Journey With Deb » Diving

Diving Encouter With The Great White

Deborah — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 23:43:11 +0000

It was hunt number 3 for the monstrous beast. Hunt number 1 failed due to bad weather. We checked in to the backpackers and they told us the weather wouldn’t permit for the next 3 days.

Undaunted, we rescheduled as we had more than a week left. Then the day arrived, I got into the shuttle and midway driving, the driver announced that the weather at Gansbaai isn’t turning out well and we have to turn back. Bad luck!

Took my chance again to rescheduled (3 more days before we leave) and it was big risk, considering the weather (at Gansbaai) doesn’t look too good.

This time, no turning back and minutes after the briefing, we were in the boat ready to hunt. Upon anchoring, our divemaster gave us a briefing and a rundown about the island and surrounding. He mentioned that we could wait up to 3 hours to lure the sharks and we’ll be hoping to spot at least one today – since it’s summer and not the greatest time to view white sharks.

Then all of a sudden, we all clamoured to the side of the boat as the crew sotted something… lo and behold, the sharks! Very quickly, we got into our wetsuits and with sheer excitement I was the first to get into the cage. Only 5 were allowed in the cage at once. As they lure the shark to its bait time and time, we got full view of the monster and sometimes it would “crash” into the cage leaving us a sheer thrill to savour!

After four hours either viewing the Great White from the boat or in the water… it was an unforgettable experience to say the least!

Interesting fact: In February 2009, across all shark diving industry in Gansbaai, they spoted 0 sharks. Fast forward a year, and they’ve spotted countless of them already. That goes to show how the weather and seasons are changing across the world. Maybe it’ll snow in August (in Europe) one day!

Dive Tioman

Deborah — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 01:49:00 +0000

Early June we decided it was time to dive Tioman after hearing so much about its pristine beauty amidst the perpetual development on the island. I was eager to get a tan too since I’ve been starving my skin from sunshine prior to the wedding.

The weekend holiday was perfect with comfortable beach huts fully furnished with simple beds, a small bathroom and air condition. The resort overlooked a quiet stretch of beach with hammocks scattered across and a family run restaurant to feed our hunger. The dive operator owns the piece of land with a small wooden shelter for the dive equipment.

To add to the friendly seaside atmosphere, we had a display of lights – fire to be exact. A towel twisted into a ball at the end of a metal sling is soaked in kerosene and lit on fire. Then fearless men who have been practicing and playing this with fire for many years will then swing it around their heads with gusto. The skill displays such spectacular style as the fireballs illuminate the dark skies.

The weekend came to a close with a tanner me, more snapshots of underwater beauty, a new Junior Open Water diver and an upgrade into Advance Open Water for Terence.

Terence and Debbie

Suiting up before the dive

Terence getting ready for his first test dive

Briefing by the dive master. It’s always good to know where we’re going and what sort of underwater terrains we’d be facing.

Last goof before jumping in

Deb doing her shore dive. If I was 11 I’d think thrice about diving! So proud of her!

Our boat returns to shore after our 2nd dive

Sunset at Tioman. Now that I’m typing this and being surrounded by a concrete jungle, I wish I was on holiday again…

Array of lights

Weaving a ball of fire

Burst of flames

I held my breath as he zig zagged, twirled and swung the metal chain as if it was skipping ropes

He swings it over his head igniting a glow around him

Duo in action – this was an awesome sight

To end the show they lit the can with the remainder of kerosene on fire…

An impromptu dive

Deborah — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 02:20:00 +0000

“Do you want to dive this weekend?” the question was a mere passing remark.
“Erm, I don’t mind…” that was my reply.

Then I find myself being driven 4 hours to Penang, sitting on a ferry for 2 hours and spending Saturday soaking in the sea and sun.
Since Terence’s aunty and family are here for holiday from UK, we thought it would be nice for them to take in as much sunshine as possible. For those who’ve been to UK, you’d know what I mean (dark, gloomy, raining unpredictable weather…) Don’t we love Malaysia?

The dive was in Pulau Payar a few stones throw from Penang Island. An under speculated spot, i highly recommend it for divers (during monsoon season). Putting our wet suits in use again, Terence and I suited up for 2 leisure dives while Esther (Terence’s lil sister) and Antony (his ang moh cousin) went for their first discovery dive.

There are a few highlights of that Saturday:

The underwater treasures were magnificent. Little is spoken of it but gathering your own remarks when you’re underwater is the best experience.
Upon descend on our 1st dive, we saw HUGE barracudas swooping by. *speechless*
Esther and Antony breezed through their 1st dive. Especially proud of Esther who showed little fear and much enthusiasm.
Shark feeding at the beach. Those marine creatures have gathered too much of a name for themselves, they are pretty friendly after all.
Underwater spottings: Black tip sharks, moray eel, bumphead parrot fish, glowing anemone, stone fish, scorpion fish, puffer fish and barracudas (of course!)

The jetty on the island (see how quiet it is, best time to dive when the crowd is not hoarding!)

Esther and Antony on a motor boat heading off to sea.

Esther underwater, just below the jetty…

Closer and closer…

Tail fin and SNAP! There goes the fish into the sharks jaws.

This is as close as they get… totally careless about the people around them…

Happy divers at the end of the day

Tropical holiday

Deborah — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 06:48:00 +0000

(Delayed post)

After being certified as a full fledge diver, another dive trip awaited me. I bought a new dive suit recently and couldn’t wait to wear it. It was Merdeka holidays and every other person seemed to be traveling somewhere. I wasn’t going to spend it on Dataran Merdeka or on a tall building admiring the fireworks. It’s the holidays! It’s time to get out of the city and onto some secluded island where human contact is kept at minimal.

I highly recommend Tenggol Island if you’re looking for a quiet relaxing holiday. The journey takes approximately 5-6 hours from KL on road and an hour boat ride from Dungun to Tenggol. The huts are comfortable and clean and every hut overlooks the sea. Hammocks and funky beach lazy chairs are spread across the beach. It gets better – meals are cooked and served to you. Simple food from the kitchen to your table – and it makes me feel as if I brought my maid for the holiday. It’s simple food but one gets the feeling that they have brought their maid along for the holiday.

The main reason for the holiday is to clock in several more dives and possibly this may be my final dive before the big day. Since getting rid of the tan is not as easy as washing grease off a dirty plate. The dives were amazing but unpredictably challenging, having us to fight the current half the time. We weaved in and out boulders the size of trucks and wrung through tiny alleys just enough for one to pass. The feeling that you’re just a tiny speck in the midst of the huge ocean leaves you in awe but at times quite intimidating.

And of all the 20 odd dives I’ve clocked thus far (not much actually), I think this one trip has a significant label to it. I term it as “combat underwater”. Almost every dive, I would surface with new cuts, bruises and lacerations! My new dive suit has new coral marks and residue on it. Not only was I fighting the current, I was fighting to keep neutral buoyancy. And because of that, I did injustice to nature underwater. My sincere apology for harming the underwater beauties. I’m still recovering from the scrapes and cuts. The scars are evident and I think I’d run for rose hip oil if it doesn’t disappear soon enough. Anyway here are some shots from the tropical holiday.

Children cycling early on Independence Day

Shores of Dungun

Fiery waves in the sky

Low tide

Newbie divers and the more advanced divers
(from left: Deb, Wei Sern, Jeff, Diane, Yuet Chern, Denise & Terence)

Roomie and me – her name is Lucy

Tarzan and Jane

Cartwheeling on the beach

Get ready, on the count of ONE.. TWO…

THREE!!!

Tenggol’s cheerleading squad

“For who is God, except the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God?” – Psalm 18:31

Alas! Victory beneath the surface

Deborah — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 10:23:00 +0000

Finally! It’s all done! I’m a certified Open Water Diver. The ordeal was treacherous but worth the while. What ordeal you may be thinking? Well the deal is you have to finish 2 modules in order to obtain a full fledge dive license, and 2 years ago, I only managed to complete 3 out of 4. Thus landing me only a Scuba Diver license. But this time, I was determined to finish it, to get it done with, to win that battle of mind over matter.

Pulau Dayang tucked away among many smaller islands is a popular place for Malaysians and our Sing neighbors to getaway for the weekend. But it’s quite a long journey with 4 hours on the road and another 4 hours on sea to get to this retreat. Our boat ride to the island was scheduled at 12 midnight on Friday and as we towed our scuba equipment and bag pack into the boat, my mind started drifting off to the life of illegal immigrants who alike take their journey in the wee hours of the morning to avoid commotion. What would be going through their minds? What lies ahead of them? Etc. (Thankful that I’m a citizen of a peaceful and prosperous country)

Our Saturday morning unraveled with two dives for warm up and another in the afternoon. This was when my skills were put to test. Prior to the skills test, my mind was battling with my physical capabilities. The body functions quite differently in and out of water, and I had a hard time adjusting to that. And for that reason, I was not able to do the “removal of mask underwater” skill the previous round. As I played the steps in my mind over and again, I gain needed confidence to pull it off. Finally at 8 metres below, with no where to run to and the surface way beyond my reach, the instructor signaled me over and asked me to demonstrate the skill. My heart was thumping yet my mind was at ease. I had to do this! Within seconds, everything that was playing in my mind came alive, I did it without a sweat. I can actually say it’s easy now. The excitement and joy that overcame me was incredible. And the following few minutes before surfacing the water was enjoyment rather than dread.

We enjoyed few more dives on Sunday with lots to see, feel and explore. The underwater world is amazing, with hidden beauties tucked on every side. I think I’m beginning to love it. Although the initial resistant did keep me at bay, but it’s one of the rewards of conquering ones fear. As for the rest of the OW students Jeffrey, Denise, Diane and Wei Sern they too passed with flying colors, showing agility for first timers underwater. They too have become new explorers of the submerged planet. “When is the next dive trip?”