Pale as Death

Pale as death is used to describe sickly people who are not in their 'pink of health'. I always thought that it was pretty gruesome way to tell someone they are unhealthy and may be nearing 'death'.

For one, I never thought that phrase can be used elsewhere, well, until now.

Over the weekend I went to dive in Redang Island. Redang for me for me used to be synonym with the Gipsy Divers and that was where the love started. The love for Redang wonderful and diverse underwater realm. And so when the Gipsies left for greener pastures I was left with no place to hang out in the idyllic island.

And so, it has been one and a half year since I was in Redang. I returned this weekend to rekindle my love for the place. I stayed at the village in the local 'homestay' and dived with Berjaya Resort Dive Centre. I did a total of 5 dives; one on the first day and four on the 2nd (however, the last can be considered as almost a non-dive as it is at the depth of 3-5m only).

We went to Holysand, Stinger Reef, ,Pulau Lima and Carmello's Cave (near Berjaya). The underwater life is as usual wonderful; more nudibranches and critters were seen during the dives. However, the state of the corals was depressing. And that brings us to the mortality issue.

Our first dive we visited Holysand, a sandy dive site without any corals. There was a newly sunk wreck and that was heavenly.

Only the second day I realise that there are obvious 'changes' in underwater Redang. Everytime, as I descent into the water I was greeted with patches of whites - ivory white corals i.e. DEAD CORALS. Some although still alive are showing signs of dying; pale and lifeless.

WHITE CORALS EVERYWHERE!!!!!!

This table coral peripheries are white and 'bleached'. Is it dying?


Even the anemone were sickly looking. The bright red anemone was pale pink when compared to the bright colour of the tomato anemone fish. This is true for the other species, I have always loved taking photos of the anemone and its fishes and so I would know the difference.

The anemone is a very distinct pale yellow. I have never encountered this before and initially thought it was a different species.

I do not know what may be the cause but there are many possiblities that come into mind.

Can it be due to the global warming? During our dives the water temperature was 30-31 degrees higher 1-2 degrees when compared to 28-29 degrees 2 years back.

Or can it be due to the numerous resorts and development in the island? I can see some part of the island being cleared for 'development'; and this is despite the development BAN that was highlighted a year ago in the local news. For one,I saw a new 'posh' resort on Long Beach that can accommodate more than 300 people. And in the kampung there are so many 'homestays' that are sprouting to meet the local demands.

The newly opened Sari Pacifica

Or is it because the place is now so accessible that the number of people visiting and of course the amount of sewerage and rubbish have increased exponentially that the underwater ecosystem cannot adapt? Previously Redang is only accesible via jetty in Merang and visitors have to make prior bookings at resorts or home stays before they were allowed passage to the island. However, this changed in 2006 when the Syahbandar Jetty in Kuala Trengganu opened ferry services to the island during non monsoon season.

Whatever the reason I can only speculate but something need to be done. The recent government outburst on banning 'al-cheapo' visitors definitely is a joke. The huge and expensive resorts i.e Berjaya, Laguna and the new Sari Pacifica can at one time host about 1500 guests; still a huge quantity of people. And EXPENSIVE guests does not mean QUALITY guests; during one of my dives a diver staying in the Berjaya Resort (where a room would cost RM 900 per room per night according to their front desk) was seen ascending uncontrollably into the water destroying several corals in her path. It was such a tragedy!

Note: The dives for me were great and I had lovely photos of the 'living' underwater world. That will be put up in my next post.

Getting Wet Again!

In 6 days time I will be underwater again. It has been 6 months since my last dive. And it will be my 36th birthday when I am there. Whether this is my 6th time there, I don't think so... I have been there more times (I think).


I can't wait. My gills are dried out!

Spearfishing and diving

Recently, I read a post on the malaysianunderwater forum on an incident of spearfishing (click here) during one of the trips joined by some of its new members. I chuckled and smile. At least, the fella had enough sense to write it up.

Anyway, the idea of a forum was a good one. I met a few good friends through there and I also met numerous 'characters'. The most fun I had is listening to people who call themselves 'otai' or legends bragging about their diving quests.

Note: I think the word legend should never be mentioned unless the person is dead like Jacques Cousteau.

Back to the issue of spearfishing, hahaha... I must say it thrives within the community itself. Most comments relaying feelings of horror and aghast were genuine but some I feel were mocking the situation. I met a few people during one of the MUW famous 'teh-tarik' sessions and they were the ones very into the so-called sport. Shockingly (or perhaps not so shocking), according to them they usually go with others who were doing their fun-dives.

The trip organisers offer the sport as an itinerary to attract participants (plus I am sure they are the ones hard up to go for a hunt). However, it is so irresponsible when they also open the trip to other unwary divers just to get the numbers so that they can have have a cheaper trip. My personal opinion is that people spearfishing and diving should not be in the same boat or vicinity.

People may say I am just talking theoretically. Well, I have in person, seen a spear-gun bought by such person as he was happily showing his new toy to his fellow divers.

Hmmm... and people wonder why I never join such huge trips. I am not crazy!

Note: I respect that spearfishing is a sport and as any sport it is governed by rules to ensure the safety of the person, surrounding people and the environment. The problem with the sport in this country is that many disrespect the local laws and blatantly break break the rules

Pulau Sebangkat

Yesterday, I dived at Pulau Sebangkat about 20 minutes from Semporna. We gathered at 8.30am at the dive shop and left about 9am. On the way, we stopped at Singamata a fish farm and a floating hotel to pickup more equipment. We had total of 13 divers including out 2 DMs. Apart from Dr Lee, his wife and Jean Li; we were joined by Major Gen Mat Zin (not sure if the spelling is correct), Col Khairuddin, Major Azizan and 2 other IDMO secretariat. The other two were a couple from China.

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Arrived at the island and started our dive at 10.20 am. Took a long time to get people organised plus the boat was wee too small for a party of 13. It was a lovely place. Viz was only about 10m but then that is expected with such a short distance from the town. WE SAW PYGMY SEAHORSES!!!! 12 on a Gargonian seafan (there was supposed to be 13 but our DM was pissed off cos one went missing). I was in seventh heaven. Anyway, apart from that it was true muck diving- so many small stuff, nudibranches, shrimps, pipefishes not to forget many species of reef fishes.

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Surface interval was spent at the shore. It was low tide and it was pleasant to snorkel, which I did. The whole area was covered with seagrass and I went seahorse hunting...hahahah... I didn't find one but I wished I did. The village kids we following me around posing for photos for my camera. They even caught fishes with their bare hands to please me....:)

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2nd dive was at the same island but further east. Same macro stuff, and I was very very elated. Jean Li and I were soon left by the whole group but I had an absolute lovely time.

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After that we went back to the Singamata Floating Hotel/Dive Centre and Fish Farm. Food was lousy- RM 5 for 'mee kuning with kobis and kicap'.. Several things appalled me. First, the place was advertised in Semporna as RM30 per night. Apparently that price is only for foreigners and for locals it is RM150 per night (uh duh.... discrimination in your own backyard...well, they are owned by Singaporeans!!!!). 2nd they have huge confined areas where fishes were kept. In the largest enclosure, they have two Napolean wrasses, a leapard shark, some reef sharks and loads of reef fishes. I feel so sad for the sharks and the wrasses..... they should be free. By the way, is it legal to keep these wildlife in such enclosures????

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Well, after from that we did a jetty dive to the outside perimeter of the fish farm. Viz was about 5 metres but then a heaven for muck diving again. Loads of interesting things including a Peacock mantis shrimp, some nudibranches, anemone shrimps, different type of anemones and lastly a Spanish Dancer. It was a good dive, not as good at the first two but then, I am always happy when I am diving. For the pictorial report, wait for me to come back next week and log on to my Flickr.

Sipadan ... Revisited

Today I dived in Sipadan... yup, last night they told us the permits were available. After dinner I prepared my camera and housing for the trip. No macro lense. I wish I had wide angle for this dive.

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Anyway, I was at the shop 7.50am. As usual, the Malaysian crowd was fashionably late, and I assume the dive shop is so used to that because seemed like no one bothered. We finally left for Sipadan at about 8.30 am.

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The 1st dive was at Coral Gardens. In the group was Jean-Li, Lt Col Rtd Dr Lee, his wife Melanie, and her sister Helen and Dr Carl Edmonds... yup, the authority, the pioneer in diving medicine. He and Dr Lee are our lecturers for the IDMO course. Carl would say that he is 'reaching 70 from the wrong direction' when asked his age. ,.... well, I am digressing but I am so awed being able to meet such a legend. And man, he still dives! But true to his lectures he dives very moderately nowadays... he believes aging makes diving more dangerous and one is more prone to get DCS and other problems if diving 'excessively' . Maximum he does is 2 dives a day!

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Anyway, Sipadan was as previous.... turtles, black tip reef sharks, and also a lot of small stuffs, nudibranches, shrimps etc, if you care to look for them.... The 1st timers were awed... yeah big stuff usually mesmerized the newbies. But the corals was disappointing.... From my previous visits (2005, 2006) I feel that more corals have been destroyed and in hindsight, there were even not as many turtles and sharks!

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Jean-Li was my buddy and she became a cam whore underwater... Posing near every turtle she saw... pretending to vomit into a barrel sponge, she looked so horrifying that I quickly took her photos, I was scared the underwater life would be traumatised...hahaha.... Well, it was fun and it reminded me of how it was when Saliha, Marina and I reacted when we came to Sipadan for the first time.

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Anyway, tomorrow were are going to go Pygmy Hunting (Seahorse la!). I am so excited, I am preparing my macro lense. Fingers crossed, hope the photos will turn out ok.

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*apparently tomorrow we are diving with one of the generals (there are a total of 20 of them) of the medical corp. Hmmmm.....

Semporna.... The update

Today is my birthday and I am in Semporna. Many of you would be thinking "what the heck is she doing writing her blog when she should be out there diving?" .. Exactly my sentiments but then I caught a cold yesterday... and now I am recuperating.

Hopefully, tomorrow I will be better can can join the gang to Mabul. Today's plan was Pulau Sibuan. I have never been there so it is quite a dissapointment!

I have been here since last week. Merman joined me for the trip here last Saturday and we went diving on Sunday... Mabul and Kapalai. Apparently the permits for Sipadan is all out! He left on Monday and I started my two week dive medice course. It is called 'International Dive Medical Officer' (IDMO) Course. It teaches doctors about the not so well known field of diving medicine, illnesses related to it and also how to determine if a person is certified to dive. It is definately an eye-opener. We were never taught this in medical school. And what the intructors, the Dive Industry tell the public is definately skewed!

I have known this (logically) but a lot of people argue that it is not true. DIVING IS A DENGEROUS SPORT!!!! It has a mortality of about 17 percent in 100 000 per year. It doesn't mean I will stop diving but generally it tells us that we have to take precautions when diving and to promote safe diving. Reckless behaviour is not acceptable! Hahaha.... half of the divers I know are idiots, gung-ho asses who if I tell them this would go into an arguement on how I am wrong.

Well, that is not my mission. I am attending this course because I dive a lot and the ones I love also dive a lot. Not a lot of doctors have the knowledge and I plan to equip myself to keep my family, friends and myself safe.

I hope I can dive tomorrow.... I am off to bed now (it is 1 pm and outside is so damn hot!)

p.s. I will post photos of Semporna when I get back. The pc is full of viruses!

Overdued - the Lankayan Report

-wrote this in January but did not seem to have published it,. So, better late then never-







The trip is one that I would not forget. First and foremost, it is one trip where I did not even see the sun, the skies were cloudy and grey all the time. Yeah I know, it is the monsoon season but then I have been in Sipadan and Kapalai in December and january where it drizzled on days but I did not expect no sun for 5 days straight. We did get a slight peek at the sun in the early hours of day four but then when it came for us to dive the sun did a peek-a-boo.

The surface were choppy all the time but it was good experience. I bobbed up and down, swallowed mouthfuls of salt water, and panicked for a few seconds on the surface. Visibility were alright as I have dived in 2 feet of poor viz before and here it was 5 to 8 metres.

But despite all that, I was amazed. If the viz and the weather had been better it would have turned out to be one of the best trips ever. I was amazed at the underwater treasures that greeted us. It was a macro heaven with numerous species of nudibranches, crabs, shrimps, seahorses and also full of pelagics. And to me unforgettable sights were watching the bottom during each descent, numerous blue spotted stingrays glide over the sandy bottom hurrying away afraid we might do a Steve Irwin on them, it looked like the runaway of the busiest airport in the world; and the highlight of the trip watching a leopard shark in action, swimming just above my head.

The sizes of the species were amazing, almost all of the nudibranches we saw were huge, and I mean huge, the size of a fist, I did not need to use my macro lense to see the details of their gills. Thehuge giant cuttlefishes were really huge and the lobsters size spanned about 2m from the tentacles to the tail.I guess the abundace of underwater life is a testament on how conservation work is successful. Lankayan is part of the Segud Islands Marine Conservation Area (SIMCA)with its research office in the resort itself.

Lastly, I made a few friends on this trip, our local divemasters and crew, fellow divers; Anne and Thomas, the honeymooners from Norway; Jans and Marie restaurant owners from Holland; Dita and Stephan from Indonesia/Switzerland.

A Redang Quickie

Three dives only in a weekend was not my ideal idea for a weekend getaway. But then that was what I did this week. Drove from KL on Friday night (I had a 3 day long course) and reached Kuala Trengganu at 7 am. Breakfast and then, I hopped on the Sejahtera 1 ferry towards Redang. I must say, ever since the public ferry was started going to Redang have never been easier.

The ride wasn't smooth. The cabin was stuffy and had this wierd smell that made me felt sick. I did not have my Tiger Balm with me...damn!!! That is my miracle drug. Anyway, I decided to sit up at the open deck for some fresh air, hoping that would make me feel better. It did for a while, until the sky turned dark and rain pelted down to earth. Everyone else rushed downwards into the cabin, I decided to stay put, sitting on the centre of the deck crossed legged, dozing off to sleep.

The sky cleared as we reached Redang.

My water taxi was already waiting and whisked me towards Mozana... the hideout for the famous Redang SeaGipsies. As the boat reaches the dive centre, I could see 2 white men busily assembling their diving gears. That must be Mike and Paul.

Mike Durack, my email friend for the past 8 months. He is the reason for the trip. To finally put a face to a name! Mike knew Fazah, who in turn told him of my obsession with diving. And thus the friendship started. Mike wanted to visit Malaysia and do some sightseeing while he's here but both Faz and I managed to persuade him to try diving. So back to the past few days, the Irish lads were busy taking the Open Water Diver course in Redang. And they were joined by 4 doctors who heard about it and got equally excited in jumping in and dive. So in the end, I had 6 people interested in the OWD course.

Meanwhile, I was still tweaking with my new camera. It has been wonderful topside but underwater my photos have been disappointing. I know what I needed i.e. a strobe but I am cash strapped now to buy one... 2nd dive I managed to borrow Macha's DS 125.. and immediately I can see the difference...

Ah I must get one!

Back to diving, conditions were not consistent. During the first dive water was greenish with 5 m visibility, we did see a turtle though, and some jenkin's ray (they were huge) and loads of big fish. That was at Che Isa.
2nd dive we went to Sting ray city or more aptlu should be called abandoned Sting Ray City. No rays in sight but I was just enjoying the corals and my new (opps...borrowed) toy. Visibility slightly improved.

The 3rd dive was on Sunday morning. And on this dive, Macha and his students joined us to Terumbu Kili. Visibility was good, no currents and the group enjoyed themseves tremendously. I was swimming here and there taking shots of everything...ah wonderful!!!!

We left Redang onboard the 1pm ferry leaving Mike and Paul. They have fell in love with the place and wanted to extend their stay. It was a short but nice trip. And I MUST HAVE THE STROBE!!!!!

My love affair

I am so excited. Haven't dive for more than 2 months. In a few days time I will be in Tioman. Balik kampung! Yeah, Tioman is where it started. My love affair with the underwater world. It was in February 2004 (the first week when the island opened after the monsoon) Marina and I reached the shored of Salang. We were the 1st customer there and the first open water students for that season. And the only diving school opened was B&J and the only instructor that was there was Ben.

Our first venture underwater was during the confined water One (actually, it was in the sea at Salang Bay) and both of us couldn't concentrate on our lessons. We were too awed looking at the fishes that are swimming around us. Marina had a problem as she couldn't pee underwater but that skill came to me so naturally... and I love the feeling of warmth spreading under the wetsuit, one of the first pleasures of diving I learned.

Anyway, I must say, Fan Canyon was at that time wonderful with visibility of more than 20 metres. Huge colourful Gargonian sea fans everywhere. But since we were there as open water students and a few days later as fun divers we were not able to enjoy the scenery that much. Marina and I were too busy consciously breathing and controlling our buoyancy to notice everything else.

I have been back 5 times after that. Every time, we try to go for a dive in Fan Canyon. It is still beautiful but never have I been able to get that similar visibility and conditions. It is just luck, I am blessed to have seen it once under the perfect condition.

I am going back in four days, and I hope that everything will be perfect this time around. It is my heaven underwater.

Lankayan Memories

Imperial shrimp - found on the undersurface of a sea cucumber

Start of the Diving Year

Tomorrow at 1400 hours I will be boarding Airasia flight to Sandakan. It will be my first diving trip this year. I have decided to start early as I have not many commitments compared to 2007. Last year, I managed to squeeze in just over fifty dives, not bad considering the season started only in May for me.

The plan is to stay overnight in Sandakan and then head over to Lankayan Island the next morning. Then it will be diving, diving and diving for the next four days. My aim for this trip is to practice underwater photography as I have just purchased my new camera. Sadly this setup not yet has a strobe, but we will see how it turns out.

So friends, forgive me if I don't update in the next few days. I will be busy indulging in my first love.

dont have a cow man

EIMG_0703
Originally uploaded by divechiefkaz

Wonderful photos of a cowfish taken by my dear friend Kaz.

Sembilan Island - A teaser

Went seahorse hunting over the weekend. Boarded Kaleebso (www.kaleebso.com) at Hutan Melintang Perak at about 2130 hours on 7th December 2007.

I will post a full underwater report soon. The gist: It was a sucessful hunting and the photo posted is just a teaser for those who missed it.

(Note: Saliha, Wanie, Haidar, Azrin... you guys should have been there)

Rescue Me - A Redang Experience (Part 2)

Finally Macha's lappie is OK.... these are the photos he took during my last dive there... yess the seahorse!!!!!

I am so in love with Redang

January... Lankayan Holiday

Planning my next holiday.... this will be in Lankayan Sabah. Muck diving....my favorite!!!

So far, Azrin, Inda, Kaz, Salwa have bought their tickets.... hoping a few more friends will join. On the KIV list are Mulderizz (my long time internet buddy from Singapore), Shelly and Diana. Also enticed to follow would be my sis Marina and Wan her hubby..

Rescue Me - A Redang Experience

Got back from Redang earlier this morning...

The Rescue Diver course was difficult. I have to beef up and work on my stamina. I managed (barely) to finish all the modules. It was tough, especially the tired divers' tow and carrying the victim to land (well, I dragged my 76kg victim to land). After an hour's session of in water rescue breathing and diver's tow I almost gave up.... ahhhh... was thinking, can we continue another day. But Kaz the perfectionist would not let me go that easily... again!!! again!!! again!!! when I stumbled on the sequence etc...

The theory exams was ok.. more of common sense. But I got 5 wrong....there my commonsense became nonsense...hehehehe... but at least it is enough to pass.

So now I am a Rescue Diver..hahaha... hopefully no one would ever needs rescueing..

Why did I do it??? Good question, was thinking about that when I was suffering towing my 'victim'... Well, I dive a lot, with a lot of different people with different dive experiences. I shudder to think if the day comes when one of my 'buddies' may need my assistance during diving and I am not equipped with the knowledge to help them...

Another is, maybe I want to go further in this passion of mine... Master Scuba Diver or the other wing of professional dive industry... Still thinking and keeping my options opened.

The most enjoyable experience for me this time is seeing NOT ONE but TWO seahorses... ahhh dream come through... During our last dive yesterday, Adrin aka Macha took us to Holysand.. ahhh because of the seahorses I deco'ed... Macha had to do 10 minutes of safety stop.. but I was grinning ear to ear...

Waiting for Macha's photos of the seahorse to post!

Alas my camera had problems so I did not take any underwater photos this time...

Perhentian in August

Went to Perhentian this weekend with three friends Demon, Trisha and Kurt. Enjoyed the dives as viz were excellent and there were almost no currents. Saw a lot of marine life too.

For more photos,

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bakawali/sets/72157601545989968/

My diving history

Was looking at my logbooks today....(Packing for Perhentian)

Started diving 2nd February 2004 - OWD
AOWD - 19th December 2004

Year 2004 - 24 dives
Year 2005 -59 dives
Year 2006 - 48 dives
Year 2007 - so far 24 dives (season only started in May...after exams), reckon I have another 24 to go to equal 2006.... This weekend 5 dives, next weekend Rescue...dunno if get to dive, the weekend after Merdeka hopefully another 7 dives..... only twelve.....

Places I have been diving
Tioman - 3x
Perhentian - 5x
Redang - 4x
Lombok - 1x
Bali - 1x
Sipadan, Kapalai, Mabul - 4x
Mataking - 1x
Lang Tengah -1x
Jarak -2x
Payar - 1x
TAR park - 2x

More places haven't covered....

6 Days to go

Another 6 days before I can breathe compressed air.... ahhhhh...

Bali Photos

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bakawali/sets/72157601121028248/