Diving At Maldives

Posted by Sygie on November 7, 2011 No comment

We’ve been diving almost everyday, 8 dives in total and we would have done more but unfortunately, our ears started giving up on us.  Better be safe than sorry so we decided to have a relaxing last couple of days.  Dives was fantastic.  We saw plenty of life at the reef, and it was reef after reef.  Manta ray, eels, a vast variety of corals and fish, sharks, turtles, sting rays , lobster and the list goes on.  It was just amazing from the time you jump into the water, crystal clear visibility and nice warm water.  We even did a night dive which was very interesting.  You don’t get the wide vision but you do get to see different things.  The most amazing part was when you turn all the torches off and light up the plankton.  What a sight!!!!!

The service was also very good, our caption Sarge was a funny bloke, he looks like Anthony Anderson, see the picture for yourself.  The crew was fantastic, they all had rapper names.  Lol, snoop dogg, Dr. Dre etc etc.  But it was good, they do everything for you, so really, all you have to do is the essentials like checking the air and dive.  All the gear transfer, cleaning and storing is all done.  They even make coffees and provide fruit platters for you during the service intervals.

What a life…

SY

What a wonderful honeymoon

Posted by Sygie on November 2, 2011 No comment

Well it all started with the arrivals at the sister resort, Shereton Full Moon which was a boat ride away from the airport.  We had to spend a night there due to the late arrival time of the plane and seaplane doesn’t operate at night.  The sea was a bit rough, the weather was a bit dodgy, blowing a gale with moderate rain.  I think we both got pretty worried that this was going to be the weather ahead.

Sheraton Full Moon was pretty nice, we had a beach villa and it had an outdoor bath toilet.  It was rather amazing having a shower under the stars/rain and blowing palm trees.  The next day was a lot better with fine weather and sunny skies.  Feels a bit weird but it was rather back to the nature.

So the next day turned out to be pretty good, we caught the boat back to the airport and took a seaplane to our final destination, W Resort and Spa.  It was marvellous when we arrived, we had a private island tour before we were brought to our room 221, which was an over water villa.  It was a very spacious room with fantastic deck and views, it even had Bose stereo system with outdoors speakers.  The infinity spa pool was beautiful and if that wasn’t enough, just take a walk down the steps on the deck and you are straight into coral abundant sea.

Let the adventure begin…..

SY

Julian Rocks

Posted by Sygie on October 8, 2011 No comment

What a fantastic dive we had at Julian Rocks,ByronBay.  Where do I start???  Well on the way out to the rocks, we were blessed with the presence of a whale passing by, if only we were 15 minutes earlier, we would have been in the water with it, but I guess sitting in a boat meters away is just as good.

And it only gets better as we enter the water, conditions was perfect, calm sea and 20M visibility.  First dive around the Cod Hole was marvelous, there were turtles, close up with Yellow Kingfish as we were going through the Cod Hole and highlight of this dive would have to be the Grey Nurse Sharks.  There were a few around and they were on my outer side so I pointed them out to Angie and continue to enjoy their presence.  When I turned around to look for my dive buddy Angie, she was meters away hiding behind the dive guide. Lol.  I think someone was scared.  The best part of the dive for me was being drifted by strong currents and I ended up drifting across the top of a very large grey nurse, such a beautiful sight.  I wish I had a camera to capture it.

The second dive was just as good, conditions were still fantastic and we went around the calmer part of the rock at the nursery.  Still plenty of life around, bull rays, eels, blind and wobbegong sharks and a few turtles.  The largest one even reacted to Angie’s wave and started to swim towards her. Lol

I would have to say this has been the best dive I have ever done, we already think Julian Rocks is the best location we’ve been to but going again just proved that it doesn’t disappoint.  This is our last dive in Oz before we head abroad, Maldives here we come!!!!!!!!!

SY

A place to call home

Posted by Sygie on September 3, 2011 No comment

It feel so good to finally own our place; we are settling in just fine, had a few small dinner parties to thank a few family members and we also have been having visitors almost every weekend.  The house is slowing turning into a home, a warmer feel every time I walk into the door after a long day at work; it just feels so right.

My sister was our first guest into our new home, she practically moved in with us on our first night and have lived with us for almost a month before returning to KL for good….  and my brother moved in just a week ago. Everything seems to have worked out really well; with SY working elsewhere now, and only return on the weekends, I am happy to have someone company me at home during the week days.

Upstairs is almost done, maybe one or two more furniture; such a bedside tables and maybe a small side table in the rumpus room.  My craft room is almost done, just need to organise things to suit my style and maybe a shelf or two, my brother’s room is in the making; he is starting to organise things his way and make himself comfortable.  And most importantly, OUR BED!!!!!!

Downstairs is still a bit empty, we have a couch in the living room and that’s it for now, still tossing if we need a coffee table but we are not in a hurry to set up down stairs as we hardly spend any time there.  Mostly spend our time upstairs in the rumpus room.   Kitchen is almost done, need to re-arrange the pantry and maybe get a buffet table.  But all these can be incorporated slowly in the coming months; I’ve been looking but have not seen one I like, I rather wait than to buy something I don’t like – patience is the key of joy…  :)

GIE

Dive HMAS Brisbane – Nitrox

Posted by Sygie on August 30, 2011 No comment

Well it was a rough day at the sea for the ex-HMAS Brisbane dive.  We did the Nitrox course and its kinda pretty good, you don’t feel too tired after the dive.  We managed two dives and it was amazing to see the old ship still standing up in one piece.  Sea life is probably a bit boring but there was enough to keep you busy.  I managed a chunder as well during the service interval….  Not good at all….

Kinda really wished we had gone earlier since we had an apartment at the Alex, but that’s gone now so it’ll be long drive up for the drive next time.

Next destination would be the seaway to complete the rest of our advance course, then we’ll have to plan another dive I reckon before heading off to the heavens of dive… Maldives!!!!

SY

Finally – we are moving in

Posted by Sygie on July 25, 2011 3 comments

Yay! Our endurance has finally paid off. We are finally moving into our first home purchased almost 2 years ago. It has been a long, long process, and it’s not that we are not happy where we are now, while I’ve thoroughly enjoyed SY’s parent’s place, no tears will be shed as we move on.  All eyes are focused on the future and our new home and all the plans that we have in store; diving, holiday and starting a family. We are very happy with our townhouse, it’s a 3bedroom townhouse with a rumpus room upstairs which I know I will be spending massive amount of time there, not to mention that I will finally be getting a craft room. I find it bizarre that the kitchen is a little small given the size of the downstairs area, why can’t designers see that people now days like to have gatherings and parties at their home, hence a bigger kitchen will be handy. I can’t wait to put up our lovely wedding pictures and pull out piles of books that have been gathering dust in boxes and shelves for few years. I am looking forward to cooking and baking in our new kitchen with my kitchen aid appliances and plan many gatherings that is long overdue.

Gie

 

Deep Dive

Posted by Sygie on July 17, 2011 No comment

We were looking forward to do our next dive at the ex-HMAS Brisbane but that got cancelled due to weather. Luckily they were able to book us into Julian Rocks at Byron Bay instead. Even though it was a 4am start on a cold Saturday, the trip was well worth it. We did 2 boat dives, is more like a rubber ducky really and that was good experience rolling backwards into the water.

Gie has a new love for blue parrotfish, and we saw nurse sharks, turtles, eels and heaps of wobbegongs and loads of other stuff and very big fish. That’s one part of the advanced course done, looking forward to the next dive!!! Hope the weather holds up for HMAS in a couple of weeks time.

SY

Second Attempt

Posted by Sygie on July 13, 2011 2 comments

SY may not have mentioned it in the last post that I had two panic attacks during the open water diving course at Tangalooma.  SY suggested that I may not be up for diving and I should not do it anymore.  Well it was a really daunting moment after the attacks; I actually removed the regulator from my mouth when I was under the water which is a big NO NO as that is my only air source.

I personally loved the experience, not the panic attack, but the whole idea of being under water and being so close to amazing creatures just blew my mind.  Not that I saw many but it is enough to make me love this new hobby.

Anyway, I recently had a one on one dive with the instructor and I did very well (according to him) and I didn’t have any panic attack, I suppose it was just fatigue during the course as we did a lot of skills and drills under water.  It wasn’t not fun and very tiring with two long full days.

Anyhow, did I mention that we are doing our advance course starting this Saturday?  We are actually diving at the HMAS Brisbane in Mooloolaba.  Really looking forward to it and will keep you updated on the experience of deep diving and wreck diving.

GIE

Certified

Posted by Sygie on July 3, 2011 No comment

It has been a full on weekend.  We have been to Tangalooma for our Open Water diving certification and surprise surprise, we have been certified.  It was a long and tiring weekend but we struggle through it and achieved what we wanted.

I can’t share enough but to say that it is a totally amazing experience.  It is incredible being able to do what we did.  Even just doing the pool dives, its allowing to do what you can’t imagine, but when you get out in the sea, you just see amazing things.  It has been a totally out of this world experience and we are looking forward to spend more time under the water the on the surface.

Yay!!!  We are certified divers now.

SY

New Adventure

Posted by Sygie on June 30, 2011 1 comment

Alright, so it has been a while since this has been updated so a quick brief to start with as a lot has happened since the last blog.

The major news is I’ve changed jobs, which requires me to be located at Sunshine Coast during the week.  It’s not too bad I suppose as this is kinda like our holiday home.  Most importantly we both love the lifestyle there.

We’ve been on holidays to Hong Kong, Macau, KL and KK for Uncle’s wedding, yeah UNCLE GOT MARRIED, FINALLY, and during this time I also got my eye lasered, the list can go on.

More recently, our house is nearly ready!!! In fact we just went there today and it is ready, just waiting for the registration of titles and we’re ready to move in.

Ok, now that I’ve filled in the past 9 months, lets get on with the current news.  We are about to embark on a new adventure of underwater world.  Yes, we are going Scuba Diving!!!  In the past week we have been working feverishly to educated ourselves with the theory component of the PADI Open Water course.  Just going through the theory component is exciting enough so I really can’t wait to get into the water and experience this new adventure.

We have a theory session tomorrow with the dive school, and then Saturday morning we’re off to Tangalooma for the weekend.  Get a bit of a holiday and some wreck and reef dives as well as the certification of Open Water Diving.  Can’t complain about that!!!

We’re both really looking forward to this and just having gone through the theory, we’re are probably prematurely thinking and planning ahead too much with future dives and certifications, but it is really an exciting adventure.  Let’s hope this weekend goes well and we’ll be in touch just after with the outcome…

SY