NOT “Same Same”

Lion fish..."same same"

While traveling through Southeast Asia this summer, we quickly became familiarized with the regional expression “same same.”  This saying is quite similar to our American idiom “six of one- half dozen of the other.”  Simply explained, “same same” means “there is little or no difference”.

Remember those clams Tarzan almost got his leg caught in?

While haggling for goods in the many jaunts into the markets we heard, “same same.”  When served portions of sometime unidentifiable street foods, “same same.”  Negotiating tuk tuk fares, “same same.”  I soon began wondering if “same same” was possibly the extent of their English.  On the other hand, our son-in-law Jeff fully embraced “same same," so we entrusted most of the arrangements to him, leaving us relieved and quite satisfied. 

Possibly a sea star???  NOT "same same"

Dan and I aimed to dive in all three countries, but weather issues prevented us from doing so in Thailand.  We were able to book trips in Cambodia and Vietnam.  Diving as tourists was a new experience for us and the scuba shops did nice jobs in both countries, but thy were NOT “same same.”

NOT "same same"

Our two dives off of the Cambodian island of Koh Rong Sanloem with Deniz (from Turkey) were interesting, except something in his verbal directions must have been lost in translation with the Cambodian boat crew.  When we surfaced after the second dive, the boat was not in sight.  So, Deniz instructed Dan and me to hold his hands and guided us in swimming on our backs through a strong current and chop for about a half hour!   The dive boat finally saw us when we kicked our way into their view around the far point of the cay. (Good thing that was our second dive.) 

Urchins had one eyeball and 5 white spots...

NOT "same same" 

The 2-tank dive trip we booked off the coast of Nha Trang, Vietnam was more organized.  They had to be, as their boats held a mix of divers and snorkelers of all shapes and sizes speaking many tongues. Luckily,  they had a multitude of guides on board who spoke a variety of languages.  Although there were about 30 guests on the trip, Dan and I had two dive guides accompany us, so it was like having a private dive (when off the boat ).  We especially liked following our guides through three different tunnels during our second dive.  When we exited the third tunnel, I spotted an octopus whose head was as large as a basketball and with legs as long as my arms! 

Octopus against the wall.

The reefs and sea life there in the South China Sea were far from “same same” when compared to our Caribbean dive experience.  Many of the fish species looked similar, but had very different coloring.  Likewise, the corals were quite unusual and had a much more pronounced blue or purplish hue.   
                     

Saw many blue or purple sea stars.

Coral...NOT "same same"