My PADI Open Water Certification Dive @ Perhentian Island (April 22-26, 2010)

It was some 15 years ago that the idea of taking up scuba diving popped into my mind. Well, I finally did it last weekend. Signed up for the course at Global Scuba (1Utama), attended all the classroom and pool sessions and finally made my trip to Pulau Perhentian to complete my certification for PADI Open Water.

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The experience of first time descending into depths of 9 metres underwater (the sea, actually) was memorable. I did most of my certification (4 dives) between the depths of 9-12 metres. Once all that got out of the way, it was time for some leisure dives as certified divers! The next 4 dives took me to maximum depths of 19 metres.

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We dived at D.Lagoon, Shark Point, Tukas Darat, Batu Layar, Tanjung Butong and Tanjung K K, all around the Perhentian Island vicinity. It was rather disappointing that we couldn't dive at Tokong Laut as the sea was very choppy with waves up to 1 metre high! I was told that Tokong Laut was the "highlight" of Perhentian diving. Sigh...

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Being an absolutely new diver, I saw all sorts of fish, big and small, long an short, fat and thin! But I am not able to recognise them all. I can identify a few namely stingrays, "Nemos", cushion starfish, sea turtles, trumper fish, lizard fish, barracuda look-alike fish and many many more! I think I saw a black tip shark too! Saw a huge 1m diameter stingray on the seabed...magnificent.

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But for some funny reason, the visibility that weekend at Perhentian was rather poor, moderate at most. I could only see as far as nothing more than 3 metres! The water was filled with plank tons. Not exactly satisfying, I must say. In fact, rather disappointed as I was kinda expecting something like Sipadan or at least give me 10metre visibility lar! Sigh...

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First time diving, obviously I didn't have an underwater camera, so all my pics here are "above water" pics!

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The welcome signboard that greets her visitors to Flora Bay Resort

Part of the white sandy beach of Flora Bay. Great for evening strolls with lover!

The dive centre at Flora Bay Resort...a 5-star PADI centre

The makan place...very nice and relaxing to eat under soft sea breeze

They also have these table and chairs by the beach for people to hang out and chat over a beer

Our dive equipment...all geared up, ready to go!

Briefing before jumping into the sea

Me, in my Bare Ignite 3/2mm wetsuit

The privilege of sticking close to my instructor during the leisure dives was being able to have my own underwater portraits taken with his camera!

Resurfaced after the 3-minute "safety stop" at 5 metres. During my first leisure dive after certification, I kinda slowly and automatically ascended all the way to the surface with no "safety stop". Really embarrassing!!!

The first one to get on board. Managed to get the boat man to help me capture myself in full gear!

The eagles have landed!!! Coming back on shore after a dive. Pretty tiring, I must say. I had 8 dives altogether and was almost poofed off on the last day.

Me and my instructor, Soo, who took another group to Tenggol the following weekend!

On some occasion, we brought with us extra tanks for the next dive. The 1-hour "surface interval" was spent relaxing on the boat in the middle of the sea. Nice!!!

That's it...done for the day!

From left : Tai Hau (my dive buddy), Soo (my instructor), me and Tan (an avid underwater photographer). Erm, the kid...belongs to a French couple in our group

On our last day, while we were loading our stuffs onto the boat heading back to the Kuala Besut jetty, it rained cats and dogs! Naturally, I was all wet throughout the entire boat journey.

The final group picture. Not everyone was in...4 left a day earlier and my dive buddy stayed back for snorkel ling!

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Overall, it was an awesome experience. Being officially certified is definitely a great thrill. I had problems equalizing during descends. I guess I may have "stressed" my left ear cause its now (and still is) kinda stuck (like as though I am wearing an earplug).

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Definitely looking forward to the next dive trip, perhaps Tenggol...cheap and easy. I will, eventually one day, make my dives at the renowned Sipadan, Layang-Layang and the likes.

Scuba Diving with PADI

I have always wanted to get certified as a scuba diver and be able to dive all the cool sites here in Malaysia and perhaps, move into underwater photography. Well, my first step into the underwater world just began on Feb 26, 2010 when I officially registered myself for the PADI Open Water Diver's Certification with Global Scuba.

Coincidentally, they were having this joint promotion between Global Scuba (the dive shop) and TUSA (a manufacturer for diving equipment). For RM850 (normally RM900), I will be given all the diver's manuals for self reading, dive log book, chart, tutorial DVD and of course, the exam fees. During this promotion, I also get a free mask (RM199) and a free snorkel (RM109).

I am to do 5 classroom sessions and 5 pool (confined water) sessions before heading to the sea for the Open Water certification, a.k.a. "the exam"!!! The sea trip, likely to places like Perhentian or Redang or Tenggol, is another separate cost of approximately RM1,000 (by flight), everything inclusive from makan, hotel (normally chalets), diving equipment (tanks and BCDs), boat, dive masters, etc.

Above all that, I should also get my own set of basic gears like the mask and snorkel (which I already have), wetsuit (<>RM600), fins (<>RM200) and booties (<>RM150). Once more advanced, I am expected to get my own dive computer (a wrist watch with many digital readings like depth, pressure, air, dive time, etc) at around RM1,500. Also my BCD (buoyancy control device) at around RM2,000. Then, my regulator (the breathing apparatus) at around RM1,500.

Gosh, its an expensive hobby! This one belum kira my underwater photography equipment!!!

But it was a good start today. I did my first confined water (pool) session and it was an awesome experience. Struggled a bit with the finning...not used to swimming with fins! And the wetsuit I wore today...was definitely too small for me. My instructor gave me "XL", the biggest size they had there but I needed XXL, I was informed. So, I really looked like a big "ham yuk jong"!!! Nonetheless, a great experience. Had lots of fun. My arms burnt red from 2 hours of hot afternoon sun (I wore the short-sleeve wetsuit)!

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Well, next session...next Tuesday!!! Woohoo...

Harlo 2010

Blessed greetings, I bring to you. And a Happy Chinese New Year and Gong Hei Fatt Choy. It has been exactly 2 months since I last wrote on this blog. There are so many things I want to say but just don't know how to put them to proper words. And I know I am weak in wisely using the right and appropriate words in my messages.

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November 2009 to Jan 2010 has been very busy months for me with events and shoots (both photo and video). And yes, I made some pretty good money in these last few months but I guess, as usual, they are for "reserves" in quiet months like March to June. It is almost a "holiday semester" break for me in these few months. Business will pick up again by mid-year and will climax in December and table off after Chinese New Year the following year.

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I have wanted to blog everytime but everytime, there is always something to put me off, either work or mood. I hate to write when the mood is not right cause I know I will write something unpleasant and that would not be any good for any reader anyway. A lot of things have gone through my mind, some are very promising, some are rather depresing while some are just a pure waste of time. Right now, I happen to be free and I suddenly felt like writing something. So, I quickly started before I "change my mind". But I am not sure what I want to say...I have too much to express.

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What is "life without a life"? Life without meaning? Or life without direction? Or life not living it worthy? Whatever it is, I sometimes wonder if I have lived mine in a worthy manner. There are so many things I want to do but never got close to trying them out. I want to play the drums profesionally and do concert tours and tour the world...maybe perform with Celine Dion? I wanted to be vocally trainned and be able to sing professionally...not for a living but for pleasure. I want to be a better professional photographer. I want to have the latest Nikon D3s gears and lens. I want to be back to driving a BMW...I like the M3 and X6. I want a MacBook! I want a 3,500 sqft luxury condominium in places like Bangsar, Bukit Damansara, Kiara, etc. I'd like to have RM50m sitting in my bank accounts all over the world. And I'd like that money to generate for me RM50k every month without needing to work. Well, that's the materialistic side of my "wants".

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I also want to build / run a high-end cafe that turns into a church on Sunday mornings. I want to be a better preacher, preaching the Word of God that will impact lifes. I want to be a better manager of things given to me. I want to operate orphange homes that teaches the children good and important morals and values in life, and prepare them young to impact the world. I want them to know that they are not loosers by birth but winners by choice! I want to start a foundation that gives out scholarships to people who really needs and deserves it.

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I want to be a better person in character and attitude. All these are not easy to come by but I want them all. I don't know how but I just want them all. Partially for myself, partially to be a blessing to others. Hmmm...I have already gone out of my original context of what I initially wanted to write!

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Scuba Diving...something I wanted to do some 15 years ago! Now, out of the blue, I just felt like I should get it done! Its not difficult at all for me to obtain my diving license. Course fee is RM900. Then I'll have to make a trip to say, Redang, to do my open water dive exam and be certified. That trip is another RM800. Basic gears to have will cost around RM800. Total is around RM2,500. My only procastination is money. Do I want to spend this amount of money some getting my scuba diving license? Do I "need" it? Could I have spent that money for something else more "useful". Sigh...

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Just had lunch with a friend. He tells me that he's kinda no longer in love with his long time very steady living together girlfriend. Suppose to get married end of this year. He said he kinda liked another girl...a Korean, someone whom he had known for a few weeks. This guy is a risk taker. He holds some of my projects. I hope things work out for them because I think his girlfriend is truly an awesome girl.

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On another note, I realised there is this "Murtadza Mokhtar" guy who left harsh remarks at my shoutout box and literally cursing the "Cina people". A check on his blog, "Islam - The Way Of Life", seem to show that he is somewhat religious and "holy". But why does this holy "Murtadza" Muslim throws such harmful and unloving remarks on the Chinese people? Does "his" Islam teaches him to do so and anchor hatred on non-Muslims? Is this really the "way of life"...by throwing insults and verbal assaults? Would his action promote unity and peace? Does this bear a good testimony? I truly wonder. I sometimes tend to agree with what Raja Petra Kamarudin says in his blog, "The Muslims are the greatest enemy of Islam".

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I am not into religious debates, in fact, I am not into any kinds of debates. I rather withdraw myself from the limelight and just stay low profile and enjoy what I have been blessed with. I have thought of migrating from this "Boleh Land". Too frustrated and too disappointed with the Government, people and culture here. Look at our neighbour, Singapore...just a fraction of Malaysia but excels 20 times far greater than us. I'd like to think that Australia or New Zealand is a good place to migrate and settle down. People say that I will be 2nd class citizen over there but hey, I am already 2nd class here in Malaysia anyway. At least, I will be treated EQUALLY over there. Here, the "Ketuanan Melayu" says it all. It is so obvious! I guess I better stop before ISA come and arrest me! So much for freedom of speech!!!

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My Macs are not here yet. So many hiccups! Most frustrating thing is I can't do anything about it. I hope to get them next week though. Everytime I walk pass Machines, I'd spend some 20-30 mins playing with the MacBooks wondering when I can get mine! Sigh...

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I want to spend a month or two touring Europe. Can ah?

MacBooks

The day has finally come for me to go collect my MacBooks and all those who ordered under me. And all I got was just 3 units of MacBook White 13"...no MacBook Pro 13", no Pro 15" and no Pro 17"!!! Aaaaaaaargh!!!!

Nevertheless, it was a joy to hold and carry 3 Macs at one time and releasing them one by one to my "buyers" and seeing their joyful faces as they open up the sealed box for the first time and majestically pressing the "Power On" button and booting up the OS.

I feel good too. Well, I guess I'll just have to wait for next week to get my other MacBooks! Here is the MacBook White 13" straight from the box!

My New Adidas

I am now doing an event here in J W Marriot Hotel. As I write, the event's MC is cracking jokes and the crowd shouting. I was here since 10am to get things ready. I am doing the video shooting and also supplied the LCD projector. But I have my crew running everything and that leaves me rather free.

My aged Adidas shoes are showing much signs of "breaking down" with holes everywhere. And since I had so much free time, I decided to just walk across to Pavilion and shop for a new pair. I checked out shoes from Adidas, Nike, Reebok, Puma and New Balance.

And I decided on a pair of Adidas "Response CHS 18" running shoes at RM297 after discount. Woohoo...

I've Got A Feeling...

Suddenly I just feel excited about life and the things that are coming in the next few days, weeks, months and years.

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Its Hari Raya Haji today...a public holiday and I don't feel like doing anything productive. Had a great lunch at Segambut's seafood noodle. And its now 6:45pm...raining very heavily. Walked out to my balcony, 17 floors above ground and just starred at the faraway lights, letting the strong breeze and rain drops lightly showering on me. Its a good feeling...a feeling of peace, comfort and assurance.

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This is when I suddenly felt good about the coming days and weeks ahead. I should be getting my MacBook Pro 15" within the next few days...next Friday, to be exact. That is my Christmas wishlist #1. Once I get my MacBook, then its off to Machines to get the wireless Magic Mouse and to KLCC's Crumpler to get a good bag for my new toy.

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Nov-Dec are also a busy months for me. Got a few big shoots and events lined up, some confirmed, some not. But nevertheless, its still very exciting. Holding on to the faith that God will provide all my needs.

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My mega project which has been postponed and delayed since April this year will "happen"...I was informed...sometime in end-December. Should be around the 3rd week of December. If that is so, then I can expect big payouts from the project and have a GREAT Christmas and Thanksgiving. Hmmm...I wonder if I can make enough for my white Beemer. Haha...

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Well, I just feel like thanking God for everything He has done in my life. The goods and the bads...they are all for a reason. Whatever it is, God knows what He is doing. All I know is that the Bible says in Matthew 6:33, "Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

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Thank you, Jesus.

Christmas Wish List

Christmas is just around the corner and I think its now about time to start planning and drafting out Christmas "wish list". I don't ask for much...just that few same old stuffs all the time. Its obvious that I can't exactly afford any of them, thus my wish list. You may contribute any of the items listed below, you may also give cash, either in full or part. Of course, if you so wish to, you can also use your credit card and enjoy up to 24 months interest free installments.

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Here are some of the items that I know I can't afford to buy myself. Maybe you may want to consider?

MacBook Pro 15" @ around RM8,000+

Nikon D3S with AF-S 24-70 f2.8G ED @ around RM23,000

Nikon AF-S 14-24 f2.8G ED @ around RM6,000+

Nikon AF-S 70-200 f2.8G ED VRII @ around RM7,000

Nikon AF-S 200-400 f4 ED VR @ around RM26,000+

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Feel free to leave me your feedbacks regarding any of the items above. I am an easy man, very flexible too...so, no worries. Oh ya, I still have not gotten my BMW335i and if anyone of you feel gracious enough...its RM497,000 on the road, without insurance.

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Merry Christmas!

Money

Truths about money...

With money you can buy a house, but not a home.
With money you can buy a clock, but not a time.
With money you can buy a bed, but not sleep.
With money you can buy a book, but not knowledge.
With money you can see a doctor, but not good health.
With money you can buy a position, but not respect.
With money you can buy blood, but not life.
With money you can buy sex, but not love.

But without money...I also die. That's why we need to strike a proper balance in everything we do. That is also why we need...GOD.

Beyonce's Concert "Postponed"!!!

Beyonce has closed the door on Malaysia...yet again. And frankly, I actually don't blame her.

According to concert organizers Marctensia, a much anticipated and embattled concert set for October 25 has been postponed until further notice. Issuing a statement Monday, Marctensia told media outlets that the decision was solely Beyonce's and her management's call. "The postponement is solely the decision of the Artiste and has nothing to do with other external reasons," said Marctensia.

"The Organisers sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused." Refunds are available for fans who purchased tickets to attend the October 25 show via Ticket Axcess. As previously reported, Beyonce had faced much opposition from local Muslim groups who deemed her choice of dress inappropriate.

"We oppose the holding of such concerts and we will take action to prevent it,' a spokesman for PAS said in a statement earlier this year. "Her skimpy attire and behaviour onstage are immoral and lead to unclean behaviour." Beyonce canceled a concert here in KL two years ago but had vowed to return. A statement from Beyonce and her management is expected to be provided at a later date.

What a blardy blow...yet again!!! "Malaysia Boleh"...my foot!!!

Run For Your Life lor...

I had to delete my most recent blog post because I just found out that the client I was referring to in the post is now reading my blog and my Facebook shouts outs.

Hahaha....lari ooo...

SkyTrex Adventure

A few weeks ago, I was commissioned to cover a NuSkin event. They made a trip to SkyTrex Adventure at Bukit Cahaya, Shah Alam. It was an awesome 3hrs spent there despite the scorching hot sun (though the tall trees formed good shelters) and the mosquito feeding sessions! It was a great place for such group outings as the environment there was clean and organised.

SkyTrex Adventure provides varying aerial trails which guarantees hours of fun and excitement for people of all ages, though the recommended age is 10 to 50, depending on your physical fitness level. The challenges are not killing but they do require some form of body fitness to complete. So, if you have never done any kind of sport in your life, then this may not be for you.

SkyTrex Adventure is certified by cete Apave Sudeurope, the maian body of control for high rope course and for rock climbing equipment in France. The circuit was constructed and is managed in conformance to AFNOR standards for high rope course.

There are basically 3 adventure trails and 1 "Jump Start" trail where everybody have to go through as part of the introduction and training session. The 3 adventure trails are "Little Adventure" for kids (though adults can also do, if they so prefer to), The Big Thrill and The Extreme Challenge.

You need to be at least 140cm in height and not more than 100kg in weight. The rates are RM25 (Little Adventure), RM35 (Big Thrill) and RM40 (Extreme Challenge). For more info, you can visit SkyTrex Adventure.

Here are pictures from the event.

The group picture before taking up the challenges!

First, everybody take their gears and get themselves strapped up. This is compulsory for everyone who wants to take part in the challenges.

A staff helping a participant strap up her gear

These are really heavy duty gears

All strapped up, ready to go!

The guy in white t-shirt is Julian, the person-in-charge of SkyTrex Adventure, giving a technical briefing to all the participants. Obviously, not everybody was listening.

One last photo before embarking the challenges ahead

SkyTrex technical staff doing a demo on how to use the equipment

Everyone watched attentatively as the demo is conducted

This is the "Jump Start" station where everybody have to go through before taking on any of the actual challenges.

Here you go...doing a "flying fox" stunt some 100-over feet from tree to tree

I think this is the tallest tree you'd ever get to climb safely. Here it is...the first challenge of "The Big Thrill"

A participant completing her challenge

Mid-way of "The Extreme Challenge"

Flying fox in action!

A team after completing all the challenges

The main entrance to SkyTrex Adventure. There is also a "Sky Deck" (on the left) for hanging out.

Overall, an awesome outing. If you want to organise something similar to this, you can contact the management of SkyTrex directly and make your booking appointment. Bookings are highly recommended as they are always very busy in the weekends.

Have fun!

Money Killer

I realised that a few of my close friends and associates are beginning to "avoid" me by not taking up my calls, not replying to my text messages and emails. All because of the same reason...MONEY.

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Yes, all these guys owe me money, mostly from events and services that I rendered and my due fees not paid. The smallest amount was a few hundred bucks and the biggest is RM2,300. One guy even blammed me for being pushy [he owed me RM1,500 from a Feb 2008 event]. He said I was "penny wise pound foolish" and have lost several big jobs from his company because of my chasing for the outstanding 1.5k. Gosh...its over a year outstanding...what am I suppose to do...sit and wait? Dur!

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One guy, after not picking up my calls, sent me a text message saying that my money is only available end of the month. But my purpose of calling him was not to ask for the money but to give him an event job! He is now either really soooo busy and not being able to call me back or simply just "avoiding" me. It is such a pity that things have to turn out this way.

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I am ok if you tell me the truth and admit that you don't have the money to pay me now. Give me a date and I can wait. But don't let the outstanding amount float aimlessly and as it is now...to and extend to "avoiding" me. Don't let money come in the way of a good working relationship. Be accountable and deal with the situation "head on".

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Sometimes, money can really turn up the dark side of a person's personality and forcing him to respond with unwise actions. Well, I want my money, no doubt...but I also want to retain that working relationship that we had.

A Day Trip To Malacca

Two weeks ago, my church organised a day trip to the historical town of Malacca. The day's agenda consist of two primary objectives, i.e., to attend Ps Edmund Smith's church service on Sunday morning and also to feast on the yummy food of Malacca. Altogether, 14 of us joined the trip and it was awesome. Thanks to my borrowed GPS, we drove around Malacca confidently.

We departed KL at around 8:30am and reached Malacca around 10am. We parked our cars at Mahkota Parade and walked over to church service. And spent the rest of the day waling around the Malacca town hunting for good food everywhere we went. Pictures taken mostly by Mabel's Nikon D80 and some with my Canon IXUS70.

Ps Edmund's church, "Real Love Ministry" (RLM) was a small church of around 20+ people, something like my own church. It was located on the 1st floor of a business area just 5 minutes walk from Mahkota Parade, where we parked our cars. The worship was simple but awesome. The message was "entertaining" but spiritually meaningful.

Ps Edmund was an ex-gay and have lived a lifestyle of homosexuality. But God transformed his life some many years ago and he is now living a happily married life with 2 beautiful children...and one wife. His current core ministry is reaching out to the marginalised community of the gays and lesbians, proclaiming God's sexual wholeness back into their lifes.

After church service, we headed straight for lunch...the famous "chicken rice balls" at Jonker Street. Actually, its nothing special besides the rice being served in the form of "golf balls". Taste wise...ok ler.

Walking along Jonker Street, one will surely bump into this guy...a wooden statue with a grinning face!

And there it is...just bought my new Japanese Samurai "Katana" sword. Two years ago, I bought a Chinese kungfu sword from this same shop in Jonker Street. This Katana looks great with superb carvings on the holder and awesome craftsmanship. Most of all, its only RM25!!!

Colorful flip-flops on display along Jonker Street, a place where you can find lots of beautiful things from handycrafts to t-shirts to girls' accessories to cool shades and of course, flip-flops!

This is the famous "Famosa Chicken Rice Ball" shop.

After a good long walk up and down of Jonker Street, its good time for some superb cooling ice-kacangs topped with awesome "gula Melaka". Again, this shop is full and jam-packed with people but we were lucky enough to find two separate tables for all 14 of us.

And yes, my ice-kacang with "red beans and jagung only" tasted great in a hot sweaty afternoon.

But that was not enough, at least not until I have a go at their Baba Laksa! Considering its a tourist spot, it was not too expensive at RM3.50 a bowl.

A "Malacca trip" will not be complete, not unless a picture is taken here at the famous Christ Church near the clock tower.

Here is most of us, up at St Paul's hill. Everyone seem to be pointing at the same angle...not bad.

The sword means "violence" while the Bible brings in "peace and love". And me...brings in joy and happiness! haha...

Here it is...my Katana fully drawn out in full length. Its coated in black for superior durability and strength!

Oh, here it is again. haha...

Our second last item in the agenda was the visit to Menara Taming Sari. The picture says it all. It takes you all the way up and offers one a superb view of almost the entire Malacca town!

The bird's eye view of Dataran Pahlawan and mahkota Parade

The Eye of Malaysia in Malacca

Part of the Malacca town...the Jonker Street area

An aeriel view of the only public swimming pool in Malacca...a view 100+ feet above ground

Inside the cabin of the Menara Taming Sari

A random pic I took of Shaun using Mabel's Nikon D80. I think its nice...

And the last agenda of the day was a good baba nyonya dinner before we leave. Did a search on the internet and we were led to patronise this restaurant called "Bibik Neo". Funny name it is but the food was no doubt...awesome!

We left Malacca town at 8:15pm and the GPS faithfully guided us through the roads of Malacca town and we all reached home safely.