Buckeyes

 Tracy enjoyed some quiet in the house to start the holiday, and spent it making some yummy buckeyes. 

 

Diving in Similan Islands - Dec 2024

This is a video of our three-day liveaboard in the Similan Islands. Unfortunately, the export spends a lot of time in slow motion. Sorry for the glitch and not sure why that happens for most of it.

A Day of Diving

 There were some great dives as part of our trip - and some nice clear blue water.  We saw quite a lot of fish, though will say that the color and the vibrancy of the coral was quite disappointing in almost all of the locations. 

It was impressive our dive guide would dive without a shirt - while we were pretty chilly.  The temperature was pretty warm, but we sure like the wetsuit warmth. He was also quite skilled with his bubbles - and a super guide for our trips. 

 

Sunrise and Start of Day 2

 

It was interesting to see the other boats and compare them to our relatively small vessel. 

We would often start moving relatively early in the morning, so we could be on site for our first dives of the day.  Today, the middle day of our three-day package, will have four dives, one of the advantages of being on a liveaboard and always ready and on the water. 

The sunrise on the first morning at sea was pretty amazing. 

First Dives

 The first day involved heading out to meet the boat - and then we got to do a couple of dives (three as I recall).  It was great to be diving again and wild to be in a place almost entirely to ourselves - as the boat has much of the bay to itself (and another boat or two).  We came up from our final dive just as the sunset was setting. 

There were some cool swim throughs on one of the dives. 

We also learned that our boat is called a station boat - as it has people coming, sometimes for the day, and sometimes for several days - so there will be people coming and going.  There was only one couple of the boat the night before we arrived - and us and two other people were joining the boat.   It was nice having lots of extra space - and the crew were sure impressive, including some great food. 

 It was nice coming up from our final dive just as the sun was setting next to the island. 

Khao Lak Arrival

 Rania and Doug are going on a liveaboard out of Khao Lak in Thailand to the Similan Islands in the Andaman Sea.  It will be an exciting new experience. 

The first step is a typical stop at one of our favorite places in all of SE Asia.  Nice to be staying there for the familiar and wonderful location. 

 

Tracy's Desk

 Not entirely sure of the reason for this picture - think there might have been something that could have, might have been left at school - but it was not on the desk. 

Wicked & Indulge @ KLCC

 We were excited to start the break with a pretty fun experience - getting to go to KLCC's Indulge class, complete with a meal (or dessert or popcorn) for the luxury movie theater experience.  Also,  a pretty fun movie seeing Wicked - again for some.  Clever and good fun.  Plus, incredible music! 

On a far less exciting note, something Doug ate didn't sit too well by the end of the movie. Weird. 

I think that Reeve and Rania managed (mostly) to stave off any jetlag too bad.  Impressive, considering the way-too comfortable seating arrangements. 

 A picture of Tracy in the KLCC center. 

Candlelight Service

 The candlelight service at HTBB is always a highlight.  Great to have that wonderful experience to get to enjoy the holiday spirit and the never-ending, always inspiring story of Christmas.