Maybe off topic... Dive training

[Ruth]

Koh Tao Thailand! I took my PADI open water certification while I was there this spring - simply amazing.
I opted to take the entire course there - for one thing it was way cheaper but I am so glad that I did not try to break it up because I am not a strong swimmer and have a healthy respect - read almost fear - of the water. I think for myself if I had not taken the whole course at the same time I don't think I would have been brave enough to just go ahead with the open water dives. Everyone is different but that is my experience.
Koh Tao was recommended to me a number of times by different people and it definately lived up to it's billing. Up until a few years ago you were not even allowed to go there unless you were diving.