OWC

Documentaries was never the reason for me to be a couch potato for the day until my sista subscribed SCV. I usually just flipped through the channels and settled for the one that caught my attention. Nowadays, occasionally, I will switched to the NGC or Discovery Channel. You'll be amazed at the enormous amount of information you can dig about the nature around us. How spectacular and amazingly life can be, the evolving world, life cycle and many many more. Particularly, I loved watching about sea creatures under the water. Always admired divers who can get so close up and personal with them. Somehow or rather, I wished I was the one...out in the sea, swimming openly together with the creatures. Hence, I decided to take up diving.

Organising was never an easy task. It proved to be an even more tedious trying to set a date that can accomodate everyone. To cut the story short, we managed to settled for a date and went ahead to sign up. We ended up with Waikiki Dive Center, a recommendation by a good friend of mine.

OWC (Open Water Certified) is the very first step to explore the deep waters. A total of 2 lecture, 2 pool sessions and 4 open water dives are required in order to be certified as an OWC diver. Schedules were rather packed as we got to complete the necessary classes and an written exam before going on our dive trip over the weekends. I thought I couldn't make it...a little episode happened during the second pool session.

Phobia....hydrophobia to be exact. Symptoms...panicking and out of breath easily when entering the deep water. I can't control and kept bobbing out of the water (in the pool). I felt as if the air in my lungs are totally drained out and I need to get some fresh air. Trembling all over...partly because of the cold water and also to the anxiety. Finally, I gave up. Totally freak out. Disappointed and angry at myself for being such a loser. How come everyone can do it except me? I was the organiser and yet I couldn't make it. So can you imagine double dosage on the disappointment?

I bet some of my friends were shocked to see me in tears. Overwhelmed by my emotions, tried but just can't seem to control them. Sorry guys, I didn't mean it but some external factor just made it worse. Anyway, I still went ahead to the weekend dive. Another dive instructor was engaged to coach me personally, to clear my pool skills in the open but shallow water. Thank GOD for Rafi, his passion, dedication and patience helped me overcome my phobia. I managed to clear all my pool skills.

Having said that, I joined my friends for all the other 4 dives (5 in total, another leisure dive was roped in). I really enjoyed myself...saw loads of sea creatures. Wrasse, sergeant major, big blue starfish, cushion starfish, turtle, nudibranch, squid and lots of fishes. My favourite is the clown fish (nemo). So mischevious and adorable.

I want to thank those people who took their time off to listen, console and encourage me not to give up. Because if I had, I won't be here, with this entry on my dive trip. I love diving, I love swimming around and with the sea creatures. There are so many things to see, explore and most importantly, I conquered the fear of deep water. Thanks to Ailing & Kelvin for helping so much in making this dive trip possible. To Rafi, for his patience and guidance. To Ailing and Qi, for the constant encouragement and assurance. To all my friends who went along with me for enjoying themselves and making this dive trip a wonderful and memorable one.

Diving is NOT A SPORT but an expensive LIFESTYLE. Yes, I am now an open water certified diver. Am comtemplating on going for the advanced diver course.


Took this picture on our boat ride back to Mersing Jetty. Time was around 4 plus...look at the sun rays reflecting off the surface of the sea. Don't you just adore nature? Totally mesmerized.