It’s been a while!

It has been a long while. 31/2 years since my last post here. 

I went for my sabbatical 3 years ago.. Visited many other places (both old and new). 

Came back from my first ever Melbourne trip a couple of days back and still wanna stay offline for a bit. 😁 The joke about Melbourne was that even before I flew out, I bought a ticket to Melbourne for 2020. 😂

You know how sometimes you just know? That gut feel and all? I went Melbourne and I love it! It’s been a while since I had such feels about a place. 

And in 2018 and 2019 I left footprints in many places. And looking back, nothing of regrets. Here’s to a great 2020 (with me surviving work).. 🤪 

Counting down to April for my first trip, May/June for my diving one, August for a quick getaway, September/October for Melbourne again, and to round up the year, December to where my love for diving started. ❤️

Let’s go!

Maldives.. A much awaited destination for many. But..

Maldives. Whenever I spoke about it. It wasn't with enthusiasm or amazement. It was more of a 'Oh. Yeah. Been there. Done that.' Why that reaction many would ask. Isn't it one of the most sought after places to travel to. All the blue skies and clear blue sea. And of course the dives sites were supposedly one of the best in the world. I give a nonchalant shrug and move on.

Maldives is indeed well known around the globe for its many islands/atolls and how unbelievable the beaches are. (Read: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/maldives)

Now let me share what is good about the place first. I went during the first week of June with a friend. I booked this trip 7 months ahead and flew with TigerAir as they had a too-attractive offer of S$420 return as compared to SQ's S$1500. I booked my stay for 5 days at Gangehi Island Resort and it was also with a 10% discount for the overwater standard villas which amounted to close to S$200 per night. Which is still a great catch. 

So for the first time in my life heading over to Maldives. The sight I get is of atolls. Bits and pieces. And it was a sight to behold. Not all countries have this. Right? =) 

And to transit in order to reach the resort. We had to do a seaplane transfer. Which is USD$420 return.

My first seaplane ride and besides the initial humidity/stuffiness in the plane and the noise. It was fun! Hahaha.

There it is! Gangehi's Island Resort! Home for the next few days! =)

Finally setting foot onto the island! And yes. I brought a backpack along only. Well. It's only 5 days and it's an island. How much clothes would I need? =P

And the most awesome thing happened! We got a free upgrade to the overwater deluxe! Wheee!! 

I am such a sucker for sunshine and beautiful seas. =P

The dive shop.

Ok. Diving is really expensive in Maldives. Or at least that's what I encountered there. Per dive (including of equipment and tank - I didn't take Nitrox yet) was S$120. But since I'm there.. I couldn't just say no could I?

View from the lounge/bar. And there's free wifi.

From my balcony looking down. I could spot fishes! =D

Of course being an island resort there really isn't much one could do. Besides lying in the sun. Reading. Surfing the net. Snorkelling. Diving. So it isn't any surprise that we signed up for a snorkelling cum dolphin watching boat ride.

Dinner was in the other restaurant in the island. Veli restaurant. Which was actually nearer to our room than the buffet/lounge/bar.

There was also a sandbar reachable by walking during low tides.

A library within the grounds! Full of books!

So my verdict. Unless you really have money to splurge (all costs - besides the seaplane - was quoted in Euros and a simple ham and cheese toast can set you back easily by 8 Euros) and that you want to have the feeling of having the island all to yourself. You can have it. 

For me. I like being on an island. But I like the island to have a little more things for me to do/see. And comparing what I paid for Maldives (S$3k for 5 days inclusive of diving) and Philippines (S$3k for 17 days inclusive of getting 2 diving certifications) just to get the same blue skies and clear blue sea with sunsets. Philippines is really much worth it. And it's cheaper. 

It's still your choice. But once is enough for me. =)

Addicted to you!

Let's talk about my new addiction that has me falling head over heels in love with. Diving! 

'Scuba diving is swimming underwater using SCUBA - Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus. Using a cylinder of compressed gas to breathe (usually air, but sometimes other gases), scuba divers can stay underwater much longer than would be possible by just holding their breath - for hours or even days!' (extracted from: http://scuba.about.com/od/whatisscubadiving/a/About_Scuba.htm) 

Scuba diving has been on my bucket list for years now.. Since when I was in school? And that was a good 8 years back or so? Hahaha. I have been procrastinating coz it was 1) expensive 2) time away from work 3 days straight and having theory lessons was hard to arrange for 3) I was juz plainly procrastinating. So when I finally made up my mind on this trip. I was planning on doing only 3 things for the 16 days. 1) diving 2) white water rafting 3) surfing. 

What I didn't expect was really to complete the whole Open Water Dive (it cost me S$545 - theory. Confined water waters. 4 dives at Camiguin Action Geckos Dive and Adventure Resort.) and I was totally hooked on it! Arno is a fantastic instructor. He was super patient with me. Especially when I think it was super obvious how much I was panicking on my first confined water and especially during the flooding of mask and clearing it out part. He was calming me down as we were kneeling on the seabed. Don't ask me how he calmed me down. He juz did. And I really did calm down and took my own time to clear that part. I almost wanted to give up actually coz I was so freaked out by the world down under. I am so glad I didn't!

I became a pro setting up after 2 days of continuous practice. Hahaha..

The wetsuit was a killer. I took like 30 mins each time to get it on? Only after a few rounds of putting it on and removing it did I manage to get the hang of it and get in on in less than half the initial time. =)

As the days past. It was no surprise that I was out for dives every single day that it was automatic that I would wake up by 6.30am daily to get breakfast by 7.30am and then to leave by 8.30am or so. 

Of course I won't forget my first dive site. Sunken Cemetery. It was ok. I didn't do much of a tour coz I still had exercises to clear. Ah damn. I wanna go again!

At White Island there was quite a massive dive site know as Kilambing (and spilt into Kilambing South and North). I did 3 dives in the whole place and it was simply amazing. *heartz*

Happy diver - me.

Another amazing dive site at Mantigue island. But pity about its visibility. It wasn't that good. But the sand - *2 thumbz up* and the sea was as amazing.

And here I am at Siargao and juz finished planning my dives for my Advanced! Yes you read right. Advanced Open Water! Before I head over to Maldives next month. Coz Michele did an outstanding job of selling the dive sites in Maldives to me (she has been) and some of them needs AOW due to the depth. Hahaha.

Cheerz to my new found love and I am looking forward to my dives on Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday before a 5 days break and Maldives here I come! And Camiguin. You are not forgotten! I'm coming back for you next year!