The Club

The Club is an interesting place. It is a place where people gather, meet people, mingle, dance, drink and have a good time. It is also a place where people get intoxicated, produce second hand smoke, flirt and hook up with no strings attached. I was never a frequent, but each time I went was an experience of its own. You could see a totally different side of people, and know yourself a little better each time ;)

I still remember distinctly the first time I was brought to a club. I think I was 18, just old enough to show my ID ;) I was fascinated. I remember seeing a girl dancing on a speaker box, alone. She had long straight hair, heavy make up, and wore a tight light blue tube dress. She was just there, moving along with the deafening beats, smoking one after another, feeling the vibration from the speaker, sweat dripping from her forehead and dancing with her eyes closed. I thought it was an odd yet interesting sight. She seemed to be in a zone of her own. Obviously, she was enjoying herself. But my innocent mind did not comprehend her behavior. Why on the stage? Why alone?

Then, there was the drinking part.
I’m a lousy drinker. Everyone knows that. Back then, I chose not to drink when I was active in vb. It just didn’t feel right. It is just like an athlete who smokes. All the hard work goes into the drain with every smoke of cigarette. So, that prevented me from drinking for many many years. I guess there are pros and cons. I probably missed all the ‘fun’. But it was my decision, and no regret there.

Apart from that, I do enjoy a drink or two nowadays, just enough to get tipsy. Well, I suck in gauging my limits though. The throwing up and hangovers are killers. I remember swearing not to consume any alcohol again in my life after puking uncontrollably at a parking lot near a club. That was many years back. I was so drunk, I couldn’t even walk myself to the car. It was an ugly sight. Yuckkk! The hangover was horrible too. Collapsing onto my bed with my head spinning furiously, I asked myself, why am I doing this to myself? Or more like… What have I done wrong to deserve this? Haha.

Recently I was swayed into a club once more. Well, the truth was that I missed my friends a lot, so I had decided to make an exception. It turned out to be a fun night. I saw friends who I had not seen for a ages and met a few new ones too. People got a little wilder and a little less sober with each hour. It was interesting just to watch the night unfold. Everyone was in the mood and had a great time.  

Said Aristotle unto Plato,
'Have another sweet potato?'
Said Plato unto Aristotle,
'Thank you, I prefer the bottle.'

Owen Wister (1860-1938) American novelist

Diving in Redang Island

After months of nagging and dragging, T finally got me to put aside a few days for scuba diving. I was reluctant because... of the unknown factors that the sea could offer. What if we ran into a hungry shark? What if we ran out of air? What if we got injured? Those were among the questions that kept me stalling, especially the shark part. I probably watched too many movies, but I just didn't fancy the possibility of not being in control. Yea... Sometimes a bit 'kiasi' like that. Hehe.

Anyway, we signed up with The Tropical Divers, run by Mr. Koid Boon Sek. I'll refer to him as Sifu la, coz he is also our dive instructor. He was recommended by one of T's colleagues. We first met in Bangsar Shopping Centre to discuss about the trip and the open water course. Imagine me being skeptical and still a bit reluctant. My first impression of my dive instructor... (I had imagined dive instructors to be athletic, muscular, handsome, fit, and perfectly sun tanned) OK la, big guy, well-spoken, funny. Seems like a reliable person. Good enough!

So both T and I were given a text book, an inch thick, 5 long chapters. Within 2 weeks time, we were supposed to study and digest the content before taking the final exam. It had been a while since I last studied a text book, but it wasn't rocket science after all. I'd say it's actually quite interesting. Some physics and plenty of safety measures.

Before heading to the sea, we had 2 confined water sessions in KL. We learned how to assemble and dissemble a diving unit, tried out our fins and masks, test out the buoyancy, learn how to equalize, mask clearing, etc.

Two weeks after signing up, off we went to Redang. We car pooled with Sifu, leaving KL at 3am in the morning on the 2nd of May, so that we would reach Merang Jeti before 10am to catch the a.m. boat to the island. Poor T had to drive the whole way. Good thing that he's on night shifts nowadays. I, on the other hand, had a migraine throughout the journey. Ugh.

The boat ride from Merang Jeti to Redang Kalong took 45 minutes, and we finally reached the destination around 11am. Redang Kalong is more catered for divers, unlike the more commercialized hotels and beaches on the other side of the island. Wasting no time, we headed into the first dive - 11:30am! In a way it is good, because we didn't have time to feel nervous :)

Day 1 - 2nd May 2009

1st Dive
Location: House Reef, Redang Kalong.
Depth: 9 meters
Bottom Time: 42 minutes
Visibility: 20 meters

The main agenda was mask clearing, and just to get used to breathing in the water. The dive site was the nearest to the island, so we only took a mini speed boat. Clear water, extremely good visibility, calm, no current, nice and easy.

Sifu said that since we're still students, our main focus should be on HIS ASS. Yes, his ass. Because we are supposed to follow him closely, and look at him most of the time for signals.

We saw clown fish, aka Nemo, sea cucumbers, and a pillow starfish. The pillow starfish is pretty cute. Nothing too spectacular, but it was a good first dive of my life! hehe.

I had some difficulties sinking during my first dive, but I was ok after Sifu gave me 1 more weight. Well, according to Sifu, you determine the right weights to add on based on 10% of your body weight. T only needed 3 weights, and I needed 4!! Damn it! Physics can't be wrong. Doesn't it suck when physics prove that you are heavier than your bf? Yea... he needs to put on more weight!!

2nd Dive
Location: Pasir Akar, Pulau Redang
Depth: 10 meters
Bottom Time: 49 minutes
Visibility: 15 meters

Still mask clearing. T seemed to have difficulties clearing his mask, but he tried and got it eventually :) This time we saw a moray eel, but only the big head though. The scary looking eel didn't look friendly, but it was hiding under the rocks, and wouldn't budge even though Sifu (the one who claimed to have the license to touch and poke the underwater creatures, of course) tried to make it swim so that we could see it. Well, I guess it is harmless after all.

The second dive was the time when things went nasty. After the dive, as soon as I landed on the boat, my head started spinning, and yes, I threw up! Bluehhhhhhh! Mixture of lunch and the chocolate ice-cream (I know, too much info). I remember the lady instructor from another group commented, "Wah... So calm also vomit ar?" Ouch. Oh well, at least now I know my weakness of motion sickness, something that I can't really help it.

Day 2 - 3rd May 2009

3rd Dive
Location: Pulau Kerangga, Redang
Depth: 17.1 meters
Bottom Time: 44 minutes
Visibility: 15 meters

After the nasty episode yesterday, I took a light breakfast before the first dive of the day. Despite carrying 4 weights, I still had difficulty sinking. I could swim downward, but couldn't equalize if I do so. Well, I finally reached the bottom half pulled half dragged, by Sifu of course. My Diver's Log didn't have any record of spectacular creatures, but I do remember one thing vividly. Yes, I threw up again after the dive. Ugh... What have I done wrong??!!

4th Dive
Location: South Point, Redang
Depth: 17.8 meters
Bottom Time: 43 minutes
Visibility: 15 meters

Graduation dive. I already set my mind to do everything right in this dive and get it over with. Sorry to say, but the seasickness really got me, and it is not fun anymore when your head spins as soon as you surface from a dive. Well, turned out that it was the best dive out of the 4. Sifu got me the 'miracle pill' for me, so that I wouldn't puke my lung out again. I guess it worked, coz I didn't throw up, but the dizziness is still there. I was excited to see a sea turtle and a blue spotted sting ray though. Good thing Sifu brought his Canon ;)

We entered at the depth of 2 meters, and gradually worked our way down to 18 meters depth. That's more my style, slow and steady. As it was a 11:30am dive and the weather was warm and sunny, I decided to ditch the wetsuit. First, because a wetsuit gives you buoyancy, so without it I could sink better. Sure enough, it worked! Second, because the tan line from the earlier wetsuit (short sleeve, knee length) was beginning to show, and it was really ugly. I figured that was the best and easiest way to even it out! Third, it's probably not true, but I think wearing less gives me more movement. I never liked putting on too much clothes, just like in volleyball ;)

5th Dive
Location: Terembu Kili, Redang
Depth: 18 meters
Bottom Time: 47 minutes
Visibility: 12 meters

That was the most 'adventurous' dive for me, as visibility was low and there was a current. At one point, we were swimming against the current, and I got drifted further and further away from Sifu and my so called 'buddy'. I guess you could blame my poor paddling skill. All I could do was to kick and try to stay at the same spot, or let the current carry me away. I got drifted backwards eventually because I didn't want to waste too much energy fighting current. Visibility was poor, but I knew Sifu would come for me hehe, which he did.

Anyway, we saw a huge bumbhead. Sifu said that a bumbhead bumbs against the sick corals so that it could re-grow and keep the corals healthy. My logbook also recorded trumpet fish and angel fish. T saw sharks (tiny ones la) when I was drifted away, and he had to wait alone at the bottom of the sea. Lucky or unlucky him.

We passed!

Day 3

The drive home was looooooong. One good thing about a long road trip is that you get to know the people pretty well. Sifu was surprised that I turned out to be the talkative one.

Sifu, "Wah... I didn't know you were so talkative!"
Me, "Yeap! I don't usually talk to strangers hehe."
Obviously, he's no more a stranger.

If I only got one thing out of this trip, it'd be my appreciation to the LAND!! hehe. Well, although I didn't fall in love with diving at first sight (love at first sight is not my thing anyway), but it was quite a good experience.

Would I go diving again?
Hmm... Maybe, when I forget about the feeling of being seasick and throwing up (it'll take a few months I guess). I told Sifu that the 5th dive would be the last dive of my life! But... there is always a but. I think it would be fun if I could get my volleyball girls (and guys) to do it together next time :)


Well, according to the text book, the PADI system is designed around this motto:

Meet People, Go Places, Do Things.

Isn't that all life is about?

Aside from diving, I find the people we met interesting. I guess divers do have more fun.

Our Sifu Koid is also quite a character. His life experience is quite a fascinating one. Perhaps his 10 long years in the US made the difference. Not many can say that they traveled most part of the world, dove the 7 oceans, had a license to fly a jetplane, had girlfriends from every other race and country (and chase after them all over the world too!), and still love his job after diving for decades. Well, he's lucky to have an understanding family too. What else could you ask for, right?

On the boat ride to Redang Island, there was this couple on board with us. He had hindered eyesight (blind or partiallu blind I'm guessing), and she was holding his hand the whole way-- on and off the boat, around the chalet, at the canteen, by the beach, etc. They were not divers, but it was a beautiful sight to see love in action. That is what I call, true love, love that is truly unconditional.

Look at the person beside you. Can this person go through think and thin with you? Or, can YOU go through the rough patches of life with this person?

Sifu Koid just called. There is another trip to Tioman in a few weeks.
Aiyo... Not so soon la Ah Boon Go Go. :-p