Tioman Weekend Dive Log (July)

Dive #1 04/07/09 Soyak
Time In: 11:24, Time Out: 12:24
Depth: 13.4m, Bottom Time: 00:57, Safety Stop: 3min, PG: Q

Dive #2 04/07/09 Labas
Time In: 15:09, Time Out: 15:59
Surface Interval: 02:45, PG: A
Depth: 13.7m Bottom Time: 00:47 Safety Stop: 3min PG: Q

Dive #3 04/07/09 Renggis
Time In: 17:08 Time Out: 17:58
Surface Interval: 01:09 PG: E
Depth: 11.3m Bottom Time: 00:47 Safety Stop: 3min PG: R

Dive #4 05/07/09 Soyak Wreck
Time In: 10:05 Time Out: 10:50
Depth: 22.5m Bottom Time: 00:42 Safety Stop: 3min PG: S

Dive #5 05/07/09 Renggis
Time In: 12:16 Time Out: 13:06
Surface Interval: 02:11 PG: B
Depth: 11.6m Bottom Time: 00:46 Safety Stop: 3min PG: P

Total dives: 38

Photos were in last week but I was too busy so took a while to try post process the photos. The UW camera belong to Angie, one of the divers in our group. It was a Canon powershot 720IS which was one of the highly rated cameras on land few years back. I was anticipating how will it perform underwater. The photos below were after processing using Aperture and I have done as much as I could. I can use photoshop for more controls but it will not be worth my time to do it. This is the also the first photo project that I had to do so much colour correction. After this time, I know that an UW point and shoot camera is just now for me. Rather bite the bullet and get the dslr setup.

For that weekend dive, I joined Steph's cousin's (Roy) trip. I learnt that he is a hardcore diver himself so much so that he and his friends registered their own dive operation to organize trips. So it is more for themselves and friends than to do massive groups of divers. This is also my 3rd different dive operator that I joined for Tioman dives. I used to think that better to stick to the dive center you are comfortable with but now I think there is no harm trying others. At least you get to compare which gives more value.

Our resort was at Tekek Village in Tioman, also near the airport. It was my first time here and I was quite impressed. It reminded me a little of my Ko Tao trip in Thailand. As this is near the airport, everything including the alcohol is tax free. Imagine a small bottle of hoegarden going for RM 6.

We were at Tioman Reef Divers for that weekend and I had the most welfare dives of all! For the first time, I never had to carry or change tanks between dives. The small boat took out out to the sites, gear up, enter the water, surfaced and slacked. There will be guys from the dive shop who would help us change the tanks. Usually instead of that scenario, I would be in bigger dive boats, cramping with maybe 20 divers trying to change tanks and gear up while the boat will be rocking with the currents. There are pros and cons though. The bigger boat will be able to visit further dive sites.

Out of the 5 dives, I've been to all except for Labas. It was totally new to me and when we arrived, it looked like huge rock formations above sea level, nothing exciting. Down below, it was a whole new story. It was amazing. Swim through tunnels, walls, fans and all. I never expected such sights in Tioman.

I was a little disappointed at first when I couldn't a single turtle despite the same time and dive site when I saw 4 of them few weeks ago but when we saw a huge moray eel, that made up for it. It looks small in the photo but it was really quite big in life. I can't imagine what happens if you attempt to put your hand near it.

Another surprise sight was a cuttlefish! Honestly I am not sure if the cuttlefish we have in the market is of the same species that I saw. I hope not otherwise I don't think I will eat cuttlefish ever again. I saw one in Thailand but it took off so quickly that I could barely look at it. This one, it didn't panic and was actually hanging around. It feels like we were at that spot for quite some time, admiring it. It looked so ugly yet so beautiful. It is ironic. That moment was definitely rarer than spotting a turtle. This is one of the highlights of diving, coming across really wild weird looking creatures. Yes, we can actually just visit Underwater World and see them all but coming across them by chance makes one feel lucky.

Another cool dive was at Soyak Wreck. I can't recall if I have been there before, maybe not. It was a deeper dive and the boat was in a total wreck. It didn't look interesting at first, visibility was poor until we saw a full body moray eel lying on the deck. In the morning, we were still discussing about the huge moray eel we saw the day before, wondering how long is its full body when it is out of its reef. Now we actually see one for ourself! It looked quite sick, maybe a h1n1 infected nemo swam by and sneezed at it. =p I was so crazy about it that I got really close. Our dive guide stroked it and took a photo with it. The eel looked sick enough and I stroked it too. That is probably the closest one can ever get to an eel. Suddenly my buoyancy control became so good that I hovered so close to it. When we were leaving, I noticed there were sea urchins just below me! My goodness, I was in my lazy outfit, just a rash guard and surf shorts, totally not well protected at all. If I were to be pricked by the urchins, it is going to be another drama mama weekend for me...

My back was quite tame for the trip. Entering the water with a back entry reduces strain from walking around the boat when geared up. And after surfacing from dives, I would remove my gear first before climbing up the ladder to the boat. My buoyancy control has also improved and I could do with only 2 weights now. Less weights also reduces back strain.

Besides all the great dives, the food was perfect. Every meal was like a feast! Roy organised for us cze char style. At other resorts, it will usually be a buffet with average but decent food.

After this trip, got to learn a few stuff about my BCD and I have made further adjustments to it. Can't wait to dive again with it.

Btw, this time I remembered to bring my Freehand Zero down underwater! It is not possible to throw a yoyo in the water, however it is a great place if you want to figure out string or picture tricks with water supporting the strings. Will remember to take pictures the next time round.