Scuba-diving with Anke

What other way to start the new year than to dive into the deep blue ocean! It's been ages since Anke and I last dived. So we both thought: before we start working and forever lose our chill-out time, we should go for one last dive together. (Sounds a little pessimistic, and i sure hope i am wrong!)

We chose Pulau Sibuan this time rather than the famous Sipadan for various reasons. It's cheaper, it has different marine life, and we have not dived in Pulau Sibuan before. Sibuan is famous for macro-diving, i.e. it has a wide variety of tiny underwater creatures. So we have to keep our eyes really wide to look out for them.

Throughout the diving trips, Anke was the one taking all the photos. We all relied on his kick-ass photo-taking skills plus his under-water buoyancy skills for all the beautiful pictures taken. (Below)

Tiny creatures are inconspicuous most of the times, it's easy to swim past them without seeing it. You have to know where they are to look out for them. If you happen to spot one, you have to move really close in order to get a good view and have a sense of appreciation for its beauty.

Sometimes life is like macro-diving. We live through our lives missing all the seemingly insignificant details, either by not paying attention, or we just could not care less about the people around. It's important to pause wherever we are sometimes, and take a good look around. Look out for the hurt ones, for the ones who are ignored by the society or community, the ones who appear lowly in status, and the ones in need. Every life is precious in God's eyes, and every life has an intrinsic value, regardless of how insignificant it might appear to be. 'For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.' 1 Samuel 16:7

We both really miss all our other diving buddies who are in different parts of the world. Jeremy Boy, Yinn Cher, Kuan Ken, Soo Han, Huiling, Selene, Sheahlin. How nice if we all could dive together again. Can we turn back the clock?

Goodbye Sibuan for now. :)

Pulau Sibuan (about 45mins boat ride from Semporna)

Looks like women are universally vain. :p

What is Anke trying to cover? :D

This island boy was running around naked!

Two buddies

Descent

Hello Mr Turtle, sorry for disturbing you.