The best holiday ever in Mabul Island (Day 2)

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.

The best holiday ever in Mabul Island (Day 1)

Yessss....holiday mood is in the air again ...As i wanted so much  Hannah n Aqil in exploring the underwater world, so i  did made a very last minute holiday plans and chose the destination to be Mabul Island instead of Perhentian Island.  Since there is only two weeks left before the year of 2014, so I chose to stay  4 nights in Seahorse Sipadan chalet...

The transfer from the airport  was as i expected, a pakcik cab driver waiting for us and straight to Seahorse Sipadan samporna office...the check in at Semporna was excellent.  We were greeted by Kak Nor and Nida...They were helpful and patient, nothing too much trouble. The hours transfer to the Mabul Island by boat was organised.... The boat ride took about an hour to Mabul Island. The boat was speeding like mad Schumacher...but we were safe then... Mabul Island is about one hour boat ride from Semporna Jetty.

As we approached Mabul Island,  we can actually see the bottom of the sea and the beautiful reef and sand underneath the boat. As we dock at the jetty we can see all the fish and coral under the jetty. It is amazing. ..

The food was simply divine and okay as i expected and I really enjoyed it especially the chicken curry. ...As we reached the chalet a little bit late from the lunch time, we were surprised the kitchen staff served us late lunch and provided us with a selection of food upon welcoming us to the chalet. .... How wonderful...

Seahorse Sipadan chalet is a stilt longhouse just above the water,  The beds was very comfortable. It was great to have a double and single bed in the lodge for the children and myself ...Besides from that, it is simply a basic room...without  the TV, no fridge and of course no air cond.....hahaha nothing much ij this room rather than a queen bed and single bed  accompanied with a small table and a ceiling fan. ... But its still okay to myself..

The shower is just a typical basic malaysian style .... a shower head next to the toilet, with a half wall to somewhat separate it, the water could easily  wet the floor for the whole toilet, and the shower pressure was low....but we managed to cope with it.  Plus a basic sink, and that's about it. We even have the view from the back balcony... It was perfect for the three of our needs though..its simple and basic ...What could i asked for more.... As long as it is very well built and it is divers paradise. Is not cheap to dive anywhere in the world and here is quite acceptable. Even though the chalet is not  facing the sunset. But the scenery still beautifully captured  and perhaps the sun has made every single chalets here like a hot microwave oven.... Thank God the sea breeze  was enough to keep the temperature comfortable to me....as the power supply is only from 6.00pm to 7.00 am...sighhh

So this is what we do..

Later in the evening we went for a stroll at the kampong behind our resort with the guidance of one of the chalet staff named Jules....Since this chalet is situated next to the local village, which is extremely poor. It can be a bit bothersome as a lot of children come to you and ask for money.. some of them were locals and some of them were communities from the Sea Gypsies. We were attemp more than once by children begging for money, candies... We even witnessed the locals using the beach as a toilet. How i wish the government could try to educate the locals about littering this paradise...Hmmmmmmm

Back from the village we were lucky to be able to see such gorgeous sunset day in Mabul Island. We just just sit by the deck, with drinks in hand and looking at the sun finish its duty for that day. Mabul island is a place to relax, to forget everything and a place to have a humble and simple life even for a short trip.

The same evening itself, Hannah n Aqil couldnt wait any longer for a dip ...They did the night swim into the cold water ...What i  i love most about this lodge is the wide deck in front of our room where Hannah n Aqil can easily straightly jump into the crystal clear water even during night time .. this is the moment i enjoyed watching them jumping to the sea.... hahahahaha

Cartoon: My parents are ugly

OMG OMG this is hillarious...i bet this is what aqil experienced having me as his mommy....

something inspire me

Reading and responding to comments can be one of the most rewarding aspects of blogging. Not only do they help you connect with your readers, they can also inspire later blog entries. Actually i do not need any comments in any of my write-ups, i just need this kind of appreciation... thank u anyway ......smile always..

i appreaciate things

There are moments in my life that take my breath away. Simple things mostly, not that i dont fancy gift or expensive diamond.....i know i cant afford it ... The way the rain drops hang off a flower or a branch of a tree n grass ...hujan rahmat katanya



The way the clouds float by far above me. Or how the sun peaks out from gray clouds after a rain. I find myself taken aback by the beauty of relaxing alone with no disturbance....aaaaaahhhhhhhh and this morning, while in bed, in the light sleep of morning, just such a breathless moment occurred. ....i admit my darling husband NEVER been tiptoed to my side of the bed, NEVER been up for some time I am sure since i am a very early riser, and NEVER ever he would gently pulled the covers up over my shoulders and kissed me so tenderly on my head (kirim salam la).....just like other husband did...but its alright with me, Maybe i am too much on soap opera...i appreciate every single thing he did to me ....i am so grateful...every each move he made was full of loving tenderness that you could feel...tangible. I woke enough to experience this deep, profound, loving moment. Tenderness. I feel so blessed to be surrounded by the deepest form of beauty known to mankind.....Yolah tu ita

Hari Kemerdekaan Malaysia 2013

Yes this year 2013, Malaysia celebrates the 56th year of Merdeka. And for any normal scenario, thousand of Malaysians took part in the Merdeka Day parade at Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur, but this very particular year, hubby and i welcoming our Independence day by joining other Malaysians waving our flag alongside the official Merdeka Day parade in Ipoh . The reason ? agak TP la jawapannya...yes ...my Aqil was given the chance to play in the MCKK brass Band , its a brass instrument , a clarinet...for the coming National Day parade in Ipoh.. mmmm not bad huh? hahaha ...one thing i am certain though, i cannot letting this fantastic, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Aqil go by without seizing it, so i will definitely be providing this brilliant opportunity again n again...i will support him by being there in no matter what.....so that i will have to watch this space for exactly how he will achieve later, insya allah...Amin

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The Regent of Perak Raja Dr Nazrin Shah joined thousands of locals to celebrate the 56th National Day celebration in front of Dewan Bandaran Ipoh. The ceremony started as soon as Raja Dr Nazrin, who was accompanied by Raja Puan Besar Tuanku Zara Salim, arrived at 8.15am. The royal couple was greeted by Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir and his wife Datin Seri Saripah Zulkifli.
The event started with the Regent inspecting a guard of honour followed by singing of the national anthem.
A pantomime performance led the Merdeka celebration before 110 contingents marched past the main stage, live marching bands lit up the field and along the roadside excluding the decorative floats ! We tagged my dad along to witnessed the spirit of tradition, flaunt our patriotic side and join other fellow Malaysians for a day out under the scorching sun.... The event ended with a multi hue fireworks which rained confetti on visitors. We arrived kinda early, so I get to see most of the parade, but I did get to take a couple nice pictures especially i am just a few metres away from Raja Nazrin...lucky me. I got to see people of completely different heritages coming together to celebrate satu Malaysia ("one Malaysia") on Independence Day. I really enjoyed seeing this interaction on one of the biggest days in Malaysian culture and history....

Each and everyone of you clearly care for our children and want the best for them. If I could wave a magic wand i would all have a sack of money under my tree or in my home at least if i do have a tree and I would wave the same wand over understood the necessity in caring for my children, I would make them see with that magic wand. Unfortunately I don't have a magic wand and instead all I can offer is hope, hope that a change takes place so that your children benefit from both of us. Knowing that my children are thankful for me and let them always be my focus in determining my decisions and outcomes. I sincerely hope that me and my family will find peace and happiness despite tough times. Anyway Aqil u are my joy and heart's delight......




For mr dearest Aqil .... We are not put on earth for ourselves, but are placed here for each other. If u are there always for others, then in time of need.... someone will be there for u....love u so much