My Dive Debut: Bunaken

Feb 14, 2016. Valentine's Day

After the regretful Lombok trip, I decided to brave myself to dive in Manado.

I came 2 days ahead of the meeting day at Manado.
I stayed at Thalass* Dive Resort, which was recommended by a diver friend - who happened to be there a week before me.
Since this was my debut diving without my instructor... I insists to go for a bonafide dive resort despite the cost (actually, I get a reasonable price)

So, I was alone. But the resort was very professional that they can actually take care of me. I told them that despite my log was quite high (had 50+), I was never out of Padang's water before.

Was a little nervous, yet excited. There were other divers too, but they were taken care by a guide. But, the resort gave me another personal dive guide. One on one service. I feel so special. Hahhahaa.

I did well, I gave a pat on my own shoulder. Hahhaa....

So here are the spots that I visited during my dive escape to the famous Bunaken:
1. Likuan 2
2. Buro
3. Abang
4. Fukui
5. Tonga
6. Likuan 3

Grilled Chicken with Bumps

Early Feb, it was my first time visiting Lombok. Stayed at Gili Trawangan for 1 night.
Since I don't have anyone to dive with me, plus I haven't have the confidence to dive alone (thought it is not possible... ehhehe), I chose snorkeling with my mates.
I haven't snorkled for quite sometime, so I forgot how snorkeling works....
I mean, I look at the tourist jumping into the water, so I did too.
What I am forgetting was, SUNBLOCK. I put some, on face and arms, for I forgot about my back. Not really forget.... but I didn't realise it will be burned in short period. I asked a friend to sprayed some... SOME!!!  I shouldn't have relied on someone else about my wellbeing. And for such large area (like my back), I think it need to be smudged evenly, rather than relying on the spray to cover my whole back. Look at my back, with blotches and streaks, looks like I got tinea fungus on my skin :(

So, after the end of the day, I feel so burned and hurt, my back was like a boiled lobster. And after a few days, I look like a grilled chicken.
Lesson learned!
- Never rely on someone else to apply sunblock for you
- Snorkeling is not diving, you will easily burned
- Wear a rashguard
- Get a gut to dive alone (I mean hire a dive guide)

And to add up more misery, the hotel where I was staying at Gili Trawangan, despite the 5-star rate, they have bloody bed bugs. I didn't realise it at first, thought it is just mosquitos bites. Though, I wonder why they bite in lines and inside my pajamas. I wore a long-sleeve pajamas.
After I left, then I realised, it was bed-bugs. Bloody h*ll. Making me look so beaten up for the rest of the trip >.<

I will be back, to dive Lombok and Bali!

Clapping Upon a Loss

The death of my relative does bring the family together
The 'gone-to-soon death' sure leave people talking

Some people I know, somehow always amazed me in finding a 'new' angle looking at a disaster
Upon the death, people started talking about the widow...
I started to realised how much people hate her, envy her
They said, the death, the disaster was bound to happen because the widow has been way too lucky
She is born into a wealthy family
She marries someone that can provide her every needs
She marries young
She having kids without shedding a sweat in raising them (meaning she always have assistance)
She doesn't need to do any chores, no cooking, not even washing her own plates
She doesn't even need to send the kids to school, and now the kids are in college
She doesn't need to work, her husband will provide everything
all she does is do yoga, do her hair and nails & look pretty

And, the auntie that said all-of-the-above finally have a winning smile.
See, God is not sleeping, God finally make a balance on her life.
No one should be "too lucky". I realised the auntie has been secretly cursing them...

I've never been close to the deceased one, so I don't feel much pain in losing him
I don't know the wife well, I don't see her as rival, so in this case I don't envy her nor clapping upon her loss.
But it kinda put a lemon to a wound, I know the auntie and the deceased one were close, very close
It is just disgusting to finally see the true face of some people