A DIVER'S TRAVELOGUE

Pulau Tenggol

2007-09-09T20:56:00.001+08:00

Marina's Wedding

2007-07-12T18:16:00.000+08:00

Created with Paul's flickrSLiDR.

Pulau Mabul & Pulau Sipadan, 31 May 2007 - 4 June 2007

2007-06-07T18:29:00.000+08:00

Pulau Tenggol, 28 April 2007 - 1 May 2007

2007-05-05T17:45:00.000+08:00

Labour’s Day, Wesak Day..long leave, hangs the ‘Gone Diving’ sign.

My fuel gauge was blinking as I turned left from the main street towards Kuala Dungun. The petrol station’s in Kuala Dungun still closed. Probably, the owner still sound asleep blanketed with the early morning drizzle. Hmmmmm….I’ll just fueled up on the way back, I’m not far off Kuala Dungun anyway. Parked the car in front of Kasanya Hotel (the spelling probably wrong) and went up the stairs to meet the rest of the group who arrived last evening.

Had locally brewed coffee and half-boiled ayam kampong eggs as breakfast at one of the old-styled coffee shops in Kuala Dungun. Met Aaron of Malaysian Diving Community and Melvin from Singapore. Finally, met Melvin, the other reference point for my Fuji E900 underwater shots. Heard he’s selling off his Fuji E900 set-up. Wanted to have a chat with him but we sort of rushed to the jetty to the boat that’ll take us to Pulau Tenggol.

Rendezvous with the rest of group from Global Scuba at the jetty. Everybody’s kinda still in their shell and spare each other only with the normal formality, introductions and hand-shakes. Maybe, still tipsy from the long journey to Kuala Dungun.They’ll crack later.

After the boat journey about an hour and 45 minutes later, we arrived at the resort, Tenggol Island Beach Resort (‘TIRB’). For simplicity of reference, it’s the one in the middle. There are 2 other resorts on the left and right of TIRB. Assigned to a room with 4 other guys (obviously), Jijoi, Asun, Leo and Nazri.

After lunch, our check-out dive was at Teluk Air Tawar followed by Tanjung Gemuk. Tanjung Gemuk really lives up to its other name, the ‘Mini Highway’ because immediately after our descent, everyone had to fight the current. I almost decided to abort the dive caused the current was quite strong and it seemed as if the regulator not supplying enough air (despite the huff and puff) to my body to swim against the current. We decided to eventually drift with the current which somehow somewhat subsided. The remaining of the dive at Tanjung Gemuk was rather pleasant with a big gorgonian fan and abundant marine life. But, the highlight was surely the turtle that was rummaging through the staghorn looking for something to chew while snapping the staghorn and pushing it out of its way.

The following day dives were at Teluk Nakhoda-Teluk Rajawali, Gua Rajawali (please don’t be looking for a cave because there’s none) and Batu Changchang.The best of them all would be Teluk Nakhoda-Teluk Rajawali since that was the first dive with my buddy, Shiraz who remained as my buddy for the remaining of my dives in Pulau Tenggol.

We had something in common. We are freaking slow divers and enjoyed the sightings of nudibranch with eggs, pufferfish, butterfly fishes, blue ring angelfishes, six-banded angelfishes, yellow mask angelfishes, scorpionfish, juvenile batfishes and a bumphead. Batu Changchang offered nothing much and the reef is not a pristine as the ones visited earlier. Once again, sighted a turtle and different species of angelfishes. A night dive to the Vietnamese Wreck followed suit. Nothing much at the dive site except for sighting of hermit crab and decorator crab. The trip back to shore offered more sightings of marine life such a sleeping puffer fish and heaps of greenish/bluish toad fishes scattered almost everywhere dozing. By that time, the camera’s already out of battery which is not bad since I hadn’t changed any since the first dive. Energizer e-lithium batteries recommended by Bobo was a marvel. Thanks Bobo for the tips.

The next day, we went to Tokong Timur, Moonracker and another dive at the Vietnamese Wreck(s).

To be continued.

Pulau Redang, 14 April 2007 - 16 April 2007

2007-04-20T18:59:00.000+08:00

Pulau Perhentian, 31 March 2007 to 2 April 2007

2007-04-07T22:42:00.002+08:00

Hanoi, Vietnam

2007-04-07T22:42:00.001+08:00

Ouuch...it hurts

2007-01-31T16:37:00.001+08:00

[Cracking sound]

I can hear my lower part of my knee gave away as I fell awkwardly on the turf. Shit…after a miniscule 2 minutes of the first game I’m out of the tourney already. All the 3 Saturdays of practice went out the window coz I don’t think I can continue.

It’s really a drag coz this our ’89 team came prepared for the annual SMSAH futsal tourney for my secondary school alumni. We wanted to reach at least the quartersemi-final this time around. By the way we have been practising, reaching the quarterfinals is not something impossible.

Finally, despite a major improvement from last year, our team failed to qualify for the semi-final due to goal difference. If only we’d won against the team one year our junior, we would have proceeded. Well, one positive thing that came out from this tourney was that we beat last year’s champion (they however, won the finals for this year’s tourney).

Like the year before, after the game, we went for a get-together for a meal and this time around it’s at the banana leaf restaurant at Jalan Gasing. After, 2 kilos of fried shrimp (yup, 2 kilos) everybody went home except me who went to the nearest hospital to have my knee x-ray’ed.

Pulau Jarak, 12 January 2007 - 14 January 2007

2007-01-31T16:36:00.000+08:00

Jeff Bozos, Amazon.com and Shark Fins

2007-01-04T00:28:00.000+08:00

It seems that Amazon.com is carrying shark fin soup through a third-party vendor, Pacific Rim Gourmet. With all the controversy surrounding shark fins and the horrible practices used to harvest fins, Amazon should be ashamed to be carrying shark fin soup and should rectify the problem immediately by pulling all shark fin products from their catalog.

What you can do:

Leave feedback at Amazon's product page for Dragonfly Shark Fin Soup
Send e-mail to Pacific Rim Gourmet at customerservice@pacificrim-gourmet.com and write a letter of protest to:
Pacific Rim Gourmet
75-5660 Kopiko Street, Suite C7-210
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Write to Amazon.com at Advantage Customer Service (advantage@amazon.com) and
Investor Relations (ir@amazon.com)
Spread the word through your webpage, blog, etc.
Boycott Amazon.com until they comply
Join our discussion in the Wetpixel.com forums

Where is Kapalai?

2007-01-02T20:09:00.000+08:00

One thing I noticed after my return from Kapalai is that a lot of people don't know where the heck Kapalai is. So, for everyone's reference, here's the map of Borneo (http://www.starfish.ch/dive/Sipadan.html) with all the dive sites in Sipadan, Mabul and Kapalai.

Vietnam, 18 December 2006 - 19 December 2006

2006-12-31T19:28:00.000+08:00

Pulau Sipadan Resort, Kapalai - 6 December 2006 to 10 December 2006

2006-12-31T19:06:00.000+08:00

We watched with awe as the boat we were on chugged its way nearing the jetty of Pulau Sipadan Resort (PSR), Kapalai. In the shallow blue/turquoise water we can’t help noticing the arrays of colorful starfish methodically arranged as if someone had all the time in the world to do that. We (with our jaw dropping) with our remarks and comments about how wonderful the resort looks and how beautiful the reef must have looked like Billy Crystal and his mates in ‘City Slickers’ to the boatman.

We went straight to lunch but I’ll dispense elaborating ‘bout lunch. The major attraction of the dining hall is the viewing platform in the dining hall. It’s actually a hole in the floor where you probably sight moray eels, blue spotted stingrays, small scale parrotfish, box fish, puffer fish etc. After lunch, we were greeted by Linda (but to deter any confusion with my wife, Inda), she asked us to call her Lindut. She checked our paperwork for diving purposes. Lindut commented on the number of dives Inda had made so far being recently certified and all. ‘Only 5?’ Inda vehemently corrected her….’7’.

We got a room closest to the dining hall right in front of the ‘Green House’ which is some sort of a banquet hall. The view from our room facing the Celebes Sea is simply indescribable.

For this trip, I brought a new camera i.e. the Fuji E900, a 9.0MP digital camera and my ever loyal-reliable Canon A95 as a backup. Also, the strobe Inon D2000. Our first dive (also the check-out dive) starts the same evening at the house reef a.k.a ‘Mandarin Valley’. Lindut was the guide and I think it was the best check-out dive ever. There was giant frog fish, lion fish, bat fish, adult sweetlips, scorpion fish almost everywhere.

It’s impossible for me to narrate about each dive because between myself and Inda, we did more than 30 dives. The trip was my first notable experience with muck diving. It’s definitely a different experience. I’ve read about muck diving not to be overlooked because of the vast and diversity critters calling the place home. Inda was reading an article where it mentioned that a number of people going to Sipadan didn’t actually get their fins into Sipadan, instead confined their dives in Kapalai and Mabul. I can’t agree more especially for me whom photography equipment and capabilities confined me to macro photography.

We dived at the Drop Off, South Point, Barracuda Point and Lobster Lair at Sipadan, Cleaning Station, Lobster Lair (and Cleaning Station) at Kapalai and Mabul Water Bungalow House Reef (artificial reef with underwater bungalows), Paradise (in front of Borneo Divers) at Mabul and numerous dives from the jetty at PSR (at Mandarin Valley).

We sighted white tip sharks, schools of bumphead parrotfish, batfish/spadefish, blackfin/chevron barracuda, star puffer, yellow boxfish, ornate ghost pipefish, trumpetfish (you don’t need to dive to see one in Kapalai), spotted garden eel, splendid garden eel, juvenile warty clown frogfish (near the tyres at Mandarin Valley), a fraction of a second of mandarin fish (where else?), leaf scorpionfish, tassled scoprionfish, beaufort’s crocodilefish, gobies, cleaner shrimps, anemone shrimps, pharaoh cuttlefish, the mesmerizing and hypnotic flamboyant cuttlefish, porcelain/anemone crab, the orang utan crab, lionfish and its juvenile, ‘grandpa’ grouper, trevallies, napoleon wrasse, spanish dancer, a number of nudibranches’ species, juvenile sweetlips, blue spotted stingray and one huge stingray under one of the wrecks at Mandarin Valley, turtles, juvenile sea snake, crab eyed goby, mantis shrimp, bannerfish…to name a few.

The highlights were the current we experience at Paradise. Everyone was grabbing for a spot to hold to avoid being swept away. It wasn’t a pretty sight. The hunt for the hammerheads which eventually became a stroll in Sipadan because we didn’t find any, huh. That’s why I’m not so keen to search for big subjects, you’d to go deep and there’s nothing there. The search for mandarin fish was also interesting.

We bid our goodbyes to Benggol, Wendy (Our DM), Alex and Ismail on the 5th day in Kapalai. It’s always kinda sad to leave new friends after the hospitality extended during our stay. We took a slight detour to Tawau town and had our hearty dinner at one of the local seafood stalls there.

We took the last flight out of Tawau to Kuala Lumpur, tired, everybody had their own uninterrupted nap probably dreaming of Kapalai, well….one’s thing’s sure….

I DID.

A Night In Semporna

2006-12-30T12:12:00.000+08:00

We checked in one of the rooms in Dragon Inn Hotel, Semporna. The room’s not bad for the price at RM66.00 per night. Anyway, I don’t think me and Inda will care that much about the room after the tiresome journey from K.L to Tawau. Moreover, only at Tawau airport, then I realized that I didn’t make any transport arrangement from the airport to Semporna. Thanks to Mat Tawau (driver of a minivan for one of the hotels in Tawau), he took us to Tawau from where we boarded a minivan to Semporna (one-way trip cost RM10.00 per person).

After a short nap and fully recharged body, we walked around Semporna town and bought the necessities that we probably need before reaching Kapalai. Be mindful of the pearl sellers at the Dragon Inn jetty. Honestly, I didn’t see anybody buying any pearls from them, something wrong perhaps?

The night scene at Dragon Inn is nothing less than picturesque. Lots of photography opportunities for bidding photographers. After checking our emails at the front office, we called it a day.

Since, there’s plenty of time before the rest of the gang arrived, we wondered at Semporna again the morning after. We stumbled upon the local franchise of the famous Kentucky Fried Chicken but had ‘roti canai’ instead. Most of the morning, spent looking for Inda’s head cap. Finally, she settled with one.
Semporna wet market is always bustling and don’t bother to bring any bag to stuff your purchases because they’ll be plenty of entrepreneurial kids ushering you to buy plastic bags.

By the time the rest of the gang arrived, we were already in our room, packed and ready to go. So, when time came, we walked to the Sipadan-Kapalai Resort jetty which is only a whiff away if you’re not carrying anything. But, with a bag full of clothes and scuba gears, it involved a lot of huff and puff, especially on my part.

We decided that this would be the best way to go for dive trips to the Sipadan area, one night in Semporna before the boat ride to any one of the islands. Fresh mind and energized body is the way to go.

A Great 20 Years

2006-11-12T01:47:00.000+08:00

Last November 7, Sir Alex C Ferguson, KBE ('SAF') celebrated his 20 years at the helm of Manchester United football team from 'Big Ron'. 20 years is a long time by anyone's stardard to stay with the same job. During the same period, I finished my secondary and tertiary education, got myself a job, got married and have 2 kids. Oh..20 years ago, some of you guys were probably listening to 'Say You, Say Me'. Has it been that long?

It wasn't always rosy and shiny for SAF at Old Trafford. Not until the F.A. in 1990, MU didn't win any cup. 3 years not winning any trophies, let alone not winning in 3 games, it's unthinkable in Premier League nowadays that a manager's not sacked and eventually appeared in ESPN Footbal Focus or some footie show programme aired in ESPN for the Asian market commenting about football.

Boy, was the guys who planted the banner "Three years of excuses and it's still crap. Ta ra Fergie" and chants for his head in 1989 in for a ride. Since, then the trophies were a plenty as the list below:.

FA Premiership: (8) 1992/93, 1993/94, 1995/96, 1996/97, 1998/99, 1999/00, 2000/01, 2002/03
FA Cup: (5) 1989/90, 1993/94, 1995/96, 1998/99, 2003/04
League Cup: (2) 1991/92, 2005/06
FA Charity/Community Shield: (5) 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2003
Shared: (1) 1990
UEFA Champions League: (1) 1998/1999
European Cup Winners Cup: (1) 1990/91
Intercontinental Cup: (1) 1999 (aka Toyota Cup since 1980)
UEFA Supercup: (1) 1991/92

As far as SAF's concern, he had achieved something no British manager had ever done or will likely to emulate, Manchester United were Champions of Europe, Champions of England and FA Cup winners all in 1999. Still, we probably have a couple more years of SAF's era, perhaps a lot more if he chooses to chase the ever elusive 'Holy Grail' of clubs' trophies prior to call it a night. Whatever it is..thanks you for the great 20 years and the emotions roller coaster he had brought in me over the years. Some say that he wasn't as good and tactically sound nowadays, but, in the past he has always managed to prove his critics sound. Whatever it is..thank you. Thank you...for a Great 20 Years.

Jon Stewart - The Daily Show : Global Edition

2006-10-17T11:24:00.000+08:00

I get my regular doses of affairs of the world especially from CNN network. Somehow and sometimes, the journalists in CNN tickle my funny bones on how some news were presented and issues raised in the forms of questions (probably to accentuate the inquisitive traits that journalists should possess).

I also get my regular doses of laughter from the 'Daily Show' i.e. the Global Edition of the programme, also in CNN. It's a news parody programme and Jon Stewart really nails it some times. One good example, is when he addressed how the news channels programmes like CNN and Fox uses the 'question mark' in their news-tagline. I have to agree on his points and views on this one.

Have a look at the clip and I'll bet every time you see a 'quetion mark' at the end of CNN news-tagline, you'll be thinking about how right Jon Stewart is.

By the way, exclamation mark for Yanni, no chance in hell.

Disconnected.....

2006-10-12T23:18:00.001+08:00

my Astro service it is. Haven't realized it has been that long since we deposited some monies into Astro's account for services rendered or hours spent in front of the 'idiot box'. Now that the silver-clad box is literally an 'idiot' and serves only as a mirror with a slight distorted and darkened image of myself staring aimlessly into its oblivion.

After finishing Da Vinci's Code....yeah..I just watched the movie, so what? It took Brown all this time to expose what ever it is, a few months behind, won't matter. I rummaged into my DVD collection and stumbled upon one, long forgotten..too long.

U2...Rattle & Hum, it's a rockumentary. It's filled with what I vouch for, great U2 songs. The things they used to be, nostalgic. It may not be as old as when the guys were shooting their videos at the dockyards in Dublin or wherever in Ireland, but, it's a collection of videos prior to the transition from a band wearing torn jeans into glittery clothes, make-ups, fancy goaties and championing the 'Drop the Debt' movement.

These were the days before they were millionaires, or were they already?

'Where the Streets have No Name' has always been my pick-up song and to watch it with a red backdrop was something else. One of the few colored scene in the whole film. No other songs have that tingling effect on me, and to watch it live was something else.

Although 'Sunday Bloody Sunday' reflects the IRA bomb at a Remembrance Day ceremony in the Northern Irish town of Enniskillen, the lyrics and Bono's ramblings in his performance acutely reflects the world we are in now.

Killing & Glory for Revolution
What's the Glory...in taking a man from his bed and gunning him down in front of his wife and his children
Leave them dying or crippled for life or dead under the rubble of a revolution..that the majority of my country don't want

No More! Sing!
No More! Sing!

Waaaa........season's closed

2006-09-23T02:48:00.000+08:00

It's official (at least, as far as I'm concerned), diving season's closed. It's almost monsoon season in the east coast and the ones further below will be closed soon (I think). As they year before, plans are being made for dive trips outside the affected areas of the monsoon, the likes of Langkawi, Sipadan, Mataking and Kapalai provides some alternatives albeit rather costly.

We have also considered going further north the peninsular i.e. Thailand for dives (purportedly) with the mantas in Hin Daeng Hin Muang, but the recent bombings in Hatyai and coup (despite being a bloodless and peaceful one) in Thailand, made us ponder our own mortality, huh.Too quote a friend, "I maybe crazy, but, I'm not stupid".

Finally, we settled on Kapalai and are making the necessary plans for the trip, maybe in early December. Until, then, the gear is neatly tucked in the back room and oh..yes, I'd better get the regulator serviced in time for the trip.

Oh..come on!

2006-09-20T16:06:00.000+08:00

Steve Irwin 1962 - 2006

2006-09-09T12:05:00.000+08:00

Born : Essendon, Victoria Australia.
Died : While doing what he loved at Batt Reef, Queensland, Australia

Tioman Island - 1 September 2006 to 3 September 2006

2006-09-04T12:11:00.000+08:00

Finally, made a dive trip to Pulau Tioman. Been planning it for quite some time. Another dive trip with Ocean Elements dive shop. The family tagged along for this trip, after all, we didn't go anywhere during the school hols, so, had to compensate the kids with this trip. The wife also deserves a break after the schools hols and much things happening in her company. It's time to pack them bags and retreat from the hectic life in the city.

Drove to Mersing via Bandar Muazzam route. Shouldn't take long, approximately 4 hours, I think, unless ones makes unscheduled stops like we did. Arrived in Mersing with Kaz and Saliha in the wee hours of Friday. The rest of the group who took the bus, already there enjoying their breakfast.

Arrived at Pulau Tioman, and checked in at Puteri Salang Inn. Puteri Salang Inn is a cluster of chalets located at the north end of Salang and 'sheltered' from the hustle and bustle which is a plenty in Salang. The chalet is air-conditioned, as far as the one I'm staying. The owner is rather helpful and pleasant. You'll get a perfect view of the hills (no beach view here). Wished that the place had a water heater and a dining place, though.Never fancied talking a walk when the stomach's full. I'd rated the place high in terms of privacy and for travelers seeking peace and tranquility like yours truly. The lawn is well maintained and the grass is in immaculate condition. There was a group of monkeys frolicking around in the lawn scavenging for meals.
Our first dive (with Fishermen Dive Centre, DM was A.J., dive sites image courtesy of www.myoutdoor.com/tiomanisland/scuba_diving/scuba.html) was a shore dive at the Salang's house reef wreck a.k.a Salang Wreck. Hard to tell the exact location (ha-ha, Saliha and Kaz will not hesitate to agree on this) but it is somewhere between Salang Reef North and Salang Reef South with entry point behind Dive Asia's landing dock. Sighted nudibranches, lionfish, porcupine fish and sea fan (at the back of the wreck).

Next dive was at Salang's House Reef at the North part of Salang which was also a shore dive. The reef has plenty of reef fishes. Highlights were a porcupine fish and a blue spotted ray.

Dining place was abundant in Salang, although we had most of our meals at Salang Dream Inn which is right in front of Salang jetty. They are reasonably priced and comprise quite a wide range. I noticed however, that the meals during the night tasted better than I'd for lunch. Maybe different chefs, who knows or I'm just plain tired.

The next day's dive sites were Chebeh, Batu Malang and Salang Wreck. My wife joined for the dives at Chebeh and Batu Malang. In Chebeh, Gorgonians are common on the walls here along with barrel sponges and soft corals of every colour.There was plenty of nudibranches sighted (including a congregation). About 15 minutes during the dive in Chebeh, my camera jammed and doesn't shoot anymore. My thoughts discarded battery-associated problem since they are fully charged. At the end of the dive, my heart sank when I saw the housing was slightly flooded. Damn it! Further scrutinizing revealed a strand of hair on the 0-ring.

Batu Malang is a small rock collection blessed with an abundance of hard coral such as Staghorn Coral, Tabletop Coral, Potato Coral, Flower Coral and Bommies and located in front of the white sandy beach of Coral Island. Prior to the dive, Kaz mentioned that the site is famous for its cuttlefish (albeit I didn't see one). Major highlight was a sea-banded sea snake, yellow-tail barracuda and scorpionfish (photos taken by Kaz).

The last 2 dives for the trip at Tiger Reef and Labas Island was a splendour. I had my reservations to bring my camera with the flooding and all. Boy, it was worth the risk coz both dives provided heaps of marine life to shoot (not literally, of course), particularly, moray eels, nudibranches (including the famous nembrotha kubaryana congregation) and batfish (being cleaned). It was simply marvellous.I guess it's Tioman signalling us to come by again. Oh..yes, thanks to Alex for fixing (albeit temporarily) my free flowing octopus.

After reaching the shore near mid-afternoon, we packed our bags and left Tioman. Had meal at the Mersing jetty while some of us part with their monies for some souvenirs. Drove back to Kuala Lumpur and after dropping off Haida at the dive shop, we arrived home near midnight.

Overall, it was a good trip, nice food, great dives and simply awesome company. It's great to get acquainted with Abang Zainal (a.k.a. Mr. Cool and Mr. No Problem) and his family and Encik Fizol & the Gang (a.k.a. the 'Mares' gang). Thanks also to Lynn for looking after my kids while we went diving and tolerating their shenanigans. Looking forward to another dive trip soon. And Saliha, great buddying with ya.

My heartiest congratulations also to Shafiq who 'completed' his open water diver course.

Please visit www.flickr.com/photos/azrint for more photos or

Get Your Own! | View Slideshow

Aarrrghhhhhhhh....!

2006-07-20T10:48:00.000+08:00

It's been almost a week now I've been playing 'God of War', the PS2 videogame. Almost finished, I think. The game is pretty crazy at times especially the last few stages. Really feel like knocking the controller onto my son's head (especially with his comments on how I should have ducked, rolled, evade Aries cahoots). Yeah right..easier said than done..my young Padawan.I'm at the 'Path of Hades' as of last night and am simply pissed off with the bunch of hoots that keep arrowing me down as I walked through the path (with blades mind you). The only silver lining is that it's nearing weekend and I'll have more time to keep trying. Fingers crossed..Kratos will defeat the God of War, Aries.

It's a new day today, and you know what? I beat the hell of Aries last night in the 'Final Battle'. It was a gruelling one and with the game kept offering me the 'Easy' option mode, it was kind of insulting. I dunno whether the cut-scene after completing the game was really satisfying coz I've seen better. But, to complete another game, there is always a 'comforting' and 'enjoy the cut-scene moment' sense of achievement but not the same when I completed the 'Prince of Persia Chronicles'.

However, only Kratos a mortal could kill a God, Aries, the God of War.

Perhentian Besar Island - 8 July 2006 to 9 July 2006

2006-07-13T13:52:00.000+08:00

Arrived with Anuar in Kuala Besut around 8ish a.m. after breakfast of 'Nasi Kerabu' succintly described as 'Power' at one of the small kampungs on the way. DAMN...the 'Nasi Kerabu' really lives up to its description coz it's one of the best 'Nasi Kerabu' I've ever had. The vegies (or 'ulams' in Malay) were freshly cut and the marinated/sauteed (with a hint of lemon grass) roasted chicken and beef were right off the stove. Don't ask me where the place is exactly coz without Anuar's guide, I haven't a clue. All Anuar told me later is that, it's Kedai Nasi Kerabu Kampung Pak Tuyu. Huh...Good Luck finding it.

It was meant to be a weekend dive-trip to Pulau Tioman with some friends but somehow we managed to get the dates totally screwed. So, I decided to head-off to Perhentian instead. Planned to do at least 5 dives, 3 on Saturday and 2 on Sundays. Well, the plan flew off the car's window since we didn't reach Kuala Besut to catch the first boat in. Thanks to Anuar asking us to pick him up right dead centre of KL CBD, Bukit Bintang. Getting in and out took us almost 2 and a half hour with all the road closures for the preparations of 'Citrawarna' during the weekend.

Stayed at Arwana this time around in one of the RM25 per nite dorms or 'quads'. The rooms are nice and clean too. I have a huge feeling that the dorms are rarely occupied. Bathrooms are outside the dorms and shared. No broken lockers and the keys are still there and it works to keep your valuables (though I strongly recommend to bring them with you, better safe than sorry).

The East Marine dive crew was out when I reached the dive centre, can't believe that I missed the dive to the Vietnamese Wreck which was the second morning dive scheduled for the day. Been there the last time but the viz wasn't that good.
Batu Butuk on Saturday eve was my first dive on this trip. Nothing much sighted. Perhaps because due to the guide going too fast. Only managed to snap a juvenile lionfish under some corals and a rather large puffer fish in one of the swimthroughs that the site has to offer.

Visited Tokong Laut the next morning and Sea Bell (with ascend near the lighthouse). Tokong Laut...just when you thought you'd seen them all, suddenly you sighted something you'd never seen before at the site. During the dive, sighted a lone barracuda sort of hovering near the surface unfazed of the divers below.There was also a sea star shrimp sighted on one of (what else? but) a sea star. Sea Bell's viz hasn't improved since the last time I dived there. Highlight was a sighting of a full body moral eel tucked under some rocks.

Found out later the day that East Marine takes you out to go to Lang Tengah from Perhentian for dives. Maybe you have to stay in Lang Tengah for a nite of some sort. Don't know the details or the minimum set of conditions for East Marine to take you from Perhentian to Lang Tengah (or vice versa). Definitely, will check on that.

Caught the last boat out at 4p.m. to Kuala Besut. Paid the overnight parking fees of RM10.00. Then, head back to Kuantan to fetch the family.

On a last note, people always strive to stand out from the rest in any possible way than our mind can fathom.Sometimes it's so strange and perhaps (ridiculous). I caught this photo in the outskirts of Kuala Terengganu at one of the traffic light. Enuff said!!

My New Toy

2006-06-19T09:49:00.000+08:00

Finally, it arrived.

Last Friday that is...boxed and plastic wrapped. Tinkered with it the whole weekend while watching the World Cup live games in the wee hours. Completed 2 of my blogs with it. My wife's gonna go crazy. It's bad enuff that this guy lazes around on the sofa watching tele without lifting his butt. Now, he has his notebook there as well.

Perhentian Besar Island - 9 June 2006 to 11 June 2006

2006-06-16T22:33:00.000+08:00

"She's Finally Certified"
A trip with my diving group, Ocean Elements, with a number of Open Water students. One in particular is my belove wife. It took her more than 3 months to finish the 'PADI' open water manual and completed her confined dive a week before the trip to Perhentian. Stayed at Samudera Resort, a small chalet operator next to Alu-Alu Divers at Telok Dalam beach of Perhentian Besar.The kids tagged along...kinda an orientation for them to get accustommed to the fact that both Ma and Pa will be diving a lot more together and they've to find some ways to entertain and keep their hand's full.

Arrived at Kuala Besut early before dawn. Worth noting that one can't longer drive to the jetty since they closed the street. Perhaps to alleviate the congestion. Had a quick breakfast at one of the restaurants at the jetty. Quite a big group of people already there, perhaps everybody's taking last minute trips before the school holidays ends.

Samudera Resort was about 2-3 minutes feet trip to the dive shop, East Marine located next to Arwana Perhentian Eco Resort and Beach Chalet. Arwana's is the most fancy and luxurious (in terms of resort facilities and architecture) compared to other lodging facilities at Teluk Dalam.

After seeing off my wife for her inaugural open water dive, I went to Batu Butuk dive site. Didn't dive the entire day Friday. Just lazing off with the kids and chatting at the dive shop. By the way....did I mention that Anuar was there? Apparently he has conveniently located himself at East Marine's Perhentian branch.

Dived Tokong Laut (Image courtesy of www.asiadivesite.com) the next morning.Mind you..a trip to Perhentian Besar wouldn't be complete if you skip diving at Tokong Laut. It's the best dive site there. You'll never have enough of the place. The viz was marvellous that morning and we were the second boat (I hope I'm right calling it a boat) that arrived at the dive site. Oh..another thing, if you gonna dive there make sure you're the first group in, otherwise the place will be jammed especially if it's during public/school holidays. You'll see more divers than the local residents. It's like a 'night market' if I may coin the local terminolgy. Huh! Buddied with Wanie and Fairul. It must be their luck. Sighted more nurse sharks than any of my previous dives at the place. Blue spotted stingray sort of gliding in its element. The resident puffership and stone fish were expectedly there but shied away in their hiding places. A larger than normal size trigger fish was also there, chewing away the corals and the sound it made was clearly audible.

Visited Sea Bell dive site next after interval at Pulau Rawa. Never been to Pulau Rawa before. The water was so clear that some of us can't resist picking up their gear for a snorkelling session. The beach at Pulau Rawa provides astounding view of the twin island, Pulau Susu Dara Besar and Pulau Susu Dara Kecil. The viz at Sea Bell was so bad that one can get lost, 5 metres max. Sighted a stingray cooly in its natural elements and camouflaged beneath the sand. There were 2 trumpet fishes frolicking around but weren't friendly at all for my camera lens.Sea Bell will always be etched in memory as my wife's first leisure dive and despite the poor viz, I managed to squeeze a shot of her at Sea Bell.

I can't wait for the dive the next morning. The whole evening yesterday, I've psyching Anuar and Onn ('DM') to take us to a wreck dive. Never had an actual wreck dive before. Been to Tioman last year and but the viz was so poor, I'm wrecked. So, as we descent the line to Vietnamese Wreck (Image courtesy of www.asiadivesite.com), I didn't what really to expect. The current was rather strong that morning and the viz was about 5-6 metres. As we approached the end of the wreck, I can dinstinctly see the silhoutte of a couple of barracuddas in the distance underneath the wreck. Since, the viz was poor, my sight was focused on macro subjects. Spotted some nudibranches not yet in my collection and there were a lot of them. I geared-up my out-of-box recently acquired Inon macro lens and took a number of shots. The photos in my LCD wasn't good and then, I realized that I haven't got this lens figured out yet.The lens sort of blocked the light from my the camera's built-in flash and the photos were half-dark most of the time. However, it was a remarkable diving experience. Finally, we ascended to a 12 metre and 5 metre safety stop and ended the dive to make time for another dive that afternoon before leaving the island.

The last dive was at Terumbu Tiga a.k.a. Tiger Rock. The dive site I surprisingly found heaps of macro subjects. Nudibranches of different species were present and Onn was very sound in finding them. As we did our safety stop, I sighted below a trigger fish and a bumphead parrotfish swimming around in search of meals. The site was simply awesome. Wished they'd joined me. Somehow it was only me and Onn.

Left Perhentian Besar back to Kuala Besut around 3 p.m. Overall. the trip was great. Before leaving, I managed to check the RM25/night dormitory rooms Arwana provides and already planning for the next trip. Drove back all the way via coastal road and the East Coast Expressway to Kuala Lumpur.

All in all, congratulations to the newly certified divers, namely, Bob, Natasha and Azhar. Welcome to the underwater realms. But most importantly, a heartful CONGRATULATIONS to my wife. Looking forward to my future dives with her as my buddy. It will be a different but surely marvellous experience. It's a wonderful opportunity to share my newly found passion with the person I adore and love most.

Please visit www.flickr.com/photos/azrint for more photos

Lang Tengah Island - 12 May 2006 to 14 May 2006

2006-05-16T15:10:00.000+08:00

$#*+!! I muttered as I noticed the nail embedded in my rear tyre of my vehicle. It's 3 a.m. and I'm scheduled to reach Merang Jetty at 7 a.m. to catch the earliest boat possible. Thank God...I've dropped my wife and the kids at my parents' place in Kuantan. Otherwise, shudder the thoughts of driving with a flat tyre with the entire family and the whining I'll get from a certain Mrs Azrin. I filled in the air anxiously, hoping that it would last for the entire journey at least to Kuala Terengganu without any more air-filling-requisite stops.

Oh..I'm on my way to Lang Tengah Island by the way. It was a last minute trip after the group cancelled a trip to Redang Island. Good also..I think, with the family back home spending quality time with their grandparents and I'm being on myself, I'll be more mobile. Oh yes...I probably have spared you from having to read about another trip to Redang Island.

Arrived at Lang Tengah after taking first boat in. As usual, Jus and the East Marine's crew made me feel right at home. Jus was apologetic about my room not being ready. No need for that, Jus.

Stayed at Square Point Resort, not my first time here. Stayed there before during the Project AWARE last September. The cost of lodging was only RM260.00 for 3D/2N. But, that's the rate for lodging in East Marine's training room coz there were no more rooms available due to last minute's reservations. So, shower is at the dive centre while the loos at the dining place caters for my other needs.

Jus led the 11 a.m. dive and the dive site was Tanjung Nibong. Brought my loyal Canon A95 with a Sunpak 'G' strobe I borrowed from a friend for the trip. Man...was I frustrated because the strobe kept getting on my between the crevices. Apparently, macro subjects were quite abundant here with pipefishes, cleaner shrimps, nudibranch and banded shrimps. Had to squeeze the strobe into the gaps most of the time.

The next dive was at Batu Banyak Keras, kinda corny-sounded name but the dive site provides sightings of a purportedly 'rare' white-striped lion fish, razorfishes and devil scorpionfish. Anuar a local instructor held one of the devil scorpionfish in his hands while I took some shots. But, before I could confirm that I actually had the shot I wanted, he'd released the scorpionfish back to its place. Boy..was he pissed when he later found out that I didn't actually get the shot. Maybe next time. Oh yes..another thing, Batu Banyak Keras is appropriate for underwater landscape photography but tough luck, after my first experience from the first dive, the strobe is now snuggly in my knapsack.

Batu Jong dive site has nothing much to elaborate. First dive on Saturday took me to a familiar place I've dived last year, Karang Nibong Laut. Unlike my previous visit, the viz this dive around was superb...max 20 metre to 25 metre. Sighted moray eels, bunch of nurse sharks, scorpion fishes etc. During my safety stop, I could see the entire dive site, blocks of boulders lying on each other. The view was spectacular. Dived Terumbu Kuning with Jus as guide next. Sighted a juvenile crocodile fish, pipefish, sea urchins clingfish and various types of cleaner shrimps. Anuar was making his wise cracks underwater as I could hear his laughs when my subjects just fled away.

Karang Bahar and Goby Garden follow suit. Nothing much at both dive sites except for another species of pipefish and a school of bumpheads at Karang Bahar. Planned to do a night dive later the same day but had an excruciating headache and slept the whole evening. Last dive was at Terumbu Kuning.

That's about done it, 9 dives for a 3D/2N trip's not too bad. Had a great time at Lang Tengah, rekindling old friendship and bridging new ones, in particular, Anuar. Watched in awe of his dive sites sketches. Simply awesome while the level of details is unfathomable. The rest of the crowd there was also worth mentioning, Sue, John and four Japanese nationals (staying in Malaysia though). Chatted most of the night until the F.A. Cup final started which Liverpool won in a penalty shoot-out. Thanks to Stevie G single-handedly.

Left the island afternoon Sunday and had to change the flat tyre. Drove back to Kuantan and back into the arms of loved ones.

Please visit www.flickr.com/photos/azrint for more photos

Redang Island - 9 April 2006 to 11 April 2006

2006-04-19T09:16:00.000+08:00

It's another trip to Redang Island for my family. After numerous visits, the island never fail to fascinate us. The turquoise water, the calm and serenity of its surroundings, the friendliness and hospitality of the people where we called 'home' for a couple of days, worth acknowledgement.

Since this is my first blog, I might as well highlight what's my blog and its aspirations (if I may coined the term). Firstly, I am not by all means an expert about islands, even the ones in my home country where I have resided for almost 30 years. Mind you, there's still part of Kuala Lumpur I can get lost easily if not to my wife. It's just a venue to share my experience and perhaps, in a way, no matter how miniscule it is, help somebody else decides their next vacation. Okay, enough about what I intend to achieve with my blog. Let's get back to Redang.

We stayed at a no frills and fancy, Mozana Chalet. A lodge at Telok Kalong operated by locals I think, not one of those large corporations. The place is simple and most importantly, to me that is, a dive shop i.e. Gipsy Divers is just a whisper away from Mozana. Oh yes, I left out the fact that I am also a diver which is an important fact because throughtout the blog, I'll go deeper into this. You'll see what I mean.

I made 5 dives during the trip, considering wife and kids present, that's a bonus. I guess by now they're used to filling in the gaps while I being submerged, with their own indulgences. Snorkelling, lazing on the beach and etcetra. Kudos to them. Dive sites visited were Pulau Kerengga Besar (I think, there are two of Kerengga Island, one 'Besar' i.e. big, the other 'Kecil' i.e. small), Che' Isa, K1, Stinger Reef and Terumbu Kili (in chronoligal order). Highlights were Black Tip Shark in Pulau Kerengga Besar.
Spotted a Tiger Cowry at Che' Isa, it's nice to see one in its natural environment compared to on a shelf in a souvenier shop.

Stinger Reef's dive was a blast for photography with moray eels, cleaner shrimps, boxer shrimps, stone fish, porcupine fish, lion fishes etc.
Nothing much to highlight on K1 dive site though with a strobe, the place provides an ideal spot for underwater landscape shots. "Just not our day, I guess", laments Zaid, the Dive Master "coz on a good day, stingrays and sharks (of various kinds and sizes) are a plenty".
Terumbu Kili was a splendour, sighted a Hawksbill turtle resting and having a meal. A couple of nudibranches with a Chromodoris Coi laying its eggs. There's also a juvenile yellow boxfish, so small, it's actually amazing I spotted it. Kinda same size as the nail on my thumb.
Overall, it was a great trip again to Redang Island, diving and underwater photography wise. Heaps, more I can blog in my inaugural blog, but, there's always next time. 

To my new mates met on this trip, Safari, Eugene and Wahab. Nice to meet you and till we meet again, "Dive Safely and See You Guys Down There".Please visit www.flickr.com/photos/azrint for more photos or 