We will spend a day visiting Phuket & Patong Beach, a European tourist haven.  Here in this Asian setting you will find a tropical paradise island with everything you could want.  You will be overwhelmed by the variety of food and dining experiences that await you.  Venture down many of the side streets and taste cuisine from all over Europe.  Shop till you drop in the open stalls (they don't ever seem to close) and a "night life" that Thailand is famous for.  Get a Thai massage or lay on the famous Patong Beach where the Europeans "worship" the sun.

We then board the M/Y Ocean Rover for seven days of fabulous diving, dining and relaxing.  The M/Y Ocean Rover brings a new dimension to the prospect of live-aboard diving in Southeast Asia.  At a length of 100' and a beam of 26', she was specifically built to accommodate a party of up to 16 divers in 8 staterooms to allow divers to fully experience some of Asia's finest diving in comfort and safety.  The main lounge is fully air-conditioned and situated on the main deck.  It encompasses 50 square meters of floor space and is fitted with large panoramic windows.  Thailand has long been renowed for its wide variety of fresh and delicious food dishes.  The Ocean Rover provides these Thai culinary dishes to its guests with an extensive range of tasty and healthy meals.  The Ocean Rover is dedicated to underwater photographers and videographers (the boat owners are avid divers and U/W photographers).  Apart from a full day of diving there are many after dive activities for both divers and non-divers to enjoy ranging from exploring uninhabited islands, sea kayaking, knee boarding, towable tube, or just making the most of a restful afternoon on a quiet beach.  NITROX is available.

After returning to Phuket, it's off to Chang Mai for two days where we will visit Wat Doi Suthep, one of Thailand's most well known temples, and take an elephant ride through a tribal village.  For those that enjoy a good bargain, the night markets in Chang Mai are a true shoppers paradise.  From there it is off to Chiang Rai, Thailand’s northernmost province. The province is rich in tourism resources in terms of natural attractions and antiquities. It is also home to several hill tribes who follow fascinating ways of life. Chiang Rai is also a tourism gateway into Myanmar and Laos.  Next we are off to Bangkok for a couple of days of exploring the vast cultural heritage of SE Asia’s gem.  Bangkok was established as Thailand's capitol in 1782.  We'll tour the Grand Palace grounds and explore the famous Night Market.  We will have lunch on a rice barge while cruising the Bangkok canals, "The Venice of the East".  Take a TukTuk ride (it will make you wonder if your life insurance policy is up to date) to see the city and all the beautiful temples.  Thailand is a wonderful country where the majority of the people speak English (it’s the 2nd language) and Americans are welcomed (only 10% of the country is Muslim; Hindus and Buddhists make up 80% of the religion).

This trip will leave April 30th and return May 21, 2008 (dates may change slightly when final air is arranged) and is open to any HUC member or member of a TGCC affiliated club.  Trip includes 7 days aboard M/Y Ocean Rover, all hotels and transfers in Phuket and Bangkok plus the tour of the Grand Palace and lunch cruise on a rice barge down Bangkok’s famous canals.  A 3 day extension to Siem Reap, Cambodia, which is home to Ankor Wat, Cambodia, is available to those interested.
 

Trip Leader Mark Metz has been to Thailand as recently as April 2004 (it is one of his most favorite places to visit) and is familiar with the diving, the boat and the locations to be visited.  The people are friendly and don't know the word NO.  The country has a very stable Parlimentarian government with a monarchy where the king is revered.  This trip will be an experience you will never forget to a country that is rich in wonders and beauty.

For more information contact Mark Metz at 713.528.3483.