Do something that scares you everyday!!!!!

I did my Open Water Diver course!!!!! And yes it did scare me for 3 days, but wow what an experience.

I've always been curious, but I don't like snorkelling too much, I hate water up my nose etc!!!! I've also been frightened of the idea of being out there with so many things I can't see and don't understand and all that space.

But I decided that it was time I pushed another boundary. That's what a lot of this trip has been about, expanding boundaries and leaving comfort zones to experience something new.

I have to say that I'm pretty amazed at a lot of what I have achieved in my 7 months away. The Jo a lot of people knew from years ago and probably even last year wouldn't have dared do what this Jo does!!! And without the help of anti-depressants too!!!!

So - whilst I have been in Thailand I decided to book myself on a course. The first time I went underwater with all the gear on I panicked big style and was all ready for climbing out of the pool in defeat. But as always, I have that gentle feeling of support from above and I pushed through the terror and gradually became more comfortable with it all.

By day 3 I was quite happy to be out in the sea for my 2 final dives. I have been totally blown away by the experience. It must be what it's like to float over the moon's surface but with fish!!!! LOL

All that life going about its business totally unaware and unconcerned with what us lunatic humans are getting up to. It makes you look at your life in a very different light. Since when do fish worry about the price of bread etc!!!!

Light traffic in Bangkok

Sunset at Bankai - Koh Phangan, Thailand

Party girl's last night in Sri Lanka

Only in Sri Lanka

A guy comes onto the beach selling the most horrendous and ghastly fabric flowers. Whilst we were all reaching for the sunglasses, however, all the boys on the beach rushed out to get a really good look at them. They were really impressed and we were in stitches

The Expat Girls

Beck, Emily, Me and Sarah

Angel wisdom

Ants don't believe in fish, but they exist!!!

It makes perfect sense when you think about it really, although I confess it took me a few days of scratching my head to figure it out.

Leaving Sri Lanka

Well, after 6 months, I left Sri Lanka!!!!

But it's only temporary! I return on 2nd March for another 3 months. I can't explain it, but the place is deeply lodged in my being and I'm homesick for it.

What is strange is that I never felt like that about England. I can't wait to return to sit on the beach under my tree drinking iced coffee and playing Deuce!!!! No it's not rude!

Bangkok is like a test of endurance. It assaults the senses on every level and I'm so glad I listened to the voice that urged me not to stay there for 7 nights. It's not terribly cheap either. But that is possibly because I now compare it to the cost of living in Sri Lanka rather than England.

Motorbike taxis are the best way of getting round undoubtedly, but should be considered an extreme sport. In addition to helmets they should issue knee pads. Some of the gaps the riders squeeze through really make you suck your stomack in.

Traffic is permanently gridlocked and it makes me wonder about how many people are sat in their cars at any one time and, if they are all in their cars is anyone left at home. It made me feel like Crocodile Dundee on his arrival in New York when he said it must be a friendly place, all those people wanting to live together!!!! I am not a city girl at all.

I'm now on Ko PhaNgan which is interesting. So many foreigners!!!! I still think like a Sri Lankan and I find that my exclamations are usually in Sinhala too. Ayo! Pow Eddy mata!!!! LOL

Riding my motorbike in England will be a doddle after the roads of Sri Lanka. Forget the odd stray sheep, there is nothing like dodging dopey cows, even more dopey people and playing chicken with an on-coming bus that is on the wrong side of the road bearing 300 people. And I'm not joking about the number of people. There are no road rules, other than might rules! Oh and sound your horn at every opportunity.

Beep - I'm here
Beep - you're there
Beep - I'm coming past you
Beep - Get out of my way
Beep - There's a cow at the side of the road
Beep - Do I know you?
Beep - There's another cow
Beep - I'm here

But nobody shouts at each other!! An English woman shouting "Oi Wanker, what about your indicators, give us a clue" from the back of a bike is not something they are used to. I continue with Raja's education in road rage techniques. LOL