20130126 Diving in Sipadan with Seaventures

OK.. here is my report on my dive in sipadan island and its surrounding islands such as kapalai and mabul.

I am writing this blog entry directly from seaventures dive rig. Really windy here and i am really enjoying writing this blog entry with all the strong winds.

Travel

First we flew with AirAsia from LCCT to Tawau, and from there a taxi to tawau town and spend a night there.

Then next day morning at 7am Seaventures arranged their van to pick us up from hotel to go their dive centre at semporna before proceeding to go jetty. From jetty direct speed boat to Seaventures Dive Rig.

Dive 1 (Day 1)- House Reef (Orientation)

This dive  is basically an orientation and refresher dive for us. a short 20 minutes dive around the house reef (Under the dive rig) for us to get to know the house reef in case we want to do any optional additional dives (unlimited free, but depending on your surface intervals) at the house reef.

Here is some photos taken at house reef.

Dive 2 (Day 1)- Mabul Paradise 1

This is a nice dive.. but lots and lots of rubbish.. look at the amount of trash i took back with me using the rubbish mesh bag compliments from Scuba Amigo..

Saw sea horse, NEMO EGGS!! Mandarin Fish…

Dive 3 (Day 1 Night Dive)- House Reef

Night Dive.. first time went night dive with a DM.. but just dont get out from the rig area will do.

Not difficult to navigate.

Dive 4, 5 & 6 (Day 2)- Sipadan

Muahahahahaaa.. SIPADAN ISLAND.. saw even more stuff… have a pictures speak a thousand words.. have a look at what i saw..

here is a video of bumphead parrot fish going into formation…

 

Here is a closeup of Jack Fish vortex with a small reef shark trying to blend in but got chased away :)

 

Puffer Fish happily feasting on something..

 

 

Dive 7 (Day 2 Night Dive)- House Reef

2nd Night Dive.. this time we saw lion fish, leaf fish, crabs, and a half eaten fish..

Dive 8 (Day 3)- Kapalai

Dive 9 (Day 3)- Lobster Wall

Dive 10 (Day 3)- Pahlawan Reef

A very enjoyable dive indeed.

Dive group: Me, Kenneth, Julie, Yim.

How to Install Papago M9 for Android with Malaysia Map

ok.. i previously posted guides on how to install garmin on old symbian OS and papago X5 on android.. and now, here is how to do so to install papago M9 on android devices.
I tested this and it works on my Unrooted Stock ROM Samsung Note 2 International version (N7100) running on Jellybeans 4.1.1
First thing first, you need to download this 2 files.
File 1: WinRAR to extract the files because i used WinRAR to compress the files.
http://www.rarlab.com/download.htm
You do not need this if u know how to extract RAR files.
File 2: Program Files.
[Link Removed]
File 3: Map Files (updated to MFM 5th December 2012 map data, latest version at the time of this guide writting)
http://www.mediafire.com/?qt2monusjz6zawa
Step 1 : extract File 2 and File 3
Step 2 : Copy the map (The entire “MFM-PPG-X8-X9-121205” folder from File 3) into NaviSEA\Maps (From File 2)
Step 3 : Copy the entire folder NaviSEA into the root directory of your android phone’s internal storage (root not meaning rooted phones, but the base of the internal storage)
Step 4 : Browse to the NaviSEA directory from your phone. you can use the “my files” application or other 3rd party file explorer application such as root explorer (which is the one i used)
Step 5 : Run the application Navitotal! M9SEA.apk.
You might need to allow the phone to install from non-market apps. To do so, go to settings –> Security->Unknown Sources
thats it. if you find the screen funny you may want to install the second file, M9SEA v2.0.apk
do note, that for my phone, the resolution is a bit out, such as the screen shot below:

You will need additional resolution files. for example, in my case, the Samsung note 2 which uses resolution of 1280x720 and 720x1280. You can get the resolution files here: http://goo.gl/tmROh

Thats it! if you ever need to update your map, just go to http://www.malfreemaps.com

Hari Raya Dive 2012 @Tioman with Tioman Reef Divers

Its been 2 years since i last dived in Tioman, and decided to try a new route driving to Tg Gemuk (Tioman Jetty), via LEKAS Highway, then through Senawang, Kuala Pilah, Bahau and finally Rompin (Pahang) where we spent a night at Hotel Seri Malaysia Rompin (before going to Tg Gemuk Jetty)

Total Distance : 397.70km, Traveling Time: 6 hours 38 minutes and 9 seconds.
Average Speed: 60km/h.

We wanted to go Mersing to purchase some sea salted and dried sea products, which Mersing is famous for, thus we took the kluang route.

Total Distance : 415.1km (and this distance is to PJ, not from Shah Alam which the “to” route covers).
Traveling Time : 9hours 10minutes 3seconds, Average Speed : 45km/h

OK.. having said all that, I’m very excited to show all of you these photos..

 

 

SPANISH DANCER! There is a video of this one at the bottom of the page.

Disclaimer : This puffer fish is already puffed up when we saw it. We do not know who harrassed it or was it just shocked to see or torch lights (Night Dive). Anyhow, there is a video of this fish at the bottom of this blog.

 

There is a video of this squid at the bottom of this blog. Disclaimer : This squid was not harassed. it was feeding when we found it.

 

 

 

Next, some scenery underwater..

 

Next, FOOD…

 

 

And finally, some videos!

Puffer Fish.. Disclaimer: It was already puffed when we saw it. We did not harass it.

Spanish Dancer…

Cuttle Fish

Hermit Crab.. really cute one..