Friday, 21 May 2010
Scott still has a head cold and cannot equalize his ears, even out of the water, so no diving for him again today. We were supposed to be going for our final dives at Sipadan today, but have managed to swap our places and will hopefully go tomorrow if Scott is well enough to dive.
We spent an hour or so snorkelling around the house reef, looking at the abundance of corals and reef-life right on our doorstep. Although it is hard to snorkel when so used to scuba diving (you simply cannot breathe whenever you want to when snorkelling!) we did manage to while away some time. So much time Tracy got sunburnt – remember in future when snorkelling put sunscreen on backs of legs.
Tracy then convinced the man in charge of the jetty to let her go diving as long as she stayed in the house reef and Scott and him were able to see her at all times – very strange going diving by yourself. I managed to be able to spend a lot of time at around 6 metres and even found a turtle and loads of clown fish and as I was the only diver, was able to stay and focus and get some different photos.
Still didn’t push the limits and came up to meet the watchful gaze of Scott and the boss who seemed very relieved.
Tracy went for a boat dive in the afternoon with another group and headed to Kapalai. The visibility wasn’t very good and it was strange diving with an unfamiliar group and DM’s. Not that enjoyable, saw some macro stuff, but nothing we hadn’t already photographed. However, the other boat she thought of going on actually saw a whale shark so she is very annoyed. The group she dived with were the serious photographers and no point in trying to take a photo as you couldn’t get near anything vaguely interesting, so the camera got turned off. However, she spent the time wondering on whether to do a uni assignment on harassment of fish – is it okay in the name of a good photo.
Tracy also went for a sunset dive, but again the big cameras blocked the view for Tracy, so she came back early and packed up. Although on the way up to the jetty ladder she had to swim through a big school of fish who seemed unwilling to move.
Dinner was it’s unspectacular normal, but afterwards the Tour Leaders (Lee, Joey and Gary) held status in a Kangaroo Court in order to “prosecute” crimes and issue fines (all going to the tips for the Dive Masters and Staff at Borneo Divers). Some awards were handed out for the most number of dives, the most number of camera stuff-ups etc. The atmosphere was quite jolly and fines were issued and taken in good humour. Except Tracy who Scott nominated and ended up with a 60 ringgit fine – there goes out spending money J