Stay in the island is totally relaxing..only for the electricity in the island is only for 12 hours a day. It's normal for most island so we've already anticipated it. But our day are so busy with activities and electricity is not a real concern...
The 2nd day in Mabul Island Hannah and Aqil are eagerly wants to do more than swimming and of course what else than diving around these spectacular islands in turquoise water is so great and a must do !!!
Being first timers of diving i bet Hannah n Aqil must be enthusiasts to know that Sipadan/Mabul and the surrounding areas are one of the best spots for diving in the world, and what better place to learn to dive than in the crystalline waters of the Celebes Sea.....
I suggested to Hannah n Aqil to do their PADI Open Water course consisting of 1 day of classroom instruction on theory which was hard and complicated... Aqil was assuming as to sit on the beach and enjoy the equatorial sun instead of doing the buka buka buku....and finds it so troublesome n malas ....so they decided to do the Discover Scuba instead...
Most of the dive equipment are quite new and working coz none of us is having any problem with the equipment....Thank God i chose Seahorse/Sipadan in our stay in Mabul Island.
Since none of us are experienced divers, we were so lucky that the instructor and divemaster are so experience and very helpful.. Hannah n Aqil had to learn to put their tanks on their back, do the required buddy check using the mnemonic , breathing with the regulator, emergency signals, fin pivots, finding a neutral buoyancy, clearing the masks, and learning to equalize so we don't rapture our ears. All necessary skills, which were somewhat difficult to learn initially but their young and healthy and i am sure my teenage kids can get the hang out it. The dive instructor Azhar and the dive master on duty are very professional, patient, and great fun! !!!
This is how they did the confined water just right in front of the chalet instead of the pool...it rocks ....
The first dive opted for a day of fun dives around Mabul Island -- they went to 2 different dive spots (Paradise 1 and Paradise 2) and they were underwater for at least 45 minutes per dive. Two times dive in a day is a not bad for these 2 teenage kids of mine !!! (So proud of them) As a non-diver I kept myself busy taking their photographs and relaxing on the boat everytime the dive in......This is how i became tanned n crispy...
As Hannah n Aqil's time diving was dictated by the instructor Azhar ...I see them blew through their oxygen tank twice as fast as the instructor did, granted their lung capacity . Every time they dive in, they don't go by themselves, they will always go with a dive master and the instructor who knows the location and will point out interesting sea creatures. And as newly-minted scuba divers, every time they be in the water , they were assigned to be as close as possible with the instructors...so fortunate they do have photos and video from their underwater adventures as the chalet's professional's underwater cameraman dive in with them with the proper camera equipment and so at least the too much to focus on their diving technique whilst also photographing marine life are worth it....
They slowly descend from shore to a depth of 3m to 5m to view the lively and beautiful corals in protected Sabah Parks – and for the first time - to scuba dive alongside schools of fish. They dive and pass through the schools of “Jacks” in the thousands and later notice a huge school of fishes circling near in the shallow waters.
These are the comments i got from Hannah n Aqil when they are done with diving...The underwater is brilliant, amazing, fascinating, and awesome! Vibrant colours, clear waters with visibility up to 20m, lots of beautiful fish, and interesting corals. U go my dear...
I know i would enjoyed diving this much only that i am barred from diving as i have asthma.. Anyone with moderate or severe asthma--meaning they have daily symptoms--should not dive. If your asthma is mild, intermittent and controllable, you may get clearance if you can show that you're functionally normal--that you manage it with medication to the point that exercise and typical asthma triggers don't cause an incident....Too much on me pulak...
So rather than I need to go to the doctor and get clearance .... it would be another long story...so i am hate so much stuck on snorkeling by looking them dive in .....
Before i knew it Hannah n Aqil got the hang of it, diving is easy. ...they saw gigantic sea turtles, eels, massive groupers, clown fish, eel stingray, and much much more.
I am happy that Hannah n Aqil realised that diving is meant to be a relaxing sport -- enjoy the scenery, breath regularly, and having fun!
What i see the Seahorse/Sipadan diving organization worked amazingly well considering the amount of people involved in it. Tanks were well filled, boats worked, the jetty staff were quick to get stuff in and out of boats, the transfer worked very well and the bill was clear and with no weirdo extras....it smoothen the 4 days vacation...Thanks to Seahorse/Sipadan again... muah
My sweetie pie Hannah on the way back to the chalet
On the way back to the chalet in the afternoon - after all the fun and adventure dives - both was exhausted and did nothing but relax at the chalet.
The best banana fritters i have ever eaten in my whole entire life....
Yes...Hannah and Aqil just jumped from the deck straight down to the crytsal sea...great hospitality makes you feels that you will come back to this place, and that's what happened to Hannah n Aqil. Well, Seahorse/Sipadan facilities maybe not the world class facilities, but the hospitality makes you feels belonging to this place. And I have no problem to come back someday.
