Dive trip @ Moalboal and Oslob, Philippines

I'm so excited I couldn't contain myself any longer!

 

Just came back from Phillipines. This is my second dive trip to this beautiful country.

Located at the coral triangle, Philippines offers nearly 600 different species of

reef-building corals in their 7101 islands!

 

This time around we went to Moalboal, Cebu for a 5-night stay.

And the main attraction for this trip is our short getaway down to

Oslob for whale watching - and when there's divers, there ain't gonna be just watching!

There's just so many things to see and a 6D5N trip is definitely insufficient for us.

 

The trip has been documented in Cecil's video and plenty of photos from

the professional photographer who are holding the big guns and

vain female divers who tried to capture everyone and everything at every moment possible.

 

This is our trip... and you get to see it all! Enjoy!

 

 

 

One of our most anticipated dive site is at Ludo which famous for sardine storm!

What's a sardine storm?

It's like a giant ball of sardines swarming in the ocean and diving it in feels like the

clear sky above you suddenly turned dark by large clouds covering the entire sky!

 

 

Suit up and instantly looked like a pro!

 

Our first dive trip with Dolphin Lee Aquatics. Such a fun group to be with!






It's a holiday and I lost track of time...

 

"Hi Mr. Turtle... wait for me..."

All the 3 dives on the first day is nothing but amazing.

Plenty to see and go WOW underwater.

During the surface interval, we had more fun on the boat.

Climbing up to an island, snorkeling, doing backflips into the water etc.

We climbed up to Pescador Island and that's where I got a deep cut on my right foot.



 

"HUAKKKKKK!!!!!!"

 

Ryu's "ABUGETTTT!!!!!"



Group photo courtery of Bo Mancao



Photo by Bo Mancao



Photo by Bo Mancao




Photo by Dolphin Lee

 When the night comes, no matter how exhausted we were, we put an effort

to explore the village, neighbouring shops, and diners! We had scumptous meal

at Chilli Bar for three consecutive nights! They serve really good food but the

downside is that we had to wait at least one-hour for our food to be served.

My dinner! Delicious baby pork ribs at Chilli Bar, Moalboal

More dives for the next few days and I fell sick due to the unbearable cold room at night.



Skipped a dive at the airplane wreck but couldn't stop myself for the second dive when

I found out that my BCD is in the boat! Jumped into the water with my bikini right after.

 

With Ruel, the dive master who took less than 3-minutes to search
for the mask which I've dropped into the sea 24-hrs before



"Feel the sea, smell the sky. Let your spirit and soul fly"

And the day everyone been waiting for - trip to Oslob!

This dignity of this place has been actively discussed among divers

and animal right associations etc.

 

Oslob Tan-Awan is a place that everyone would go for a lifetime experience

to interact with the whale shark. We were told that there's a 99.99% chances

to encounter a whale shark. Why? Because the fishermen have been feeding the whale sharks for decades and the whale sharks come back everyday for their scheduled feeding.

 

It remains very controversial if we should support the whale shark watching

because some says the feeding is creating a negative impact on their

natural migrating habits and some said they would have been long gone by villagers

who could capture the whale shark and feed their family for a month with it!

 

We have arrived at this amazing place!

Amazing shot by Bo Mancao



Certain precautions needed in order for us to preserve the

existance of this incredible creature.

 

Whale shark is the largest living fish in the world and to dive with them

is an opportunity, but not to be too excited and should not be taken lightly.

 

We are constantly reminded to...

1) Not touch or approach the whale sharks

2) Maintain an estimated 5ft distance around them
 3) Stay away from the tail to avoid injury from the strong wag
 4) Avoid feeding the sharks
 5) No littering
 5) Not to use flash photography
 6) Not to use sunblock as it will contaminate the water





Joyce vs the Big Guy - my first encounter with the whale shark



Dived for 1-hr with the whale shark and my DC alarmed me "DIVE TOO LONG"



After an amazing experience at Oslob, we went for sightseeing at Tumalog.

 



At the Tumalog Waterfalls - famous blue waterfall!



Now this is BLUE!



 A 3-hour drive back to Moalboal from Oslob and

it's time to pack our gears to fly back the next day.

 



Amazing night view at the Dolphin House



My friends and dive buddies for this trip. And please give me back my Bunny!



Goodbye Love Resort, Moalboal



Back to work and till I can keep calm and blow bubbles again... adios Philippines!



 

Read More

Cuti-cuti Malaysia @ Langkawi (part 3)

Proceeding to my Day 3 report, I would like to thank

Rachel Koko for arranging night flight for us.

Allowing ample of time for us to do more sightseeing. 

Day 3 Highlights

We took another tour package on the 3rd day to visit all the tourist attraction place.

I've been to all these before.. but some of it has been enhanced.

All 16 of us got ourselves a tour on private boat from 

Green Ocean Holiday Sdn Bhd

and we paid only RM520 for the half day tour.

Places included are... 

~ Mangrove River

~ Bat Cave

~ Crocodile Cave

~ Fish Farm & Feeding

~ Eagle Feeding

How could we miss jump shots? Photo taken infront of Jetty Kilim Geoforest Park. 

Hey I've got a sexy back view! :P 

1st photo : At Bat Cave where batman stayed and meditated... (ya rite!)
2nd photo : Crocodile Cave with no crocodile at all.. reason for its name is because there is a rock
looking like a crocodile emerging from the water.. see that small rock there?
3rd photo : Fish Farm along the Mangrove River
4th photo : Stingray feeding time at the fish farm
5th photo : Eagle feeding on chicken skin
6th photo : Monkeys spotted!!! Alot of them!!! 

At the Fish Farm

Hot chick at a hot spring?!! Ok.. perasan mode on!!! Haha!!!    

After a good shower, went off again for Cable Car ride and

to the Crocodile Farm. But to our dismay, we entered none.

Cable Car service is temporarily closed due to strong wind

and crocodile farm is not worth paying (RM15 p/pax). 

Pity Aggie coz it was her wish to see kokodie (crocodiles).. :(

Another must-go place in Langkawi is definitely the Dataran Lang.

It's like going to Eiffel Tower when you are in Paris. 

Some photo taking at Pantai Cenang before we fly back to reality... 

RM198 worth of chocolates! None is Lexie's... that's why sitting far away. 

Langkawi is another local holiday destination that I would want to go again in the near future.. 

Am happy spending time with The Gilasssss throughout the trip! Hugzzz!!!

Read More

Nature Retreat @ Sekeping Serendah, Rawang

To have more "feel" of living in the realm of nature, 

you may stream and play this song while

reading this post... 

*just my humble opinion*

Casey Abrams - Simple Life

This getaway is what we call the "Simple Life" 

where there is no TV.. hps.. and yes, 

"GADGETS OFF, BOSS!"

It's a trip that ET has arranged for us when he's at Qatar.

There are supposed to be more people.

Alicia and Eunice last minute fly airplane.

Facts about this place:-

Location : 

Serendah (exit NKVE Rawang), Selangor

About : 

A 50-acres privately owned tropical rainforest. 

A total of 7 sheds (comprises of warehouse, glass, mud and timber shed).

Each shed is as per it's description and is kept simple and provides only the basic.

Rates : 

We booked Timber Shed 2 and it is RM700 per night. 

It can accommodate up to 6 pax but the 5th and 6th pax is chargeable of RM50 each.

(no one will know if there are 10 ppl sneaking into the shed, no check-in / check-out required)

Bedrooms : 

There are two rooms in our shed. Two queen sized beds, two single beds. 

Enough for 6 pax. Don't know why the 5th and 6th is chargeable though.

Do not expect for air-conditioned rooms. 

There are ceiling fans which is cooling enough in that environment.

Kitchen :

Basic utensils, pots and pans, kettle, fridge, stove, BBQ pit is ready to be used.

Would advise to bring own pots and pans though.

They provide only small ones and kinda dirty.

Bathrooms and toilets : 

Timber shed bathrooms and toilets are open concept. 

Do not freak out yet. There are FOUR WALLS covering up the naked butt.

BUT.. there are no ceiling. So you gonna shiver when it's windy. 

And if it's raining, no mandi time.

Oh ya, the wall is not tall enough to deter people from stretching up their hands 

to take a candid snapshot of your sexy arses.

Meals : 

Good setting for BBQ dinner. 

Do prepare own ingredients and the caretaker can help to prepare the charcoal with charges imposed.

Those who are lazy to go out to the town for meals, or to cook,

may get the caretaker to prepare meals. 

When we were there, we had Indian rice consist of rice, chicken, vege curry, eggs, and papadam,

which is surprisingly TASTY! 

Dinner was RM20 per pax.

Breakfast is available too - choices of roti canai or nasi lemak.

Options may vary.

Programs : 

NIL. 

You gotta self entertain here. 

Coz there is no TV, no network coverage to make phone calls / online.

The only thing they have, is a 4-feet swimming pool. 

If you are there not prepared, you'll end up only enjoying 

the orchestra or crickets, frogs and who knows what's out there in the jungle.

For a group of only 4, we entertained ourselves with movies, and yes, Russell Peters!

Side notes :

Bring your own toiletries e.g towels, shampoo, body wash, toothpaste etc.

Toilet rolls, tissue boxes and mosquito coil provided.

And if it's not enough, there is mosquito net for every bed.

Plan for BBQ, bring some poker cards, but not mahjong-lahh.. 

It's quiet and peaceful out there.. so keep it that way. 

Bottom line - to enjoy oneself here, the more the merrier!

Verdict:

Some may find this place pretty boring.

But that is why we picked this place as our holiday destination.

To get away from hustle and bustle of the city life.

To retreat to nature.

To relax and have a peaceful time.

To do nothing, and buat bodoh aje.

I appreciate the greeneries there.

The simple place to stay.

The chirping birds and crickets, 

the sound of leaves being blown slowly by the wind.

All these actually calm me down alot.

But in the end, we are all looking at our phones 

to play games, listen to music, watch Russell Peters etc. 

It's pretty hard to get by without technologies and gadgets.

We are all indeed city boys and girls. 

Website : http://www.serendah.com

-------------------------------------

Photos of our trip on 27th - 28th October 2012 to share.

Took me 3 weeks to review the place.

Unbelievably busy recently. 

Slept at 4am yesterday and I'm still awake now. 

Getting old by a year in two days time and I'm acting like a teen?!!

entrance to our timber shed (enter from back)

Barry and I

Watching Lorax coz we are darn bored

the ceiling with natural lighting

wall not plastered, just basic bricks built up, ceiling fan (no air-con) and mosquito net for every beds

traditional window engraving

the kitchen that may look simple, but it has all the basic stuffs u need

the walkway with wired chairs

Sung Sung, Barry, ET and Joyce

My brother, my best bud, my mentor, my caretaker, my friend, my love, my everything for the past 8 years.

The simple bedroom. Comfy enough to sleep.

Brought Domo along.. shhh.. he escaped from the RM50 additional pax charge :)

even their comment card is so simple.. and yes, do be eco friendly and save the water & energy

smiling happily behind bars

... and that's Sung Sung in the bathroom!

we were all looking for the bathrooms and toilets, was surprised to find that this is it.. 

as simple as a shower rose, and a shampoo stand..
behind that wall is the car park... imagine how insecure it feels..
and when it's windy / raining, no way you gonna take your bath...

mandi kerbau that day... :P

the toilet

Timber shed open concept, this is what I mean!
(this is the view when you stretch your hands up high against the brick wall from the car park)

the simple water tap which is made by just a rounded stone?

front view of the timber shed

it's great to have you along with us! :)

I'm like a bird version 2.0

scary and dark for jungle treking here.. 

the 4-feet swimming pool

our dinner! considered a lavish one despite being in a jungle.. 

dry curry chicken

dry vege curry

fried eggs

the RM20 is worth it cause it's a big portion and simply yummylicious!

watching Russell Peters before going out to the town

morning breakfast : mum's famous mihun siam - heated up by Chef Barry

dirty waterfall - nothing to shout about - forget about coming here!

OMG it's 3am!!! Sleeping time!!!

Read More