Malaysia - Day One on Mabul Island

Day two of the adventure! Yvonne and I were up early to take a cab to the airport, I was really impressed with how easily Yvonne was able to wake up! After checking in, and getting to the terminal we skyped Dad since it was Christmas Day for him.

Common themes of the trip: Yvonne making fun of me for sleeping almost any chance I got, and Yvonne struggling at life (I failed to mention in my previous post that Yvonne had trouble lifting her luggage down the steps at the subway station and even more trouble lifting her luggage up the intense flights of stairs at Reggae Mansion.)

I slept while Yvonne ate her coated green peas which I refused to try.

        

Arriving in Tawau was wonderful and warm. We made it through immigration (after leaving the line because Yvonne couldn't find her passport, then re-entered the line). We took turns changing in the bathroom as I was wearing my fleece outfit again as Air Asia flights are always super cold. This was Yvonne's first experience with squatter toilets which I found hilarious. I warned her before she went but I guess she didn't understand what I meant and she freaked out a little bit when she came back out. Leaving the airport we were greeted by a man from Scuba Junkie who led us to a van full of other people and off we went on the long drive to Semporna. Of course, I slept. 

                 

Arriving in Semporna at Scuba Junkie was so exciting. The best part of the trip was about to begin! We sorted everything out then went and had lunch with a lady named Joey (on vacation from teaching in China) as we had a few hours to spare until our boat transfer to Mabul.

Joey!

The following two photos are from the restaurant at Semporna Dive Lodge

Scuba Junkie on the Semporna side

When it was time to head to the boat, Yvonne's struggles continued as she tried to roll her luggage down a run down dock. There are gaps between the boards of the dock which her luggage wheels got caught in. I had to capture the moment.

And again on the island when she had to roll her luggage down a dirt path. 

And the time she had to lift her luggage up the stairs to our accommodation. 

Getting ahead of myself here though, let's back track to the boat ride over!

Probably sleeping! 

Then, we arrived! MABUL!!

One thing that I think is really awesome about Scuba Junkie is that they have a turtle hatchery. I learned the local community can earn money by selling eggs that are laid on the island. In order to protect these threatened animals, Scuba Junkie will pay locals five times the going price for illegal eggs if they inform the Scuba Junkie staff when turtles are laying eggs on the beach. The eggs are then relocated to the hatchery as you can see in the picture below. Later they are released back into the ocean. You can even adopt and name a turtle! Super cool.  

A shot of the locals living conditions. I did not take this picture and don't really advocate taking images of the locals as for me it seems more like 'entertainment' and it shouldn't be. But it does give you an idea of their living conditions. 

Some of the local children who would surround us as we played back videos on our cameras. 

After unpacking and getting settled, we headed to the beach to relax before dinner. 

The rest of the evening was spent up in the lounge. I was able to catch up with Deano, the instructor Mel and I had in July. The next day I would be starting my Deep Specialty with Deano and Yvonne would be off snorkelling.  

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