Tuesday 25 December 2012

Christmas underwater, around the Similan islands, Thailand

Merry CHRISTMAS to ALL of YOU :-)))

Today with the underwater reportage from the national park Similan islands in south west Thailand. These islands are located around 50 km from Khao Lak and may be reached in 2-3 hours from the mainland by boat. This park is famous to be a real underwater paradise in the Andaman Sea and a place not to be missed. Our pictures will show you the colourful Christmas trees, the tiny crabs, some beautiful fishes and corals.
Diving SimilanIslands
Diving SimilanIslands
However even if you may see a lot of colours we have actually spotted more dead coral and destroyed ecosystem than an intact one. It was pretty sad to see that Similan islands (advertised as one of the top10 diving spots in the world) are suffering not only from heavy coral bleaching (due to global warming of the oceans) but also from other distructive natural & especially human activities. We were told that a lot of the big fishes are gone (either to escape the crowd or being fished)...Last but not least one may see the beginning recovery of the underwater world: the growth of new corals. I truly hope that the big tourism industry built around this disappearing beauty (like diving&snorkeling trips) will support and participate in it!
Diving SimilanIslands
Diving SimilanIslands

13 comments:

rainfield61 said...

Merry Christmas.

But I cannot say it in a Thai way.

Lies said...

Sfeervolle Kerst voor jou, Jana !
Jij laat ons vaker 'paradijsjes' zien !
LIe(f)s.

Filip and Kristel said...

It is the first time I see an underwater Christmas Tree.

Merry Christmas.

Greetings,
Filip

Karen @ Pieces of Contentment said...

I love the little Christmas trees, how delightful!

Merry Christmas Jana!!

Kristie said...

Jana,

What a beautiful underwater Christmas tree! It is truly beautiful and your pictures are so life like and vivid with brilliant and vivid colors. How fortunate you are to be there.

AVCr8teur said...

I hope you had a great Christmas! Wow, your pictures are so clear. Usually underwater photos are a bit cloudy.

Rick said...

Stunning photos, Jana ! I hope there's no further destruction of this environment - we're supposed to be stewards of the creation.

Gelukkig Nieuw Jaar !

Dietmut said...

prachtig deze fleurige onderwater serie Jana. Blijf genieten van alles moois aldaar. Hier is het grijs en regen. Lieve groeten, Dietmut

Koryn said...

Happy holidays, Jana!

Glad to see you're having awesome fun! Wishing you could visit the Philippines someday, I'll take you to wonderful dive sites!

papillon said...

The "X-Mas Trees" are so nice. Happy New Year from us. J&C

papillon said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Dietmut said...

Jana, fijne jaarwisseling en een gezond 2013

http://dith-plukeenogenblikvandedag.blogspot.nl/2012/12/jouw-beschermengel-your-guardian-angel.html

AVCr8teur said...

So many vibrant colors below the water. It was perfect for Christmas. I hope you have a great 2013!