Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Scuba Diving Malaysia Adventures

The opportunities for divers to go diving in Malaysia are excellent. There is a number of distinct, impressive scuba diving locations to choose from when planning your vacation or diving excursion! Scuba diving Malaysia destinations include dive spots in Borneo, Johor, Langkawi Island, Layang Layang Island, Pahang, Perak, Perhentian Island, Sarawok, Terengganu, Tioman Island, and Turtle Island. All of the latter scuba diving destinations are perfect for any diver’s next diving excursion.
Imagine diving in the waters that surround Borneo; this Malaysian scuba diving destination has more than ninety three fascinating dive sites to explore. There are specifically 79 diving destinations in Sabah and an additional 14 scuba diving Malaysia diving spots in Sangalaki. When visiting Sabah in the northernmost region of Borneo, the best sites await the diver in places like the Labuan Federal Territory, Kapalai Island, the Lankayan Island, Mabul Island, Mantabuan, Mataking Island, Pulau Tiga, the Semporna Marine Park, the Si Amil Island, the Sibuan Island, the Sipadan Island, the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, and the Turtle Islands Park. Just a short distance away from Sabah, divers can travel to Sangalaki too, where even more beautiful underwater experiences await. Manta rays, jelly fish, turtles, and other water life can be viewed in places like Caro’s Cutto, the Channel Entrance, Coral Gardens, Cowtail Reef, Eel Ridge, Jellyfish Lake, Lighthouse Reefs, Manta Avenue, Manta Parades, the Sandy Ridge, Sherwood Forest, the Cleaning Station, the Lighthouse, and Turtle Town.
Among the outstanding scuba diving Malaysia locations you can explore are fifty one spots in Terengganu too; diving sites throughout Terengganu can be enjoyed in places around Lang Tehgah Island, Pulau Kapas, Pulau Redang, and Tenggol Island. While visiting Malaysia, you might take a dive at the Blue Corals diving site situated off of Lang Tehgah Island: a site that is accessible by boat. In the latter destination you can explore waters that are 25 meters deep and that are home to butterfly fish, groupers, parrot fish, nurse sharks, trevally, and a whole host of other fascinating underwater life.
Alternatively, you can head to the Japanese Landing Craft Wreck in Pulau Kapas: this exciting scuba diving site in Malaysia is accessible just after a thirty minute boat ride. The Japanese Landing Craft wreck is situated north of Pulau Kapas, and the wreck is twenty five meters down. Coral have now made the wreck their home, and schools of fish can be enjoyed during your underwater experience at this intensely popular underwater scuba diving Malaysia spot.
The number of Malaysian scuba diving destinations that you can choose from are vast; this makes the location a hot spot for divers looking to experience the beauty and surrealism that only an underwater adventure can offer. Destinations are available for the novice and inexperienced, for the skilled and intermediate diver, and for the advanced diver seeking an underwater challenge and adventure. For your next dive, give serious consideration to heading to Malaysia: a destination filled to the brim with superior scuba diving Malaysia destinations for you to experience and explore.

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Dive trip in 2009

Somehow or another, i was convinced to go on a dive trip to Tioman to do my advanced diving course. I needed a break. From everything. This was my 2nd trip to Tioman for diving but it was my 1st land dive. Took the ferry to Tioman and was shocked how Tioman had changed in just a year. The water at the port, which used to be clear, was now muddy and yellow. It saddens me how a beautiful place had transformed over time. It was raining when we arrived. I was disappointed when the dive centre informed us that it wasn't safe for us to dive that day as the island was hit by a monsoon the day before.

What to do, suck thumb sit at the restaurant and had lunch. Meantime, went around exploring the island.

This is the dive centre i had signed up with to do my advance diving - Tioman Reef Divers. I strongly recommend this place as their facilities and equipment are quite complete with the staff is so friendly and nice!! And the prices of the courses are affordable.

I heard that the owner of this place, after marrying the Japanese wife, settled down on this island and opened up their dive centre. I am so envious of the lifestyle they had with their 2 kids. Compared to the life in Singapore, instead of the fast-paced life, this place, is like heaven to me.

Inside the dive shop....

See the painting above? It's actually painted by a artist who dives at Tioman regularly. Each time he is there, he paints a portion and continues from where he started at the next dive. Damn real life like.

My chalet-like dwelling for the next few days.

I'm taking Naui Advanced, although my open water was with PADI.

Doing the advance course means that I had to complete the following:

- search and recovery

- night dive

- shore diving

-wreck diving

- Using the dive computer

- deep diving

and more.

I'm more excited about doing the night dive, cause i heard that it's totally different from diving in the day. Can't see much and your whole life depends on your buddy and the torchlight. Besides that, you can expect to see more creatures that only come out in the night.

Finally the sky cleared. And i went for my first dive in the year. Man, it was good to breathe the compressed air again after so long and playing around with my buoyancy. Visibility wasn't that good because of the bad weather. Couldn't get clear pictures too. :(

For the next few days, i woke up, eat, dive, smoke, sleep, dive, eat, dive. Did all my tests, but had difficulty in using the dive computer, which made me looked like a fool circling the ocean floor. Every diving experience is so different. Totally felt so carefree~

The few dives i did, i think the most exciting would be cave diving, we swam in caves and i hit the wall of the cave a couple of things. Luckily i didn't hurt myself. Went to many famous wrecks and saw many kinds of fishes. Was rather disappointed with the night dive, all i could see were the sea urchins which covered almost the whole of the seabed.

In the evenings when we were not diving, we hang around at the island drinking and chatting with the new diving friends we made on the trip.

Friday, December 18, 2009

About Tioman Island

Tioman was first discovered by Chinese and Arabs seafarers and traders around thousand years ago. They use it for replenishing their fresh water resources and navigational aid.

Still today you can find small pieces of ming dynasty porcelain in the shallow waters.  
The famous twin peak known as donkey ears was always a reassuring sign for sailors to know that they were on the right track to the southern tip of Malaysia now know as Singapore. 

An ancient saga tells a story of a beautiful dragon queen whiles on her way from China to Singapore she took rest in the warm tranquil waters of the South China Sea, during which she felt in love with here surroundings that she than decided to stay and turned her self into this magnificent island.

Tioman has more than 18 beaches some developed with resorts, still many untouched by development and human impact.

The highest peak is Gunung Kajang towering over the jungle at 1038m it can be seen as far as Mersing. 98% of Tioman is covered by a dense thousand year old jungle which is protected by law; this provides us with plenty of fresh air and clean water streams.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Monday, December 14, 2009

DISCOVER TIOMAN

Like a giant sleeping dragon, the dark green ridges of Tioman Island rise up above the waters of the South China Sea. On closer inspection, it becomes clear that the dragon’s dark green scales are in fact giant trees and impenetrable jungle; that the grey claws are giant granite boulders and that the dragon’s horns are twin peaks with smooth, straight cliffs, surrounded with swirls of mist.
The dragon-like appearance of Tioman Island is at the root of a legend surrounding its origin: A dragon princess from China was flying to her prince in Singapore and stopped to rest in these calm, warm waters. Enamoured by the beauty of the area, and the waves lapping at her sides, she discontinued her journey and took the form of an island.
The natural beauty of the island is its biggest attraction. Lush tropical jungle covers about 12,000 hectares of the island and countless mountain streams and waterfalls sustain the many protected species of mammals and birds. The waters around the island are filled with corals of all shapes and colours and home to a vast diversity of sea creatures, including two species of marine turtle. There are a few excellent beaches on Tioman, and these curves of golden sand are usually tucked away at the edges of villages or fronting one of the many resorts.
Tioman has options for every kind of holiday-maker: families with small children, honeymooners, scuba divers, backpackers, adventurers and even those looking for a slice of exclusivity and luxury. Most places to stay are clustered around the villages that are dotted along Tioman’s coastline while there are a few small resorts that are built around private beach coves.
Tioman is the largest in a volcanic group of islands off the east coast of peninsular Malaysia. Getting there is simple as there is both a ferry service from Mersing on the mainland and an airport on the island itself.
Tioman is a beautiful, popular and affordable holiday destination so book ahead!

Tioman has options for every kind of holiday-maker: families with small children, honeymooners, scuba divers, backpackers, adventurers and even those looking for a slice of exclusivity and luxury. Most places to stay are clustered around the villages that are dotted along Tioman’s coastline while there are a few small resorts that are built around private beach coves.
Tioman is the largest in a volcanic group of islands off the east coast of peninsular Malaysia. Getting there is simple as there is both a ferry service from Mersing on the mainland and an airport on the island itself.
Tioman is a beautiful, popular and affordable holiday destination so book now.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Travelling to Tioman...from Singapore

Since I've been to Tioman three times in three different ways, let me share them with you and let you know the best way to travel.

Most comfortable
The quickest and most comfortable way is to fly. Berjaya Air flies daily from Singapore's Seletar Airport to Tioman. On landing at the airport, at the Tekek village, you can take a water taxi to your resort/accommodation on the island. Flight time is about 45 minutes, cost S$250(return). On my last visit, my friend and I were the only two people on the plane – it was like we had our own private jet.

The cheapest
We took a bus from Singapore (Lavender Bus Terminal) to Mersing, then a speedboat to Tioman. The bus ride was about 3 hours and the speedboat about 1 and a half hours. Coming back, we managed to get a bus from one of the local travel agencies at Mersing ferry terminal for 20 ringgit (about S$10) and which got us to Singapore in slightly less then 2 hours. An even cheaper option but more troublesome way would be to get a local bus to Larkin bus terminal in Johore Bahru and get a bus ticket to Mersing from there. Travel time to Tioman, 4 and a half hours, cost about S$35 one-way.

The in-between
If you like to travel by sea, there is a direct ferry from Singapore’s Tanah Merah terminal to Tioman (Berjaya jetty). It is a 4 hour ride and costs about S$150 (return). The ferry is not too stable and can feel stifling on a hot day with many people on the boat…but it’s direct and cheaper than the plane.

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Tioman Island

Tioman is in the east coast of peninsula Malaysia.
The Northeast Monsoon is from November to March every year so its a bad time to go there. You really dont want your holiday ruined by heavy rains daily or even worst, the resort may close last minute as ferries cannot operate
If you would still like to visit a nice island then you may want to look at your options on the West side of malaysia during that time as the Southwest Monsoon is from late May to September. So you will enjoy the clear skies. Langkawi island is on the west coast which can be a good option for you.