3-and-a-half-hour conversations are always good for the heart.
I'm glad to have set aside that fraction of my life to listen to you, and to occasionally chip in with my 2 cents. It helped me to understand you better...the way you tick, and I must say that it opened up my eyes to quite a few INTERESTING revelations ;)
I'm glad you overcame your mountain...and LIVED to see today. Know that I'll be there when the next one comes.
The throat is feeling a little sore this morning. I'm wondering if it's due to all the talking, or perhaps my Milo ais kau?
Friday, May 09, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
we are conquerors
Mt Kinabalu was a blast! We made it to the summit!! *pats on the back for everyone*
Burning thunder thighs, 6.00 am sunrise 4,095 m above sea level, yellow daffodils, caffeine chill-outs at the terrace, trusty Nikon DSLR, our RM350 'hoi tai kai', beach-bumming at Pulau Mamutik, "Bunny-Bunny" on the rooftop...
memories to last a lifetime.
Burning thunder thighs, 6.00 am sunrise 4,095 m above sea level, yellow daffodils, caffeine chill-outs at the terrace, trusty Nikon DSLR, our RM350 'hoi tai kai', beach-bumming at Pulau Mamutik, "Bunny-Bunny" on the rooftop...
memories to last a lifetime.
Monday, April 21, 2008
a thing with that four letter word
YOU!
Glad you've taken one step closer to your happily ever after.
Very interesting, but nah...expected.
*****
An unexpected phone call with a glass of wine in hand.
Little sms exchanges while chicken wings are baking in the oven.
Enough to pique my curiosity on what's going on in your mind.
Glad you've taken one step closer to your happily ever after.
Very interesting, but nah...expected.
*****
An unexpected phone call with a glass of wine in hand.
Little sms exchanges while chicken wings are baking in the oven.
Enough to pique my curiosity on what's going on in your mind.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
time passes by quickly when you're having fun
Day 5 - The Andaman Sea (Richelieu Rock, Koh Tachai)
Sunrise at Richelieu Rock.
The day began before 6.00 am today. We washed up and got ready for the first dive briefing at about 6.15 am. As the orange rays of the rising sun began to wash over the once indigo sky, we could see that we were moored in the middle of the open sea with no land in sight. The topography of the Richelieu Rock dive site is that of a completely submerged rocky outcrop, whereby only the tip is visible during low tide.
We were slated to make 3 dives at Richelieu Rock today with the hopes of sighting whale sharks, the largest fish in the world, that often swim by the area during this time of the year. Other large pelagics such as manta rays are also often seen in the area as it is noted to be a 'cleaning station'.
Anticipation was high today, although we (or at least I did) tried to manage our expectations realistically. After all, there was really no such thing as a 'guaranteed' sighting in open seas.
Dive #1 came and went. So did Dive #2, and then Dive #3. Sadly, no whale shark. But the dives were all pretty significant in themselves. The underwater topography of Richelieu Rock and the rich diversity of its marine life definitely made it one of the best places I've ever dived.
It was beautiful in short. Large schools of fishes of various shapes and sizes thronged the area. Corals were bountiful and one section featured a HUGE anemone garden. It was a sight for sore eyes. Rich colours danced around us as if all of creation decided to put on an elaborate show just for us. We spotted colourful nudibranchs, shrimps and even the elusive seahorse! So we really had little reason to be disappointed, really =)
Brekky time.
[Photo from Kyle] A shy mantis prawn.
[Photo from Kyle] Harlequin shrimp having a sea star for lunch.
[Photo from Kyle] Tiger egg cowrie. These things are so small!!
By this time, we had gotten so used to living on the boat that Yao and I decided to make ourselves a little more 'at home' =)
Last dive of the day was back at Koh Tachai. Tonight was to be our last night on board the MQII. We spent it lying on the sun deck watching the moon and stars, chilling out with a couple of beers, and mulling over the trip that was soon to end...boo hoo!
Day 6 - The Andaman Sea (Koh Bon), Khao Lak
The last two dives of the trip were to be made in Koh Bon, a little island also famed to be a 'cleaning station' for manta rays and other pelagics. It turned out we didn't see manta rays, but this was where I had my close encounter with a leopard shark that wanted to get up close and personal. A swim-by less than 2 feet away was an awesome opportunity for me to observe the fish really close, watch its beady eyes, gills in rhythmic movement, spotted hide, graceful fin. A totally awesome experience.
One of the 10 or so leopard sharks that we encountered in that single dive.
Watching our dive video.
Photo time...Team KL, Aussie Kyle and Miko.
[Photo from Angie] All the divers and divemasters minus Tom who was taking the shot.
And shortly after that, we bade goodbye and went our separate ways. We checked into the Nang Thong Bay Resort, which was just a stone's throw away from the dive centre and spent the night in Khao Lak.
Back in Khao Lak. Colourful fishing boats at Thaplamu Pier.
Hungry divers need good Thai food.
Tired divers need good Thai massage.
Day 7 - Khao Lak, Phuket
Our room at the Nang Thong Bay Resort. Quite a mess but it was pretty comfortable and luxurious actually. Even had a jacuzzi and a separate shower area!
Banana flower.
The beach right at our door step.
Environs at the resort.
The pool. Nice chill out place.
Mickey helps you swim!
Shadows and contrast.
Khao Lak was badly hit by the tsunami in 2006, hence the signboards all around.
Last minute shopping.
A final shot outside the reception before heading to Phuket Airport.
The end. *sob*
Sunrise at Richelieu Rock.
The day began before 6.00 am today. We washed up and got ready for the first dive briefing at about 6.15 am. As the orange rays of the rising sun began to wash over the once indigo sky, we could see that we were moored in the middle of the open sea with no land in sight. The topography of the Richelieu Rock dive site is that of a completely submerged rocky outcrop, whereby only the tip is visible during low tide.
We were slated to make 3 dives at Richelieu Rock today with the hopes of sighting whale sharks, the largest fish in the world, that often swim by the area during this time of the year. Other large pelagics such as manta rays are also often seen in the area as it is noted to be a 'cleaning station'.
Anticipation was high today, although we (or at least I did) tried to manage our expectations realistically. After all, there was really no such thing as a 'guaranteed' sighting in open seas.
Dive #1 came and went. So did Dive #2, and then Dive #3. Sadly, no whale shark. But the dives were all pretty significant in themselves. The underwater topography of Richelieu Rock and the rich diversity of its marine life definitely made it one of the best places I've ever dived.
It was beautiful in short. Large schools of fishes of various shapes and sizes thronged the area. Corals were bountiful and one section featured a HUGE anemone garden. It was a sight for sore eyes. Rich colours danced around us as if all of creation decided to put on an elaborate show just for us. We spotted colourful nudibranchs, shrimps and even the elusive seahorse! So we really had little reason to be disappointed, really =)
Brekky time.
[Photo from Kyle] A shy mantis prawn.
[Photo from Kyle] Harlequin shrimp having a sea star for lunch.
[Photo from Kyle] Tiger egg cowrie. These things are so small!!
By this time, we had gotten so used to living on the boat that Yao and I decided to make ourselves a little more 'at home' =)
Last dive of the day was back at Koh Tachai. Tonight was to be our last night on board the MQII. We spent it lying on the sun deck watching the moon and stars, chilling out with a couple of beers, and mulling over the trip that was soon to end...boo hoo!
Day 6 - The Andaman Sea (Koh Bon), Khao Lak
The last two dives of the trip were to be made in Koh Bon, a little island also famed to be a 'cleaning station' for manta rays and other pelagics. It turned out we didn't see manta rays, but this was where I had my close encounter with a leopard shark that wanted to get up close and personal. A swim-by less than 2 feet away was an awesome opportunity for me to observe the fish really close, watch its beady eyes, gills in rhythmic movement, spotted hide, graceful fin. A totally awesome experience.
One of the 10 or so leopard sharks that we encountered in that single dive.
Watching our dive video.
Photo time...Team KL, Aussie Kyle and Miko.
[Photo from Angie] All the divers and divemasters minus Tom who was taking the shot.
And shortly after that, we bade goodbye and went our separate ways. We checked into the Nang Thong Bay Resort, which was just a stone's throw away from the dive centre and spent the night in Khao Lak.
Back in Khao Lak. Colourful fishing boats at Thaplamu Pier.
Hungry divers need good Thai food.
Tired divers need good Thai massage.
Day 7 - Khao Lak, Phuket
Our room at the Nang Thong Bay Resort. Quite a mess but it was pretty comfortable and luxurious actually. Even had a jacuzzi and a separate shower area!
Banana flower.
The beach right at our door step.
Environs at the resort.
The pool. Nice chill out place.
Mickey helps you swim!
Shadows and contrast.
Khao Lak was badly hit by the tsunami in 2006, hence the signboards all around.
Last minute shopping.
A final shot outside the reception before heading to Phuket Airport.
The end. *sob*
Saturday, March 29, 2008
a velvet renaissance
It was fun while it lasted, but a close brush with both death and the local authorities is probably indication enough that something wasn't too right last night.
Point to note: No compromise. Period.
Point to note: No compromise. Period.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
an introduction to eat, sleep, dive
Day 3 - The Andaman Sea (Similan Islands)
Our boat had continued the journey to the Similan Islands as we slept. In the morning when we woke, we found that the previous night's blank landscape of endless black sea had changed into one of a green tropical island surrounded by calm waters lapping at the rocky edges of where land met the sea.
After washing up and then having a few slices of toast with some Milo ('pre-breakfast' sustenance), we had our first dive briefing.
East of Eden...our first dive of the trip!
Team KL + Aussie Kyle...almost all suited up and ready to jump in!
Logging our first dive after breakfast. Very enthusiastic bunch we were as you can see!
Miko playing the good responsible teacher.
Our daily schedule was pretty much wake up, dive #1, breakfast, break, dive #2, lunch, break, dive #3, afternoon tea, break, dive #4, dinner, break for the rest of the day. Pretty much 'eat, sleep, dive' as you can see. Haha =)
While most of our time was spent at sea, there were occasions whereby we made short excursions to shore on our rubber dinghy.
This was our first island excursion...Similan Island #4 if I recall correctly. No resorts. Uninhabited by man. Absolute beauty.
Here we see three homo sapiens subjects displaying their natural instincts when returned to their original habitat.
As a child, Tarzan had always fascinated me.
Our dive liveaboard, the Manta Queen II. If you look carefully, you can actually spot two of our fellow divers (Lawrence and Jacob from Austria) jumping from the top deck of our boat into the water.
Day 4 - The Andaman Sea (Similan Islands, Koh Tachai)
Sunrise at approximately 6.30 am.
[Picture from Kyle] At the Boulder City dive site, we had our first encounter with medium-sized pelagics during the trip. A solitary leopard shark resting (sleeping?) on the sea bed.
[Picture from Kyle] Surface shot of one half of Team KL and Aussie Kyle after diving Boulder City.
Inspired by the guile of the Austrians, we decided to take 'the leap' this morning as well. This was when we discovered that jumping off the top deck is definitely not for the faint-hearted! Here, Yao is poised for a painful (ouch!) landing.
[Picture from Kyle] Second dive of the day was at Elephant Head Rock. Lots of massive underwater boulder formations which made for interesting 'swim-throughs'. A tiger cowrie is pictured here.
[Picture from Kyle] Easily the strangest-looking thing we encountered throughout the whole trip. A frogfish! Also sighted at Elephant Head Rock. Quite cute me thinks.
[Picture from Kyle] Lionfish @ Elephant Head Rock.
[Picture from Kyle] Yao and I.
Island stopover at another one of the Similan Islands.
Yao and I explored the massive rock formations by the beach while Angie and HT chilled down at the water's edge. We caught some pretty amazing views from the top.
This thumbnail of a picture doesn't do enough justice to its beauty. I'll probably post a larger one somewhere, sometime.
Another spectacular sunset while journeying north to Koh Tachai for our 2nd night dive.
We were due to travel to Richelieu Rock the following day, which is easily the most famous dive site this part of the Andaman because of the high frequency of spotting whale sharks there this time of the year. After dinner that night however, our divemasters got wind that quite a large number of liveaboards were heading towards Richelieu Rock as well and so we changed our plans a little to travel immediately from Koh Tachai to Richelieu Rock after dinner, have an early night and then be up and ready for a sunrise dive by 6.30 am the next morning.
And so we obediently went to bed early that night. With anticipation running high, I actually dreamt we saw whale sharks =p
Our boat had continued the journey to the Similan Islands as we slept. In the morning when we woke, we found that the previous night's blank landscape of endless black sea had changed into one of a green tropical island surrounded by calm waters lapping at the rocky edges of where land met the sea.
After washing up and then having a few slices of toast with some Milo ('pre-breakfast' sustenance), we had our first dive briefing.
East of Eden...our first dive of the trip!
Team KL + Aussie Kyle...almost all suited up and ready to jump in!
Logging our first dive after breakfast. Very enthusiastic bunch we were as you can see!
Miko playing the good responsible teacher.
Our daily schedule was pretty much wake up, dive #1, breakfast, break, dive #2, lunch, break, dive #3, afternoon tea, break, dive #4, dinner, break for the rest of the day. Pretty much 'eat, sleep, dive' as you can see. Haha =)
While most of our time was spent at sea, there were occasions whereby we made short excursions to shore on our rubber dinghy.
This was our first island excursion...Similan Island #4 if I recall correctly. No resorts. Uninhabited by man. Absolute beauty.
Here we see three homo sapiens subjects displaying their natural instincts when returned to their original habitat.
As a child, Tarzan had always fascinated me.
Our dive liveaboard, the Manta Queen II. If you look carefully, you can actually spot two of our fellow divers (Lawrence and Jacob from Austria) jumping from the top deck of our boat into the water.
Day 4 - The Andaman Sea (Similan Islands, Koh Tachai)
Sunrise at approximately 6.30 am.
[Picture from Kyle] At the Boulder City dive site, we had our first encounter with medium-sized pelagics during the trip. A solitary leopard shark resting (sleeping?) on the sea bed.
[Picture from Kyle] Surface shot of one half of Team KL and Aussie Kyle after diving Boulder City.
Inspired by the guile of the Austrians, we decided to take 'the leap' this morning as well. This was when we discovered that jumping off the top deck is definitely not for the faint-hearted! Here, Yao is poised for a painful (ouch!) landing.
[Picture from Kyle] Second dive of the day was at Elephant Head Rock. Lots of massive underwater boulder formations which made for interesting 'swim-throughs'. A tiger cowrie is pictured here.
[Picture from Kyle] Easily the strangest-looking thing we encountered throughout the whole trip. A frogfish! Also sighted at Elephant Head Rock. Quite cute me thinks.
[Picture from Kyle] Lionfish @ Elephant Head Rock.
[Picture from Kyle] Yao and I.
Island stopover at another one of the Similan Islands.
Yao and I explored the massive rock formations by the beach while Angie and HT chilled down at the water's edge. We caught some pretty amazing views from the top.
This thumbnail of a picture doesn't do enough justice to its beauty. I'll probably post a larger one somewhere, sometime.
Another spectacular sunset while journeying north to Koh Tachai for our 2nd night dive.
We were due to travel to Richelieu Rock the following day, which is easily the most famous dive site this part of the Andaman because of the high frequency of spotting whale sharks there this time of the year. After dinner that night however, our divemasters got wind that quite a large number of liveaboards were heading towards Richelieu Rock as well and so we changed our plans a little to travel immediately from Koh Tachai to Richelieu Rock after dinner, have an early night and then be up and ready for a sunrise dive by 6.30 am the next morning.
And so we obediently went to bed early that night. With anticipation running high, I actually dreamt we saw whale sharks =p
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
two days of 'filler' activities
Last week's trip to Thailand sure was good fun while it lasted. I think enjoyed it so much that I reckon it ranks among the top 5 trips that I've ever had! Quite a lofty accolade that.
Despite the inconvenience of lugging my chunky DSLR around, I persevered and therefore managed to chronicle most of our journies over the 7 days and 6 nights that we were there. It helped that Angie also brought a camera for the trip so that I was able to at least feature in some of the photos! And a BIG PLUS for us were the underwater pictures that we conveniently *ahem* copied off our fellow dive groupie, Kyle the Aussie from Brisbane, after he had paid THB3000 to rent the camera for 3 days. Generous fellow he was ;)
Day 1 - Phuket
[Photo from Angie] Thailand welcomes Team KL (as we came to be known as on our boat later)! All smiles as we touch down...probably smiles of relief because we came SO close to missing the flight!!
Promthep Cape - the southernmost point of Phuket. A really popular location to catch the sunset. Lots of tourists and locals.
We were not disappointed =) It was cute that the crowd actually applauded as the upper curvature of the orange sphere dipped below the horizon.
We had dinner at Patong Beach. It was loud, crowded, commercialised, tacky...I wasn't too fond of the place.
We spent our first night in Phuket Backpackers - a very nice budget place downtown. Clean and pleasantly very comfortable, although a little far from the beaches.
Day 2 - Phuket / Khao Lak / The Andaman Sea and beyond
The common area in Phuket Backpackers. The only time we got to check our email/Facebook in Thailand.
We spent the day walking around Phuket town aimlessly. In doing so, I took some random shots.
[Photo from Angie] Tuk tuk!
Engaging in more 'filler' activities at the local coffee junction. How much longer 'til we jump into the water???
After an hour and a half drive from Phuket town, it is approximately 6.30 in the evening and we are in the quiet coastal town of Khao Lak, standing at the doorstep of Khao Lak Scuba Adventures. Oh, the anticipation!
After settling some preliminaries, we are finally on the boat! Tom, one of the 4 divemasters on board, gives us the opening brief.
Fireworks are let off at the bow and we are off cruising the Andaman Sea headed west. First stop - the Similan Islands!
Tomorrow is a brand new day.
Tomorrow we dive.
Despite the inconvenience of lugging my chunky DSLR around, I persevered and therefore managed to chronicle most of our journies over the 7 days and 6 nights that we were there. It helped that Angie also brought a camera for the trip so that I was able to at least feature in some of the photos! And a BIG PLUS for us were the underwater pictures that we conveniently *ahem* copied off our fellow dive groupie, Kyle the Aussie from Brisbane, after he had paid THB3000 to rent the camera for 3 days. Generous fellow he was ;)
Day 1 - Phuket
[Photo from Angie] Thailand welcomes Team KL (as we came to be known as on our boat later)! All smiles as we touch down...probably smiles of relief because we came SO close to missing the flight!!
Promthep Cape - the southernmost point of Phuket. A really popular location to catch the sunset. Lots of tourists and locals.
We were not disappointed =) It was cute that the crowd actually applauded as the upper curvature of the orange sphere dipped below the horizon.
We had dinner at Patong Beach. It was loud, crowded, commercialised, tacky...I wasn't too fond of the place.
We spent our first night in Phuket Backpackers - a very nice budget place downtown. Clean and pleasantly very comfortable, although a little far from the beaches.
Day 2 - Phuket / Khao Lak / The Andaman Sea and beyond
The common area in Phuket Backpackers. The only time we got to check our email/Facebook in Thailand.
We spent the day walking around Phuket town aimlessly. In doing so, I took some random shots.
[Photo from Angie] Tuk tuk!
Engaging in more 'filler' activities at the local coffee junction. How much longer 'til we jump into the water???
After an hour and a half drive from Phuket town, it is approximately 6.30 in the evening and we are in the quiet coastal town of Khao Lak, standing at the doorstep of Khao Lak Scuba Adventures. Oh, the anticipation!
After settling some preliminaries, we are finally on the boat! Tom, one of the 4 divemasters on board, gives us the opening brief.
Fireworks are let off at the bow and we are off cruising the Andaman Sea headed west. First stop - the Similan Islands!
Tomorrow is a brand new day.
Tomorrow we dive.
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