Similans, Thailand

[Kirk]

If things are bad, which they very well may be, you might consider going elsewhere. The pacific ocean also has some good diving (in many cases much better than the Similians / Koh Surin / Richoleu Rock...though don't get me wrong Richoleu Rock is a lot of fun....). The Perhentians in Malaysia are really nice, though it may be the rainy season (though stay away from the Pacific Thai Islands further north.....Koh Chang (elephant island) -- good food and close to BKK, but boring and shallow diving.....Ko Samui -- reminds me too much of wisconsin dells without the water slides....Ko Tao -- cheap for learning and may have been nice a few years ago, ...today - trashed by thousands of open water students). Sabah, especially Pulau Sipadan is incredible, although a bit expensive (I may be biased, but I really like sea turtles). The Gili islands have good diving. Though I haven't been there, I understand Northern Sulawesi has some great diving (as good as Pulau Weh and Sipadan), and (for indonesia) cheap beer and direct flights from Singapore. Speaking of Signapore - check out Little India.. Really interesting neighborhood. The rest of the City (or is it a country) has great Chinese food, but no soul (although rather clean and orderly....It's a FINE city....no jay walking, no spitting, and put on that seat belt). - Have fun.