Thailand's Colorful Coral Reefs
Other teleconference Q&A's
What do you remember most about this expedition? What's it like?
It was incredible. You're in the water almost all the time with a PI who knows so much about reefs and the country, and is practically fluent in the language. The rest of the team are from the area and contribute a lot to the understanding of the culture. You'll be collecting baseline data on reef health at the National Marine Park, and you'll have the opportunity to dive and snorkel. The smaller boat will take you to snorkeling sites, and the larger boat will take you farther distances out to dive. The only difference between diving and snorkeling is the depth to which you dive: there is an equal number of amazing things to see either way.
What's the food and accommodations like?
The food is absolutely fantastic! It's better than any Thai food you'll find in the U.S., and there was a lot of it. There was lots of seafood, noodles, rice, and vegetables. There are also a lot of vegetarian options as well. There are some exciting flavors, and the cooks know that our palates are not as used to spicy food as they are, so they go easy on us. We were well taken-care-of. The accommodations are comfortable, but it varies depending on your expedition. You could be staying in a small hotel or a beach bungalow. If you have a preference, you should contact your expedition coordinator and ask if you can request a certain type of accommodation. Air conditioning is available in some bungalows, but the cost of running them is high. There are fans available in every room.
Did you have a difficult time obtaining a visa at the airport in Thailand?
No, it was very easy. Also, no visa is required at all if you plan to be in the country for fewer than 30 days. The stamp in your passport acts as a visa, or they may give you a small slip of paper to act as a visa.
Will I need medication for malaria?
You should consult your physician about any medications or vaccinations you should have for your trip when you bring him or her the health form to sign. If your physician doesn't know what you need, you can consult a travel clinic for what will be best for you based on your destination and your health history.
Will the political situation in Thailand affect the trip?
We are watching the political situation in Thailand closely. There was a non-violent military coup, and so far there is an interim government in place with a plan to establish a more concrete government over time. Although the travel risk grading has increased, the expedition sites are kind of isolated and are not near any major cities. People traveling over there now haven't noticed any increase in violence, and this has been confirmed by our in-country contacts. Avoid large demonstrations and large public sites, as there will be a noticeable military presence.
How much time will we spend in the water?
On the first day, there will be basic orientation, including a tour of the facilities. The second day is mostly land training, although you may get in the water for a bit. The second training day, you will be in the water to make sure you understand what you learned on land and that you can apply it in the water. After that, you will usually have a morning session and an afternoon session in the water. There could be between one and three dives during the day, depending on the sites you're going to and the weather conditions. Some days, you'll go out in the morning, eat lunch on the boat, and go back in the water until about 4. The water will be relatively calm when you go out, since the dives are weather-dependent. There are clearly defined safety perimeters as to when you can dive. The water may be choppy, but it will be safe to dive in when you do.
What dive gear should I bring?
The packing list in the briefing is very accurate. Divers don't have to bring weights or tanks, as they are provided at the facility.
What conveniences should I bring?
Bug repellant is a must, since the mosquitoes are bothersome. Make sure it has DEET in it. It's nice to have a digital camera with a memory card, and you can put them on disks at the internet café. Then you can share your pictures with your teammates before you even leave the site! Snacks are available in stores. Bring a sunscreen with a high SPF, and more than one swimsuit so you can wear a dry one every day. At night, it was nice to relax with the team and play cards or board games that people had brought.
Should I bring any gifts for the locals?
At this time, there are no recent recommendations as to what to bring locals for gifts, and of course, it isn't expected. If you'd like to bring something, you can always call the expedition coordinator and ask if he or she has any recommendations.
Will we have the opportunity to explore the area or go hiking?
You can go hiking and explore the area. Ask your team leaders and locals for recommendations. There is an elephant camp nearby where you can ride an elephant and learn how the trainers interact with them.
What will the climate be like?
Hot. Drink lots of water and don't do any activities that will wear you out. Some people develop sunburns when they snorkel: wearing a Lycra skin or stretch pants will help. The water itself should be between 75-85 degrees. If you get cold, you can bring a wetsuit, or at least a dive skin to help protect you from the sun.
Should I bring a water filter?
Sealed, bottled water is available everywhere on site.
Should I practice snorkeling before I go?
You should practice kicking, since you will be holding a clipboard to document your data. You want to increase your ability to use your fins well, and you want to be comfortable hanging out in the water and being in your gear.
Can we get snorkel and dive equipment at the site?
You should bring your own spare parts, since the stores at the site may not have exactly what you need. There are several dive stores, but they are just getting started.
How much time does it take to get to the dive sites?
It can take up to one and a half hours to get to the sites, because you're diving in places that other people never see. Sometimes you'll be out all day, stop at an uninhabited island for lunch, explore, get back on the boat and back in the water.