Malaysia - Mabul Island

Monday morning we woke up, got all of our belongings together and headed to the dive centre to catch the transfer boat to Mabul Island where we would be staying for the next two nights. It was about an hour boat ride to the island. We had both discussed before that we were hoping for a male instructor and hoping that it would just be the two of us in the class. Mel has seen other classes where there are several other people with one instructor, so we really didn't know what we were getting into. We also did the classroom portion of the course online (which was a bit intense as it was loonggg) before leaving for Malaysia which meant we would be in the water right away. When we got onto the jetty a lady told us to go get our equipment. We had no idea what we needed as this was going to be our first day of our dive course, so we mentioned that to her and when she realized it was our first day, she found our instructor for us - Deano!

We were both relieved that it was a guy! Deano is from Wales, is hilarious, confident and good at what he does which made the experience that much better. The first thing we had to do was fill out some forms then we had to do a swim and float test in the roped off portion of the ocean next to the jetty. We both passed this without any issues. We learned a lot that day about the equipment, how to set up the equipment and we practiced a lot of skills in the water. Despite snorkelling a million times in my life, I still for some reason get a bit of anxiety about being able to breathe underwater. I hope with more regular diving practice that this will go away because it's super annoying! I know that it is all in my head and I just need to get over it. I did let Deano know so that he would be aware of it though and he was really good at checking in on me when we went under and keeping eye contact with me as I usually needed to take a moment. I really appreciated this.

After all of our learning and skill practicing we went on our first dive! Not going to lie, I almost had a mini panic attack while we floated along the bottom to watch some fish, as again, it's a different type of breathing that you had to get used to. But I recognized that it was just in my head and was able to calm myself and carry on happily and comfortably. During this dive we saw sea turtles! As well as some other cool fish: Harlequin Sweetlips, longfinned batfish, moorish idol, trumpetfish etc. I have a huge list in my dive log book. It was a amazing first experience. We went 11.8 meters and were under for 43 minutes.

Next was lunch. At Scuba Junkie on Mabul, buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner is provided with the accommodation so that was nice and the food was delicious. After lunch, we did our second dive where we practiced more skills in the water. During this dive we saw a Pacific lionfish, hermit crab, chevron barracuda, yellow boxfish, giant pufferfish etc. Again, an amazing dive at 11.8 meters for 43 minutes. Mel went through her air faster than I did, which meant coming up a bit earlier but I was told I would probably last an hour.

Shower, get ready, eat dinner, then we sat down with Deano to go over the dives and do our log book with him in the bar at the resort. Another person staying at the resort, Raj, had just completed his Divemaster certification so there was the traditional "snorkel test". This consisted of him spinning, finding his way back to a chair then having to drink an alcoholic concoction through a snorkel. Hilarious.

The rest of the night was spent drinking cider and chatting with the staff and other people staying at the resort. There were a lot of people from the Netherlands. Raj also came by to help us turn on our aircon as we couldn't seem to figure it out. Unfortunately we didn't get to take camera underwater with us, though to be honest that was better as it meant we were focussing more on learning the skills. But it also means we did not get any pictures of us, not even of us in our gear on the jetty which is too bad - next time! I did take a few other pictures though.

Standing nex to the real life drawing of the turtle we saw while diving - huge!

The jetty!

Tuesday

Day two of our course was even better than the first! We started the day diving underwater with our snorkel on. This was something I was a bit terrified to do. I have been snorkelling several times, and have seen other people do it, but never thought I would ever go underwater wearing my snorkel out of fear that I would mistakenly breathe in all of the water. But again, Deano was incredibly patient and supportive. And I did it! I did and it was fine and I felt so ridiculous for being terrified cause I did it. 

We got our gear on and went underwater to do more skills. It was a bit funny because somehow Mel kept losing her fins that day and I kept losing my snorkel. Again, we are a bit special apparently. As we were doing skills underwater a turtle swam by us!! So cool! Then we went swimming around after doing the skills. We arrived at one spot where we ended up being completely surrounded by a school of fish, they were swimming all around us, tons of them. It was absolutely amazing, definitely the highlight of the entire trip for me. It was just so so incredible, I can't even put the experience into words. Just amazing. I think it was then that I truly fell in love with diving. We went down 17 meters during this dive. 

That afternoon we did a boat dive. All of our dives up to this point were off the jetty, which means going into the water down steps then going underwater from that point. This time we were going to go off the boat - again terrified! We had to hold the second stage (regulator) and snorkel mask with our hands then fall backwards off the boat into the water. Again, terrified, but I did it and it was awesome. I must mention that it was up to ourselves to get our equipment onto the boat. Our boat was the third one over from the dock which meant carrying everything from the dock to the first boat, to the second boat then to ours. Mel and I made two trips and carried our BDCs on the second trip. Deano and Mel, already knowing that I am a bit of a princess (and I have accepted that) had to laugh when I was carrying my BCD then one of the boatmen offered to carry it over for me. I insisted that I could do it - cause I could have - but he took it anyways. It was a hilarious moment for me because of course that would happen to me. It was another amazing dive we saw a blue spotted sting ray among other fish. My favourite was seeing a broadclub cuttlefish though. If you are unsure of what this is, please go google it, because it is the coolest looking thing. I was amazed to be so close to it, staring at it in wonder. 

Also, despite putting on 50 spf sunscreen every time we got out of the water, my forearms and forehead still managed to get burnt. The sun and I have a good relationship. I had this fantastic burn line from my snorkel mask for the rest of the trip.

That night we had celebratory drinks for completing the course, other divers joined us but by the end of the night it was just Mel, Deano, Raj and myself until the bar closed. From there we moved to the beach and stared at the stars just enjoying the night until 2am. Such a perfect way to end the best two days of the entire trip (in my opinion). 

With Deano and Mel after getting pictures taken for our PADI ID card

Wednesday

This was a sad day as we were leaving the island. We spent the morning walking around, taking some pictures. Here is what our room and some of the resort looked like:

Our private room for the two nights

So pretty!

  

While heading to the jetty to catch the boat back to Semporna we ran into Deano and Raj and took a bunch of pictures while waiting for the boat to arrived. They stuck around to send us off which was awesome of them. 

Trying to get the sign in ...

From here we would head back to Semporna to make our way to Sepilok, the top part of the island to do the jungle part of our trip. 

Honestly, to not have any expectations when it came to diving, it truly still blows me away how much I enjoyed doing it. I loved diving. The rest of the trip, every time I closed my eyes, I dreamt about diving, I still do, it's all I think about. A door has been opened that could potentially change everything if I choose to walk through it. It's so hard to convey through a post what the experience meant to me, and how it's changed so much for me and could change so much for me but I know that those who I have talked to about it can see that it's something that means a lot to me. Spoiler - I will be going back here at Christmas to do my Advanced Open Water certificate with the potential of continuing my certifications after that. Depending on how my experience is at Christmas time I will be considering doing my rescue diver after my contract is up in Korea and hopefully that will lead to me going for my divemaster and possible continuing on to instructor level at some point where ever life takes me from Korea. 

<3

Malaysia - Kuala Lumpur & Semporna

Where to begin, Malaysia! Everything about this trip was unexpected and went beyond what I ever thought it would be. I wanted to go to Malaysia but didn't have any real desires to do anything in specific. Mel on the other hand really wanted to do her open water diving certification and wanted to see orangutans so that became the basis for planning the trip. I had always thought I would enjoy scuba diving but it was never something on my list to get done necessarily, I was neither for or against doing it but figured I'd do the certification with her.

Mel, Chris and I had tickets to go see a ballet on ice which was the story of Sleeping Beauty, the night before we left for the trip. We made it from work just in the nick of time and enjoyed the performance. I am still not sure of the difference of a ballet on ice and figure skating, but to me it was just figure skating? Either was it was good. Afterwards we were starving and decided to grab dinner at a place called VIPS - well known for their steak. I had not eaten a steak in over a year by that point, so this was truly an event. We each got a steak and enjoyed the buffet, definitely a great start to our vacation week!

Afterwards Mel and I headed back to my apartment, she slept over as there is an airport bus near my apartment and we had to be up early to catch our flight. I packed that night (naturally) and we grabbed a few hours of sleep. 

Tired and on our way to the airport

Our flight was delayed that morning but we eventually go on our way. We flew with Air Asia which was a bit disappointing as they did not provide food, drinks (not even water), blankets or pillows, or entertainment. They didn't provide anything, cheap flight, but still! I froze the whole way there as I only brought a light cardigan with me. Hours later we arrived in Kuala Lumpur, bought a bus ticket to KL Sentral to then take the subway the rest of the way to our hostel. The bus situation was a bit disorganized. We were assigned seat numbers, the same ones that other people were assigned. So it ended up just being first come first serve and when the bus filled up we left. When we got to KL Sentral we found the subway line we needed without any issues, instead of a ticket or card you are given a blue token!

We stayed in a place called Reggae Mansion which is a well known party hostel - it was super nice! After checking in we were given directions to our room but we are a bit special and could not find it at all. A few people tried to give us directions but we still had to go back to the front desk and get them to take us there. I should mention that Reggae Mansion is several floors and has columns/sections if that makes sense?? We stayed in a 24 bed dorm. 

We asked the people who were already in our room for a recommendation on a place to eat, they suggested a place called President... something? We walked into the place and all of the food was sitting out in the open and that among other things, we were turned off and left. We begun our search of the Petronas Towers. We could see them, so walked in that direction. We walked, and walked and decided we weren't going the right way so headed back, and grabbed some McDonalds of all things! Funny story though, we sat down and began eating only to realize that no one else was eating around us. Everyone had food in front of them but no one was eating. We found it to be so strange. Finally, when the clock turned to 7pm, everyone started eating. It took us a moment but we realized it was Ramadan - duh! We felt a bit silly and a bit awkward for eating. 

With some food in our stomachs we continued our search for the Petronas Towers and finally made it to them! We took a ton of photos! Honestly, I didn't care so much to see them but they were beyond impressive and demanded your attention. Incredible. 

                    

When we got back to Reggae Mansion we headed up to the rooftop bar with some people we met in our room for a drink then headed to bed as we had a flight to Borneo the next morning.

Random observations from the first day:

1) As soon as we were in the city walking around, I really felt like Malaysia is a place where I could live for a while and enjoy. 

2) Crosswalks don't seem to work or matter. We often waited for a crosswalk light to change and they never did. Look both ways and run!

3) It was a bit refreshing to see the English alphabet everywhere despite not being able to read anything. 

Sunday

The next day we got up and enjoyed a complimentary breakfast of pancakes and watermelon at Reggae before heading to the airport. I think it was due to the lack of sleep but I really had a hard time understanding anything anybody said to me that morning. Also for some reason we had to pay $10 ringgit to get our boarding passes. We had some time to spare at the airport and found a British shop (which Mel was ecstatic about) so we spent some time in there and then had tea at Starbucks. We didn't get to sit beside on that flight, but the man across the aisle from me moved so Mel came up and sat there. There was also a ridiculous child sitting two rows in front of me that kept screaming, throwing things and SPITTING on the people sitting in the row behind (which was the row in front of me). I felt really sorry for that lady and astonished that the parents weren't doing anything. 

We arrived in Tawau, unsure of how we had planned to get to Semporna. When I went through immigration, the officer knew we were going diving at Mabul (which was really strange) and thought Mel and I were sisters ... despite our passports being from different countries. He also asked Mel if we were travelling alone and seemed to think we should have had men with us?! I was pretty sure that Mel had arranged some sort of transportation but she didn't think she had, so we decided to first see if there was a guy outside with our names on a paper (which Mel didn't think would happen) otherwise we would take a taxi. We step outside and there was a guy waiting for us! Apparently Scuba Junkie arranged someone to pick us up to take us to Semporna. So we jumped into this stranger's unmarked car, hoped for the best and both fell immediately asleep despite our efforts to stay awake to be aware of where we were going. Amazingly the 2 hour drive was only $15!! 

He dropped us off at the Scuba Junkie dive centre, we registered then got set up across the street at the dive lodge where we would be spending the night before heading to Mabul Island the next day. We had planned to go for a walk, but grabbed food at the connected bar/restaurant and never left. We sat there at the same table for 5 hours ordering food, shakes, tea, fruit and 4 x 1500ml bottles of water. One of the guys kept laughing at us for how much water we kept drinking and ordering but clearly we were dehydrated. It was a good relaxing night of food and playing cards. The fruit was so cheap compared to Korea! Some people who had dived that day arrived later and we got a bit more information from them as to what to expect but really we had no idea what to expect at all. 

Our room in Semporna

The next two days we would spend on Mabul Island doing the two practical days of our open water course - stay tuned! 

<3

One Year in Korea

My official one year mark in Korea has passed - while I knew, and was told by many that it would go by fast, I'm still shocked by how it really did. To celebrate, my co-workers and I went out for dinner at the same restaurant I went to on my first night here, which has become one of my favourite spots to eat at. I am happy to still be in Korea despite the fact that I think it would be more fulfilling to be at a different school. I continually feel amazed at how I got myself to this point and feel blessed for all of the things I have been able to do and experience. On a less sentimental note, I am impressed with myself for how well I packed for one year! Some questioned my choices of certain items, like my favourite bottle of lotion which I am still using! I have only recently run out of my favourite toothpaste, but teaser, I found some in Malaysia! I now have six and a half months left on my contract. I am still not sure of what my plan is, where I will go from here, what I will do ... or if I'll stay. This is something that I will (have to) explore in the upcoming months. While I do have some ideas, my logic and my passion are colliding.

One picture from MudFest that wasn't around for my last post! This was at the beginning of the day, we were covered head to toe later on. L-R: Noelia, me, Scott, Maynah, Tatiana, Mel & Chris

There has been a few changes this last month with my class. I got a new student - Joe! Then I got another "new" student. She actually went to LCI last year, but did not return for the new school year. But she has returned - Zooey! After having her in my class for about a month, she was moved to another class because the two girls in my class currently are very close and Zooey was feeling lonely. That doesn't interrupt class dynamics at all .... Then just before summer vacation I had to change classrooms as the parents of the six year old class felt that their kids were in a classroom that was too far away from the teacher's room. So alas, I had to change classrooms with that class. This meant taking everything off the walls, moving everything out of the class and then reorganizing in the new room. More recently, this past week, I got another new student - Sungmin! Changes, changes, changes. Last year my class consisted of mostly girls (aside from one boy) and this year my class is mostly boys (aside from two girls) which has definitely had it's own set of challenges but it's been great experiencing both.  

Meet Joe, Zooey and Sungmin! 

 

We have also had two field trips in this past bit. The first one was to the fire station as safety has been a huge focus since the ferry accident. It was actually a bit awful. The morning of the field trip we were told that along with the trip to the fire station, we would be having a fire drill. Our supervisor proceeds to tell us that when we hear the bell, we will line up and go to the roof of the school. I immediately questioned this as if your building is on fire that is the last place you would want to be as the building could collapse. She did not realize/consider/think of that and her response was that we would go to the roof because "the helicopters would save us." WHAT?! As if there are going to be a bunch of helicopters to get take people off the roof! Why would you not go down and out of the building!? This completely blew all of our minds. They also admitted to not knowing how to use the fire extinguisher nor did they know where it was located in the school!!!??? HOW ARE YOU IN CHARGE OF A SCHOOL OF CHILDREN! We were also asked if you are supposed to cover your mouth while getting out of the building. So bizarre. The children really enjoyed the fire station though. They had a chance to use the fire hose and see the fire truck.

Roy using the fire hose

L-R: Jae-Hun, Isla, Jenny, Jaden, Roy and the firefighter.. chief?

This past week we went to a place nearby called Artpia. This is the first field trip ever where the children just got to play and have fun, it was amazing. They cut out shapes from glow-in-the-dark clay, played in a bean pit, played in a ball pit, had a picnic outside and got to see a view of the city. FUN! 

Jenny, Isla and Sungmin with their shapes

Everyone working away

Bean pit!

Jae-Hun looking mischievous 

My girls <3

Joe collected every leaf he could find in the pit

Ball pit!

Roy did not like the ball pit for some reason and wouldn't go in, so instead we took pictures and played rock, paper, scissors. 

  

The view from the 4th floor - my neighbourhood! 

Class picture in front of a ... Christmas display?? Sungmin, Joe, Jae-Hun, Roy, Jaden, Jenny, Isla and me! I feel like this picture depicts their personalities well. 

Other tidbits: I sincerely appreciate how the honour system is still used and possible in this country. For example, at the post office if you need to purchase an envelope for instance there is a table where you take one and leave money in a jar for the amount it costs. No till or real transaction, it's so great. 

I was also listening to JRFM as I often do through their online live stream. I thought it would be funny to tweet them to get them to play a song and see if they would give me a shout out on air - and they did!!! He not only responded to my tweet, and wrote back in Korean, they made a shout out to me on air. It absolutely made my day. 

Lastly, this past weekend, I went to the JYP One Mic Concert. I figured I would go see a Kpop (Korean pop) concert while I am here. It was a lot of fun, though probably would have been even more fun had I known more of the songs. It was still great though and the fan girls constant screaming was hilarious.

Stay tuned for my posts about Malaysia!! <3