)

New Pier at Thap Sakae

Buddha Image at Wat Thang Sai

Looking north from Wat Thang Sai

Looking south from Wat Thang Sai

Tapana Catamaran approaching the pier in Chumphon

Cabin aboard Tapana

Northern Gulf Sunrise

Eastern side of Koh Tao at Hin Wong Bay

Tapana Main Deck

Tapana Sun Deck with hot tub

Nap time....

Sushi!

Sunrise near Koh Ngam Yai

Koh Ngam Yai and Koh Ngam Noi

Som Tam

Boat Crew

Mam learns how to use a surface marker buoy (SMB)

Triangle Pinnacle

Triangle Pinnacle (this is the best the diving got...)

Koh Lak Ngam

Short video I made of the Tapana with a few underwater shots.

Cha Am - May 2015

Another visit to the beach

Sunrise at Baan Thew Talay

Breakfast on The Beach

Old fashioned Thai coffee and Phatangko (Chinese doughnuts)

New helmet

Beach at The Veranda hotel

Gin and Tonic at Veranda

Khao Nang Panthurat Forest Park

I took a nice long bike ride to Khao Nang Panthurat Forest Park. The park encompasses most of the mountains in the distance.

Nang Panthurat's Window

Shrine to Nang Panthurat

One of the creatures I saw on the nature walk.

Very steep trail in places.

Many beautiful views.

There are many Gibbons. They like to steal your stuff.

Ma Yom Cave

Morning Cappuccino at Coffee @Sea

Hup Kapong Reservoir

I did another ride up to Hup Kapong Reservoir

Another coffee break. Sesame doughnuts and instand coffee.

Solar farm on the way home

Pizza and beer at Bella Pizza, Cha Am

Ordination ceremony

Happy Hour at Buffy Belly Bar, Cher Resort, Cha Am

Another sunrise

North of Cha Am

I did another ride to the beaches north of Cha Am. This is the Cha Am harbor.

View of Khao Nang Panthurat

These beaches are really empty and quite clean and beautiful.

Thai Air Force parachute practice tower.

Abandoned hotel

Cooling off at the beach.

A thunder storm approaches Cha Am

Sunset over Burma

Dinner on the beach at Nong Nut Seafood

On the way back to Korat we stopped for lunch at this very typical Thai restaurant.