Pulau Tioman Diving Trip 24 to 26 July 2009

My Recent trip to Tioman Island with 20 people was a memorable one. Most of the people in this trip are mostly new to me, except for my students. Overall, the trip was a successful and i would like to thank these people for making this trip a fun and memorable one for me.

Underwater Photo - Part 1 - Nudibranch

I have taken underwater photos for 5 years now, I used to enjoy underwater photos because those time i was on leisure diving, spend all the time looking for things and just stay there to take the photos untill i am satisfy with the outcome.

However, since early this year, i do not have the leisure of doing leisure diving because i started teaching scuba diving. Most of the time i have to either watch out for the students or if i bring my camera, i will take their photos or video so that they have their good memory after the trip.

Over the last weekend, i look back at all my archive and make a compilation of all my favourite underwater photos. Will post it up batch by batch to share with you all.

Here are some of the nudibranch photos from my archive.

Monkees do Tenggol June 2009

The video of my recent trip to Pulau Tenggol.

Irresponsible Fisherman

On our recent trip to Pulau Tenggol, during one of our leisure dive, I was leading my group of divers diving at Gua Rajawali. My other group of leisure divers also diving at the same site but at different entry point.

When we met up with the other group of leisure divers, I saw them grouping together at a spot doing something. I was curious what they are doing and went to have a closer look. As i approach them, I was supprise to see a huge fishing net floating in the mid water. the leisure divers were busying cutting the net to free up those fishes who got trapped in the net.

I quickly instruct my divers to wait at one area and i went over to help out the net cutting. The fishing net had a massive tangle the corals, destroying the most of the stagehorn corals in the area. Most of the fishes are dead trapped in the net, among them are 2 Bamboo Sharks. However, we still manage to free 2 Bamboo sharks.

It took us 30 minutes to cut loose the net and we tide the sausage to the net and lift it up to the surface.

My Second Batch of Students

19th of June, I brought second batch of students to Pulau Tenggol. This trip was a bit tough because my first time bringing such a large group of students at one go. However, the lucky thing is most of them learn quite fast and have not much of big problem, also i have my partner to help me out on this trip.

On friday morning, upon arriving on the island, I started doing the training dive for one student because she is not so comfortable, so require one-to-one attention. After that, i brought the remaining 5 students for their training dive. By the time i am done with them, lunch is over and I missed it. Immediately, i went out with the leisure group for a leisure diving. Once i am back, i brought the 5 students for their second training dive. None stop diving for the whole day.

No matter how tough and how hard is it, there's no complaint about certifying students who successfully complete their course. I am very happy to see 5 of them obtaining their Open Water Diver certification and 1 obtaining Scuba diver certification.

Congratulation to Wei Hua, Anthony, Han Hung, Chii Wen and Shahrul for getting your PADI Open Water Diver certification and Siew Suan for obtaining your PADI Scuba Diver certification.

Well Done to all

My first Batch of Students

Congratulations to Cloe and Ryan for obtaining their PADI Open Water Diver certification. We went to Pulau Redang back in 8th of May for 3 days 2 nights to conduct their certification. The whole trip went off without any problem. I am very happy and fulfilling to see both of them obtaining their certification.

Have fun diving and remember to dive safe.

Marine Monkees New Logo

Finally, after 3 months of waiting, our logo for our company, Marine Monkees is finally out. Here's the logo, damn cute .....

Happy Day for IDC Class of March 2009

After more than 2 weeks of spending time together, all 6 of us, instructor candidates, are like brothers and sisters. All of us would like to see each other do well in IE and pass it becoming an instructor.

During our IDC, one of the candidate was lagging behind in his dive theory. However, he work his ass out during the 20 days. SF Chong also patiently guide him throughout the period, making him is able to absorb as many as possible before IE. During the first day of IE, we have 5 theory paper and we have to pass all. If we fail 1, then we can resit for it but if we fail 2, then we fail all.

This candidate was not confident but under the encouragement of SF Chong and the rest of us, he decided to go for IE. We are all hoping that he pass all papers. However, he managed to pass only 4 and have to retake 1 on the next day. On the same night, we help him to brush up with the particular paper and on the next day, he manage to pass the paper. Not only that, on the confined water presentation and knowledge presentation, he score 5 (maximum point).

We are all so happy for him. He said he will buy us dinner and beer. Woohoo .....

IDC - Instructor Development Course

Ever since i take up diving back in 2004, i have a dream, to be an instructor one day. When I completed my Divemaster course, the next step will be IDC - Instructor Development Course. However, i had been delaying it because of financial issue and also time issue (it's hard to get 2 1/2 weeks break from office).

Finally, on July 2008, i told myself the wait is over. I have to start saving up money and get myself enroll in IDC, I contacted my Course Director, SF Chong and decided to enter the course on March 2009.

Before i fly off to Bali, alot of my friend who went through IDC informed me that it's a piece of cake. I should not have any problem getting through it. However, i am still nervous because it's still something new to me. I still remember clearly on the first day of orientation, i ask myself how can i get through these 20 days.

Alot of people thought i come here and have a good holiday and diving. Hey, it's a training program, everyday we have to wake up at 7am and we will spend our time either in classroom, pool or ocean for practicing our skills and knowledge and presentation. At night, we still stay back in the classroom to do our assignments and revision. I am proud to say that after 2 weeks here, i have only been to Hardy's (the local supermarket) and the night market.

Time flies, 2 weeks flew by and how we course is ending soon, my heart is heavy after the course end, 6 of us (instructor candidates) will be heading off on our own ways, some will be teaching in Perhentian, some will go back to where they came from, some dunno yet, and some get a job in local bali dive center. Where ever they will be, i just wanna say i am glad to know them all and all the best in their diving career.

Yesterday was the first day of IE (instructor examination). The first day was the tuffest, Standard and Theory exam. I am glad that i have passed both exam without much difficulties. This morning we did our confine water presentation and i passed it. Later in the afternoon will be our knowledge presentation and tomorrow morning will be our open water presentation. If everything goes well. i will be a OWSI. Wish me luck.

Also, I wanna take this opportunity to thank SF Chong for being such a patient guy, teaching and leading us to success.

Fun Dive During IDC - Manta Point and Crystal Bay

This video was taken during our IDC fun dive. Finally after 10 days of none stop studying, pool and ocean practice, our Course Director, SF Chong allow us to have a morning to go fun diving and enjoy ourselves.

Before IDC starts, i told chong i have not seen a Manta before and if he can bring us to see a manta. He say no promise but he will try. True enough, he bring us to Manta Point and i was so excited. According to some of my coursemate, Manta Point 99.9% guarantee Manta sighted. When we jump into the water, the water temperature was a bit warm, after 30 min of diving, we still didnt see a single Manta. I was so frustrated, thinking is my luck so bad? I will kill myself if i dont see a single Manta here.

right about 35min into our dive, one of my buddy bang on his tank, signalling us, there, suddenly i see one Manta swimming toward me. about 4 metre, tip-to-tip. I was so happy and i am speachless. I quickly turn my camera into video mode and capture the perfect moment.

Now i am proud to say i have seen a Manta Ray. They are one of the beautiful underwater creature that i love the most.

Thanks Chong ....