The recent trip to Sipadan Island was the best time of my life.

In 6 days, I made many new friends, and took over 1000+ pictures of underwater and on land fun. I never expected to have this much fun! It's really the best time of my life.

On the day of my arrival, I was basically still in dazed as I have not packed my bags until a few hours before the flight, and it dawned upon me that I also need to check-in earlier, which requires me to wake up at 3 am and grab a cab to KL Sentral. My departure from the house was a mess because I woke my mom up to send me to KL Sentral, and ended up getting a taxi because I think she needs the rest. So, I spent around RM23 for the cab, and another RM9 for the LCCT bus, which I slept all the way. At the airport, I read my new science thriller book while waiting for my flight. It rained that morning, and I thought it would be a bad sign for a diving trip. Then again, since i'm diving, it wouldn't make any difference.

Anyway, even as I reached Tawau, I stupidly walked around, looked for my cab to Semporna, and found the man and negotiated the fare for RM50. I finally reached the dive office, and they sent me to Mabul Island with the owner of the homestay. I shared a room with Renee, another Malaysian airstewardess. At first, I couldnt really socialize since it's awkward for me to just come in and started making a big fuss. So, i read my book, and took an afternoon nap even though it's hotter than a steam room. No breeze at all. But i was too tired to be bothered.

Johnny, the so-called manager of the dive centre asked me to join him for a sunset dive to see the mandarin fish. So, I went with him (despite oni 8 hours re-compression) and saw a lot of mandarin fishes. We stayed at the dive site for a bit for photography but I didnt see what's the thrill all about since it was only my first dive. :D

The next day, I headed off to Sipadan diving at the usual popular site like Drop Off, Barracuda point, and saw plenty of sharks, turtles and tuna fishes! I never knew tuna fishes grow THAT big.... like half of my size. DAMN! a couple of times, i got frightened as the white tip shark appeared in front of me, swimming towards me, where i immediately stopped and put my fins forward in case of any attack. It rested on the reef, and I took the opportunity for photography until I realized there was another shark nearby, and a titan triggerfish below me. Then, i got anxious and swam off. :P

The dives were exciting and it was BEAUTIFUL. World class indeed. I would love to go again and stay for 2 weeks next time. A couple of incident I got slapped by the turtle because it was trying to swim away from me, and hit me on the head/face. Another time was due to the current, that it was so strong and the turtle got drifted and bump into me. What hilarious moments. occasionally i get fin kicks by other divers which made some of them laughed so hard underwater and wasted our air supply.

Every night, there will be someone playing the guitar, singing under the stars, when my new found friends celebrate their last night in the island by watching the sky, and i saw shooting stars for the first time in my life THREE TIMES. we had so much laughter that night and I missed everything already. There were also times, when newcomers stayed for a night, bringing their supply of food, 2 boxes of heineken bottles, and some fishes, noodles to be cooked and shared it with me. The newcomers were men from Tawau, chinese and gangster looking people. I couldnt believe i drank beers with them despite knowing some of them are pimps and triads in Tawau. We drank, played cards, and sing under the big blue sky with shooting stars.

It was a memorable trip, the best ever. I guess it's true that you dont need to go all over the world when the best place is just nearby.

I love this trip.