60 Earth Hour 2010

Date: 27th March 2010

I celebrated this year's 60 Earth Hour in Redang Island. I was wondering (a few days before) whether the resort will be observing this event. Only on the day itself, I saw flyers around the resort in support to this hour.

I was working that night (3pm-11pm shift) and as the time came, the lights on the hallway was turned off and later it was the lights in Fun Club as well, leaving only one light on. There were many people wondering about the darkness and some came by an asked about it. After explaining to them, they realized that it was indeed Earth Hour between 8.30pm - 9.30pm.

Though I couldn't see much of what was going on around the resort, but I had the one hour to work with only one light on.

...the only light turned on in Fun Club...

My Dive Log (Part 3)

Date: 21st March 2010

Time: 8.30am

Had another 2 dives in Redang Island; this time at Southern Run and Batu Ling. Buddied with Azrin again and this time I had another opportunity to learn my buoyancy with a Dive Master.

I first dropped 1kg of weight and went down to the water with only 2kg. It was tough to ascend and funny enough, I descend really quick and missed my first safety stop. Southern Run was much deeper than any other dive sites I've been. I went down to a depth of 25m, landed on sandy bottom area. The current was so strong that we had to turn around after trying to swim through the sandy bottom. It was tough as we had to fight the current but the best part of this dive is that, we drift! It was tiring and by the time we headed back on the boat, I was drained and not to mention I had very bad blister on both my feet!

Second dive was rather relaxing as we didn't have to go against any current. I put plasters on my feet but it didn't help a bit as the fins were still cutting through it. It was hard for me to fin but I enjoyed the dive. There were floors of corals and I was able to swim up and down as command...means my buoyancy has improved! I changed buddy after Azrin was out of air.

The next thing to do for my next dive: BRING A CAMERA!

My Dive Log (Part 2)

Date: 19th March 2010

Time: 8.30am

It was a Friday and we had only one tank dive in the morning. Buddied with Mr. Terence; instructor in Berjaya Redang's Dive Centre. Pasir Akar is famous for its artificial reefs and there were 3 different types of artificial reefs seen here. Interesting enough, there were schools of fishes swimming in this area.

Its been a month...

Believe it or not (actually I was surprised myself to know) that it's been a month since I left the big city, left my comfortable home, left my tears and sadness behind to a place I hoped to find peace...and I did!

Time flies! I came into the island on 23 February and now its been a non-stop one month workin day and night in the resort. Things were slower during the first 2 weeks but as the third week came by, there were so many things in my plate for me to work on - my own job, photography for sports & recreation, posters and booklets for activities, underwater video project and more to come...

There's so much opportunities here for me. I just had to grab them and perform to my fullest. I enjoyed my working and non-working time here in Redang. There's of course ups and downs here as well. There's so much difference here; the culture, the people, the food, the environment, the lifestyle. A few have failed to adapt and they left even before they could see the good side of this beautiful place. I have learn to adapt to this place and have no complains towards anything that I have here.

There's no regrets at all in taking up this job, leaving so much behind.

Within this one month, I went to a few places on the island, dived at 5 sites and will dive in many more, met people who originates from the island itself, hitchiking when there's no other option to go around the island, and best of all - to meet people from all walks of life - the guests where I spent most of my time talking to. It's amazing to get to know these people, to learn their language and to assist them in having a great holiday here in Redang.

Well, it's been a month and 7 more months to go~

My Dive Log (Part 1)

Date: 15th March 2010

Time: 8.30am

I had my first two tank dives in Redang. Faizan was the lead Dive Master while Kamal assisted and Azrin, a Rescue Diver became my buddy. There were 4 other divers; Pierre from Switzerland, Mae, Mae Li and her husband from Singapore.

It was two months since I last dive and I was pretty scared if I were to be imbalance and either crash down bottom or float back up on the surface. But this time, it was easy to go down the water (not sure why...but goodla~)

The first site was Pulau Kerengga Kecil and there I saw a huge sting ray and it was AWESOME! We were just floating not far away from it. Too bad I didn't bring my camera...

Had a really bad sea sick condition and vomited twice before entering for the second dive at Pulau Chupak. There, it was just filled with corals and mountains of it. So many anemone and so many clownfish. It was just beautiful~

Headed back to shore at 12.30pm.

It was a great dive!

Canon 5D Mark II

I was given the opportunity to try out this camera yesterday in the office. There are 3 lenses along with this camera; a fish eye lens, a macro lens and a zoom lens. I tried all three lenses and damn, it was great!

Need to familiarize with this camera soon.

And...I can't wait to use it underwater!

The Last Monsoon

The Last Monsoon had just arrived!

I was told since I first came that there will be another wave of monsoon, which will marked the end of monsoon for year 2009. We waited for 3 weeks now and finally, it came! I wasn't sure how it will look like and when I had my first look of it, I was surprised and to be honest...a bit scared. The waves were huge, crashing on the shore. The wind was so strong and it rained as well.

All activities except snorkeling had to be put to a stop for this time of the season. Most guests are seen in the swimming pool area.

Will just have to wait for another couple of days for the monsoon wave to be over.

A One-Stop Snorkeling Trip at Redang Kalong

Date: 6th March 2010 (Saturday)

I was on my first afternoon shift (12pm - 8pm), so after asking permission from my boss, I went out that morning on the 9.30am One-Stop Snorkeling Trip with guests to Redang Kalong beach area. We boarded Dayang Redang boat and it only took us about 5 minutes to reach the site.

Putting on the mask and snorkel, I jumped into the sea and started snorkeling around the area. The boatman, who was also snorkeling, handed me a nudibranch - it was so beautiful and colorful!

Though the trip was short, I saw many Clown Anemonefish, a baby shark and many beautiful corals and sea creatures. There were many turtles too, closer to the shore, which we could only see from the boat.

With just one snorkeling trip, I'm another layer darker...no...a layer tanner! *smiles*

Awaiting for an opportunity for a Round Island Snorkeling Trip!!!

Things To Accomplish Within This 8 Months

Spending 8 months here in Redang is still something I'm digesting in my mind. How did I end up with this job? I wonder... But, since I was given this opportunity, I will definitely use it to the fullest.

Things I plan to achieve within this 8 months:

1. Advance Open Water License

2. Underwater Photography & Videography

3. Explore every bit of this island (especially the infamous Long Beach)

4. Enjoy all sports and recreation activities (including parasailing, banana boat, kayak, fishing, etc)

5. Snorkel every area in the island

6. Identify birds, fishes and corals

7. Get to know people from around the globe

8. Live life to the fullest!

Well, will see how much I can achieve as time goes by.

The first one week was somewhat slow, but things are picking up here.

Love what I'm doing now, that's for sure~

I Believe...

I believe...

That just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other. And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do love each other.

I believe...

That we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.

I believe...

That no matter how a good friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.

I believe...

That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.

I believe...

That you can do something in an instant that will give heartache for life.

I believe...

That it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.

I believe...

That you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.

I believe...

That you can keep going long after you think you can't.

I believe...

That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

I believe...

That either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I believe...

That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I believe...

That my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.

I believe...

That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down will be the ones to help you get back up.

I believe...

That sometimes when I'm angry, I have the rights to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I believe...

That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.

I believe...

That it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes, you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I believe...

That no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.

I believe...

That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.

I believe...

That you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.

I believe...

Two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.

I believe...

That your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.

I believe...

That even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you - you will find strength to help.

I believe...

That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

I believe...

That the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.

Water Issue

Since I first came here last Tuesday (23rd February), I faced a terrible water issue in the island. First of all, I was told that only my block has water supply in the bathrooms; I was thrilled. And yes, I had water to shower that evening while others from other blocks had to bring their pails and collect hill waters from the pipe next to the guard house.

Day 2 of my time here was still smooth sailing in the morning. I went over to a friend's room to shower as most bathroom in my floor are practically spoilt; either the door or the shower tap. We had water. It was until that evening after we came back to the staff quarters after work that my friend and I had no choice but to bring our pails down and collect water for shower and this time even my block was not spared. Imagine I had only 1 pail of water to shower and another pail to wash my clothes.

Day 3 was still the same and we were then told that we could shower in the resort, but I was too lazy as it was very inconvenient to bring clothes and shampoos everyday to work.

Then it was the first day of the resort's opening and my shift was at 7am. I went over to my friend's room (as they have water from 10pm to 7am daily) for my morning shower only to realize that they were out of water too! I didn't know wad time the shuttle to the resort was so I put on my uniform (tshirt and shorts) and kept my towel and shampoos in my bag and waited for the shuttle from 6am to 6.30am, not to mention the amount of mosquitoes biting me. Reached the resort at 6.35am and asked for the key to the room. I ran quickly to the room and had a 2 minutes shower and gotten myself ready by 6.45am. Well, what's the use of the shower when I sweat again right after. Anyhow, I got into work on time. But when I knew already earlier on that there won't be any water supply when I get back after work, I gave up carrying water from the guard house to 2nd floor, so I decided to just change and go to bed. It went on for the next few days until today...

It's really an inconvenience not to have proper water supply. Everyday, I pray that there will be water for at least the morning shower, but not every morning you find the tap with water.

Why?

It's because the water pipe in the sea were damaged by the monsoon a few months back and they have been fixing the pipe ever since.

Funny thing that kept us wondering is that...how come there's unlimited water supply in the resort??? ...it's ok, let's not wonder too much but pray that this water issue will be solved SOON!

Flickr

Finally I realized how important an online portfolio is...because when I was applying for jobs last month, many online applications require me to have an online portfolio of photographs and videos that I did.

So here I am...where it's so hard to get Internet connection and since I'm so free after my shift, I started compiling photographs and watermarked them and uploaded it into my Flickr.

Click here to access my Flickr.

Enjoy!