Under the blue

I miss diving. Haven't done that in ages, about a year and half probably. Last dive in Redang, a beautiful albeit commercialised island about an hour off the coast of Terengganu.

I suppose I do hate one aspect of it - the oxygen tank! It's ridiculously heavy, at least for someone of my size. I am pretty petite. I struggle with it towards the water, with the grace of a penguin with a stubbed toe.

My first dives were done liveaboard in Cairns, the legendary Great Barrier Reef. I wouldn't recommend it as an initial experience. Quite traumatizing and possibly the physically hardest thing I've done ever. Waking up at 6am in the morning and leaping into the 23C water. 20+kg tanks. 20 knots wind. Rocky catamaran (not the glass bottom type). The first time I got in the water, my ears wouldn't "pop", i.e. I couldn't equalise the pressure. The pain was so awful, I was pretty sure my eardrums were goners. My instructor, a Kiwi appeared to dislike me from the start and was non too sympathetic.

Nontheless, I earned my stripes in three days and am an SSI member. Have been eagerly looking for opportunity and company to dive the infamous Sipadan, off coast of Sabah, but yet to find the right moment to do so. Plus it's ridiculously expensive! Costs about an arm, a leg and my first newborn.

When I do get Down Under, I'll be living about 200 metres from the beach. Yup, a 5 minute walk. *takes a moment to gloat* Hoping to get my advance open water certification then.

I guess my love of diving stems from living in a noisy city. When you're down there, all you hear is the sound of your own breathing. It's quiet. Things seem slower. Time stands still and allows you to leisurely examine minute, but beautiful underwater inhabitants. Soft corals wave lazily at you. Batfish follow you around persistently. The occasional moray eels snaps at you in greeting, sort of like my current senior.



It lets my mind to go blank, neutralising my neurosis.