Hurray I'm gonna be in the Maldives today!!! Unreal Babyseal

Sweet! In approximate 24 hours I'll be swimming in the silken seas of Maldives. Its makes being alive more alive!!

Its going to be one sweet of a trip. 26 dives. Nine days of sailing and hopefully eating FRESH FISH every day!!! Hahaha!!

I'm so wired that I can't sleep!!!

There will be a good chance for us to see whale sharks, manta rays, hammerhead sharks, and a good number of big and wonderful sea creatures.

Awesome.

Hurray I'm gonna be in the Maldives today!!! Unreal Babyseal

Sweet! In approximate 24 hours I'll be swimming in the silken seas of Maldives. Its makes being alive more alive!!

Its going to be one sweet of a trip. 26 dives. Nine days of sailing and hopefully eating FRESH FISH every day!!! Hahaha!!

I'm so wired that I can't sleep!!!
 
There will be a good chance for us to see whale sharks, manta rays, hammerhead sharks, and a good number of big and wonderful sea creatures.

Awesome.

This is the dive boat we will be sailing on.

MV Eagle Ray.

http://www.maldivesboatclub.com/liveaboard-eagleray.php

Hurray I'm gonna be in the Maldives today!!! Unreal Babyseal

Sweet! In approximate 24 hours I'll be swimming in the silken seas of Maldives. Its makes being alive more alive!!

Its going to be one sweet of a trip. 26 dives. Nine days of sailing and hopefully eating FRESH FISH every day!!! Hahaha!!

I'm so wired that I can't sleep!!!

There will be a good chance for us to see whale sharks, manta rays, hammerhead sharks, and a good number of big and wonderful sea creatures.

Awesome.

Excuse me you're having a heart attack

I went for the gym this morning as usual half-cocked. There were two mortgage bankers I had to talk before. Then I was trying to clean the flat up before my family friends showed up. The light fitting in the bathroom had a meltdown. And I ran out of the house without having my breakfast.

Did five minutes in the gym - and my trainer noticed my lower lips turning pale. So he sent me home and told me to go see a doctor.

I did have a bout of flu and my stomach wasn't feeling top notched either. I think I caught something over the weekend. But its most likely due to my poor diet and sleep. Apart from some fatigue I felt ok.

I went over to my old doctor - a senior physician - and expected to get the usual blah - go get some rest- take two panadols, call me in the morning and btw take some antibiotics for your stomach. However, he found my heart rate a little too high - and got me to go take a ECG for my heart. Cost $35.

The results according to the tech was ok - normal. But the doctor freaked out. There was a dip in the rate and he interpreted that as bad news ... very bad news... so f@#king bad that he told me to cancel my Maldives diving trip. See that glitch, you've got a serious problem mate. But first pay me my bill of $50 before you die... I mean leave.

Waaaaaaaaaa??? What did you just say???

Apparently, according to the test results - there's a fucking abnormality in my heart. So no more scuba diving for you.

Oh no. No more Maldives diving trip. And I didn't even sign for the insurance yet.

He referred me to a cardio specialist at Mt. E. Apparently the Prime Minister also sees the cardio too.

When I got there, I was half expecting him to confirm the old doctor's confirmation. And to eyeball me and say I've got 6 months to live or something. For some strange reason I approached the news of my imminent death with a vague sense of relief. Great, I'm going to be free of my problems and I'm going to get to see God. Boy, I'm gonna tell him off for slacking off his job. And so I bid my time at the cardio's waiting room, rehearsing what I was going to say to the Almighty. But boy was I disappointed I was going to miss this diving trip to the Maldives!

The cardio's staff seemed amused by my presence for some reason. I went through the barrage of tests, ECG again, treadmill exercise and the ultrasound.

I gotta tell you seeing your heart on the ultrasound monitor is quite scary initially. Hearing its beat on the speakers blows your mind away. Its freaky. There it is. Your heart. On TV. There's a little thing thats flapping about. That's your valve. What happens me I stop breathing? Can I make it stop??? Will it get self-conscious and get camera-shy???

Anyways, the good news is that I'm ok. Top notch in fact. Well, maybe a bit over-weight. But nothing that some extra running and good dieting won't cure. The bad news is the tests and consultation cost me another $680.

Now excuse me whilst I go and kick the arse of a senile doctor.

Excuse me you're having a heart attack

I went for the gym this morning as usual half-cocked. There were two mortgage bankers I had to talk before. Then I was trying to clean the flat up before my family friends showed up. The light fitting in the bathroom had a meltdown. And I ran out of the house without having my breakfast.

Did five minutes in the gym - and my trainer noticed my lower lips turning pale. So he sent me home and told me to go see a doctor.

I did have a bout of flu and my stomach wasn't feeling top notched either. I think I caught something over the weekend. But its most likely due to my poor diet and sleep. Apart from some fatigue I felt ok.

I went over to my old doctor - a senior physician - and expected to get the usual blah - go get some rest- take two panadols, call me in the morning and btw take some antibiotics for your stomach. However, he found my heart rate a little too high - and got me to go take a ECG for my heart. Cost $35.

The results according to the tech was ok - normal. But the doctor freaked out. There was a dip in the rate and he interpreted that as bad news ... very bad news... so f@#king bad that he told me to cancel my Maldives diving trip.

"See that glitch, you've got a serious problem mate. But first pay me my bill of $50 before you die... I mean leave."

Waaaaaaaaaa??? What did you just say???

"Apparently, according to the test results - there's a fucking abnormality in your heart, buddy boy. So no more scuba diving for you. I have some experience in this field and I know."

WTF?? Oh no. No more Maldives diving trip. And I didn't even sign for the insurance yet.

He referred me to a cardio specialist at Mt. E. Apparently Mr LKY also sees this cardio too. 

When I got there, I was half expecting him to confirm the old doctor's confirmation. And to eyeball me and say I've got 6 months to live or something. For some strange reason I approached the  news of my imminent death with a vague sense of relief. Great, I'm going to be free of my problems and I'm going to get to see God. Boy, I'm gonna tell him off for slacking off his job. And so I bid my time at the cardio's waiting room, rehearsing what I was going to say to the Almighty. But damn was I disappointed I was going to miss this diving trip to the Maldives!

The cardio's staff seemed amused by my presence for some reason. I went through the barrage of tests, ECG again, treadmill exercise and the ultrasound.

I gotta tell you seeing your heart on the ultrasound monitor is quite scary initially. Hearing its beat on the speakers blows your mind away. Its freaky. There it is. Your heart. On TV. There's a little thing thats flapping about. Oh, that's your valve. What happens me I stop breathing? Can I make it stop??? Will it get self-conscious and get camera-shy???

Anyways, the good news is that I'm ok. The so-called glitch was just a normal variation - perhaps caused by a very slight backflow - which is common. According to the tests, I'm top notch in fact. Well, maybe a bit over-weight. But nothing that some extra running and good dieting won't cure.  The bad news is the tests and consultation cost me another $680.

Now excuse me whilst I go and kick the arse of a senile doctor.
 

Excuse me you're having a heart attack

I went for the gym this morning as usual half-cocked. There were two mortgage bankers I had to talk before. Then I was trying to clean the flat up before my family friends showed up. The light fitting in the bathroom had a meltdown. And I ran out of the house without having my breakfast.

Did five minutes in the gym - and my trainer noticed my lower lips turning pale. So he sent me home and told me to go see a doctor.

I did have a bout of flu and my stomach wasn't feeling top notched either. I think I caught something over the weekend. But its most likely due to my poor diet and sleep. Apart from some fatigue I felt ok.

I went over to my old doctor - a senior physician - and expected to get the usual blah - go get some rest- take two panadols, call me in the morning and btw take some antibiotics for your stomach. However, he found my heart rate a little too high - and got me to go take a ECG for my heart. Cost $35.

The results according to the tech was ok - normal. But the doctor freaked out. There was a dip in the rate and he interpreted that as bad news ... very bad news... so f@#king bad that he told me to cancel my Maldives diving trip. See that glitch, you've got a serious problem mate. But first pay me my bill of $50 before you die... I mean leave.

Waaaaaaaaaa??? What did you just say???

Apparently, according to the test results - there's a fucking abnormality in my heart. So no more scuba diving for you.

Oh no. No more Maldives diving trip. And I didn't even sign for the insurance yet.

He referred me to a cardio specialist at Mt. E. Apparently the Prime Minister also sees the cardio too.

When I got there, I was half expecting him to confirm the old doctor's confirmation. And to eyeball me and say I've got 6 months to live or something. For some strange reason I approached the news of my imminent death with a vague sense of relief. Great, I'm going to be free of my problems and I'm going to get to see God. Boy, I'm gonna tell him off for slacking off his job. And so I bid my time at the cardio's waiting room, rehearsing what I was going to say to the Almighty. But boy was I disappointed I was going to miss this diving trip to the Maldives!

The cardio's staff seemed amused by my presence for some reason. I went through the barrage of tests, ECG again, treadmill exercise and the ultrasound.

I gotta tell you seeing your heart on the ultrasound monitor is quite scary initially. Hearing its beat on the speakers blows your mind away. Its freaky. There it is. Your heart. On TV. There's a little thing thats flapping about. That's your valve. What happens me I stop breathing? Can I make it stop??? Will it get self-conscious and get camera-shy???

Anyways, the good news is that I'm ok. Top notch in fact. Well, maybe a bit over-weight. But nothing that some extra running and good dieting won't cure. The bad news is the tests and consultation cost me another $680.

Now excuse me whilst I go and kick the arse of a senile doctor.

Are you scared of the Titan Triggerfish

Actually, no. Cos I don't seem to notice them when I dive and they don't look all that fearsome to me - unlike sharks. But ignorance is bliss I suppose.

They are reputed to be extremely fierce and have a sharp bite - look at that teeth. It bites thru ROCK CORAL!!! Imagine that teeth sinking through your 3mm wetsut!!

Anyways: click on the link to check out the poll.

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/basic-scuba-discussions/234090-how-afraid-you-titan-triggers.html#post3563034

(Photo is taken by "The Flying Kiwi - click on the photo to enter his site)
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/basic-scuba-discussions/234090-how-afraid-you-titan-triggers.html#post3563034

Are you scared of the Titan Triggerfish

Actually, no. Cos I don't seem to notice them when I dive and they don't look all that fearsome to me - unlike sharks. But ignorance is bliss I suppose.

They are reputed to be extremely fierce and have a sharp bite - look at that teeth. It bites thru ROCK CORAL!!! Imagine that teeth sinking through your 3mm wetsut!!

Anyways: click on the link to check out the poll.

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/basic-scuba-discussions/234090-how-afraid-you-titan-triggers.html#post3563034

(Photo is taken by "The Flying Kiwi - click on the photo to enter his site)
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/basic-scuba-discussions/234090-how-afraid-you-titan-triggers.html#post3563034

Are you scared of the Titan Triggerfish

Actually, no. Cos I don't seem to notice them when I dive and they don't look all that fearsome to me - unlike sharks. But ignorance is bliss I suppose.

They are reputed to be extremely fierce and have a sharp bite - look at that teeth. It bites thru ROCK CORAL!!! Imagine that teeth sinking through your 3mm wetsut!!

Anyways: click on the link to check out the poll.

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/basic-scuba-discussions/234090-how-afraid-you-titan-triggers.html#post3563034

(Photo is taken by "The Flying Kiwi - click on the photo to enter his site)
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/basic-scuba-discussions/234090-how-afraid-you-titan-triggers.html#post3563034

Shoot the lawyers first

Don't read this if you are not feeling well - or if you can't stand gory details.

http://thethinmanreturns.blogspot.com/2008/05/changing-perceptions-about-lawyers.html

In my honest opinion, the Yorkshire rapist ought to have been hung ages ago. No public money should have been allocated at all to his well-being. A civil society has no place for such monsters. If someone does something that henious- the punishment should fit the crime. Otherwise, why bother having a justice system at all? Its a spit in the face for good, honest, upright people.

Shoot the lawyers first

Don't read this if you are not feeling well - or if you can't stand gory details.

http://thethinmanreturns.blogspot.com/2008/05/changing-perceptions-about-lawyers.html

In my honest opinion, the Yorkshire rapist ought to have been hung ages ago. No public money should have been allocated at all to his well-being. A civil society has no place for such monsters. If someone does something that henious- the punishment should fit the crime. Otherwise, why bother having a justice system at all? Its a spit in the face for good, honest, upright people.

Shoot the lawyers first

Don't read this if you are not feeling well - or if you can't stand gory details.

http://thethinmanreturns.blogspot.com/2008/05/changing-perceptions-about-lawyers.html

In my honest opinion, the Yorkshire rapist ought to have been hung ages ago. No public money should have been allocated at all to his well-being. A civil society has no place for such monsters. If someone does something that henious- the punishment should fit the crime. Otherwise, why bother having a justice system at all? Its a spit in the face for good, honest, upright people.

Diving in the Celebes Sea

Diving ... holidaying... is all about good experiences and living in different conditions, meeting people, having a good time.

One thing I love about this trip was staying at the Bunaken Cha Cha resort on the Island of Bunaken. Its similar to Sipadan. Swim out 30m from the shore and you're at the drop off point, overlooking a blue sea abysse. Great for snokellers and free divers. They say its what Sipadan was like 20 years ago.

The weather and sea conditions were a bit choppy at times. Overcast conditions mostly. We had to forfeit one day diving due to a storm; no charge. On two of the wall dives - there were swarms of thousands of baby trigger and yellow angel fishes. It looked like a Windows Computer Screen Saver.

Had trouble breathing for some reason. I just couldn't relax. Turns out that there was a setting for my breathing regulator- it may have been turned down to low.

The Bunaken Cha Cha resort has a lot of rustic charm going for it. The chalets are built into the side of a tropical jungle forest. The buildings are well made- and use plenty of concrete for their foundation and flooring. Teak is used for the bedroom and verandas. It feels so idyll lying on the hammock by the veranda and looking into the sea. Surprisingly very few mosquitoes. I don't have any bite marks at all.

Its also very exclusive- the resort only had about 10 guests when we were there; it could fit 20 guests in total. We had 2 - 3 senior dive guides on all the dives.

The resort also has broadband internet connection and mobile phone reception.

SCUBA DIVING FORUM :: Powered by Divers, Powered by You

http://www.scuba-forum.com/forums/forums.html
Scuba Diving information and News. Mostly reports of accidents. A good read if you are ok.

Aila's christening

My beautiful niece, Aila, was christened several months back. I posted up the photos on multiply earlier but due to some computer problems, they didn't come up. Anyways, here are they.

Diving in the Celebes Sea

Diving ... holidaying... is all about good experiences and living in different conditions, meeting people, having a good time.

One thing I love about this trip was staying at the Bunaken Cha Cha resort on the Island of Bunaken. Its similar to Sipadan. Swim out 30m from the shore and you're at the drop off point, overlooking a blue sea abysse.  Great for snokellers and free divers. They say its what Sipadan was like 20 years ago.

The weather and sea conditions were a bit choppy at times. Overcast conditions mostly. We had to forfeit one day diving due to a storm; no charge. However, we went beachcombing - after the storm- and I found small anamones by the shoreline with baby fishes inside. Remarkable!!!

On two of the wall dives - there were swarms of thousands of baby trigger and yellow angel fishes. It looked like a Windows Computer Screen Saver.

Had trouble breathing for some reason. I just couldn't relax. Turns out that there was a setting for my breathing regulator- it may have been turned down to low.

The Bunaken Cha Cha resort has a lot of rustic charm going for it. The chalets are built into the side of a tropical jungle forest. The buildings are well made- and use plenty of concrete for their foundation and flooring. Teak is used for the bedroom and verandas. It feels so idyllic lying on the hammock by the veranda and looking into the sea. Surprisingly very few mosquitoes. I don't have any bite marks at all.

Its also very exclusive- the resort only had about 10 guests when we were there; it could fit 20 guests in total. We had 2 - 3 senior dive guides on all the dives.

The resort also has broadband internet connection and mobile phone reception. Total cost for 4 days of diving (6 days, 5 nights) not including air tickets was S$730 (thats about AUD$570).

Unfortunately, the limits of my camera or my photography skill and poor tech knowledge bothered the crap out of me. I just couldn't get the camera to focus on some of the subjects- and instead got clear shots of the sandy or rocky background!!! ARGHHHH!!!!!! I think it has to do with the lighting and taking photos 20 - 30m under the sea.

Update:
One other thing I need to mention is a strange incident at the airport. When we touched down at Manado airport- we had to go through a x-ray security screening.  People had to deposit their phones,  watches on the trays to put it through the x-ray machines - including their hand luguage.  I was carrying my wallet in my surf pants - which has the pocket on the side. The Indonesian security official saw I had something in my pocket and got me to empty it out. I showed him it was my wallet- and he passed a tray for me to put it on. When I walked through the detectors - I noticed he DID NOT put the tray with my wallet into the machine. I got extremely worried that he was holding onto my wallet- so I walked straight back. When he saw me walking back- he quickly put back the wallet onto the machine and looked away. If the airport wasn't so busy- he could have easily removed my cash from the wallet. Anyways there was only about $100 worth of Indonesian cash inside, I had kept the resort payment in another bag. But yeah, they really do things differently here in Indonesia.

Bunaken Cha Cha

Stayed at the Bunaken Cha Cha Resort during the dive at Manado. A cool resort. Beautifully and thoughtfully built. Good service. Good Food. Great views.

Best time to go there is from May - September. (Monsoon season is from December to February).

http://www.usdivetravel.com/R-INDONESIA-Nusantara.html

Diving in the Celebes Sea

Diving ... holidaying... is all about good experiences and living in different conditions, meeting people, having a good time.

One thing I love about this trip was staying at the Bunaken Cha Cha resort on the Island of Bunaken. Its similar to Sipadan. Swim out 30m from the shore and you're at the drop off point, overlooking a blue sea abysse. Great for snokellers and free divers. They say its what Sipadan was like 20 years ago.

The weather and sea conditions were a bit choppy at times. Overcast conditions mostly. We had to forfeit one day diving due to a storm; no charge. On two of the wall dives - there were swarms of thousands of baby trigger and yellow angel fishes. It looked like a Windows Computer Screen Saver.

Had trouble breathing for some reason. I just couldn't relax. Turns out that there was a setting for my breathing regulator- it may have been turned down to low.

The Bunaken Cha Cha resort has a lot of rustic charm going for it. The chalets are built into the side of a tropical jungle forest. The buildings are well made- and use plenty of concrete for their foundation and flooring. Teak is used for the bedroom and verandas. It feels so idyll lying on the hammock by the veranda and looking into the sea. Surprisingly very few mosquitoes. I don't have any bite marks at all.

Its also very exclusive- the resort only had about 10 guests when we were there; it could fit 20 guests in total. We had 2 - 3 senior dive guides on all the dives.

The resort also has broadband internet connection and mobile phone reception.

Manado

Dived at Manado Indonesia May 2008. Interesting stuff there- but its quite deep - so watch out.

Manado, Celebes Sea

First part of my trip to North Sulawesi to dive in the Celebes Sea. Stayed at the Island of Bunaken, dived four days; total 11 dives. One dive was canceled due to bad weather. Its a bit like Sipadan, same sort of stuff, perhaps on a smaller scale. The resort we stayed at Bunaken Cha Cha - was super exclusive. Its built into the side of the mountain. I think the maximum it could hold was 20 guests. Each guest is assigned one sizable chalet with a big veranda and ensuite, and a view of the sea. Its well built with beautiful rustic charm. A lush tropical rainforest surrounds the place. Surprisingly very few mosquitoes.

Dive Computer Part II

OK. I finally got an offer from one of the dive shops along Selegie Road for the SUUNTO STINGER - $799.

I said, "Alright!! Yes order it in. But I can't collect tomorrow as I'm off to Manado".

However, meanwhile....

later in the evening I was walking around North Bridge Road and came across DIVESHOP@SG - run by Gavin Ang and his friendly brother(?). He told me all about the Swiss UWATEC Aladin Prime and G2 dive computers. Man, they look so tough and big they could survive a Nuke bomb. They look like the sort of watches the IronMan would wear.

The Prime - you can change the batteries by yourself - and if it floods, it only affects the battery compartment. The electronics are totally sealed off. It also comes with the computer accesories and software + plus it has infrared so you can download the data onto your PDA  computer for analysis and record keeping

The next model up - the G2 has a setting where you can make more conservative estimates based on your age, health etc..

Both models have temperature gauges to help in its calculation on depth time. The warmer it is, the longer you can stay down.

Apparently both models also have superior computer processing power compared to the SUUNTO STINGER.

The UWATEC coms - apparently - also have superior recording abilities compared to the Stinger (not too sure whether this is accurate) - they measure your time at depth in more detailed (smaller) increments than the SUUNTO... NOTE: I haven't yet found a tech specification confirmation on that yet.

Repairs are done here in Singapore (unlike Suunto which has to be mailed back to Finland) - and the regional lab for Uwatec is in Hong Kong.

The UWATEC Prime retails for S$560... the G2 for S$720. Both seem more impressive than the Suunto Stinger.

...anways all this was done on an afternoon discussion with the UWATEC agent. So I need to do more research.

Got bit in the arse today when I changed cash for USD. I avoided the busy front shop at Parklane which has a noticeboard on the price list- instead I went to my usual dealer (also at Parklane) and got quoted S$1.39 for US$1.

Changed S$800 for US$576.

Went around the corner and the front store was doing it for $1.375. ARGH!!!! Could have saved $10 there.

Felt so stupid.

I feel the fresh sea wind in my face

And I know I'm alive. I love being at the "bow", front of the boat, when we go diving or traveling. For starters, its the part which is furthest away from the noisy engine and the nauseating diesel fumes.

Its also the part which is usually the coolest- you feel the gentle sea breeze in your face, over your skin.

And its the part which has the best view. I'm mesmerized standing at the prow- and looking straight out into the clear 180 degree blue horizon. If you look down you can see the wake of the boat producing a lovely small rainbow.

Occasionally, you get to see flying fish gliding by. And hopefully some day I'll get to see something especial, like dolphins.

The fresh sea air, the cool wind, the sun on my arms, that magnificent horizon, and that sweet silence* save the splashing of the sea on the prow... I find totally tranquil. I feel so so happy to be alive.

Advanced Diver Certificate

Hurray! I just completed my PADI advanced diver certificate - organised by the friendly Blue Reef Scuba Team. Great bunch of blokes.

 Most of the stuff - like deep water diving - I am already familiar with. But others, like navigation, I needed brushing up on.

Even buoyancy control -  I realized I needed more practise with it. I had a full wetsuit- meaning it covered my ankles and arms. Previously, I used "shorties" which only well down to the thighs and biceps. But I found that I occasionally scrapped my unexposed parts on sharp coral or rocks, which is extremely painful.

Anyways, with the full wetsuit- I found I couldn't descend after deflating the BCD. So I had to go back to basics- remember my breathing technique - breath in - exhale toally - count 3 - and down I went. Unfortunately, my diving buddy was inexperienced; she hadn't gone diving in over 5 years!! At the first dive, she started ascending- I reached for her arm to pull her down but in so doing- I forgot about my breathing control - breathed too much air and followed her straight up to the surface. This was at a depth of just 12 feet. Not good!!! It could have been positively deadly if we were at a deeper sea level.

So main thing- RELAX !!! Don't panic.

So anyhow, I'm good now for the Manado trip.

Barracuda Tornado Sipadan Sea 2

I spliced together videos of my two trips to Sipadan, Borneo - including that awesome video sequence of swimming through the Barracuda Tornado. And mated it with the music from the group Celtic Woman. The song is "Beyond the Sea". If I remember correctly its based on an original French song entitled, "La Mer" (The Sea), by Charles Trénet.

The sea was indeed like a mirror when we cruised towards Sipadan - this effect was real and not photoshoped.

Dive Computer Recommendation. Anyone???

Marcus just told me its mandatory to have a dive computer for the Maldives trip.

I like the Suunto Stinger... but primarily because one of my dive buddies has it and recommended it.

Does anyone know of a good shop (with aftersale service) that sells one at a good price? Someone else recommended the Oceanic.

I'm in need of an good chat on dive computers.