Date: 1st - 5th May 2015
Type: Backpacking/Budget
Duration: 5D4N

Cerita bagaimana saya Berjaya mendapatkan lessen PADI Open Water.

I have been an excellent swimmer since I was little and I absolutely love to snorkel whenever we had a beach vacation. Thus, I had this dream to be an open water diver since marine life gives me excitement and watching National Geographic certainly makes me curious of how it is down there.

Fulfilling my dream of becoming a diver!

There were 3 of us going for this trip and initially all of us wanted to take the diving license. We manage to acquire the Malaysian Airlines promo tickets to Kota Bharu which costs us RM120 return per person. We had few options for the resort and dive shop and in the end, we choose Panorama Chalet and Diving for both our accommodation and diving center.


Panorama Diver offers a package for divers seeking fun dives and those who wants to take up a license. It costs RM1145 for the fan room and the PADI Open Water Diving Course. We reached Kota Bharu around 10 am and took a cab to the Kuala Besut jetty. Okay, to go to Perhentian/Tenggol, you have to take a flight to Kota Bharu. If you are looking to go to Redang, Kuala Terengganu  will be the airport.

Look at that Labour Day crowd.

Arriving at Kuala Besut, we first check in at the boat operator office before going to a stall to pack lunch and to buy mineral water and some food - as we all know, everything is expensive on the island. We depart on the speedboat that took 45 minutes to reach Perhentian Kecil (small island). Then, we are transferred to a smaller boat to the shore.

Perhentian Island consist of 2 major islands - Perhentian Kecil (small) and Perhentian Besar (big). Perhentian kecil is the more happening side of Perhentian, where it offers night entertainment and various budget chalets. I find this suitable for youngsters and divers. While Perhentian Besar offered resorts like island, quiet and suitable for families and couples.

We checked in to Panorama Chalet where my 2 "dive buddy" told me they do not want to take the license. My heart shattered but I was determined to get mine, so I stick to the original plant. The costing became cheaper since I'm the only one taking the course. We then walked to the dive shop and met with Kris. My 2 friends had to explain about them bailing from the course and in the end Kris made them take the Discovery Scuba instead.

I started my evening with the dreadful DVD watching (6 DVDs to go through) before having my confined water session the next morning. The aunty from Panorama gives us a free meal and 10% discount for our dinner. The room was basic - there's only a bathroom, bed and fan. That's it.