 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|
|||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
*NEWS* Photos Must See!
| Mermaids Dive Intern
Testimonials... Each of the dive interns that we have here in Pattaya, Thailand all have a great time combined with 1st class dive training. As mentioned over the web site the camaraderie here is superb and many have made friends for life. It is fine for me to tell you this time and time again but please check out some of the testimonials from the actual interns. I shall be collating these from now on from all dive training interns. This page was started on 11.05.2005 - the scuba diving testimonials will take a time to collect but as and when they come in they will be posted - most are still out scuba diving. Please note: All testimonials are written 100% by interns. The dive interns here have complete freedom to write what-ever they wish. There is no coaxing or writing for them i.e. fake - Damian then said "Wow your facility is the biggest and best that I have ever seen in the world" etc LOL. Please feel free to contact us for email addresses of interns to correspond with.
Jeff Santos... (Check IDC May 2005) Hey everyone,
Terry and Sheena. IDC December 2005 (Terry) - IDC January 2006 (Sheena) - Baby Ty in the future:-)... When we decided to travel to Thailand to do an Internship, everyone said to us you must be crazy!!! Sure with an 8 month old baby, we almost thought the same thing. Choosing the right Dive School was crucial for us to make our new life work and after many ups and downs searching for the right place and at the point of almost giving up our dream we contacted PJ and within hours joined up with Mermaids. Wow, they helped us with everything including finding us a fabulous nanny and a great apartment (all this before we even arrived) We have been here 7 months and are working on our MSDT and IDC Staff. During this time, we've had great advice and instruction on all of our courses and if we came across any problems they were quickly solved and improved upon for the next divers coming through. We've always found you are never alone, if you have a problem or need anything, just ask, there are a lot of good Instructors here willing to help and of course PJ who is a great listener. Our training has taken us to levels over and beyond what we thought we would get from the Internship and have found out that no matter what age you are it is never to late to change your life and still be able to say, I learn something new every day. As we are having such a great time, we have just extended our stay for another couple of months and are really thinking of burning that return ticket back to London! The best thing we ever did, comes to mind..... Terry, Sheena and Baby Ty xxxx
What I can say about Mermaids for any prospective interns
is that after recently passing my Instructor Exam in Pattaya having learned
everything at Mermaids from Open Water through to Instructor, I have to say that
it is extremely great value for money and it is an experience I can never
regret. Rob Hampson Hi Peter, Steve, Carl and the whole gang!!!!! Finally, I’ll be returning to Mermaids to continue my training!! I have now dived in Fujairah, UAE and Ocho Rios, Jamaica and I can say without hesitation, that the training I received and the dive professionalism demonstrated by all at Mermaids has yet to be surpassed! I truly want to thank you for setting and maintaining such a high standard. My dive “habits” were complimented on by staff at both locations and I was proud to tell them where I received my training. Frank T. P
Aaran L. (Mermaids Dive Intern)
If your thinking of joining the mermaids family because that's what it is, book it now because if you don't you will miss out on a few things, like; Toto, Lulu and the girls who will be happy to get you an ice cold beer before you have put your gear away. The bhat bus rides that you take with 25 others (that's if you can beat our record) on the way to walking street. Captain Gai and the chicken boat who always has a smile and a helping hand. Frosty" who sounds like Santa when he's laughing at you down at 30 meters! Chicken on a stick this one i will leave for you to find out!
The Llife long friends, and so many more things i
can't put in, so for all you who know what im talking about and what
we are all missing, hope your all doing well and hope to see you all
soon. For all you that don't know......well what are you waiting for
book and get down to Pattaya.
One last thing thanks Pj, I know i say that every
time we text, e-mail or go out for "a few quite ones" so without
breaking a habit THANK YOU for all the happy times and for the all
the good times we will have when Lucy and me get back in a few months so i can
do my IDC and IE.
If any of you want to e-mail me feel free, arranlaughton@yahoo.co.uk might see you there in november05
dive well and stay safe
Arran - mermaids intern nov04- the rest of my
life.
The diving here may not be the best in the world, but there are some superb wrecks, and ripping currents which provide valuable experience. Unlike sites in the Andaman Sea, diving here is all year round, so you can take your time. When you do finish, most people leave with jobs to go to. The nightlife here is like nowhere I have ever been, and is really something you have to experience first hand to understand. I have made many good friends here, some of who have already left and are dotted around the globe, but we all stay in touch via email. With all these outstanding invitations to visit, I'm not sure where to go first, Dominican Rep., Egypt, Spain.... Happy Days!! Alex G. AKA Sharky (Check IDC May 2005)
Sharky #482744 The Three Wise Men! (Crowley, the time before) taught me everything I know! My time on the IDC program has been interesting. Can't thin of anything I'd change. Without "Mr Burns" I wouldn't be half as paranoid about my students safety as I am but this is only a good thing. Big Gansta Love to the men that made me a dive instructor! Nicky Burley. Bruce R.PADI Instructor (check IDC January 2006)
The quality of the instruction and the professionalism is excellent. There are so many instructors to choose from, you can in some ways decide whom you wish to learn from. The level of some of the instructors is amazing especially their backgrounds. It really shines through on how much they teach you. In some levels of diving it helps to have instructors team teach you. I have enjoyed every minute here. Being located in Jomtien is the best option as you can relax and if you want to go into Pattaya you can easily do so. Mermaids have fantastic staff. Hi Steve
happy holidays, C Settar
I am now working in the Dominican Republic for Dressel Divers and having a good time. My first certifications have gone through, I´m learning a lot but am at a good level for a newbie instructor. Thanks to you, Klaus, Tom and Russel. I´m a happy man. A big thank you to Mermaids and all the staff which have made my dream possible. Another 100% result for the IE which I was so happy to be included in. Many great memories and friends have been made at Mermaids and that's what makes it all worthwhile. I really liked the way that "ALL" you IDC Staff kept this course so very much fun, fun and learning together. I thought that one more day on the boat might have been a good idea but ths is only a small whining as you have all made the rest of the course so enjoyable. I am not sure which of the courses that I enjoyed most but it would have to be either the Rescue or the IDC, I loved them both on different levels. I am now breathing easier thanks to Russell, Desi and Iain - Totally dedicated people do exist at Mermaids. Barry.
Lucy D - PADI Instructor through Mermaids (Check IDC of January here) Hi
PJ
OK,
so if you’re reading this you’re either and old intern in which case hello
and hope you’re doing great, or you’re thinking about joining PJ and
Mermaids. I’m really not sure
where to start because I just had the best
time ever doing my training in Pattaya. The school and the instructors
there are 1st class, and I’ve found out just how good they are
since I’ve started working as an instructor myself (so to all the instructors,
I owe you a huge thank you,). I was in Pattaya for about 8 months and
didn’t want to leave, I joined as an open water diver and ended up an
instructor (many thanks again to the instructors on my IDC, especially Claus who
made me do the presentations even though I hated them). I am now working
in I’m
trying to write this without sounding biased but I can’t so if you do decide
to hand over your cash and move half way around the world I can guarantee you a
few things from Mermaids and PJ: 1,
you will have the time of your life, and you will not regret one single minute. 2,
you will meet some of the best people you could ever wish to meet, lifelong
friends. 3,
you will work hard and have fun, but the training you get will be first class. 4,
you’ll find out what PJ means when he says “do you fancy meeting up for a
couple of quiet drinks” J 5,
you either end up staying longer than you planned or going back there, or like
in my case, both. To
any old interns, please stay in touch, and to any new one’s please feel free
to ask me any questions you’ll get an honest answer, e-mail holli25x@hotmail.com Hope that will do, I tried to keep it sort of short J
Linda Flemming (Check IDC May 2005)
Tom Davies - Divemaster Internship
Mermaids really is everything that the website claims, I had an amazing four months there, racking up around 130 dives whilst going from O/W to DM. The level of training they give is superb, going out on the boats everyday, seeing how they are run, gradually progressing to running them yourself all gives you real experience of how dive operators work, which is invaluable experience if you are going to make a career of diving. But its also an awesome social scene, there is always, ALWAYS someone (normally 30 people) to have a drink with after diving or to go out with in the evening. The food is fantastic, in my experience the cheaper the better, you will be eating off street carts in no time, the beer is cheap and cold and the Thaïs are all genuinely friendly. If you are thinking of going, just go for it, i promise you will not regret it." Steve
Harding (check IDC Feb-march 2005)
The
Mermaids Internship program grew exponentially during my 8 months from “zero
to hero” and provided me not only with a level of training and instruction
second to none in S.E Asia but many good friends to boot. The community feel
encompassing Mermaids is probably the reason all my good buddies keep going back
to Pattaya, either that or the gogo bars! During the four or so months of
teaching at Mermaids after my IDC I knew I had found my calling. Now I have a
passport to the world, job satisfaction and all for less than £4000 inc.
Life’s too short and fortune favours the brave etc etc……………. Cheers
to all the staff at Mermaids, I’ll see you again in April 2006.
The drinks are on PJ! Steve MSDT #483197 |
Page
1
I just want to thank you all for a great
8 months in Pattaya. When I saw the website offering a scuba diving internship
in Thailand I was a bit skeptical, but I have to admit it was one of the
smartest moves I have made up to this point in my life. When you consider that I
had NEVER been diving before coming to Thailand, and now I am a PADI professional, it is unbelievable. The hands on training
provided by mermaids staff is second to none. They went out of their way to take
the time to make sure I mastered the skills necessary to become not just a
competent diver, but to excel and that's what made it so special. So thanks to
all you instructors, Russell, Claus, Manx, Dave, Tom, B1, B2, Ian, and of course
Desi for all the knowledge You gave me. The many friends I have made in Thailand
will be friends I keep in touch with for many years to come. To my Long-stay
brothers, Jay, Lee, James, Alex 1, Alex 2, Pete, and Steve, You guys are
the best! I was really lucky to meet a great bunch like yourselves. To heath,
Keep hugging those trees my man, I am sure I will be following in your footsteps
soon. About Pattaya, hard to find the proper words to the describe this town. It
is the one place I have ever been where the excitement of a big city is wrapped
up in a small town (by American standards anyway). There is something for
everyone here. One of my favorite moments was on Paul Manx's (one of the
Instructors) B-day. Like 12 of us went bungee jumping into that lake, then
partied the rest of the night away on Walking Street. What a great night. Well thanks again all and for all you new interns,
enjoy it while it lasts, because it will go quicker than you can possibly
imagine. Peace, Jeff Santos
They say life say life is what you make it ! In that case
for the last 8 months I've been making a great fool out of what the accepted
definition of work is !!!! Diving out here is only a very small part of the
experience .. The people you'll meet are friends for life and the experiences
are something you will talk about forever.. A Small incident on my first night
in Bangkok and it's become legend.. No doubt you'll all hear about it on your
arrival.. That said, enjoy the diving, and you'll see something new every day...
Enjoy every day and you'll fall in love with Thailand... After 8 months here (
my IDC is less than 3 weeks away ) I am still finding things on my doorstep I
have missed for the last 7 months... I mean thing like the best kebab van in
south east Asia and a Mexican restaurant to shame all other.. Oh and yesterday I
saw my first shark in Pattaya ( no monster but it had a mean look in his eye -
honest ) .. Come out here and enjoy it, live it but most of all take a bunch of
photo's as when your memory is old and fuzzy (beer more than age ) they'll
always provide irrefutable proof of the fish you saw, the elephants in the
street and of course the guy that drank to much and danced on stage ...... I May
well see some of you out here , if not all I ask is :- 1) Take care of Peter (
he's fragile ) 2) Savor every day out here ... The smells are fantastic ( mostly
) and the roadside food is safe ( mostly ) 3) Remember to bubble !!! ( that will
make more sense when your out here ) Lee C PADI Professional - 480262
Right then, not too good at this kind of thing but for Pj i will give it a
go. it all started in august 04 when i sent him a email, that was the best 5
minutes i have spent in front of a laptop. I got to mermaids with no
scuba training at all, none, zero, zip, but i'm a DM now working in Cyprus with
my girlfriend Lucy who is a OWSI, (we met at mermaids) and i now see just how
good my training was because not every one has been trained to the high
standards of mermaids.
Arriving in a new place, trying to advance a new career is always going to be
scary, but the welcome I received from everyone at Mermaids instantly put me at
ease. Having been here for over three months now, I can say that this is
by far the most professional outfit in this area, with fantastic instruction and
instructors who are always willing to help no matter how busy they are.
What can I say, I've just come back from the most memorable
9 months of my life! I was a little unsure about sending my hard earned
cash to people I'd never met before but it couldn't have been more worthwhile!
The instructors and people of Mermaids have not only taught me so much but also
become good friends. The atmosphere they create makes you feel part of the
family. Thank you B1, B2, HMS, Manx, Claus, Russ, Tom, Frosty, Lance, CS, Nori,
Ian, Wayne. You guys have been great! i have also made some great friends who I
WILL see again! The list is too long but you know who you are, you lovely people
and you really made the ride great! I cannot think of a better training ground
that combines great courses, facilities, instructors and friends. Thank you all
and when I'm diving with my beloved sharks, I'll be thinking of you all
(especially you Tom! Don't worry they're harmless, though the big ones do like
the odd SEAL!!!). I will be back very soon!
I was initially scheduled to do my dive training elsewhere
in Pattaya but was put off at the last moment due to some doubts about them. I
met with Steve and Pj and did not hesitate to book with Mermaid's CDC.
Everything here has been as expected and no false promises are given and you pay
your money and you receive everything that you expect. I have had no problems at
all or complaints about any offered by Mermaids.
Since i did not get a chance to before flying off on
Monday, i just wanted to say thank you for the experience that you and the rest
of your staff provided for me. I had a remarkable time, one that i will never
forget. if i ever decide to continue with my instructor's certification i will
definitely be headed your way, and i hope i can return to Thailand soon even if
it is not for that reason! please keep in touch and thank you again!
Well they say that your school days are the best days of your life......true
but I think that was the diving school days in my life. Throughout my 8 months
in Thailand with Mermaids I have met so many new and great people and I will
always remember my days there. All the instructors who brought me up from Open
water to Instructor have been excellent and I owe it all to them (and PJ of
course) :) Special thanks to Claus, Manx, Tom, HMS, SB1 for the help and training
during the IDC, also to Lance who guided me through my Divemaster Training and
to Russell who made me and Open Water diver even after calling him an Aussie.
Special thanks to Pj for for a great time on the Similans trip - memories that
will never fade. Never forgetting of course the longstay crew, Alex, Jason,
Stuart (the savoy bar & Grill), Aine, Lucy, Jeff, Linda, Sue, Rosie, Russ,
Alexia, Cliff, Will, Slinky, Lee, Beou, Martin, You have all been a great laugh.
Keep in touch...Lee S
Thought
I’d better send something to you even though I must have told you a million
times what a great time I had, I know it will sound biased but what the hell,
it’s all true.
There are plenty of dive schools out there...but that's all they
are...just
dive schools. Mermaid's Diving Life Internship is an all encompassing
experience. I spent 4 months from Open Water to Instructor
and I wouldn't trade it for anything. You show up when you want,
vacation when you want, take courses when you want in virtually whatever
area of diving you want, and there are always plenty of extremely
capable instructors to help you out whenever you need it. Everyone
is always smiling and having a great time whether it be in the
classroom, out diving, or in the bar. There were 18 people in my IDC/IE and
everyone passed - these instructors make sure you have the skills
you need to succeed. They care, their hearts are in it, and we had
a great time every step of the way. Mermaid's offers truly first class
dive instruction, but what's more is that you automatically join a
network of fun-loving, supportive and dynamic people from all walks of
life to spend your duration with. You'd be a fool to become an instructor
somewhere else. Get ready for the time of your life!
It's funny I remember Jason always saying he wanted to go live in a small
beach hut on an island and teach diving. I could never really see myself doing
that I thought I would get so bored. But now here I am if I'm not on the boat
looking at clear blue water from the beach to a dive site then I am sat outside
the shop looking at the clear water from the shore. It reminds me so much of the
Similans..... only I haven't seen any Manta ray yet!!!!!! On my first dive here
however I saw 4 white tips and an eagle ray so that was cool.
Sigh of relief number 1: The taxi drivers at the airport
HAVE heard of Mermaids Sigh of relief number 2: Someone in the shop WAS
expecting you when you get there, so it wasn't all a big scam after all!
PJ’s
-