Sipadan, World Top Dives

(Trip achieved in April 2008)

After the godly mountain (神山), we headed to Sipadan Island. It needed little introduction given to any divers, where one of its dive site was nominated world top 10 dives spot. That is where you could see heaps of turtles, jack fish, barracuda and occasionally hammerheads & whale-sharks roam.

Our legs are sore and kept wonder if we have the energy to carry the air-tank and equipments. It turned out okay eventually and we had a good long rest. We stayed on Mabul Island and have to travel to Sipadan Island by boat to dive there. We also paid for a daily permit to enter the island.

According to wikipedia, Sipadan Island has been closed out for anyone to stay overnight since it became a protected area in 2004. Before that, there were resorts and people on the islands on the island. However with the order, all the resorts and buildings on the island were torn off and all people were vacant from the island. The sole responsibility of protecting the aquatic ecosystem had then been relying on Malaysia military.

The move was mainly to protect the island rich aquatic lives but has since received much criticism. The careless incident happened in 2006 was an exploding news and caused a huge dissatisfaction among the divers towards the authority. Sadly it was again, our government became a joke for everyone. (Read link to find out what exactly happened)

Now, there is only an area at the front jetty is open for visitor during the day. We saw a notice board on the island stating the protection act started in 1997 but it seems the removal was done in 2004. The dives in Sipadan are still marvelous, especially Barracuda Point.

Before Sipadan, we ran into a few people that have been a regular visitor to the diving paradise. Most of them claimed that the removal of resorts on the island did not help much. In fact, it looks to them the supervision works had become worst. Some said the military was not doing their job. Some blamed the blunder of 2006 incident. Nevertheless, all of them, including myself now, still regard Sipadan as a world top class dives site.

'No Entry to Civilian'

There was a dive at Coral Gardens and White Tip Avenue, where I saw more than ten individual turtles. They range from all sizes, a few as huge as 3 meters. We went to Barracuda Point twice on this trip and found out how a wonderful place it is. There were plenty of white tip and grey reef sharks. These are not humongous oceanic white tip and grey nurse sharks that would chew out people for tea time dessert. Yet, the reef sharks we saw were still as big as 2.5 meters. (Some divers might laugh at me and say, 2.5m!? then you have not see big fish yet)

Also, well to note that Sipadan is the only an Oceanic Islands in Malaysia. Oceanic islands were used to be volcanoes, thousands of years ago. We saw a painted picture of how Sipadan looks like, as if it is just another Mountain Kinabalu. It is like a sharp cone, with its rich marine life at the top of the used-to-be volcanic peak, dropping hundred of meters down.

I hope that those are going there, those who work there and those who are there for whatever other reason, if you would not be able to improve the condition of the place, at least you do not make it worst.

'Remember... no fish ever trashed your house; An ad for the dive shop
where I have gotten my license - Sea Dragon Dive Center, Khao Lak, Thailand'

Lesson of the day –
After a poor planning, we headed back to Kota Kinabalu for the third in our short trip. Well, never mind the mess, we learned that Kota Kinabalu was used to be call ‘Api’. Literally translated into Mandarin as ‘Ya Pi’ (亚庇), it is the common name among the Chinese. (‘Api’ means fire in Malay)

京拿峇鲁神山 Mountain Kinabalu, Sabah

(Trip achieved in April 2008)

So before the far-reaching trip to United Kingdom, we decided to go to Sabah for our one last Malaysian trip. We quitted our jobs weeks before and had a brief planning. We had a few things in our head while heading there. First it was the 4095.2 meters high Mountain Kinabalu, then the scuba diving paradise Sipadan Island and finally the ‘mysterious’ Brunei.

As soon as we arrived in Kota Kinabalu, we headed straight to the Kinabalu Park. I emphasized on the height of Mountain Kinabalu as the hike was hell a trip! It was very unfortunate that Lishun has gotten ill just the night before the hike. She woke up the next day claiming that she is fine and we went ahead with it. Ultimately, it turned out to be a grueling walk.

A fit hiker should take about four to five hours to make it to the rest house, Laban Rata. A not so fit and healthy person should take about six hours or less. And now guess how long it takes a sick person to go all the way up there? A cruel seven and a half hours! All the way up hill. Respect to the girl who did not bow down to illness and managed her way up and all the way down, all by herself. (Of course, poor me have to followed her throughout the whole trip and it was quite a suffering too!)

One thing I found during the walk was Putera Harbor (the company that owns all the rest house in the mountain) hire porters to carry everything they need up to the top. It ranges from gas tank for cooking, souvenirs, daily products to rubbish. The porters even offered to carry you if you are too tired. Well, in reality, it was normally when people got sick like the high altitude sickness and they fainted, and they needed the ‘emergency porter rescue’.

'30 kg load'

'35 kg load'

'35 kg with music to rock on'

'the female porter - 25kg'

After going through my deep surveys (mainly from my tour guide), I found out porters generally made some good money. They charged similar rate of RM 7 / kilo and most of them managed to carry up to thirty (30) kilos and more. For female porters, (yes they do have female porters while I struggled to carry one third of what the ladies do) they normally carried about twenty five (25) kilos. Tapping on the calculator, that says a porter (male) makes RM 210 at least just for a morning walk.

Yes, a lot of them managed a round trip up and down before 2pm afternoon, on a same day. If they got lucky and have five carry a week, with each carry a day, the porter (male) would make at least RM 1,050 a week. In a month, they would make RM 4,200 and I believe they need not to file tax! Too bad my legs are too feeble for this job.

Another occupation I found during the hike is the Mountain Guide. The national park regulates that no hikers are allowed to hike without the guides. So, naturally we thought we might get lost or something without them. However, it turned out absolutely contrary. Besides the tough up-hill walk, the trail could not be more straight-forward. So, the must-have-guide regulation kept me wonder for a bit. We paid RM 70.00 for the service.

Well into our first hour of walking, the answer slowly submerged. As Lishun was sick and very soon she got tired. Not too long into the hike, our paid tour guide started to indicate to us that there could be an extra service. He offered to carry some of our loads very kindly, apparently with an extra service fee too. We then hired our tour guide to carry one of our bags for as much as we are paying for the tour guide fee.

Sounds sensible? We paid for a tour guide that we don’t really need. Then we realized the money we paid is worth it, but not for the reason of being a guide but for a different reason that we might get tired or sick (in this case, unfortunately we did) and there might be a need arises to help us out. That just sounds like the government.

'The proud guide that we don't need'

The rest houses up there are fully equipped. There are kitchen serving warm foods, hot shower in the toilets, and heated bedrooms. (Only for Laban Rata) It is just like an Eden in the wild jungle. After reaching the top, we quickly retreat ourselves to hot shower and rest. The hike to the top was abandoned as well due to the obvious reason. The next day walking down from the mountain was better.

Before ending this episode on Mountain Kinabalu, I came up with this list of
essential items for the hike.

1) Good health & good fitness.

2) Rain clothes as the weather is very unpredictable.

3) Warm clothes & glove. As you hit to the top, temperatures drop drastically to 3 Celsius or colder.

4) A good & warm sleeping bag.

5) An extremely light backpack, unless you would like to pay for the extra services.

6) A good hiking shoes and a walking stick.

7) Some medicines should help too.

8) Enough water.

9) Last, cut your toe nails while heading down.

'This was just around 6pm'

'The local - Raymond'

PS: We met up with Flora too! Don't have her picture.

If you can't get it, don't bitch about it.

I was surfing through at some sport news a few days back and saw a headline, ‘I am the first driver…’ and next to it was a picture of a proud smiling Fernando Alonso. I went on and read the news. There it quoted, Alonso was happy to be back in Renault again, the team where he had successes before. It was said, ‘if anything is new in the car for sure now in the tests they will try to put that part in my car first to try and develop and understand it, and then it goes to Nelsinho (2nd driver)'.

Damn man, I told myself, what is it there to be so proud of? No doubt that Alonso is still one of the best drivers in the multi-million racing sport, being two times F1 champions and the youngest so far to achieve it. However, from his disastrous attitude last year, I believe he has lost some admiring fans.

To have a long story short, last year was Alonso’s first year with Mc-Laren and he had sign a three years contract. Mc-Laren and Ferrari was the two leading teams to have the best car and the best chance to win. He went in the team with great results on his resume and no issues of who is the first driver. People expected him to be the first driver.

However, it turned out that Alonso rookie teammate, Lewis Hamilton was indeed a gem. Hamilton came into the sport with no experiences with the F1 cars before but turned out to be the title contender that year. For Alonso, who has been mumbling all season about not getting what he wants, had a roller-coaster ride last year. It was especially obvious after finding out Mc-Laren refused to reinstate him as the first driver and he failed to deal with his emotion.

Being the first driver in the team meant a lot. It meant having the privileges of the whole team works mainly with him and the second driver is only to assist him. That also meant closing the door for the second driver. If Hamilton were just another rookie, I think it is not an issue. Then again, Hamilton was not just another rookie. He was out of this world. If Mc-Laren were to close the door for this 21-years-old rookie sensation, it would be disastrous for the sport.

In the end, Alonso was edged out by his rookie teammate and finished third place. It was more disastrous for Mc-Laren, whom finished the season without winning anything. Ferrari ace Kimi Raikonnen robbed the Championship in the last race and Hamilton placed second, ahead of Alonso.

Well, after all these ups and downs last year, Alonso opted out from Mc-Laren. He bought out his remaining contract (good for him and the team) and now switched to Renault. Yet, he still can’t get over from what happened last season. He was just happy to be told that he is the first driver. I thought if Alonso could have just shut up and drive throughout last season, things could have better.

The thing with Alonso is that not only he failed to see he did not deserve to be having special treatments, instead he blamed it on others. Renault, having not doing very good last year and their car is far from good to compete for the championship. It will be awkward to see Alonso starting from the position number ten in his Renault car.

To me it is like going for an interview and not getting it, and come out and cursed them for not having the same taste alike. Or like running an election and not getting it, and felt irate that the voters do not being appreciating. Hello?

I know it really sucks to hear about our own weaknesses and at times it is really tough to take it. Sometimes, even the best could not win. Well, my words are, ‘suck it up and live with it’. Don’t complain so much because it only lowers your standards. Don’t be the cry baby, just keep your head low and keep working until you pull it through.

2008, what a year it will be!

So I promised myself to write something about this bloke, a college graduate who trades a flight home for an adventure on two wheels. Yes, ride all the way back on a bicycle, the 2-wheels thingy.

It's the 21st day going into 2008 now and I haven't written anything about it. Kinda sad huh? Didn't even really thought of putting up my new year's To-Do-List for the year. Anyway, among my anesthesia days of working, I found out about this dude. His name is Tzuo Hann Law, a malaysia as a matter of fact, and did a good job on his adventure as he was doing it for charity too. Attracted some local interest and I found out about him on the newspaper.

It was somehow inspiring to me and his blog kept me up all night, making sure I have at least ran through all of his daily writing. It interested me because I happened to decide to travel the world, after working to close 2 years. A few about it...

I was interested to find out where did he pick a spot to sleep? It turned out he just jumps into the bush before dark, hid his bike and sleep there under the starring stars.

Then, what about safety? Actually, this dude just camped all over the place, without paying a penny. When came talking about it, it does sound dangerous to a certain point. But I was thinking, it is just how much streetwise you are chucking it out from your brain.

Shower, any? Ha, that's the most interesting part to tell of.

Check it out yourself! Here. (that's one of his cleaner looking pic)



For me, it really does sounds when come to do things like this. Except that I have to start working out more in the gym, and eventually got a bike to test it out. Well, it is a long journey just started! I have got my UK working & holiday visa and planning to go there, make some hard cash and save a bunch, and hit the road. Of course, I will be resigning from my job too. My dad wasn't too happy about it. Sigh, just can't really force things out, can we?

Also, many plans have popped up in my little fish brain ever since. I was actually thinking of doing a cross-country trip by land, all the way from UK, past Europe, past Middle East or Russia, past China, get into South-East Asia and say hai to my parents when I press the door bell at my house. Africa does sounds too. For America, I would definitely want to go back there again, since I was only in the States. Need to go Canada, Mexico, Middle America and South America.

After found out about the bike dude, it gave me a lighting bulb in the head that doing it with bike, 1) It should save much more from local transportation expenses, 2) I get the freedom of going anywhere I wish, as long as there is a road to ride, 3) It sure damn sounds more meaningful. On the down side, just hope my legs ain't breaking off and my butt won't burn.

So, HAPPY 2008! (Late is always better than never)

I should be gone by April and god helps, please let me see the world again. Yes, who ain't going to say, 'Are you crazy or what?' But, even it is crazy, at least I will have done it once, in my this short miserable life. HAHA!

The Long Journey.

(Taken in Halong Bay, Vietnam, by a brilliant Port Klang dickhead!)

Ho ho ho ho ho~!

On the Christmas Eve of 2007, we joined the Rotary Club of
Port Klang to entertain at the Old Folks Home, Chik Sin
Thong, in Klang.

Ho ho ho ho ho ho ...

Copyright to Xavier See

Ho ho ho ho ho, Merry Christmas~

Lo Mas Mejor Cocinero!!! The best Chef!

We were graciously invited for a Chicken Rice dining at

my uncle's place (Yi Kou Fu), and Man! it was ... ...
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FANTASTIC!


The Chicken...


And of course, we can't forget about the sauces
that goes with the chicken...


and my favourite! Fried Eggs...


Err... some intestines...

Yi Kou Mou's Roasted Pork!


The whole dine! Pay attention, we are having 'Round Rice' to
go with the dishes...!


See, did't bluff you. Everyone is happy eating here.




So next time, remember the real Chicken Rice Shop is here! Jalan 222!!
Not here...

PS. The other hosts, Yi Kou Mou, Shieu Yee Jeje & Francis & Mary Anne were there too.

PS. PS. Thank you so much for the great food... :)

'Sleeps with the fishes' - The Godfather

Don Corleone says, "Don't let me make you sleeps with the fishes!"

And he really mean it...

His most trusted Capo, Signore Lawrence Cheam, to check on the fish.

There should be more than eight thousands fishes in the pond.

The newly recruited soldier feeding the hungry fishes.

The rest of the Mafias...

Particularly Signora Kim & Signora Ow.

You ini tak benar belajar ke? / You this, never studied?

Out of my normal boring working days, something happened… I should say quite extra ordinary. It was during a normal night, while I was catching up on some works and working overtime. I went back for a change so I could get more comfortable since my office it just close by to my place.

Quickly, I had my dinner and changed into casual short and t-shirt, and come back to the office to continue to start working. Arrived in front of the office, I can’t find any empty parking slot. However, I spotted something familiar, an old grey colour 1980’s 200 Series Mercedes. I thought to myself that is my dad’s car. Without thinking twice, I parked my Isuzu Trooper right behind it and went into the office.

While I was into my works, talking to my colleague about the current project, about this and that, someone came knocking on our office glass door. My colleague, who sits near the door, saw the person is pointing at something in front of our office. Subconsciously, he knew it should be some vehicles blocking other vehicles as it is common for shop houses like ours to be cramped up with many vehicles.

Immediately, I thought of my vehicle. I wondered why my dad doesn’t come in himself and let me know. As soon as I got out, I find out why. I saw a Malay guy, who is as tall as me and slightly muscular, leaning on my vehicle. He had a cigarette in his mouth and looks pretty calm. I realized the car I block isn’t my dad’s and it’s someone else. I felt sorry right away. It happened to be the same model, same colour and about the same age too, I guess.

I tried my luck by smiling to him as soon as our eyes contact, lifted my hand and to gesture a ‘sorry’. Out of all my expectations, the Malay guy started a rampage, saying, “Mengapa you orang suka bagi orang lain trouble?” in Malay mixing with English. (Direct translation - “Why you people like to give other people troubles?”) As he said this, he raises his voice and becoming more provoking. He continued to question me about the same issue that I blocked his car. He continued, “Why you people here is so inconsiderate?”, “Why you people here like to do this?”

He was leaning and standing in front of my vehicle. The reproaching carried on like this for a minute or so, long enough that I have had enough of him. While he was bitching out, he actually moves closer to block my way to make sure that I would take up all his abuses. With his high pitch and his body language, it was obvious that he is suggesting for a fight.

There were many things going through my mind at the moment. Should I throw him a punch and whack him with my golf club? But I might end in jail that night. Or, should I provoke him more to get a punch from him and make a police report, so I have proof to get him into jail? But I definitely hate to have a broken nose. Well, either way is not what I wanted because I will not get to finish my work which is due tomorrow 7am!

So, what I really did was put up both of my arms crossed in front of my chest, looking at him emotionlessly, at least as emotionlessly as possible. To be frank, with pissed off face too. Crossing my arms meant that I did not want to fight him at all. Still, he was reluctant to let me go off easily. He threw a question and asks, “You ini, tak benar belajar ke?” (Direct Translation – “You this, never study?”)

After all these years that my parents have spent on me in schools and universities, I kept quiet. Then I shook my head indicating, “Yeah, you might be pretty right” and raise my shoulder giving the “I don’t know, do you really believe?” look. Then he threw his best English, “So you now, get the hell out here!!” (Strategically missing the ‘of’ word).

Seeing him finally moving out of the way, I walk to my vehicle disgustedly and move it away. Of course, I didn’t throw him a punch, though I really wanted to. When I was in my car, I saw passer-by nearby walk away disappointedly. I guess he has witnessed the whole drama and was hopeful of a great street fight. I sure hope he is standing at my side.

When I entered back into the office, I feel a cold sting running through my back. As though I had just taken a Roller Coaster ride, or have just recovered from a Bungee Jump. I was not frightened but simply in a disbelief stage. I just could not believe I am honoured to meet such a big asshole.

Whether if it is me that should not have blocked his vehicle or he could have expressed his need to get out there more pleasantly (maybe his car’s honk was not working that night). What he did was simply immature and low class. I have to admit it only takes another immature and low class fool to fight him back.

Well, fortunately, that night carried on quietly with me finishing my works back in the office.

Picture pirated from racpklg, which should be pirated from somewhere else.

Malaysia Time 1:45am

Man! I miss Blogging!!!

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!!!ginggolB ssim I !naM

PS: All the best, Rotaract Club of Port Klang Centennial, having their 3rd Installation Night tonight! :)

What a Ripper!

Lloyd: Oh, Lord, this GSE trip is really gruesome...
Every other day we have to move, we have to party, we have to drink red wine, we have do this do that... Man, I need a break!

... ... Then came a voice... ...
Lord: Yes, my son. You have something to speak?
Lloyd: Oh my God! Is there someone?
Lord: Yes, you just called my name again.
Lloyd: Okay, so you are the 'Lord'?
Lord: Of course I am.

Lloyd: Alright, I am sorry. I didn't mean to doubt you. I just didn't expect you to answer.
Lord: Oh my son, I answer to you all the time .
Lloyd: Okay, then, I want immediate effect that I will be left alone, giving me a break from this gruesome GSE trip!
Lord: Okay, I'll grant you this one wish, not exactly immediately but pretty immediately.
Lloyd: Really!?!? Man, God, you're really awesome!

... ...So as the Lord answering Lloyd's prayer... ...

Not exactly immediately but pretty immediately.
On the very first day the plane landed, he starts to feel the effect, not quite a pleasant one.
It is more an itchy one...
He has got Chicken Pox!!!
So now, the world has to leave him alone behind and move on...
Leaving him totally isolated in his house...
God! You are so 'KIND'!!! ... Argh... ...

Crikey Mate!

Crikey! This place looks desserted!
Definitely need to be lighten up a bit!

Well, ever wonder what the hell is Lloyd doing in old Queensland?
Let me bring you through a typical day for Lloyd.

Hey mate, ready for some work?
Alright 'en! Got ready to milk the cow, wash the
horse & collect the cow dugs!

Pip Fewtrell, the itchy male doggy

Chilli, the jumpy female doggy

Nugget, the 900 kilogram bull.

Saby, the 5 ft & 50 kilogram 'oh, I'm
still a little tiny puppy' doggy

Better start milking the cow before it's all suck up!

Horsie, the horse!

Alright 'en, can't forget to promote my gse team!
Click here for latest updates.

For some updates

For more updates on Lloyd's GSE trip in
Papua New Guinea & Queensland, Australia
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please click HERE!

Just a little preview...

Surfing, Australia

Sunset in Gold Coast, Australia.

Tribes, Papua New Guinea.

By the way, does any one know how to say...
"Don't eat me!!!" in Papua New Guinean?

Lloyd will be away to a Rotary Group Study Exchange
for a month, to Queensland Australia & Papua New Guinea.
Therefore, he will be no entertaining any phone calls,
messagings, emailings & datings.

For more info - please click GSE

So here we come and there we go

Wann Yan, Eng Tee, Li-Shun, Lloyd, Harnniann, Rosemarie, Hau Yen, at LCCT.

Here I Come~

Vietnam, Here I come!

Happy Chinese New Year, to all my friends & family!!
Everywhere, Everyone, all around the world!!