Dive Trip #1: PADI Open Water (Day 2)

On the last day of our dive trip, I was adamant on completing my dives and not "Advance Snorkel". So in the morning, I popped a painkiller (which was actually meant for my cramps) after breakfast, and drank lots of water.

At 8:00am, we gathered outside B&J Dive Centre where our Dive Master Lester Kwok briefed us regarding the 2 dives that we were going to do today.

After which, we made our way to the jetty where our dive boats were waiting for us.

Before we boarded the boat, I managed to take a quick snapshot of the beautiful morning view of the jetty.

Schools of fish that were spotted near the jetty 

Our enthusiastic and fun-loving dive group

Our first dive location was at Soyark Reef, which wasn't too far from Pulau Tioman. Arriving in about 20 mins or so, we dropped off the Leisure & Advanced Divers first before heading to the shallower depths of Soyark Reef.

Dear and I getting ready for our first dive!

I'm not sure if it is because of my painkillers, or because I descended slower than usual, but I ACTUALLY WENT DOWN TO 12M FOR MY FIRST DIVE!

However, there was a little 'issue' during the dive. 

As I'm not one who can take cold temperatures well, I signaled to Lester that I was shivering. The BF, who happened to be beside me held my arm and felt me shivering as well. To my surprise, Lester actually took out the rash guard that he was wearing, and put it over my arms in attempt to keep me warm! 

No kidding. All these actually took place at 12m underwater!

As a result, Lester had to continue diving without any shirt or top on. Seriously, if there was an award for the sweetest and nicest dive instructor, I'd present it to him!

After our first dive, we stopped over at a small town for breakfast. Though it was a simple meal consisting of rice and 2 other dishes, it was sufficient enough to energize for our last dive.

About an hour and a half later, we boarded the boat again for our last dive at Pirate Reef.

If my first dive was ecstatic, then my second dive has got to be exultant because I managed to descend to 18m!

That aside, Lester taught us how to interact with some of the marine life, e.g. playing with the baby pufferfish, and even taught us the names of the different types fish and corals that we came across during our dive.

Well I don't know about other dive instructors, but I'm quite impressed with Lester's knowledge regarding marine life and his method of teaching. What even blew me away was his kind-heartedness and bravery in helping a student (like yours truly) to keep warm, by taking off his rash guard and passing it to me.

So if you're interested to take your PADI Open Water Diving Certification, I seriously and gladly recommend Lester from Orpheus Dive Centre.

After our 2 dives, we took the boat back to our resort, showered, checked out, and met for lunch while waiting for our ferry to arrive.

Onboard the ferry, most of us took a much needed nap because let's face it, diving can be quite an exhausting hobby especially when lugging a 10kg+ tank for each dive.

My $18 cheap and good CASIO watch from IMM

By the way, if you are enrolling for your Open Water Diving Course or if you are diving on a leisure basis, you can consider getting this cheap and good CASIO watch if you want to check the time underwater. It isn't a dive computer, let alone a dive watch, but it can withstand the pressure and depth at 18m.

Then again, I haven't tried this watch at depths beyond 18m, so buy at your own risk.

Unlike our ferry ride to Pulau Tioman on day 1, our ferry ride back to Mersing jetty took 3 times longer. Which is why our itinerary timings were all delayed, and we ended up crossing the causeway at about 9+pm.

Fortunately, the bus lanes were pretty clear so we weren't caught in the causeway jam.

All in all, it was a good experience - definitely an adventure over the weekend. And though I experienced Sinus Inflammation caused by Barotrauma, that's certainly not going to stop me from diving. Because over the past 2 days, I caught a glimpse of the amazing marine life that lies beneath the waters which enthralled me.

Thank you dear, for bringing me with you to experience this adventure and hobby.

Thank you Lester, for your teaching and guidance. (Oh, and your rash guard)

And lastly, thank you to my dive group for your support and care!


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Dive Trip #1: PADI Open Water (Day 1)
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