Starbucks; Jasmine orange tea with honey-mustard pretzels on a Wednesday night after taking a 2 hr nap. Done for the week and am sure glad about it, it was a painfully long and busy one!
1) because this past weekend trip was so fantastic
2) because there are way too many group projects (and thus meetings) in Singapore
Weekend trip to Pulau Dayang, Malaysia
Might have been called crazy for taking 3 days out in the core of project season, but who cares I'm an exchange student~!
Okay now where do I start. This trip was simply AMAZING.
Got soo excited with my one friend on the bus. Met new friends during a supper break in Malaysia (friend even caught the waiter jipping us and gave us money back). 4 hour boat ride at midnight watching the water and distant houses sparkle under the bright night sky and trying to get some sleep. Arrived at the island, couldn't see any color but serenity covered the entire place. Shuffled into our bunk beds. 4 hrs of sleep, and we're breaking dawn prepping for our very first dive at 8am.
Loved how every meal was buffet-styled. Loved how the resort (the only one) was situated right outside the shores. In the morning, we were able to witness the beauty of the island; the transparent water gently drawing the soft[est] sand back and forth, hundreds of palm trees lined up holding unripe coconuts, primitive boats rhythmically swaying with the waves, and the island sun shining bright..bright enough to tan the locals to a dark-skinned shade.
-Beauty of the minimalist lifestyle-
Dive #1- 6lb of weights, BCD, tank, mask, fins, and most importantly, the regulator (air tube). Taught to "step into the water"... but I think I jumped so mask fell off and got salt water in nose T_T. Got real nervous after seeing how vast the ocean was. Got even more nervous after going under and seeing how even more vast it was >_<.
Dive #2- Off the boat much better. Got a compliment too yes!
Saw sea cucumbers, nemo!!!, lots of colorful fish both ugly and cute, camouflaged creatures, and much coral.
Next day, woke up for dive 4 and 5 at 6am. Dive without food kind of came as a shock. Everything seemed rushed, or rather, quickened with familiarity...all in silence. Kind of an eerie atmosphere. Dived 18meters for 40 minutes each. Didn't see turtles but it was an incredible experience to witness all kinds of fish swimming ALL AROUND! School of myulchi, nemos of different colors (zebra colors), big fish small fish, cuttlefish, sand creatures---a whole niche of FISH! No aquarium came close. No words could accurately describe. No camera lens could wholly capture. My breathing slowly became small bubbles as I got to witness the immense beauty of underwater creation...thank God for eyes.
Getting swept away by the waves in the wind, gulping a mouthful of water through the biggest straw (snorkel), getting a bad tan line even after pouring 85spf sunscreen, over-enjoying Malaysian meals with Mandy, feeling nostalgic over homemade-style ramly burgers in JB.
Can't quite describe the moment when people grow silent in the awe of nature.
I'm a firm believer of Creation.
Colors underneath are indescribably breathtaking.
Met some awesome people.
