I PASSED My Diving License!

I PASSED!
I PASSED!
I PASSED!

But not without alot of - panic, vomit (Yup! Vomited IN the 2nd stage in the sea) and whine (a wee bit).

I was quite happy initially. 

OK! I lied! I was tired, sleepy, worried s%#^t, and I fail at bouyancy, these doesn't come close to being happy. Huh!!!!
Anyway, I put a brave and confident face (and happy face too) and try to remain positive and obviously it works (liar!!!).

Here's the thing, it's a camping cum diving trip, abit confusing for me, which should I focus on; camping or diving and mind you, we still to figure out the bathing, cooking, grooming and vogue-ing part. Stressssssss with capital S and plenty of 's'es.

I wanted to book a chalet at first but all was running at full house, obviously HE is giving me a sign -  TOUGH UP young lady (note the word 'young' here!). So, I submit.... I went on camping cum diving trip and guess what I did FANTASTIC!!! I cook, I clean, I bath at public open-air toilet, I did everything - PROUD! By the way, for those who assume I am gonna be a diva; TET!!! Think again, I am an ex-girl guide lah.... Hahhahahha.... I've camp, trek, river crossing etc before.

I called up Bobo, ex-senior scout, and he said pick up his tent anytime. I heart all brother scouts! And red/pink in colour, very very gurlie! Hahahahha....

They insisted to be in my blog. Helpful lot, thank you guys.

That is Haris, a 16 years old diver - the youngest. Very independent, go Haris go!

We were asked to set our own gear on our own and the ideal time should be 5mins top! Me? I did my first round at 15mins, I disappoint myself. One need to know how to set up their own gear without any help from their buddy, no laughing matter yah. Noted, my future buddy!

Don't you just envy our camp site. Heaven!

Baby, Atira and Botak! New friend, new experience, new awesomeness!

My face after vomiting.... Hahhahahha.... (briefing session).

PASSED!!!!! Woot woot!

Mabul Jom!

My Charcoal Story | Photos = Words

My Charcoal Story

Photos = Words

[ Enough said ]

A #DiscoverPerak2013 trip in collaboration with #GayaTravel.

Matang Mangrove Forest, Kuala Sepetang (Port Weld)

Been there.
Done that.

As usual, I appear nonchalant hearing that we are about to head to Matang Mangrove located at Kuala Sepetang, Perak, after all I was there in June last year. 'Knowing' it will be a quick pit stop for us, I begin to wonder why so much time being allocated as we will only be walking the on boardwalk, looking at mangroves and chalet. it'll easily take 30mins or so.

I bet that's what you guys thought as well. Tettttt! Wrong!

Let me share with you on things to do at Matang Mangrove.

• Knowledge sharing on Matang Mangrove
• Mangrove swamp (Obviously)
• Boardwalk
• Chalet stay
• Boat cruise
• Dolphin watching (Didn't know right?! It's river dolphin)
• Fishing village sightseeing
• Floatel stay (Float + Hotel, for avid angler)
• Prawnerman (cockles and fishes too)

Now it sounds more interesting right!

A 20mins talks on Matang Mangrove was shared by the Matang District Forest Ranger, we learn on endangered bird species, migratory birds, river dolphin (Chinese White Dolphin), flying fox, 30 years reforestration cycle, how mangroves plays a role in HPL etc.

This mangrove forest was gazetted in 1908 and is the largest mangrove forest in Peninsular Malaysia covering 40,711 hectares along a 52km long stretch off the northern coast of Perak.

This includes 34,769ha of productive forest and 5,942ha of unproductive forest. I understood that 95% of this reserve is a tidal swamp which helped us during the tsunami.

Matang Mangrove consist of the Bakau Minyak and Bakau Kurap species.

The Matang District Forest Ranger took us for a boat ride.

Snap here, snap there.

Little did I know, there were a couple of fishing villages around this area.

The fishing village is quite big and modern.

Farah doing her thing.

We were brought to the of the river mouth of Malacca Strait and it was a beautiful journey where we bump into a few fishermen looking for fishes, prawns and cockles. Saw more of the fishing villages along the way.

Fisherman looking for cockles.

At times, the bumpy ride reminded me of a mild roller coaster ride.

This was a great surprise where they took a to visit a floatel, this is targeted to avid anglers. We were also told that you can also catch a glimpse of river dolphins when they normally come out and play during the evening. Not our luck that day, sigh.

For those interested to visit this place, I here share a few tips. Having said that, do run a check incase the info shared is outdated.

Accommodation:
Entrance Fee : Free

• VIP Chalet per unit : RM50 per unit / per night
• Normal Chalet : RM 30 per unit / per night
• Community Hall : RM 50 per day 

Campsite:

• <10 pax : RM 10/per night 
• 10-30 pax  : RM 30/per night
• >30 participants  : RM 50/per night

Important Contacts
District Forest Office Larut & Matang
Jalan Muzium, 34000 Taiping,
Perak Darul Ridzuan
Tel : 05-8072762
Fax: 05-8067743
www.perak.gov.my

Matang Mangrove Eco-Educational Centre
Kuala Sepetang Eco Tourism

A #DiscoverPerak2013 trip in collaboration with #GayaTravel.

#DiscoverPerak2013 | In Dramatic Tone - #Olympus E-PL3

At first I don't fancy this 'Dramatic Tone' effect, but after awhile, I realised if you get the right subject matter, it can actually looks good. Well, to me at least.

The last 3 are my favourites :)

Here is my version, Perak: Rediscover.

A #DiscoverPerak2013 trip in collaboration with #GayaTravel.

Air Asia BUSAN versus GWIYOMI Craze

It's a sign! REALLY!

I just realised that Asia Asia launched their flight to Busan, Korea at the same time I saw this cute little video of Gwiyomi song, a current cutie craze wave hitting South Korea. And how did I find out about Gwiyomi? Well..... I first saw this Gwiyomi video from Elfira Loy Keek, being the usual-curious-cat-me, I google and found this YouTube video.

You guys should take a look, so super cute... bet the guys would love it.

Enjoy the video and HELLO BUSAN!!! (Thank you Air Asia)

Upload your Gwiyomi version and share :)

Travel Fashion | 3 Weeks 1 Carry-On Suitcase (#Travellight)

This entry is dedicated to Sarah Stinson a runaway-model-soontobe.

I have blogged about fashion prior to this and I thought I should share another useful tips I got from Adventure Chic on how to mix and match your wardrobe when traveling, it also helps you to pack light and yet still look fashionable, like a true TRAVELNISTA!

Travel Tips/Fashion | 1 Shirt, 8 Ways (#Travellight) 
Travel Fashion | 12 Ways To Tie A Scarf
Travel Fashion | Jubah/Abaya from Singapore Trip

Now that you know how to pack, let's do the catwalk baby!

My DIVING Exam (island mode). TOMORROW!!!

PANIC. SCARED. CHICKEN OUT.

Yup! That's me alrighty!!! Wouldn't you?

As excited as I am scared at this point of time, I guess I have to leave it to God.

It started when Farah asked me whether I wanted to join her and a bunch of her friends for a dive course, obviously I said yes especially when Anna, Wahidah, Stephen etc etc etc (yeah almost all of my friends and colleagues) are all qualified divers since like... forever! Then I remembered Byya too wanted to take up diving, hemm..... great! I have diving 2 buddies who are also a blogger, PERFECT!

This is when I sign my money away..... but I am sure it'll be worth it. Now my island trips will be more fulfilling. Ceh wah... Or is it foolfeeling? Hahhahah..... Either way, I am ok.

Apparently my name is already listed for April dive exam. I haven't even started my first class yet. Oh wait! I haven't even register YET!

Panic button! Panic button!  Houston, we have a problem!

Lesson one : "SCUBA" is an acronym for Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus 

(Sila ingat yea murid-murid)

Must remember and inform my dive buddy about my problem.

Buddy, PLEASE TAKE NOTE yah! Heheheheee...

Noted! Fully noted!

First lesson was interesting, even picking my flippers was interesting. Size versus shape versus COLOUR, divenista much? 

Our scary gear.

Zaharah was helping me understanding what is BCD.

From Wikipedia :
A buoyancy compensator also called a buoyancy control device, BC, BCD, stabilizer, stabilisor, stab jacket, wing or ABLJ depending on design, is a piece of diving equipment containing a bladder which is worn by divers to establish neutral buoyancy underwater and positive buoyancy on the surface, when needed. The buoyancy is controlled by adjusting the volume of air in the bladder.

Pak Hamid teaching us beginners the basic. I am already panic at this point.

Oh yah! Did I tell you that my class was conducted at the Airforce base, ramai sungguh abang-abang airforce. Hahhahhaha.....

Told you it is at the Airforce base.

Took me one whole day of pool lesson and apparently I was the fastest, some took 2 days, some even more. But what I did not practice was the bouyancy, confirm kantoi! Sigh..... May the force be with me. InsyaAllah.

You probably wonder (even if you don't, I willingly tell you this), why Lily so eagerly wanted to take this diving course. Well, because I want to visit here (below) one day for I want to see God's greatest beauty in the ocean!

The picture is abit blurry, why not you click on this link HERE and then you will understand. Picture courtesy of Sipadan Water Village Resort.

JOM! Dive!