No. of Dives: 4
Dive Center: Turtle Bay Divers, Perhentian Kecil.
Accommodation: The Barat Perhentian, Perhentian Besar
Date: End of April 2016

Something weird

Anemone Fish

Vis was bad. too bad it's a pretty site

Nudibrancs

Goby Fish

Date: End July 2015
Type: Package tour
Duration: 3D2N
Price: RM550/pax fullboard

Beautiful scene

After Hari Raya, me and my Europe travel buddies decided to go for an island getaway. We choose Redang Island. We managed to get a flight ticket costing RM145 via Firefly. We took the RM550 package offered by Laguna Redang which includes accommodation, boat transfer, meals for 3 days and 2 snorkeling trips.

Taken to the lobby by a truck pulled wagon.

We land in Kuala Terengganu around 10 am and the Resort van took us to the Shahbandar Jetty. This jetty is located near the Pasar Payang. We boarded a huge ferry to Redang Island. Disembarking, we were picked up by a tractor to the lobby. We checked in and was given our meal coupons for 3 days. After having lunch, we pick up our snorkeling gear and went for the Open Sea snorkeling via fishing boats. There are around 200 people joining this activity. The tour guide inform us on the rules and the timing for activities.

We were dropped off in the middle of the sea where there's a coral platform not far away from the drop off. The water is a bit choppy and we manage to see plenty of marine life. The fact that the crowd is huge, was a downside. And, Dila got seasick so we cut short our snorkeling adventure for the day.

We had dinner at the restaurant and we managed to witness a full moon. We always bid for the outside table to get some fresh air. The food at Laguna has a huge variety and it taste good for a resort. I was contemplating on how many dives should I do - the dive price is pretty expensive.

I choose to take 1 dive at 2 pm since I want to join the snorkeling at the Marine Park. After breakfast, we went to the Marine Park about 10 minutes from the resort. The Marine Park offers plenty of beautiful corals and fishes. We bring ourselves some bread to feed the fish and obviously this was a better spot for snorkeling.

The crowd are much better at the Marine Park

After lunch, I straight away went to the dive shop. I fill some forms and pick my gear. I was nervous since this is the first dive since my ear injury. I was accompanied by 3 divers from Singapore and 1 from Switzerland (well, I told her a lot of times of how much I love Swiss).

Our dive site is called Pulau Paku Kecil, the visilibilty was not great but we do see some marine creatures. Suddenly, I saw a huge stingray - about 3 meteres wide. I did not manage to capture it though since I was saving on my camera battery. By the time I switch on my camera, the stingray went hiding under the rock.

Hard corals during Paku kecil dive

The current was so strong that day. As a new diver, I panicked a bit since the current drag me until I almost hit the coral reef. It was not a relaxing dive as I had hoped for. I hit the reef walls and scratch my foot while trying to reposition my body to streamline with the current.

For me, the best snorkeling spot in Perhentian is on the far left of the beach. I circle the spot as below. All of us went snorkeling after I had a less pleasurable diving day. The corals are beautiful and so lively. You can see plenty of clown fish and brace  yourself - plenty of reef sharks!

I took this while snorkeling off the beach.

We take pictures of the unique looking gift shop at the resort

The snorkel site provide a channel-like snorkeling where you can go between reef walls to experience an amazing snorkeling. The only downside is the current itself. Redang has a strong current so if the red flag is up, please do not snorkel or swim. I can say this site offers the most beautiful snorkeling experience I had ever had.

The Turtle Point

Titan Triggerfish

Made it!

Today is the day I took my first breath underwater. I met with my diving instructor - Pablo. He's from Argentina and I met Joo, another dive instructor. Joining me are a group of friends who are taking dive course - Graham, Debra, John and a French couple doing DSD. My friends join for the DSD, which means we go though the same material together. Also, NO CAMERA is allowed during DSD. This is because, you never dive so you'll never know how to balance your self let alone handle a camera.

My DSD dive buddies. I took my first breath underwater today!

I have to do some underwater exercise for my confined water which includes underwater distress signals and low on air exercise. We then went to the deeper side and watch some fishes. I then had to do a 250 meters swim test - Pablo said that I just have to circle the boat. hehe.

 In order to qualify for Open Water certificate, you need to pass 80% for the theory exams and complete several confined water dive and open water dives. For confined water, you will do some exercise in a shallow part of the water. These exercise includes removing mask, swimming without a mask, wearing your gears underwater, CESA (simulates out of air situation and you have to swim 9 meters with 1 breath).

I finished my DVD course on the 2nd day and usually after finishing the course, you will have to go through some quizzes with the Instructor. This is to ensure you passed your final test.

I was with Pablo for half of my course - he then contracted a flu, which means he cannot dive and I was handed over to Joo. Well, the common mistake for all rookie divers are the buoyancy. I barely got mine under control. Graham was floating most of the time and Joo keeps on training us for our buoyancy.

I love the Open Water dives since here is where I can see a lot of marine life. My favourite dive spot here is D'Lagoon. is is just so beautiful. After 2 days, I find that I loss some of my hearing, but I continue to dive the next couple of days. On my third day, we decided to do our final test. Joo was strict on cheating, so the four of us have to sit part from each other.

This was taken during my last dive.

On the 4th day, we did our final open water dive which is the 18m dive. During descend, I felt a sharp pain in my ears and suddenly the pain was gone. Well, Panorama had a ritual for passing the diving license. After returning our gears and taking pictures, they made announcement to the dive shop and restaurant on our success (well, we have to shout of course).

The entire team and divers

Joo our instructor

Pablo

Last dive

Diving with the Panorama team is just priceless. I had a lot of fun while learning and diving. The instructors are very nice and bubbly. Perhentian itself offered a variety range of diving experience suitable for all divers. The dive sites a rich with marine life - big, small and even macro. I finally get to crossed off one of my bucket list and had a lot of fun at the same time. Thank you panorama team!

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.