Seeing a Whale Shark.

So, I ended my last dive for 2014 in Redang during it's closing season and coincidentally, I'm there again for it's opening season, just last weekend. Consider it a break from my work before GST's happening. 

The island was no doubt, packed like sardine on the first day of our arrival, due to school holidays. But it gets better on second day onward as people starts to leave the island and head back to the reality.

Arriving!

As a diver, I usually do not mind about the stay I'm getting as long as it's clean (not easy), and providing hot water and CLEAN, again. 

We stayed at Redang Bay, same resort as our last visit and surprisingly, they had the whole resort renovated! They now have more vendors surrounding the resort including a chill out bar, mini market, dessert shop and even a Taiwanese chicken chop stall, great stuff to kill time.

I personally think they provides kinda good packages including accommodation, food and dive packages (if you're a diver) at reasonable prices.

So, keep calm and gear up. Did I mention that I've got a beautiful birthday gift from T? A new BCD in my favorite red. Perfect timing for me to test it out before our Anilao trip in April.

My new set of gears. 

Anyway, I can mention many unforgettable and beautiful moments under water. But there's one dive that mark my most significant dive till date -- I saw a whale shark ! 

I was getting bored throughout the entire dive as there were nothing much to see, and my ass were freezing was all I can remember. While the few of us were doing safety stop at 5m before surface, i saw it swam gracefully passed us! I swear to god I thought I was dreaming for the first 2 sec before I alert the rest!

Not that hard to spot me under the water, really. 

In case you don't know,
The whale shark (Rhincodon typus) is a slow-moving filter feeding shark and the largest known extant fish species. - Wiki
It is NOT a whale.  They are harmless to people and usually indifferent to divers.

Image taken from Google. 

Well, it was a juvenile whale shark but it still counts! WHALE SHARK, geddit ?! 

Many were surprise that we saw it in Redang as it is definitely not a hot spot for it. We did not manage to capture any picture as it happened too random to our surprise. But boy, it definitely set a new milestone for my dive journey.


The sea, 
once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever. 
- Jacques Cousteau



To summarize the trip, view video below:

 

Till my next dive in two weeks time,
L

Weekend at TDH Cider Saturday Massacre!

I know I'm a little too late as it's touching mid of the month already but #niggasaywhuuuut? Better late than never. Out of many drunken days in the past few months, I find this particularly amusing and yea, counted as one of the best day ever!

I woke up hungover of one beautiful Saturday and decided to go for brunch with the #barefootchics group. Just when I thought I could get another 20 mins of sleep, Caryn said "No, get ready and I'm on my way to pick you up, let's go somewhere."
. 
For us being us. Coffee sounds strange, pretty sure our body's autopilot system would direct us to our right place. So yea, started with my favorite booze/boost of the day - Bloody Mary w lotsa lotsa lotsa tobasco at Circus KL. -_-

If you have to ask if it's too early to drink...You're an amateur & we can't be friends. 

Nowadays taking car seems to be too mainstream. Our friends are busy flying all over the world than being in town. Hours of catching up with the #barefootchics with drinks and taaadaaaa, off we go to TDH madness Cider Saturday! (Ten bucks/each for any cider in the house!)



As we all agreed to go slow with the silent killer, it went perfectly well for the.... first 90 minutes I would say.
Photos were great, peoples talking, everything's normal.

#barefootchics (short of one) w the manager? 

Then sh*t happened. Sorry, I mean #HAVOC happened!
What do you expect? The booze was cheaper than petrol!



To the partner in crime that started the whole ''judgement'' treat.



#Victim 1: Don.



#Victim 2: Sam.





#Victim 3,4,5,6,7,.....lost count. Do your math. :P





Holding a bottle of killer in my hand, that's where my memory went lost.




Nothing could  beat a whole day of cider tossing, surrounded by cherish people on my favorite day.


Cheers,
LouiseXin

Bali Tour and Things To Do.

Unlike well organized and wary tourist, who plan good itinerary and efficiently utilize every minutes during their vacation; we just bought the ticket and went without a clue to Bali. You can tell if you read my NYE wonders.
So my advice, take one hour or two to do some research and plan ahead a to-do-list before you go on a vacation, instead of trying your luck at lastminute.com. I've learnt my lesson well. :P :D

If you're not one of them who prefer to stick to the beach for your entire trip and able to wake up early, one of the must-do for tourist, choose a day tour that takes you to experience the traditional inheritance and beautiful sight seeing tour around. Price ranging from RM 100 and above depends on the activities you choose.

The Barong & Kris Dance 


See the Barong Kris dance. A traditional play represents an eternal fight between good and evil spirits. Barong, the good and Rangda the bad. Look how cute and fluffy they are! No offence but I think they're really really cute.





Then again, I love how they manage to keep the traditions so well. Every single details amazed me.





Don't mess with sifu!


Pass through Celuk village, stop by one of the many gold&silver smith house and pick a souvenir for yourself. Reasonable price for every handmade jewellery but be careful of picking up the false items.



Move on to Mount and Lake Batur at Kintamani for lunch break with the magnificent mountain view lays in front of you with chilling weather. You'll appreciate the weather after a morning knowing the heat in Bali. Except if you're unlucky as us, went on a rainy season. :(

Mount Batur was shy to meet us.


Nasi Bali/ Nasi Campur.


A good cuppa of drink is essential after lunch. Take a stop at Temen Village, try world's most expensive coffee which made from poo - Kopi Luwak at 50,000.00 Rupiah (RM15)/glass. I had one and honestly, I don't understand what makes it special. Perhaps I'm not born with the special tongue that tells. Instead I fell in love with the refreshing lemongrass tea. :x

The famous Luwak (Mongoose).






The local cigars.


The beautiful beans.




See Tegenungan Waterfall.
Rumour says it's a place for the dead. No one are allowed to go near to the waterfall as you might disturb the spirits. Our friendly tour guide told us one fell down from the waterfall and the body stayed there perfectly for a week. Nature preservative is strong I guess?



I'm not sure if you're aware, there is one famous attraction in Bali - the god damn traffic.
It could take one hour or more from one spot to the other regardless of the fact that they are all extremely close. My advice, stop  for tea before you kill someone, somewhere beautiful that make a plus.



Tegallalang rice terrace. 




Visit Ubud Palace and the local market.
You must know that the market is dirty and dodgy. But if you want to get the best deal for the little souvenir for your fella friends, that's the right place to go. Make sure you start with 90% discount on whatever price they asked. ;)



Holy entrance.






Last but not least, a seafood dinner at Jimbaran.
Pick the right restaurant otherwise you might end up like us. 5 of us went for the dinner and 3 were sick after. Beware of the tourist traps!






And so, we went close to 10 different spots in a day (approximately 13 hours) for the price of USD 45 per person including transport and meal. If you have nothing in mind, why not give it a try during your next visit?
Different packages are available at different agencies (you may get the brochures from the airport or better, they are everywhere on the streets!). Don't worry, their offers are more or less the same.


xo love,
LouiseXin

To Arthurs! And... Kelly :)

So it's back! Arthur's day 2012 pre-celebration in Malaysia.
I remember my first time joining the celebration was in Sid's TTDI last year, walking into a happening and friendly crowd drowning in their fantabulous drinks on hand.

Back to the scene exactly one year later on a beautiful Sunday afternoon,
nothing different but more merrier it is.



Cheers from a pint of awesomeness with my lovelies from MHB and Geoff.



One year ago today, at the same spot we met.
Making it our first anniversary with the lover!
Please tell me that I still look the same, at least still young etc.



Always wonder if I could pull off a perfect pint of Guinness and so I finally tried.
I should be punished if I couldn't, like seriously. :-t





Obviously did a perfect ones. *proud face* =D>



Now enjoy my love at first sip.



It's been so long since I last hang out in Sid's since I'm always tied up with work. Becoming more and more lifeless that I have no time for things I love anymore! I miss seeing the familiar faces around. :(
But the afternoon did compensate all the grumpiness accumulated from work.

To Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrthurs!





Michelle, one that always give me best advice and opinion on decision making.



The love birds.



And........ She's mine too!! :x




Happy Anniversary love! :))




Cheers,
LouiseXin