The Similan Island trip - an unforgettable four days and three nights on a live-aboard boat

The Similans are a group of 9 islands located 50 miles north west of Phuket and have been protected as a Thai National Park since 1982. Names like 'Christmas Point' and 'East of Eden' conjure up mental images of tropical beaches, palm trees and crystal clear water - and it really is like that.

I remember setting off from port in Phuket at sunset and sailing on through the night - sitting on the top deck gazing up to a strangely familiar but skewed sky, due to the distance from home. The stars gave way to the morning as everything was silent; witnessing a sunrise where the aquamarine sea sat under a bright pink sky and seeing the rising disc of the sun was one of the most memorable moments of the trip.

An early first dive (in the water at 08:12) was an incredible experience as I jumped into the deep blue water and descended to 31m. It was like being in an aquarium such was the clarity of the water; the colours stayed true to a great depth and the boat was visible from the bottom.

Truly unforgettable encounters with sea life were the graceful Manta Rays; the way they fly though the water and disappear in a dark spooky silhouette. The Clown Fish who defend their patch, darting in and out of the Anemone were just brilliant. The Leopard Sharks asleep on patches of sand, one of which grazed Lee's arm! And not forgetting the turtle at Duck Head Rock Bay who ate all the bananas we had on the boat!

One last memory I have to share is this; it was normally Lee I buddy'd up with and due to my somewhat greater than normal air consumption we were generally first back on the boat. This gave us opportunity to enjoy the sometimes odd air on a quiet boat. One time I remember I put the track 'Sand in my Shoes' by Dido on the stereo, the words having a poignant meaning. And as we listened it would occur to me that I would have sand in my shoes for a long time.