Can You SPOT The Hermit Crab?

This is one of my best shots so far. The hermit crab.

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Backside Of A Juvenile Box Fish

Women love em. These fellas are actually really cute but only when they are juveniles. When they grow up, their not that cute. However there are other species of box fish that are quite nice to look at even when they are adults. All of them have this way of swimming which makes them quite distinctive & easy to spot. Why are they called a box fish? They obviously look like a box from all angles!
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Thorny Sea Horse

I like this picture. Since they don't move much it was pretty easy to get a nice shot of this fella.

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Nudibranch

They are sea also known as sea slugs but very colorful. More to come.
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Frog Fish

This is a transparent frog fish which I saw at a dive site called Holy Sand in Redang Island. Pinkish in color makes this fella stand out. There are loads of colorful frog fish which I have yet to see. Can't wait!
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Star Puffer From Below

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Baby Scorpion Fish

These fellas are another type of ugly looking fishes. Scorpionfish are the type of fish which ambush their prey using their camouflage. They are somewhat like the Stonefish because you really have to look out for these guys while diving. Can be colorful fellas but ugly.

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Ugly Looking Stone Fish

Can you see his face? I really don't know what to say but they are really ugly. You will not find one pretty looking stone fish in the ocean as far as I know.

They have needle-like dorsal-fin spines on them as their defense mechanism. These highly camouflaged stone fishes makes them extremely dangerous to other fish as well as divers because its so difficult to spot them underwater. They look so much like a rock which is why they are called stone fishes.

How dangerous are they to divers? Extremely! Their dorsal-fin spines have toxic venom which can be fatal to humans.

I never really go to near them to take pictures. There's a reason why people should not touch anything while diving or snorkelling for their own safety.

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The Titan Triggerfish

All divers watchout for these guys coz they are extremely defensive especially mating season. These fellas have a cone shaped territory hence divers are told not to swim over them during mating season. What they do is they will ramp into any diver that comes through their zone & will take a bite with their large front teeth. I heard they can bite through a divers fins or even break a divers mask. Other than that, they are usually harmless & often swim by divers. They are actually quite colorful fishes and have a distinctive way of swimming which I find quite funny. The titans are one of the largest of its kind.

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Marine Life

The star puffer is the one above. Its a very common fish and can be seen most of the time. Lizard fishes on the bottom left seem to be all over Redang Island. For some reason I always see them in pairs. They always look like they are high on something. And finally the razor fishes. I have no idea why they swim up and downwards as seen in the picture. Their heads are pointed downwards but their eyes are looking straight. Weird!!!

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Ocean, Beauty, Bubbles, Scuba Tanks & A Couple

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At The Surface

This was a pretty good dive. Vis was not bad. Calm seas allowed me to get this great shot before getting onto the boat.

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Underwater Scene At Redang Island

I like my Jellyfish picture. Having some quiet time and enjoying the underwater scenery besides hearing my own bubbles. This was a relaxing dive.

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More Corals

Bottom left of the picture is the feather star they call it. Very nice and colorful but it can stick to ur wetsuit if you make direct contact with it. Squat Lobsters can be found chilling in between these feather stars. On the right of the feather star is the sea whip. One of the ways to see where the current is coming from is by observing things like this sea whip if there's any around you while diving. As you can see the current is obviously coming from the right hence the sea whip leaning to the left.

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Coral Reefs At Redang Island

These are the various types of corals reefs at Redang Island which I was very fortunate to see while diving in September 2008. The Gorgonian Seafan is on the top left & Colors of the sea sponge actually appear when there's enough sunlight which makes it an awesome underwater garden.

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Diver's Log Book Folder

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Scubapro

I am slowly upgrading all my equipment to Scubapro. I mean their motto says it all.. "Deep down you want the best".
But then again everyone has their own taste in equipment. Comfort is most important rather than style but in the real world of diving, its all about vanity! My choice now is of cause Scubapro!
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Suunto Stinger

There are various types of dive computers in the market these days but I'm sure you Divers already know that. For those of you who don't know, this is one of them. Its packed with solutions enabling safe and responsible decisions underwater. The depth, time and decompression measurement, and the ceiling/floor feature assure that you know exactly how much time you have spend in the depths, how deep you are, when you have to surface and how fast you can do it. This way you can maximize the diving performance without jeopardizing your safety.The extensive memory and logbook functions enable you to keep track of your past dives and through them you can monitor your progress and plan your training accordingly.

One important thing though is that a dive computer is always used to assist a diver. Its always best to have a gauge as backup. Gadget freak that I am but its worth it.
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Back to Blogging..

I am finally starting to blog again after months of disappearance. I figured that this helps me pass time before I go to bed every night. Got lots to post up so I'm gonna get to it right now.

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I Got Punk'd By My Long Time Family Friend.. Coincidentally!

We'll today was an interesting day for me. Myself and ATSY were walking to Lot 10 shopping mall from Pavilion to look for some crocs. There's like a small road passing through between Lot 10 and Planet Hollywood restaurant. As we approched the small road, we saw a large crowd looking at this guy lying on the zebra crossing and the girl asking for help. Just so happen I knew the girl. She happens to be my long time family friend. She somehow spotted me and shouted out my name freakin loud asking me for help. Not knowing that there was a hidden camera at one corner & knowing she's my friend I obviously helped her straight away.

While I was trying to help the guy up, he felt very light all of a sudden & at that moment I knew something was not right. Then my friend looked at me with a smile* and ask me to look at the camera! I got Punk'd big time. Still can't believe I fell for it in front of such a large crowd. I must say though she's a really good actor. This whole punk'd thing is for Astro Ria. Guess I'm gonna be on tv.

Since she's my neighbour, I'm gonna get her back real soon =P Argh!
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Another Diving Trip to RedangKalong

Just 3 weeks ago I got my Advance & ATSY got her Open Water license & we're off to the island again.. excited! This coming trip will officially be ATSY's first leisure dive trip after completing her Open Water. So proud of her. It feels great to have someone you care about a lot that shares the same interest =P

We'll be going to Redangkalong on the 24th - 28th September, 2008 for some leisure dives before the season closes. Since we're both comfortable with our instructors Sharon, A.B. & Tim Lee from Diver's Den, we have organized this trip with them again.

Since we have 5 days at the island with 9 dives included, I think we can cover quite a few dive sites this trip. If the weather & visibility is good, I think we'll prolly add a couple more dives to that 9 dives that's already been scheduled for us so should be fun.

Ohh ohh.. this is the first time I'm gonna be on a plane with ATSY so I guess it makes this trip a lil more romantic =P
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My Scubapro Classic BCD

I've received many reviews from instructors and other divers that this Classic Plus is the best BCD ever made. Been around for more than 20 years and still very high in demand. But then again it also depends on every individual.

Its a perfect fit for me, its comfortable and can't wait to test it in 2 days time at Redang Island. Can't wait.

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My Dive Gears

There are various types of diving equipment bags available but I thought this was pretty simple and affordable. Very spacious I have to say and its enough for the necessary equipments. Oh.. and on top of my bag is my new Scubapro Classic BCD.

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A Diver's Bling

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Birthday Buoy & Gurl

It was a double celebration this time. I was celebrating with MW. This group picture was taken at Club Twenty One @ Changkat Bukit Bintang, KL.

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Certified Advance & Open Water Scuba Divers

This picture was taken on the boat back to Merang Jetty. End of our vacation but we could not leave without having to take a picture with our instructor Sharon. She's a great instructor with loads of experience & very precise when explaining something to ya. So for those of you who wanna take your diving license, I'd recommend Sharon to ya. Just head to Diver's Den.

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Logging Our Diver's Log Book

This was after completing the Advance Open Water & Open Water courses. Our vacation bit actually started during this time because on the first day we were extremely tired from long journey. Second day of Diving was where the fun part really began for most of us I'd say. We had loads of fun nevertheless.

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Say SCUBA!

I must say that this is an awesome picture of all six of us considering that the camera was placed on da car trunk for this shot to be taken automatically. This is actually the beginning of our Dive trip at Merang Jetty headed towards Redang Kalong for our Advance & Open Water Courses.
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Full Stretch

Damn this was a difficult route.
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Tricky Ending

I fell once coz I lost my balance but got it on the 2nd attempt. Tricky I tell ya.

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Ending With Both Feet

Beginning of this route is actually Quite tricky!
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Just Me

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Easy Campus

To start of the friendly competition I did this easy campus route.

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My Birthday TODAY!

Its my Birthday so gotta post up something. I had dinner with da family last night & tonight gonna go for dinner with ATSY. Shopping for Scubapro gears too perhaps =P Simple Birthday this year. Nothing fancy. Might have a lil gathering on the weekend thats all. Will see how it goes.

Wanna take this opportunity to THANK all my friends who wished me Happy Birthday! Its a great feeling really!
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Technical Route

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08.08.2008.

Today is the day where every Chinese around the world FARTS with pride =P If you have not done your CYCLE of FARTS today, do it now before this day passes for good health & prosperity!

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Preparation For Summit's Final Rock Climbing Competition

Although I prefer to go have coffee, sleep in the boulder cave, chit chat before climbing, eat something or just go to C5 to shower, I've been training a lil for Summit's final Rock Climbing Competition this Sunday 10th of August, 2008 before they move to another location. Its the first indoor climbing gym in KL so there's gonna be loads of memories. I started rock climbing there & it has become my passion. Damn I'm gonna miss da place.

Hmm.. I think I'll do just fine in the competition. I just need to fully recover from my cough right now thats been goin on for the past 1 month.

I need to get a climbing medal. I need to get one.. seriously! Its the only thing I want right now because it would make my passion for climbing more meaningful. I gotta admit that I have been distracted by my new passion which is Scuba Diving. Scuba Diving remains second to my climbing so I'm pretty much focused right now for the competition this weekend. So far so good. I had a good climb today so will see how it goes. To be continued...
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Diver

Nepolean Wrasse a.k.a. Humphead Wrasse

Only 3 of these Nepolean Wrasse in the whole of Redang Island have been spotted so far & we were all so fortunate to be able to see one of them this trip. Its so huge. 2 Metres in length

(6 feet) to be exact. We obviously saw the male because the female only grows to about 1 metre in length.

The humphead wrasse is the largest living member of the family Labridae. It has thick, fleshy lips and a hump that forms on its head above the eyes, becoming more prominent as the fish ages. Males range from a bright electric blue to green, a purplish blue, or a relatively dull blue/green. Juveniles and females are red-orange above, and red-orange to white below. Some males grow very large, with one unconfirmed report of a Humphead Wrasse that was 7.75 feet (2.29 m) long and weighed 420 lbs (190.5 kg).

The species is most often observed in solitary male-female pairs, or groups of two to seven individuals.

The one we saw was swimming on its own. No words can really describe the feeling that I experienced while Diving so close to this beautiful fish. I definitely have to thank our Dive Master for noticing it first & then calling us to have a look.

These Nepolean Wrasse are currently on the Endangered Species List because people hunt them for their unique huge Lips. Help create awareness to save them for those of you who are going to be Divers or are already Divers.

Seeing this fish real life up close & personal is ultimately the highlight of this entire July 2008 Diving trip to Redang Island.

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Crinoid Squat Lobster

This crinoid squat lobster is one of the most interesting creatures I've seen during this trip. Its small & colorful. You have to be very observant to lookout for these fellas. Something very different from the larger fishes perhaps.

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TITAN Triggerfish

Finally I got to see these brutal looking triggerfish called the Titan. This is the fish most Divers are afraid to bump into especially reproduction season. They kinda look like Marilyn Manson with the dark thick lips =P

I saw 4 adult Titan's & 1 baby Titan in total this trip to Redang Island. The Titan's are the largest of the triggerfish species and can grow up to 75 cm in length (30 inches) OR 2 and a half feet. Yes, I saw the fully grown ones which are 2 and a half feet long & they are real fat fishes, big eyes with big sharp teeth.

The fish can be very aggressive towards divers and snorkellers. Especially during reproduction season it is very territorial and will guard its nest, which it lays in a flat sandy area, vigorously against any intruders. Due to its size and strong teeth it can inflict serious injury. Bites may also be ciguatoxic.

The Titan Triggerfish will not always bite, but can swim at snorkellers and divers escorting them out of their territory. When the males (most colourful) start swimming in your direction, the best thing to do is swim away backwards kicking your fins as a defence. Failure to do so may result in being bitten.

As much as I was afraid to see these fellas, I'm glad I have seen them real life. Colorful but at the same time brutal looking creatures.

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Bumphead Parrot Fish

Most of us saw a couple of these bumphead parrot fishes swimming pass us. These fishes kinda look like & a much smaller version of the Nepolean Wrasse or also known as Bumphead Wrasse.

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Remora's or Suckerfish

Once again these Remora's or also known as Suckerfish kept swimming along with me on one of my Dives. The ones that keep swimming with me actually looks a like mini sharks. I think we have a connection =P

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Jellyfish

You really don't wanna get stung by these fellas while diving. They are all over the place sometimes. Myself & my Dive buddy including our Dive Master had to keep avoiding tones of these jellyfishes during our second dive. Argh! I wasted so much of my air just to avoid these fellas. It really is very difficult to enjoy your Dive if you are surrounded by jellyfish. You tend to pay more attention looking out for them rather than other marine life. One couple join us on our first Dive & the gurl got stung at her ear.

Our 3rd Dive at Tanjung Tokong was so much better. No jellyfish to worry about. We definitely enjoyed our Dive at this site better because the sea was calm, no jellyfish to worry about & we could appreciate everything we see. And because there are no jellyfish to worry about, we can control our breathing better & Dive much longer. Best to be fully geared up & not have any part of your skin exposed whenever there's jellyfish around.. seriously!
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ZERO CONTACT - THE BEST PRECAUTION!

!Do not touch or handle reef creatures. Be content with just observing them.
Shuffle your feet when walking in shallow water. This will alert creatures hiding on the seabed to retreat away so you don't step on them accidentally.

!Wear clothing to avoid getting stung or scratched. Stinging coral or jellyfish can only sting exposed areas of your body. If you bump against sharp coral, clothing will help minimize cuts and injuries.

!Look carefully where you are going. Some transparent jellyfish may be hard to see and that innocent rock or coral you bump into might be some reef creature in disguise.

!Maintain good buoyancy control at all times while skin-diving, snorkelling or diving. Wearing a life-jacket when snorkelling helps you to stay buoyant and avoid contact with anything on the seabed, corals or rocks.
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General Precautions

Marine creatures within the reef ecosystem have evolved different types of predatory and defensive mechanisms in order to survive such as stings, spines and venomous bites. Many of these are among the world's most venomous creatures. Animal Planet's 'Most Extreme: Venom' program included in its top 10 list the box jellyfish, stonefish, blue-ringed octopus, cone shells and sea snakes. Many of these except perhaps for the box jellyfish can be found in Redang.

Fortunately for us, these creatures are not out to attack humans. We are not their natural targets or food source and they are not naturally aggressive toward us. It is only when our presence and behaviour threatens and provokes them that we may become victims of their defenses. Most human injuries are typically a result of accidental contact with these creatures. Under normal circumstances, the natural reef is not dangerous. Most unpleasant encounters involving reef life are caused by people accidentally touching them, stepping on them or simply due to ignorant and stupid actions. We can minimize accidental contact with them by observing the general precautions shown above.
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DEFENCE MECHANISMS

With many reef predators and prey occupying the same reef habitat, many reef creatures would rather hide when threatened and employ deception, mimicry and camouflage to disguise themselves as a first line of defense. Some even show off bold, bright colours to announce that they are poisonous. Others will distract predators with inks, lights or ejected parts. When attempts to evade the attacker is futile, they will resort to different means to protect themselves, including using predatory mechanisms as a last line of defense.

Slow-moving creatures like urchins, sea stars and cone shells use chemicals or poisons in combination with darts, spines and needles to protect themselves.

Stonefish and scorpionfish carry lethal venom on dorsal spines, rays carry venom in their stings, while boxfish, pufferfish, soapfish and toadfish secrete skin poisons.
Jellyfish, corals, anemones and hydroids use stinging cells called nematocysts to fire a mass of minute harpoons containing venom to stun and kill their prey.

Some species of octopus have venom in their saliva. For example, the bite from the tiny blue ringed octopus can be lethal to humans.

Some innocent-looking reef fishes are equipped with self-defense mechanisms. Squirrelfish and angelfishes have spines on their gill-covers which are venomous in some species of squirrelfish. Surgeonfish have a retractable blade or scalpel at the base of the tail which it uses to slash would-be attackers.

Some sea cucumbers eject white cuiverian tubules when irritated. These contain toxins that can cause blindness when it comes into contact with the eye - so make sure you wash your hands after handling them. Others are able to cast off parts of their gut as sacrificial bait or emit sticky filaments to entangle would-be predators, including humans. These body parts are regenerated.
Barracudas, sharks, eels and triggerfishes have powerful jaws for biting while the mantis shrimp uses its deadly claws to spear or smash their victims. Electric rays and electric eels can deliver high-voltage electric shocks to stun its prey.
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Moorish Idol

Saw many of these fellas swimming around. Pretty common fishes but still nice to look at.

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Pink Whipray

Went to Stingray City to see some rays & managed to see these type of rays. They are called the Pink Whiprays. This is the kind of ray that stung the late Steve Erwin. If these rays are chilling at the bottom, a Diver must never swim directly above them because their tails can swing upwards & sting to defend themselves.

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Blue Spotted Ribbontail Stingray

These rays are pretty common. Seen quite a few already.

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Oldtown Kopitiam

I gotta tell ya people that Oldtown Kopitiam's toast breads are really good. I have these toast bread every week without fail. I pretty much know where most of the oldtown branches are now. I also go there for their white coffee. Kinda bored of Starbucks nowadays but still go there occasionally.

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WHY SO SERIOUS?????

Watched the Premier of The Dark Knight & I must say its a darn awesome movie & The late Heath Ledger's performance definitely blew everyones minds as The Joker! He plays a better Joker then Jack Nicholson for sure. Much Darker & way way Wittier.

Loads of action, good punch lines, loads of Witt. There's no doubt that The Dark Knight is 2008's movie of the year & the late Heath Ledger deserves the Oscar for his last full film performance & not because of pity!

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The Water Boy

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Mua ALL BLACK Apollo Mask & Gull Snorkel

So far I managed to get all my gears in BLACK. And these are no exception. Like I said in my previous post, everything always looks good in BLACK!

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Mua Wetsuit - Akona Quantum

Everything looks good in Black.

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The Art Of Balancing

After climbing we decided to warm down by testing our balance. Looks like I can balance pretty well huh. I fell off after this shot was taken by the way =P. Truth is, I can't balance for shit especially on a wire! Its not as easy as you think really.

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