Tioman: 12 apr - 13 apr 08

author: di

We took the earliest speedboat from Malang Jetty to Kg. Salang that leaves ard 7.30am. The journey took about 3 hours. Here's a picture taken from Salang jetty, capturing a magnificent wooden-style resort up the hill which is abandoned, unfortunately.

Our first dive @ Labas:

A pair of Beaked Coralfish.

It is one of the most distintive butterflyfish with its long nose and 4 golden-yellow bars.

Blotched Porcupinefish.

It is closely related to pufferfish but porcupinefish have spine on its body. It can inflate by swallowing water or air and become a round ball to protect itself from predators. When it is inflated, its sharp spine stands out and provides a shield for the porcupinefish.

Blue-Spotted Ribbontail Ray.

It has very bright distinct blue spots on its round-shaped body.

Baby Moral Eel.

Table corals.

A beautiful nudibranch, Notodoris Minor.

This is a more common nudibranch, Phyllidia Elegans.

Another nudibranch, which we scooped :P

Pin cushion sea star.

Sea Slug?

Staghorn Corals

Our 2nd dive @ Batu Malang

Potato Corals are commonly found in Batu Malang.

False Clown Anemonefish aka "Nemo"

Gobies are everywhere in the sandy bottom.

Salang @ night

Salang @ dawn

Breakfast served @ Salang Beach Resort

Our 3rd dive @ Chebeh.

Blue-Spotted Ribbontail Ray.

A white beautiful Nudibranch.

An adult Moray Eel

Moray Eels are often found hidden in holes during the day. They constantly open and close their mouth is merely an action that pumps water over the gills for respiration and is not a sign of imminent attack.

A huge Map Pufferfish!

A magnificent school of Fusiliers!

School of Snapper??!!

We end our last dive @ Soyak before taking the 3pm speedboat ferry.

Before heading back to Spore, we drop by at the popular Al-Hamid Chendol in Mersing town to taste the all-time favourite Malaysian dessert.

They served good Indian rojak and roti prata too!

Saw a rainbow on the way home.

Seattle : 09 dec - 23 dec 07

author: zach

Two-weeks training @ Company HQ

I landed on Seattle, the "Emerald City"on 12 Dec 07. Also known as a 'rainy city', Seattle averages only 58 clear days a year, with most of those days occuring between June and September. Indeed, when I stepped on Seattle ground on my first day, the floor was wet and the sky was grey all the time. I was staying in a hotel, just a stone throw away from my company HQ @ Elliot Avenue.


Space Needle

I was walking around for a good place for dinner around the city. Up above me, stood the famous Space Needle which reminded me of the TV sitcom, "Frasier". I quickly took a snap of this marvellous symbol of Seattle which was designed by Edward E. Carlson for the 1962 World's Fair in Seattle. This tower stood 184 m high and 42 m wide at its widest point and weighs 9,550 tons. The Space Needle features an observation deck at 160m, the SkyCity restaurant at 152m and a gift shop. I visited this tower a few years back and I have intended to miss it this time as the admission fees cost US$14!






Snoqualmie Falls

On my first weekend, I rented a car and drove up east of Seattle to one of the most popular scenic attraction in Washington, Snoqualmie Falls. It is a 82m waterfall on the Snoqualmie River between Snoqualmie and Fall City. There is a 8,000 m sq park, an observation deck and a gift shop.

In the observation deck, I bumped into a group of Russian students and I helped them to take a group picture and in return, they took me.

Wallace Falls - Seattle Premium Outlet @ Tulalip

Next, I drove up to Tulalip to factory outlet. On the journey to Seattle Premium Outlet, I passed by route to Wallace Falls. The mountain of Wallace Falls view is stunning on the way up.

My rented car with "Never Get Lost" GPS that guided me around.

Pike Place Market

This market is situated in downtown Seattle where you can get fresh vegetables, fruits, poultry, and everything else. Since it was founded in 1907, this market is so overwhelmed by shoppers and to date "The Market," as the locals affectionately say, is one of Washington's most frequently visited destinations.

Where a Star was Born

When I was walking along the Pike Place Market, I happened to saw this Starbucks which was crowded at the entrance. I wonder why... So, possessing a typical Sporean attitude, I went in to check it out. I then came to realize this is where the first Starbucks was started. In 1971 the original Starbucks was founded by three partners: English teacher, Jerry Baldwin, History teacher Zev Siegel and writer Gordon Bowker. Its original location was @ 2000 Western Avenue from 1971-76 and then that store moved to 1912 Pike Place till today which is photographed below.

I bought a cup of Caramel Macchiato and it taste just like the Starbucks in anywhere else.


The Legend's Tomb

My last adventure before returning home, I took a 30 mins bus ride to Lake View Cemetery. Why on earth am I visiting a cemetery in Seattle?? Seeing me alone, the bus driver was curious and asked me why am I going to the cemetery. I told him that I am paying respect to a friend. He asked if I knew Bruce Lee, I replied, "Yeah, he is the friend!"

When I reached the grave site, it was a huge and it was impossible to find my hero's tomb. Luckily, I met a lady and she directed me to the cemetery office. At the reception, before I could ask, the office attendant directed me to turn left, sign the guestbook and follow the direction on the map.

When I reached the tomb where Bruce Lee rested, I cannot believe that I was there to pay my respect to the legend whom I admired since I was a kid. I was very honoured and proud to be there. Next to him, was his son, Brandon Lee who has died in an accident during a movie shoot.