Mala Mala what??!!

Let's go back to diving. 

Taking up diving as a hobby has brought me to a few beautiful and amazing places, that I never would've gone if I did not start diving. 

And best of all, these places are all extremely accessible via the AirAsia network from Kuala Lumpur. Thankfully, as a staff, we enjoy super affordable travel options and adds to my overall diving experiences. 

Last month (March 2015), I visited an island called Malapascua. 

"Mala mala what?!" 

Yes, this is the 'Mala Mala what?' island. A not so perfect panoramic photo as we approached Malapascua *teehee*

That's the question I get every single time I mention about this place to about 95% of the people I talk to before and after I visited this amazing island. 

So, I decided that I need to talk about this place, because: 

a) it is a BEAUTIFUL place 

b) it is not a remote place (meaning it's not that difficult to get there)

c) it deserves so much more attention than what it gets right now 

d) and do I have to say again how beautiful that place is 

Firstly, I know it sounds like a remote place that you'd have to travel across the oceans to access. But NO, Malapascua is in the Philippines. Cebu, to be exact. 

So how do you get there? 

• Take a direct flight from Kuala Lumpur - Cebu (4hr flight) via AirAsia (the only airline that has this direct route. Other airlines, you'd have to transit via Manila)
• Then, a 3-hour comfortable drive / ride down south to Maya Wharf. (I say comfortable because the roads are properly paved, and no need to go through terrains, etc - very smooth ride) 
• And lastly, just take another 30-min boat ride, and you are on Malapascua! 

These were my dive buddies during the trip :D Shot was taken on Kalangaman Island (more info on that in a bit)

Okay, so fine, beautiful clear blue waters, white sandy beaches, you can find that anywhere (I can hear you saying it already)... so what's so special? 

WEATHER

It is hot, but not humid. You can stroll along the beach, chill in a hammock, sit at the dive shop and enjoy the WiFi and do some work, have a drink by the beach and whatever else you want to do - all without breaking a sweat, because the humidity is quite low. *argh, wish I was back there right now* 

WIFI 

Every hotel, restaurant, dive shop provides FREE WIFI! So, no need to worry about not being connected to the world. Furthermore, the mobile data coverage is very strong with full bar 3G as well. So, for someone like me, who has to be connected at all times due to the nature of my job - this is definitely a major plus point! 

FOOD

I never really knew how to appreciate Filipino cuisine, but being in Malapascua changed my mind. The locals there can cook up a storm. No matter whether you order local Filipino food, or Western food - it all tastes pretty OK. 

How about Halal Food? 

Let's just say if you love seafood, it would not be a problem. But otherwise, those who need Halal food will need to bring along some Mamee Chef cups / eat bread / go on a vege diet for a few days? 

PEOPLE 

Whether you are talking to the people who run the dive shops, the staff who keep the hotels running, or people who serve you at the restaurants - friendly / hospitable doesn't even begin to describe them. Enough said :) 

DIVING 

Of course, how can I miss out details about diving in Malapascua?! 

Thresher Sharks 

Yes, Malapascua is probably one of the very few places on earth where you can see Thresher Sharks up close. The dive site for this is called 'Monad Shoal' and it is actually a cleaning station where the Thresher Sharks come up from the depths to get their skin cleaned by cleaner fishes! 

It was such an amazing feeling to see them. No regrets whatsoever waking up at 3.30AM every morning to catch these amazing creatures. (Sunrise is about 4.30AM - 5.00AM and that is the best time to try and see them). 

Kalangaman Island! 

Yes, no filter!! This is what the beach looks like on Kalangaman Island! Shot on my iPhone 5s

You take a boat out for the whole day (like 7am - 3pm) to this island, and enjoy a barbecue lunch on the island as well. We did 2 dives around the island - but you'd probably enjoy it more if you are more into macro stuff, and have amazing cameras to capture the macrolife. 

Although I am not really a macro kinda person, I didn't mind at all just diving around and enjoying some of the best surface intervals I've ever experienced on Kalangaman Island itself :) 

Few other things, that absolutely made me fall in love with Malapascua: 

Sunset Dives & Mandarin Fish

You can opt to do a sunset dive, and watch Mandarin Fish mate! Unfortunately, I didn't bring down my camera during the sunset dive, and the ones who did have not shared photos with me, or did not manage to get proper photos. But is it worth it? YES! 

The sunset dive continues on to become a night dive, and you can see seahorses, crabs, and errmmm.... each other? I was pretty freaked out coz I am afraid of the dark but I still had an amazing sunset dive experience thanks to awesome buddies & of course, an awesome dive guide. There were 4 of us to a guide. 

Gato Island 

This island is about 45min boat ride away, but you definitely do not need to think, to even consider going to this place. Dive operators will impose a surcharge to bring you there - but you can't say you've been diving in Malapascua without dropping by Gato Island. 

Why? 

Because - this!! 

[Photo credit: Wan Arif] There are only a few dive sites on Gato Island, and this is a must-do. First, you go into a mini cave, and then you descend about 5-6m, and then you go through a short 30m tunnel (it's kinda wide, so no need to feel claustrophobic) and at the end of the tunnel.... you seee..... 

[Photo credit: Wan Arif] .....THIS!!! Happy reef sharks greet you at the end of the tunnel :D Hehehe.... 

Hammerhead Sharks 

We were told up to 15 hammerheads were spotted few days before, and we tried our luck at Kimud Shoal to try and find the hammerheads. There was one who made a cameo appearance, but I didn't manage to spot it even though the guide tried to lead us towards it. Most of everyone didn't spot it either.

Wow, this has been quite a long post, and honestly, there are so many things I have to say about this place. I hope I'd be able to go back again next year, since it's so easily accessible. 

So now you don't have to go 'Mala mala what?!?!' the next time I force my diving stories on you :) 

Hope this post will help others appreciate Malapascua, as much as I did :) 

A view like this doesn't leave your memory. Till the next visit, Malapascua. I miss you!

Wet, Wet, Songkran Weekend!

I've heard so much about Songkran celebrations in Thailand. But never had the opportunity to experience it before, although there are somewhat some kind of Songkran celebrations in Penang (my hometown) as well. 

So, finally, this year - I had the privilege to accompany a group of bloggers to Khon Kaen (North Eastern part of Thailand) as part of the #AABCSongkranAdventure and you know what.... 

SONGKRAN IS AWESOME!! 

And here are some photos that speak for themselves :) 

That's Jason Walauwei's super long hands that act as our selfie stick throughout the trip :D Hehehe.
Photo credit: @missyblurkit's GoPro 

It is quite a buzz at the AirAsia Water Station in Khon Kaen!! Fun Fun Fun!!
Photo credit: @missyblurkit's GoPro 

The AirAsia Water Station @ Srichan Road in Khon Kaen... the parade & party were held here. It is nearby the Central Plaza Khon Kaen. Photo is my own. 

Some of the dancers who were part of the Dance Battle - which is part of the program throughout the few days of activities at the AirAsia Water Station in Khon Kaen 

L - R: @cheechingy, @akiraceo, @walauwei (back), @missyblurkit (front), Immy from Thai AirAsia's Culture team & myself! 

I would dare say - you've never experienced Songkran until you've experienced it in Thailand! Don't worry if you've missed out on the fun this year, because you can start planning for your own trip next year. 

Songkran (which is the Thai New Year) happens on the 2nd week of April every year - and there will be Songkran festivals almost anywhere throughout the whole of Thailand during the celebrations. So take your pick, plan your trip and be ensured you'll have a great time next April :D 

Our team went to Khon Kaen, which is a Thai AirAsia domestic destination (Bangkok - Khon Kaen: 4x daily flights. Flight duration is approx. 60min. Just check out the flight timings at the AirAsia website). 

It is very different from most of the other Thai cities that I have ever visited (only Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Chiang Mai so far) but I will leave that to another post, to share with you about what's good and what's not good over there! 

I'm gonna go get my water gun out for another water war after this :) 

Meanwhile, have a great weekend ahead everyone! 

P/S: You can check out the links of the #AABC Bloggers' sites who were on this trip at the side panel of my blog. Enjoy reading their stories! 

I can't swim, so I can't dive!! #NOTTRUE

Happy that my previous post created some curiosity about diving :) Always happy to have friends discover the joy of the underwater world.

I know I said I would post about my experiences at the limited amount of dive destinations I've been to in the past year, but I thought I'd share about my journey in becoming an avid diver too!

There was a question posed by someone - "Do I need to know how to swim if I want to scuba dive?"

Guess what - the answer is NO!

How do I know that? Because I am a great swimmer, but I started off being one of the worst students my instructor ever had, for the simple fact that I am a swimmer! Of course, everyone's experience will be different, so I am just sharing mine - this might not apply to other swimmers + divers out there.

I remember scoring 98% for the theory test for the Open Water Course, and everyone had their money on me excelling during the open water skills in Pulau Tenggol. When that moment came, I surprised even myself (and everyone else) - the very first time I descended into the sea (it was only 5m) and touched the bottom, there was only one thought that was racing through my mind.

**************

OMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMG - I need to move, I need to be on the surface, the water is crashing down on me, I cannot breathe, safety is at the surface, I need to go up NOWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!! 

**************

So I did surface, almost immediately, and to my own disappointment, I couldn't make myself go down again. Despite the dive master (who was assisting the instructor) trying to calm me down and coax me to continue, I gave an ultimatum (with some tears too - coz it was just way too overwhelming for me #drama I know), that I will not complete the Open Water course.

"Diving is just not for me," I said convincingly to all of them. Embarrassed of myself too, but of course, I coated that with lots of 'confidence' about my decision.

You see, for me, as a swimmer, my natural reflex when I am in the water is to stay on the surface, and keep moving. That's what we swimmers do! I'm as island girl (Penang FTW!), I grew up loving the water and swimming is a favourite pastime. So how did this happen?

It never crossed my mind that scuba diving is all about being relaxed, being calm, level-headed, super alert to your surroundings, trust, and just being in the moment.

Not bulldozing through the waters like what I normally do when I hit the pool / swim in the sea.

Many of my friends who dive, actually don't swim too! So, if you are wondering if you need to know how to swim to scuba dive - the answer is NO :) In fact, the non-swimmers are the ones that have no pre-conceived ideas of having to move all the time & be on the surface and actually enjoy the experience of being underwater instantly.

Passed with flying colours on my 2nd attempt at the Open Water Course. This is the instructor who certified me in April 2014

So what happened after that was:

• Got home, ridiculed by the fact that I was so determined to do it but failed - decided to practice all the skills at the Pusat Akuatik Shah Alam pool (it's 5m deep and many people go there to practice too). 
• Returned to Pulau Tenggol with a few friends and my instructor, and repeated the OW course. And the rest is history!! :) 

Hope this is of some value to anyone out there wondering if you should take up scuba diving or not. It is simple - Why Not? :D 

Live to Dive!

Early in 2014 (March to be exact), I was finally convinced to actually take my Open Water scuba diving certification, thanks to a fellow colleague who continuously encouraged me to do it. 

So here I am, one year later - officially a scuba diving addict and live counting down towards the next moment I get to breathe in compressed air. 

I've been extremely fortunate to be able to go diving at almost any time I want, as Malaysia has ample dive sites. But - the best of all would be because AirAsia connects me to so many world class dive sites throughout the whole region! 

Just thought I'd share some of my awesome dive experiences in the upcoming posts, so lookout for photos & videos of some of the 46 dives I've managed to log so far in the past year. 

Destinations coming up: 

• Pulau Tenggol, Terengganu, Malaysia: 9 dives 
• Pulau Perhentian, Terengganu, Malaysia: 5 dives 
• Bali (super amazing dive sites), Indonesia: 21 dives 
• Malapascua, Cebu, Philippines: 11 dives 

Meanwhile, here's a view of the breathtaking, mesmerizing Kalangaman Island (one of the best surface intervals I've ever experienced), which you can get to by flying from Kuala Lumpur - Cebu (AirAsia flies direct), take a boat transfer to Malapascua Island & then to this paradise. OMG I miss this place so much already!!!! 

So now, let me go compile the materials for upcoming posts :) 

Feel free to connect with me if you are also a fellow scuba diving addict!! 

Happy ASEAN Day!!

Did you know that yesterday (8th Aug) was ASEAN Day? 

Just some simple facts that you might already know (or maybe not) about ASEAN:

• ASEAN has 10 member states - Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand & Vietnam. (I am actually trying to tick them all off my travelling list, but still have 2 more countries to complete! *Argggghhhh*) 
• The population of ASEAN is actually approximately 625 million - and yes, that's 9% of the earth's population! 
• And most importantly, for avid travellers & soul-searchers out there, did you know that there are a total of 33 UNESCO Heritage Sites just in ASEAN alone? (I am glad I am born in a region that's so full of rich history, culture & diversity!) 

I must say I am truly blessed to be working for an airline, and am able to travel throughout this region. It has taught me many lessons (both good & bad), opened my eyes & my mind, as well as helped me to expand my knowledge. 

There are simply so many things you can do while travelling throughout all the ASEAN countries, and here are some of my memories throughout some of the places I've been to (which you can try too!)

SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA: When you do get to Siem Reap, remember to catch the sunrise at Angkor Wat!! It is one of the most amazing experiences of my life :) Truly indescribable. And trust me when I say the nightlife in Siem Reap is HAVOC!! :P 

CHIANG MAI, THAILAND: Take an awesome white-water rafting session down one of the rivers. What an adventure we had!! #overnice peeps would understand :D (can you spot which one I am in the photo? Hehe)

Guess where I took this photo?  JAKARTA, INDONESIA! I had the privilege to be taken around Jakarta by a good friend, and we discovered many places off the beaten track that helped me to appreciate the beauty of Jakarta :) 

SINGAPORE: Visit the world's largest viewing panel in an aquarium at Singapore's SEA Aquarium @ Sentosa. If you love aquariums, this is definitely your playground. 

DA NANG, VIETNAM: This is Hoi An, one of the UNESCO Heritage Sites situated in Da Nang. Another UNESCO Heritage Site worth visiting while at Da Nang is the ancient city of Hue. Google them and read all about it :) I've been to Da Nang three times, and I'm still in love with it!! 

LUANG PRABANG, LAOS: Learn some traditional Laotian handicraft & artwork at Luang Prabang. There are also elephant rehabilitation centres here in Luang Prabang, and one day, I hope to be able to stay there and help out. The architecture & ambience of Luang Prabang is simply enchanting. 

PERHENTIAN ISLANDS, TERENGGANU, MALAYSIA: Enjoy some of the most beautiful beaches, snorkelling spots & diving sites in the world at our own backyard, Malaysia :) My recent foray into diving as a leisure activity has kept me busy with planning for dive trips. And there are still so many dive sites in Malaysia to discover!! 

BORACAY, PHILIPPINES: Simply chill & hang out by the beaches of beautiful Boracay at Philippines. I remember I had a whirlwind 24hour trip to Boracay few years back. So hopefully I get to return there again soon. 

So yes, that's 8 countries and the only 2 countries left for me to explore are: Brunei & Myanmar. Looking forward to complete the ASEAN list, but the only obstacles are: time & money. Haha... I am sure many others can relate. 

Unfortunately, work has not brought me to either Brunei OR Myanmar yet (yes, this is an answer to those who I can hear saying - ya meh, work in airline takkan never go there for work before??). 

Of course, all 10 countries in ASEAN are so amazingly power-packed in various cultures, beliefs and history, one simply cannot finish exploring all the places there are in ASEAN. But above all, I believe that the borders that define our countries, cannot stop us uniting through our diversity. It feels good to be an ASEAN Citizen :)  

And it also feels good that these beautiful birds below can bridge gaps & bring ASEAN closer together :) 

KLIA2: The sight of these beautiful aircraft lining up to connect family, friends and communities never fail to put a smile on my face

So anyways, a belated Happy ASEAN Day to all of us, ASEAN Citizens :) Have a great weekend ahead!

How do you fly?

This photo is the whole reason why I thought of putting this post up! 

Everyone has their own style of flying, but this one sure takes the cake!! I can imagine the person sitting next to this girl/guy must be trying hard to remain in the seat. This was actually on my flight back this morning (no, not on AirAsia, as you can see from the layout of the aircraft cabin & seat colours). 

I usually travel with a backpack, containing my work lappie and a jacket and a book. And that'll sustain me throughout the flight (short ones). The remedy to longer flights will always be..... Sleeping! Haha. 

How about you? What's your flying habit like? 

Hope everyone had a great Thursday. Weekend is approaching ;)

Best thing about flying

As a frequent traveller, both for work and leisure, I find that the best part about flying is always having the pleasure of viewing magnificent sceneries as I take-off or about to land. Sunrise and sunsets always take my breath away, and always remind me of the vastness of this place we call earth, and at the end of the day, we are mere humans.

With so many things that are happening in the world today, it is easy to forget that life can be simple, if we want it to be and if we learn how to not be selfish and tolerate each other.

Just a short update on this blog just because I feel like it.

Here's a view I enjoyed yesterday while landing into Da Nang, Vietnam.

Carpe Diem, let's be kind to one another, doesn't hurt being nice ;)