Now that your mind is made up, ever think of El Nido, Plilippines, totally fantastic place. Spent a week there last January.

Lots of reefs, snorkeling, diving, islet hoping, not touristy. Area was on the Amazing Race little more than a year (was where they kayaked between islands and scaled a limestone cliffs).

Here's a link that shows the area http://www.elnidoresorts.com/images_and_downloads.asp.

That's all that's needed or recommended. You're getting good advice. If you need additional support, you can find good travel agents in most towns and cities. You'll pay the farang price, but it's (mostly) to be expected, and still very affordable. If you're diving, reserve from here, unless it is low season. Call or email and confirm your class and accomodations. Koh Tao can get very busy (sleep-on-the-beach busy, if you believe the hype).Your accomodations will cost you whatever you're willing to pay, from the absurdly cheap and simple, to the outrageously expensive and deluxe. I stayed in a variety of places throughout the south, and paid up to $80/night, and as little as $7/night. The $7/night wasn't as nice, but it certainly was acceptable, along the lines of a cheap-but-clean and well-run motel in Canada. YMMV, of course. Accomodations on the mainland don't usually require much advance booking, unless you're particular that you have to stay in THAT place. There's always another 'resort' just down the road. On the islands, I wouldn't risk not having reservations.

I'm so very jealous. It is an incredible and beautiful place.

Matt

Someone i went to school withn lived out in Thailand and surrounding area for a while. Came back and wrote a book I read about his adventures and it really makes me want to take a vacation there as well , he had nothing but praises for the country.


Jim

Oh I am getting very excited. Still trying to narrow down a resort for my first few nights but so far it is looking like I will spend a night in Bangkok on arrival and before I leave so hoping to get some shopping in. Also 3 nights and 2 days in Hong Kong on the way back.
I am wondering about camera equipment. I have a canon SLR (20D) but don't know if I should take it with me or just take my son's much smaller digital video camera. I would love to take some underwater pictures as well. My question is would I be better off to just buy an underwater camera once I get there - are their prices similar to ours or a lot cheaper? The 20D is an amazing camera but it is big and cumbersome particularly with all the lenses and I don't want to take much with me - quite the opposite of what I plan to return with!

Here are two pictures I took from Koh Tao. The two pics were taken within a hundred steps of each other. My room was the last on the left side (right on the beach). The photo was taken from the deck of my pal's room. We went diving on the Chumpon pinnacle about a half-hour later.

Paradise.

http://members.shaw.ca/matt.anthony/kohtao1.jpghttp://members.shaw.ca/matt.anthony/kohtao2.jpg

OH OH OH I am getting so excited! What resort is that Matt? It looks pretty nice.

The resort is called Koh Tao cottage. It really was paradise. I had a month's worth of fun in seven days on that island. Then I had another month to hang out in other parts of Thailand. I can't recommend it enough.

Matthew