Nainital
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The Nainital tourist district is the pride of the Kumaon region in Uttaranchal. While ther....
Scuba Diving is Sooper Cool - Adventure trip to Tioman, Malaysia!!
Posted by Divya VThe day dawned as yet another ordinary day except that it started very early I didn’t have the least idea what was in store for me that day! Vaishoo and I set of on our trip to
Tioman is an island located in the south-china sea east of 
View from the ferry from Mersing to Tioman! Some island on the way!
View from the ferry from Mersing to Tioman!
Vaisho and me on the upper deck of the boat!
With the sun shining hard, and hunger conquering us slowing, we were very tired by the time we set our foot on the island at Salang. We quickly checked into the room (which was a wooden chalet with 2 bed, Air-con and an attached bath) and after changing headed for lunch. Being vegetarians, we didn’t have many options, but the Malay waiter who also talked some bits of Tamil, quickly started a friendly conversation and went ahead to suggest our lunch. Starting with a vegetable soup, followed with thai fried rice, Mau Poh Tau Fou and rice, we regained our energy after the lunch and set off for the beach. The sun was shining hard and was tiring us. I wanted to enquire about scuba diving and stopped at a couple of places that was offering it. Soon I was talking to this localite, who assured that I can do Scuba diving without much knowledge of swimming and there is a Discover Scuba Diving, which is available for starters. I tried to persuade Vaisho into joining me, but she opted out. I fixed up to meet him at 4.30 pm for the scuba diving lessons. We had a full hour before that, so went for a walk along the beach.
Salang jetty!
View of the sea from our Chalet!
The restaurant that we ate in!
At 4.30 pm I was all set for “Discover Scuba Diving”! I was brimming with excitement!! The instructor Marzalan and his partner cum rescuer Rose were getting our stuff ready. Soon Danny, a French guy joined us. The two of us (students: Danny and me) with our instructors (Marzalan and Rose) where to venture into the sea together for our session. Marzalan started with introduction session where he introduced to the different stuff that we will be having on us – the weight belts, the oxygen cylinder, the regulator, the goggles, the flippers. Then was followed by some safety instructions, how to recover the regulator in the event that it slips out of the mouth, and when water gets into the regulator, how to ascend/descend in the water etc. After that we were all set. I wore my wet suit and was all equipped with my scuba equipments. It was very heavy; I should admit I was scared now!
The seriousness of the stuff that I have chosen to do crept into me slowly. 
I was scared, but didn’t want to quit. We walked into the water and then with Marzalan balancing me, I wore the flippers. I felt like a full discoverer working for the discovery channel!! It was time to put the skills that Marzalan had taught us into practice. One by one, Danny and I were asked to perform the instructions and were certified. We got out rescue signs (as we couldn’t talk inside water!) for “I am doing ok”, “I am not feeling ok”, “and I want to go up”,” Stop, Calm down and take it easy” etc. The one thing that is the most important is that all the time we would be breathing thru our mouth – so when I initially giggled a bit, I chocked and got water into my pipe and was breathless and was all time showing signs “I am not okay, I want to go up” Marzalan, gave me a piece of his mind, 
asked me to take it serious, not fool around as I was giggling a bit. I got all the rules right and dived again – this time I was all serious! 
After the practice session we took off – Swimming slowing towards the coral reefs!! We swan over the reefs and my eyes were busy capturing very small detail it could. The fishes and the reef – I was awestruck by their magnificent beauty. It was “discovery channel” coming alive in front of my own eyes!! It was an awesome experience. I wanted to smile big but couldn’t, as if I did I will have to go breathless, if my regular fell off my mouth. This was a unique experience – I see all stunning things around me, but I don’t get to share/talk this excitement happiness with others! It was all for me and only me!! The dive lasted for 1 hr 6 minutes!
My first scuba dive lasted for 1 hour and 6 minutes. (I say this is my first and I am sure I am going to do it again sometime!) When I came out of the water, as soon as I took out my regular I was shouting with joy – “Awesome!! Awesome it was!!” Marzalan and Rose could sense my excitement and smiled and laughed with me!! After I changed my attire, I thanked Marzalan and Rose for the wonderful time and bid goodbye with a warm hug. 
Scuba diving was tiring that I gobbled up some food after and after refreshing myself went to bed with a book.
Day two dawned early too! I just walked out of the chalet to find that we have neighbours now, they had some late the previous night. These were a small group of people from ), we quickly got ready for our trip. There was a mango tree near the hotel and Vaisho was a lover of raw mangos. The hotel manager was so kind that he immediately set off to pluck few mangoes for her! One thing that touched me about the place was the warmth of the people! After getting our lunch packed, we set off on our speed boat to the coral island trip
We initially went to the Berjaraya coast for a quick snorkeling lesson; as we were all first timer. After that we headed to the coral island!! I have always been surprised at the variety and beauty Mother Nature unveiled to me as I traveled along dimensions of the planet and this was one such moment!! A thing of beauty is a joy forever – so was it!! It was a joyful experience! Being in the water all the time was tiring, but the joy it had to offer had no bounds that I wanted to make use of every bit of it. After the snorkeling session at coral island, we devoured our packed lunches in the speed boat – food was bliss! We went to the marine park next! This was another fantastic moment – swimming along side with the fishes – of just one or two – thousands of them – small/big, different colours and shapes (indeed!). We also fed them bread with our own fingers, liked the nibbling feeling of their on our fingers and other part of the body as well. The trip ended with a shopping session at the duty free center.
Me with the snorkeling set on!
Me with the snorkeling set off! :)
That a view of an island from marine park!
@ The Marine park!
That night, we took it easy, walked on the beach and enjoyed the placed. Later in the night our Malaysian friends came in and join us for a game of cards and thought us a couple of new games. We played till midnight, after which the eyelids were refusing to stay open. Next day we had to take the morning ferry back! The day dawned, with a heavy heart we did our packing and did a quick visit to the beach for a shell collection. After bidding goodbye to every nice soul that we meet on the island, who had made or stay so pleasant we walked to the ferry with millions of memories!!
The Mersing Sunrise drink!!
My collection of shells & corals!
