A MONKEY'S DREAMCATCHER

Monday, December 14, 2009

INDONESIAN OPEN X-SPORTS CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI FINALS AND FINALS DAY (PART 8) BOULDERING - NOVEMBER 2009 MAKASSAR, SULAWESI INDONESIA

We felt like we were eating ENGINE OIL.. SERIOUSLY!

OUR TREAT after the unbelivable event!

PACKED BAZAAR!

CHIEF Organizer, ROUTE SETTER RONALD and MUA!

Me and Korean Team Manager in the middle!

ALL OF US!

Mua with da KOREAN power women!

BEAUTIFUL SUNSET at the walls :D

SHE'S FINE! Look at her muscles people!

IN PAIN!

Injured but lucky after the last route.. she got 2nd! Congratz!

Ing Kiong from KOREA!

The crowd in the evening sessions!

MENS FINAL! 5 indons and 1 Korean!

Indonesian Female Climber.. very strong!

GOOD GOOD FOOD!

Mua and the winner of the IOXC 2009 Bouldering comp Ponti

Haroz smokes before event!

Myself and da awesome walls!

Haroz and his Manager

The Bunch

Yan. Mua. Khairul Hafiz. Salfarina

Early morning of the SEMIS!

GOOD FOOD!

INDONESIAN OPEN X-SPORTS CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFYING ROUND (PART 7) BOULDERING - NOVEMBER 2009 - MAKASSAR, SULAWESI, INDONESIA

I'm done! Better luck next time. Patxi Usobiaga from Spain who has been the World Cup Champion a couple of times has said Climbing can be the most frustrating because all the training is lost with one tiny slip of the foot. I am mentioning this because ironically this happen to me onthe 3rd route. I was at the last hold already and my foot slipped of the tiny foot hold.
Patxi mention this in the latest Rock Climbing video 2009 entitled PROGRESSION by BIG UP Productions. AWESOME CLIMBING VIDEO I tell ya. HIGHLY Recommended to watch.

Mua lookin at da previous route which I just climbed! I could have finished this route but I didn't try again. I was already holding the last hold but my leg slipped off the super tiny foot hold! Better luck next time I guess. If I had finished this route.. I would have been in the SEMI FINALS!!!

Khairul Hafiz

Peace!

About to climb my 2nd route with I Top!

Not pumped yet! Wasted though. could have finished this route.

INDONESIAN OPEN X-SPORTS CHAMPIONSHIP (PART6) BOULDERING - NOVEMBER 2009 - MAKASSAR, SULAWESI INDONESIA

More good food compliments of the kind Owners of the facility!

I'm proud of this :D

Apparently I am a fashion designer :D

Us Mini taxi vanon da way to Diamond Mall :D

Us with the OWNERS of the facility and many other buildings! They were so kind to us all!

This meal was on the house from the owners of this entire place! Unbelivable!

INDONESIAN OPEN X-SPORTS CHAMPIONSHIP (PART 5) BOULDERING - NOVEMBER 2009 MAKASSAR, SULAWESI, INDONESIA

Sunset!

Ing Kiong from KOREA! She is one stong woman!

They actually used AWESOME VELVET CLOTHS to cover the Bouldering walls!

Att a.k.a. Real. Mua. Khairul Hafiz. Haroz

The LOWYAT of Makassar!

Spectators or Security? I have to say the whole event was really under tight security!

TOILETS behind the Walls :D

ATT from Thailand. Mua and Salfarina

SPEED CLIMBING WALL

AWESOME VELVET CLOTHS to cover the Bouldering walls!

IFSC (INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF SPORT CLIMBING) :D

IFSC (INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF SPORT CLIMBING) Woohooooo!

INDONESIAN OPEN X-SPORTS CHAMPIONSHIP (BOULDERING) NOVEMBER 2009 (OPENING CEREMONY) - MAKASSAR, SULAWESI INDONESIA

VIDEOGRAPHER for the event!

ATHLETES are seated with the VIP's during the Opening Ceremony. So cool coz we were treated like stars :D

Traditional Dance

THE WALLS from a distance!

Haroz and Hafiz. POSERS!

I REPRESENT MALAYSIA!!!

Khairul Hafiz. Sal. Me and Yan

KOREAN TEAM.. SCARY!

Stage

Official Opening

INDONESIAN OPEN X-SPORTS CHAMPIONSHIP (BOULDERING) NOVEMBER 2009 - MAKASSAR, SULAWESI INDONESIA

REFRESHING i tell ya expecially with the 41 degrees temperatures in Makassar!

MORE GOOD LOCAL FOOD!

Khairul Hafiz. Mua. Yan and Salfarina

DAMN HIGH curb!

INDONESIAN OPEN X-SPORTS CHAMPIONSHIP (PART 2) - NOVEMBER 2009

Are we in Singapore or Makassar?

HOTEL

Da taxi van which has a steering wheel the size of the ones they have on Daytona arcade machines.. seriously!

Salfarina

Haroz n Yan

Mua n Hafiz

AWESOME DINNER!

The bunch with Organizers.. They were very kind to bring us all ATHLETES out for such good local food!

Haroz and Mua

Hafiz n Sal

INDONESIAN OPEN X-SPORTS CHAMPIONSHIP (BOULDERING) NOVEMBER 2009 - MAKASSAR, SULAWESI INDONESIA

STEAM RIBS!

AWESOME LOCAL DISH.. BBq RIBS!

Quite a decent room!

Hotel Lobby!

Our super small bus to fit everyone!

Rock Climbers, Bladers, Skateboarder, BMX all come to disturb Makassar's Airport :D

Hafiz n Mua

Mua, Sal and Haroz at LCCT waiting for Boarding to Makassar!

Monday, November 9, 2009

BEAUTIFUL BLUE SEASON BALI DIVE CENTRE - SANUR, BALI - 0CTOBER 2009

Entrance to Blue Season Bali DIVE Centre :D

Packed Dive Centre.. Blue Season Bali seriously has so many staff to accommodate every single Diver!

Mua and the Beautiful Chillout Dive Centre! I have to say this is the most beautiful dive centre I've been in. No doubt about thatn =)

ATSY chillin at the BEAUTIFUL Blue Season Bali DIVE Centre!

Inside Blue Season Bali DIVE Centre when its a lil more quiet :D

Its gonna be hard to find another dive centre as beautiful as Blue Season Bali in Sanur, Bali Indonesia. Its so relaxing. Its well designed. Wish all dive centres can be like this one :D
-AA-

OUR BEAUTIFUL SUKUN COTTAGE IN SANUR BALI - OCTOBER 2009

Outside our beautiful room :D

The Porch outside our room. Pretty cool place to chillout in the evening and have a cold drink but after a nice hot shower. After diving is the cold waters of Nusa Penida, trust me the best feeling to have is being in the warm / hot showers :D

Outside of our room :D

Awesome room!

Our luggage. My red bag, ATSY's pull bag & my giant DIVE BAG which can probably 2 full sets of Dive gears :D

Such a large Toilet :D

Open Air SHOWER :D So cool! Its a good thing we had Hot showers :D

Pebbles for reflexology while showering :D

Pool side :D

Beautiful surroundings outside al ofl our rooms!

The Breakfast area!

ATSY at our hangout spot at night in Sanur!

Very very thick chocolate dessert I have to say!

The restaurant!

You know when I started diving, I really didn't care what kinda accommodation I'd stay in. I'll just rough it out with friends. But I gotta admit that now I need to stay in a resonably nice place on a diving trip. I have a good reason for that though because after a long day and 3 - 5 dives a day I'd really like a nice comfortable place to relax after that. So i'm willing to save money and go for a nice trip rather than go on a super budget trip and rough it out.
-AA-

KUTA BEACH - BALI 0CTOBER 2009

Me and HARD ROCK'S giant surf board!

ATSY and HARD ROCK'S giant surf board!

I bought a T-shirt :D

Diver chiq turned Surfer chiq :D

ATSY washing her hands outside a public toilet a long KUTA Beach :D

Bali Bombing Memorial!

All the Bali Bombing victim names listed here at the Memorial

Cool Sun Glass shop with water display above it!

ATSY & the Cool Sun Glass shop with water display above it!

ATSY surfer chiq or Diving chiq now.. hmm!

SUMO Diver :D

My very large buddy!

Surfers!

HOT Chiq gettin some sun :D

Surfers looking out for a good wave!

Mua & KUTA BEACH!

ATSY & KUTA BEACH!

Checkout this awesome KITE shaped like a Ship!

ATSY & Mua with the Sunset on KUTA Beach

We were extremely tired!!!

Mua on KUTA Beach with the beautiful Sunset!

EGG YOLK!

Checkout the amount of water up in the air from the waves!

ATSY & her delidious meal at an Italian Restaurant.. We had to have a good meal at least once!

& her delidious meal at an Italian Restaurant.. We had to have a good meal at least once!

I gotta say that Bali is freakin awesome! I would love to go back there again. Sad to say we didn't get to see the Mola Mola a.k.a. Ocean Sun fish this time at Nusa Penida but We'll definitely make another trip to look for them and brave the cold waters :D Seriously people.. Diving 18 degress is really not fun at all :0 What a great trip overall I'd say :D I think it'll be so fun to come back with a bunch of friends :D
-AA-

CORAL GARDEN NEXT TO LIBERTY WRECK - TULAMBEN BALI, 0CTOBER 2009

Beautiful Corals!

Latticed Sand Perch

Unidentified at the moment!

Latticed Sand Perch. So many types of these fishes man!

ATSY doin the Kungfu!

ATSY taking some pictures of beautiful critters!

Our AWESOME SUPER SIZE ROOM :D

This is the name of the accommodation we stayed in :D So nice!

This was the end of our trip in Tulamben. We decided to dive Coral Garden last because its beautiful and very relaxing shallow dive. Loads of critters and fish to take pictures and more bottom time :D Gonna miss it a lot! But I'll head back there again for sure!
-AA-

LIBERTY WRECK DIVING 2ND DAY - TULAMBEN BALI 0CTOBER 2009

Funny JAWFISH with EGGS in its mouth yo! We're so lucky to see it with the eggs because its only in the mouth for 5 - 7 days! He lives in the same hole but at 29m.. ishh.. so we can only stay a few minutes to get some good shots! Funny guy really!

Turning away from me.. ishh!

Side profile!

Male Ornate Ghost Pipefish.. See the fella taking picture behind.. dammit took forever.. ass!

This I have to say is one of my best pictures taken at Liberty Wreck. Beautiful beams of wreck taken from way below.. I'm looking upwards for this shot! Beautiful!

Beautiful beams of LIBERTY WRECK!

Parts of LIBERTY WRECK in Black & White!

The very large Spearing MANTIS SHRIMP :D We were almost reaching the end of our dive when I spotted this fella.

Upside down BAby Lionfish.. Not so cute if it touches u :D

SWEET LIPS =P

Flagtail Shrimp & Goby :D

The second day of Diving Liberty Wreck was just as fruitful as the first day. So much to see and I tell ya you need more days to cover everything.
-AA-

NIGHT DIVE AT LIBERTY WRECK - TULAMBEN BALI OCTOBER 2009

BEAUTIFUL Glossodoris Atromarginata Nudibranch :D

Jorunna Funebris Nudibranch!

Coral Worm.. These fellas damages coral reefs =(

Grouper sleeping inside!

Full grown 7 foot NEPOLEON WRASSE was sleeping inside. This whole Big hole was all Blue and when he heard us comin slowly he still decided to swim deeper inside.. u can see his tail!

a different coloured PARROT FISH sleeping! Beautiful :D

Porcupine Fish sleeping! The fella was so so so shallow! About 2 feet cause I spotted this fella while i was already at the surface!

Dinner with David..our cool Dive Guide and Instructor from Blue Season Bali.

Night Diving is a must do when you're in Tulamben. Such an awesome experience. Some parts can be a lil creepy but I alwiz try to focus on looking for critters and fishes. I never thought I'd get a chance to dive around an actually WWII Wreck :D

DIVING LIBERTY WRECK 1ST DAY - 0CTOBER 2009

Finally.. I've seen a PGYMY SEAHORSE :D Great moment this one!

Young Ornate Ghose Pipefish ( Transparent fella ). So cool!

DOUBLE Chromodorididae Risbecia Tyroni Nudibranch :D

My 1st MIMIC OCTOPUS :D Such smart & cool creatures!

Phyllidiidae Slug ( Not a Nudibranch ) Don't be mistaken!

Commensal Shrimp showing some attitude :D

Stingray chillin in the sand.. scary.. must be careful coz they are so well camouflaged!

Parts of d awesome LIBERTY WRECK!

Facelinidae Family : Pteraeolidia Ianthina Nudibranch

The approach to Liberty Wreck.. not the most beautiful floor really haha but LOADS of CRITTERS :D

The pool side from our Balcony!

The view of the ocean from our room balcony!

I gotta say that my first day diving at Liberty Wreck is truly memorable. So many critters to see and loads of different kinds of marine life. Its a good thing we dived the wreck after Nusa Penida coz the water here is so much warmer. Haha! Accomodation is pretty sweet I'd say. More pictures to come!
-AA-

Friday, November 6, 2009

BALI DIVING AT NUSA PENIDA - OCTOBER 2009

We managed to see 3 huge Manta Rays just swimming on the surface at Manta Point. I managed to take a picture of the Manta's fin before we jumped into the water. Sad to say though while we were underwater we could not find them. Reason was they were hanging out to close to the rocks and we could not get any closer to the rocks to look for them because of the strong surge we encountered. When we came back up onto the boat we saw them right where we left them. Its okay I guess I'll have to come back but I think I'll rather head to the Similan Islands again or Richelieu Rock to see Manta's because the water is much much warmer.. hehe =P I'm still happy though =)

This arch reminds me so much of Chris Sharma's KING LINES Deep Water Solo route which he climbed and finished in Mallorca, Spain. He set the grade 9b / 5.15B. So far unrepeated. Chris Sharma is the best Rock Climber in the world by da way =P

I love wearing this CAMARO Hood!

ATSY giving her Ninja pose =P

This dive by the way was our sixth dive in Nusa Penida and it was also the COLDEST.. 18 Degrees man! Freakin damn cold! I was so cold I could not take a decent picture of this beautiful Nudibranch.

One part of Nusa Penida was beautiful =)

Peace!

ATSY posing =)

Blue Season Bali is offcially the best looking Dive Centre I have ever seen so far and with the most staff. Its unbelievable how many Dive Instructors and Dive Masters they have there. Beautiful I tell ya!

Blue Season Bali's transportation for us =)

You want some Chinese food says ATSY =P She's really tired so excuse her okie =P

We had some good fortune throughout our dive trip in Bali. We got to see so many different kinds of marine life. We didn't get to see our Mola Mola though so perhaps next time.

The flowers for prayers which most people in Bali put outside their property =)

I have to say that diving in Nusa Penida is pretty challenging and Super Cold. On average its like 23 - 24 degrees. Our sixth dive at Crystal Bay was 18 degrees. That was no joke. I was out of the water in 24 minutes and after half an hour everyone else was out of the water! Its a great experience but I'll definitely go back there just to look for the Mola Mola's but with a much thicker wetsuit =)
-AA-

ALAIN ROBERTS A.K.A. SPIDERMAN FINALLY TOPS PETRONAS TWIN TOWERS

French Climber Alain Roberts a.k.a Spiderman finally completes and accomplishes Petronas Twin Towers in our city of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. His first attempt was in March 20, 1997 in which law enforcement stopped him at the 60th floor where there's a ledge for him to get inside easily and he did. 10 Years later on the same date 20th March, 2007 Alain Roberts second attempt to climb KLCC had come to an end again when law enforcements got tipped off and again stopped him on the 60th floor. By then I was wondering when will he be coming back and hope I'd be ready to catch a glimpse of him as I am a huge fan.

But this time he surprised everyone. Sneeky Alain Roberts came to Kuala Lumpur again and on the 1st of September, 2009 he begun his climb at around 5 something in the morning. Because he started climbing so early it was dark and managed to climb most of the way unnoticed. And there the man who failed twice to climb our twin towers finally achieved his Dream. Climbing and finishing KLCC was Alain Roberts Dream for many years. I didn't think he would climb right to the very top where the small ball is. Its crazy! Its funny how we all see the Malaysian Special Forces come in a chopper to get him at the top with all the best safety equipment in the world and there you see Alain Roberts standing right at the top of the ball with his hands in the air and without any safety waving our Malaysian Flag.. Unbelivable :D
-AA-

Saturday, October 31, 2009

THUNDERBIRDS - UNITED STATES AIR FORCE F-16 FIGHTER JETS AIR SHOW AT TUDM - 03.10.09.

All in line and ready to head to the runway for some action!

Pilots chilling on the tarmac just like the movies.. Fighter pilots and crew are just too cool!

Even females get to be pilots.. Don't mess around!

In formation!

U-TURN!

So so cool to be chilling on top of the plane while the air show goes on.

Silhouette of the F-16's!

GIANT C-17's Cargo Plane.. This is pretty cool!

Back of the GIANT C-17 Cargo plane.

They are so cool yet so discipline. Its so hot and still lining up!

ATSY with d C-17 Cargo Plane.

Mua with the Giant C-17 Cargo Plane.

ATSY with our Royal Malaysian Air Force Sukhoi.

Royal Malaysian Air Force Sukhoi.

Mua with da Sukhoi.

The RMAF's Sukhoi high up in the air!

I just can't wait for another airshow after this one coz the sound of the Fighter Jets are freakin awesome! LIMA in Langkawi is in December 2009. I hope I can make a trip for that one because LIMA is a full air show with loads of other Jets and perhaps choppers. The skills that the United States Air Force pilots demonstrated with their awesome F-16's Fighter Jets could not be any more perfect than they were. And with each stunt they perform, they have different songs to fit the stunt. How cool is that! Oh.. and trust me their music selection is superb. They just know how to entertain people really. They take that much effort to show the world how good they really are. I hope they make this a yearly thing as I look forward for more action! I wanna be a Fighter Pilot now!
-AA-

MY DIVE MASTER & INSTRUCTORS FROM SIMILAN ISLANDS, THAILAND BACK IN KL TO VISIT ME

RH having some awesome Nasi Kandar for branch at Pelita KL. She loved it! She loves Indian food and in her opinion Indian food has the most flavor!

Church enjoying his Nasi Kandar. He just could not stop eating coz it was good. I always bring my guest for some good local food while they visit me.

Church & RH having some fun in the boat parked the carpark. No idea who it belongs to though but it has been moved recently.

I brought both of them to eat some awesome Hokkien Mee and Wan Tan Hor at Jalan Imbi. They love Asian food. They have travelled so much and lived in Bali and Thailand for so long that asian food is just part of their daily meals now.

This was at SKYBAR after dinner!

SKYBAR in Traders Hotel, KL.

A must have group photo of myself, ATSY, Church & RH!

Jalan ALor for some Wicked BBq Chicken Wings!

Myself and ATSY are so happy because Church and RH scheduled their trips just so they could come back to KL and see us for the second time before heading back to Austria. This time around I offered them to stay with me and so they did. We had a great time eating our local food and catching up on all our adventures.

They are deciding where their next location is gonna be for more Diving. Its gonna be in Asia I think coz they love it and Bali sounds like a winner at the moment because before they came to KL, They were holidaying in BALI for almost 5 months! They know Bali pretty well now I tell ya and they did so much Diving there I think they know each and every dive sites by now. Miss them already! Hope to go Diving with them soon.
-AA-

MY AUTOGRAPHED POSTCARD BY 2 TIMES FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPION MIKA HAKKINEN AT SUNWAY PYRAMID

The victory kinda WAVE to the crowd.. He had loads of practice during his F1 days :D

I have to say that Mika Hakkinen is a very humble guy. He was so kind to take his time and sign autographs, shake hands with fans and take pictures. How did I know he was at Sunway Pyramid.. well just so happen I was headed to Subang and I heard on radio that he was there to meet the fans and to promote his Never Drink and Drive campaign for Johnny Walker as he is one of the Ambassadors.
-AA-

Friday, September 4, 2009

MY 2009 BIRTHDAY - 03.09.09

UNBELIEVABLE! This year I have received the most THANK YOU Wishes ever! I was facebooking almost the whole day to thank everyone for their warm & kind Birthday wishes! I even got wishes from my friends who are overseas who I don't see so often.

Its an amazing feeling to have had all of you whom I know to wish me on this special day of mine! I also dropped by MadMonkeyz Bouldering gym at Wangsa Maju for a short while to surprise all the staff & my fellow climber friends with some delicious CUPCAKES from Pavilion Shopping Mall :D Glad you all enjoyed the cupcakes! Its really good I have to say. I also managed to do a lil Bouldering with them & I'm extremely happy I managed to finish some Awesome route which Guy set for all of us! It was an awesome feeling to finish that route considering I had such a tough time getting to the 3rd hand hold =0 Such a cool technical route at the start & power at the end I tell ya. I need to work on my flexibility more from now onwards after that route! Thanks for the awesome route Guy!

After climbing a lil.. I went home.. shower & went out with ATSY for some quiet time having some Wicked Marshroom Soup at Delicious Bangsar Village 2, Strawberry CHeese cake & Good Day Ice Coffee!

It was trully an amazing Birthday eventhough it was a weekday. I'd like to thank everyone yet again who wished me & I'll never forget it :D
-AA-

Monday, August 24, 2009

BOULDERING DEMO NEXT TO DAMAI WALL, BATU CAVES

Its been a while since I last posted up a climbing picture of myself. Its been so much of Diving recently.. hehe! Well this was a fun event. Besides a Rock Climbing competition for Novice climbers at Damai wall, Batu Caves, there was some cool base jumping events as well. Our Bouldering demo was just extra & perhaps for exposure for rock climbing in general. Anyway.. in the picture I was in launching position. Its a good demo coz I got a free 10 entry pass for MadMonkeyz Bouldering gym at Wangsa Maju :D
-AA-

Monday, July 20, 2009

SIPADAN ISLAND - THE FAMOUS BARRACUDA POINT DIVE SITE

The ULTIMATE 50m High BARRACUDA VORTEX. I still can't believe it. We saw the Vortex twice. I have to say our group were extremely lucky coz we had great weather, excellent visibility on all our dives in Sipadan with an estimated 50 - 60 m clear blue water & we had just about everything else we wanted to see there on that day.

And the best part is its my first time to Sipadan Island and I got to see the famous Barracuda Vortex. Unbelivable! One of the instructors with us has been to Sipadan 8 times before this trip and didn't get to see the vortex. Finally on this day with the rest of us Divers he saw the vortex! You know who you are if you're reading this :D. I'm sure it must have felt great.

First dive early in the morning & our 3rd Dive. This vortex was way larger than the morning one. The morning vortex was about 20-25m high & that to me was like WOW! It was also a much more organized one. The barracudas were swimming more of a circular motion rather than the larger one we saw on our 3rd dive. This large vortex they were a lil off formation. But still it was like a wall of barracudas. They were like in the Thousonds! You have to see it to believe it! It is my best Dive to date!
-AA-

We all just kept swimming towards it taking videos & pictures. They were heading into the Blue. Special thanks to our awesome Dive Master Jimmy for keeping an eye on us by staying ahead of us.
-AA-

The thousands of Barracudas slowly fade into the blue.
-AA-

SCHOOLING JACKS also forming a VORTEX! This Jacks Vortex was directly below us when we got off the boat. We were like WOW! The vis is fantastic! Straight away everyone couldn't wait to decend.
-AA-

Jacks Vortex! AWESOME!
-AA-

Jacks fading into the Blue.
-AA-

And the JACKS are here again with us Divers.
-AA-

SCHOOLING JACKS!
-AA-

WHITE TIP SHARK looking at us very carefully. I think the shark was either very worried or very annoyed coz we were pretty close to it & taking pictures. I was bout 2 - 3 feet away. It was pretty funny though looking at his eyes coz of the way it was observing all of us.
-AA-

WHITE TIP SHARK!
-AA-

The very large Yellow Tail Barracudas. These fellas travel alone just like the Great Barracudas. Don't wanna mess around with them.
-AA-

Once again the DROP OFF!
-AA-

WHITE TIP SHARK chilling on the seabed.
-AA-

More WHITE TIP SHARKS chilling. They are everywhere in Sipadan.
-AA-

WHITE TIP SHARK Crusing the island's reef.
-AA-

Beautiful Juvenile Common Lionfish. I like them better when they are young coz they are Black.
-AA-

Juvenile Common LIONFISH.
-AA-

Some sort of GOLD SPOTTED FLAT WORM. This flat worm is beautiful I have to say. ATSY managed to spot this fella during a 5 knot Drift dive! Don't know how she managed to spot it.
-AA-

I told you I always lookout for these CLOWN TRIGGERFISHES. They are my favorite triggerfishes. Can't miss them when u see one even if its a baby. Trust me I've beeen lucky to see a baby Clown Triggerfish and they are really cute!
-AA-

CLOWN TRIGGERFISH.
-AA-

Sleepy Green Turtle.
-AA-

ATSY giving the Peace sign. She was definitely happy!
-AA-

As you can see in this picture, we're all smiling and we just couldn't stop smiling. The beauty of Sipadan just blew our minds!
-AA-

Me & Our cool Dive Master Jimmy! Thanks for keeping an eye on us throughout the Sipadan trip.
-AA-

ATSY with Dive Master Jimmy!
-AA-

We just could not believe it. It was an unbelievable mind blowing experience for all of us Diving at Sipadan.
-AA-

ATSY is clearly not dissappointed!
-AA-

Already missing SIPADAN ISLAND!
-AA-

Cool dude Charlie is probably the luckiest Open Water Diver ever. Did his course during this trip with us and then leisure dives at Sipadan. Not only that he has seen the BARRACUDA VORTEX! He's the luckiest really.
-AA-

All Divers please go into the website www.n7w.com and VOTE FOR SIPADAN for the newest 7 WONDERS OF THE WORLD! We Malaysians should be proud that Divers from all over the world come to Malaysia to dive at Sipadan Island. Every year Diving magazines rate Sipadan Island the Top 10 Diving site in the world and I believe its true because I have Dived Sipadan before & its underwater beauty is far more beautiful than you can ever imagine!
-AA-

Approching Sipadan again in the afternoon.
-AA-

All psyched up!
-AA-

Sipadan Island baybeh! All gears are ready & good to go!
-AA-

I'm not sure which of these 2 fellas are happier :D
-AA-

SIPADAN ISLAND - THE DROP OFF

This was during Surface Interval before our second dive in Sipadan. Most divers would take a picture with this sign board. Its a must. In this picture I am also wearing my awesome Camaro to keep me warm underwater. Love it!
-AA-

ATSY posing with Sipadan Island sign board during our surface interval.
-AA-

This was the first time I saw the famous & Awesome BARRACUDA VORTEX! I can't believe we saw it. Our group are so lucky to see this vortex. Perfect Visibility! Its a medium size one this one about 20m high. Even then I was like OMG!!! This is like the best Diving experience I've had to date since I started Diving! But you already know that I saw the ULTIMATE 50m HIGH BARRACUDA VORTEX which beats this one. Its crazy that we saw the Vortex twice.
-AA-

BARRACUDA VORTEX just keeps going on. So cool!
-AA-

The AWESOME BARRACUDA VORTEX continues.
-AA-

From below the BARRACUDA VORTEX.
-AA-

On & on the BARRACUDA VORTEX goes. Wow!
-AA-

My favorite triggerfish of all the CLOWN TRIGGERFISH. I always lookout for them on every dive coz they are truly funny looking fishes. Its pattern & colours are so distinctive that you just can't miss them when you see one.
-AA-

The slick WHITE TIP SHARK Crusing around us Divers. Pretty curious sharks they have here really. Hmm..
-AA-

Pelagics - Schooling JACKS. These fellas are huge!
-AA-

The Drop Off! There's no floor on this 3 Dives! AWESOME!
-AA-

Approching the DROP OFF for the first time. SO COOL! Its unbelievable. The water is so dark you have no idea!
-AA-

The DROP OFF from Sipadan Island's Jetty. Just take a look at the colour contrast! Its freakin cool!
-AA-

Beautiful Sunrise. This was taken from the boat on the way to Sipadan Island at like 5 ish am. So sleepy I tell ya but not when we got there. It was so exciting and we were so wide awake once we step foot on Sipadan Island.
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The time is 05:20 & we're on the way to Sipadan Island.
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Our Malaysian Armed Forces cool ride.
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Our SIPADAN SCHEDULE! Can't wait!!!
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MARINE LIFE AT MABUL - PART 3

Beautiful CHROMODORIS LEOPARDUS Nudibranch. Love those colours.
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CHROMODORIS LEOPARDUS Nudibranch.
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This was my first time seeing the ever popular ORANG UTAN CRAB. It was chilling in the bubble corals. Because they are very hairy fellas it also makes our cameras very hard to focus on them. I'm still happy I got a shot of it & seeing it was unbelievable!
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ORANG UTAN CRAB.
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BUBBLE CORALS where we can find the Orang Utan Crabs or shrimps.
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Beautiful CROCODILE FISH EYES. One of my fav's & I always lookout for them.
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The very very Dangerous STONE FISH. This was my first time spotting one. They are so scary! Stone fishes are also in the Top 10 list of most dangerous things to human.
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I don't know how our lovely Thai Dive master spotted this but she I have to say was very sharp! Its a COCKATOO WASHFISH. Its about 1cm. Seriously this can be mistaken for planktons!!!
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The very colourful PEACOCK MANTIS SHRIMP. They also have a very strong punch. Divers please be aware that they punch can break an Aquarium glass & the their punch travels at the speed of Hand Gun Bullet fired from a 9mm hand gun. Their punch is so fast that it also sends shock waves after the punch has been delivered. So underwater photographers please don't get so close aight!
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CHROMODORIS WILLANI Nudibranch.
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COMMON SPINY LOBSTER.
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WHIP CORAL SHRIMP. This fella was the size of a Grain of rice believe it or not & the best part is it still looks like a perfect shaped shrimp! Wow! The stuff you can see underwater is really unbelievable.
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FLAT WORM.
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Got the name of this Corals but can't remember at this moment.
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MARINE LIFE AT MABUL - PART 2

This was a full grown CUTTLEFISH. Look at those amazing colours! As I get closer to it, it starts changing to all sorts of colours to evade itself from us Divers. They can be curious. Visibility was good on this dive so this cuttlefish really stood out underneath the sunlight. Cuttlefish are really smart & beautiful creatures. The look like aliens! Ohh and I have to say that their Buoyancy is excellent!
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CUTTLEFISH Blending in with the corals.
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Cuttlefish on the move.
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CUTTLEFISH chilling.
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The ever beautiful CROCODILE FISH EYES. They look like Snow Flakes! I'm still so amazed by their eyes. Definitely one of my favorites!
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The CROCODILE FISH.
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This is a pretty cool shrimp called the EMPEROR SHRIMP. Found this guy chilling on a Sea Cucumber :D
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No sure what shrimp this one is though. Yet to find out but its really damn small like 1 - 2 cm.
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Up close & personal with a Sleepy GREEN TURTLE.
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CHROMODORIS MAGNIFA Nudibranch.
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Nudibranch (Get back to you on the name )
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Green Turtle vs Crocodile Fish.. The Turtle won by d way.. Crocodile fish split as soon as the turtle got closer to him!
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Two Toby's hanging out.
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MARINE LIFE AT MABUL - PART 1

This is my second favorite Nudibranch called the THECACERA Nudibranch. Also known as PIKACHU =P I still can't believe I saw it!!! It has the Bunny Ears but not as long as the other THECACERA Nudie with much longer bunny ears with more patterns on it. Nevertheless, this is one of the top fav Nudibranches among Divers & I'm so lucky to see one! Its Beautiful! I love Nudibranches so for me to see this one its already a great moment for me.
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The CHROMODORIS MAGNIFA Nudibranch.
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Juvenile Yellow Boxfish. So popular among Divers I tell ya.
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HALGERDA MALESSO Nudibranch. Very interesting I have to say. Hehe! My first time seeing this one. I managed to see quite a lot of new Nudie's this trip.
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NOTODORIS CITRINA Nudibranch. Also first time seeing this one.
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POPCORN SHRIMP. I have to say they really do look like Popcorns :D
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MALE ORNATE GHOST PIPEFISH.
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The very cute PINK & PURPLE SQUAT LOBSTER. Such funny looking fellas I tell ya. Their hangout spot are the sponges. Lookout for them aight!
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The very cute PINK & PURPLE SQUAT LOBSTER.
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OCTOPUS in a very tiny hole.
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The ever curious JUVENILE BATFISH. My first time seeing this guys. So curious that everytime you put out your fingers towards them.. they actually come check you out.
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JUVENILE SWEETLIPS. Very shy fellas I have to say. Gotta be patient to get a picture.
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NUDIBRANCH laying eggs.
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BABY CUTTLEFISH. I was looking at some Toby fishes but suddenly I saw this cute little fella chilling on the rock trying to camouflage itself. First time seeone a baby cuttlefish.
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TOBY. These fellas can be as difficult as the Juvenile Yellow Boxfishes when it comes to picture taking. Nevertheless still very cute.
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Camouflaged BEARDED SCORPION FISH.
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NEMBROTHA KURBAYANA Nudibranch. They look like Brocolli vege. Hehe!
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The GIANT GROUPER. This species is the largest of them Groupers. This fella was full grown about 7 feet in length. Huge ass fella I have to say. Normally groupers are very shy fellas but not this guy. I have to admit I got a lil scared when I was tryin to take a close up picture of it & it turned towards me. Hmm..
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FIRST UN-GUIDED SUNSET DIVE

I was the guide for this Dive by the way. Hehe! Its a good experience coz I actually knew where we were underwater. Sometimes you take for granted when you have a dive master with you all the time. It was a fruitful dive this one. This beautiful sunset was taken after our dive. I really didn't wanna get out from the water because it was just so beautiful.
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SIPADAN WATER VILLAGE DIVE CENTRE

Many many TANKS!!!

The Showers.

One of our earlier schedules before Diving at Sipadan Island.

Where we Diving next =P

SIPADAN WATER VILLAGE

Behind me is where the Dining area is located.

Dining area in the background

The Bar & welcoming area.

Me & the very large GONG!!!

The dining area all lighted up.

The Bar & welcoming area of Sipadan Water Village.

SEAVENTURES DIVE CENTRE FROM SIPADAN WATER VILLAGE

I have to say Diving here was not as easy as I thought it would be. Mild currents but not advisable for Un-guided dives. But there are lots to see here below the rig so its definitely gonna be on the list of your boat dives.
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SUNSET FROM OUR WATER CHALET BALCONY

I took some Black & White effect pictures coz it was just the right scene for it. This was taken from our blacony as I already mentioned. We had all the time we needed for a good shot. We also had the balcony barriers as our Tripod.
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OUR AWESOME WATER CHALET

I could not ask for more. Staying here was the right choice & it was truly relaxing. What makes it even better is that our Balcony was facing the Sunset :D Every evening before dinner we get to appreciate the beautiful Sunset before our eyes. You'll see what I mean after this. And because Sipadan Water Village Water Chalet's are so far spread out, it makes it feel like you're vacationing all by yourselves. Thankfully our Chalet was located just behind the Dive centre or else we will have to wake up much earlier to walk. And believe me, if you're located at the last few chalet's its a damn long walk!
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Monday, July 6, 2009

2009 WIMBLEDON CHAMPION & THE LEGEND OF ALL LEGENDS WITH 15 GRAND SLAM TITLES & WORLD NUMBER 1 AGAIN ROGER FEDERER

This was an UNBELIEVABLE 2009 Wimbledon final. Roger Federer once again World Number 1 & now has beaten Pete Sampras record of 14 Grand Slams. He's a great champion as everyone has already been mentioning for the longest time. But this year really is a fantastic year for Roger because he finally won Roland Garros, his 6th Wimbledon title & he's gonna have a kid!

I have to say that ANDY RODDICK made Roger push himself to the limit for the title. Roddick's game definitely has improved a whole lot. Much credit to Andy Roddick.

With Wimbledon Legends such as Pete Sampras who particularly flew down just to watch Federer make History in Tennis, Bjorn Borg & Rod Laver watching intently from the Royal Box, ROGER Federer proved to them that he is the man today whose gonna re-write the Tennis History Books. Thats incredible! What an Epic final & Congratulations to you Roger FEDERER. I've said this before & I'll say it again that Roger Federer is the Legend of all LEGENDS!
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Monday, June 8, 2009

FINALLY.. ROGER FEDERER WINS THE FRENCH OPEN & WITH 14 GRAND SLAMS IN HAND :D

Added note : Now that ROGER FEDERER has just made HISTORY today the 7th of June, 2009 by Winning the FRENCH OPEN, EQUALLING Pete Sampras with 14 GRAND SLAM TITLES, WINNING ALL FOUR of the GRAND SLAMS, I feel truly honored to have been able to take a picture with him.

I still can't believe I managed to meet the man himself Roger Federer. Currently world number 2 in the rankings, he was down in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in November 2008 for an exhibition tournament with US players James Blake, Borg & John McEnroe. Federer beat Blake in case you all are wondering. Federer's a cool guy. He thanked the 5 of us who were waiting to meet him for all our support for him after taking pictures & signing autographs. He's freaking tall as well. I think he is 6 feet 2 inches. I'm like 5' 7. As you can see in the picture Federer had to bring his head lower for me to get a shot with him.

After meeting Blake on the courts I went for lunch & headed back to Mandarin Oriental hoping to meet Federer. I didn't think I was gonna be this lucky. I have to thank these 2 kids who told me to wait for a short while because he was having lunch somewhere in the hotel. These kids were waiting since morning till like 3pm for Federer to show up.

Because I am a fan of Roger Federer, I originally woke up in the morning to go KLCC for the official meet and greet session with the tennis great. After 45 minutes lining up with my mom, we were so close to the front when the dumb bouncers decided to open the barriers to everyone. Fans obviously rushed to the front and kept pushing until the cops had no choice but to say no more autographs with the star. In the end everyone didn't get any chance to meet him because of this incident. That's when I decided to head to Mandarin Oriental Hotel to meet him because I had some inside information that he was gonna be there having lunch after KLCC's session.

So for those of you who rushed to the front without waiting in line, too bad you didn't get to meet him or even get his autograph!
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Friday, May 22, 2009

PENANG FRIED KEOW TEOW - ROAD TRIP IN PENANG 2009

After waiting for an hour just for this delicious meal.. it was really satisfying & I finished it in less than 5 minutes..sighh! But nevertheless a trip to Penang would not be complete without having a plate of fried keow teow. It was a great road trip!
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