First trip to Malaysia. And My idea of Malaysia is not even close to what I saw in front of me.
The city reminds me of California somehow. Especially in the residential areas where all the houses are mostly scattered in one area and the high rises in another. Most signs are written in English (some are Malaysian karaoke). Buildings are highly architecture with contemporary structure and decorating. KL also has huge shopping mall that stretches for 4-5 kilometers walk. (And I thought our shopping complex is big...hmm..I was wrong...Malaysian has much better place for shopping!! LOL)  One thing I discovered, Malaysian credit cards has smart card. That means all the credit crad machine has the smart card system. The downside is, many retail workers doesn't know how to charge the balance on credit card from other country.

So on the second day, I took a plane and the Speed boat to the Island. The Island where I stayed is tiny but magnificant. You can walk around the island in 15 mins. Small chalets groups like a village. The first step on this island make me think that I'm in a deserted island since it doesn't have any internet connection, TV or telephone. There must be less than 50 people on the whole island. I've been told that the place is quite new; just built and operated last year....makes me wonder if I'm the first Thai who got there.

Now....Let's talk about diving.
First dive is the worst dive. It was close to the full moon therefore; strong currents and many waves on the shore. So imagine...I felt like I was swimming in the washing machine. Now, you get my point. It's freaky. At one point, I had to hold on to the Jetty's log, so I wouldn't be swept away and lost in the sea.

Other dives were good. The water is emerald green and Lots of fishes. (To all the girls, YES, it's true!!, "There's lots of FISHES in the sea!!!")  Giant turtle swam by. Then I saw a smaller one hiding between the coral. The turtle seems disappointed that I found his hiding place...and left soon after. :0 

After I left the island, I stayed in a small town called Tawau...waiting for my transit back home. It looks almost like Thailand suburbs. After being away from home for so long, I started to miss home. There's really nowhere else like home. No matter where I am, I will always think of home and the people who awaiting for my returns. It's good to be back where I belong. ^_-

PS. Heinz Chilli sauce in Malaysia is the best Chilli sauce I ever have.

More pics : http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2123163528&code=15586917&mode=invite&DCMP=isc-email-AlbumInvite

Great photos

Looks like you really enjoyed it

What's the name of the island / resort?

Great pics!!! I'm relieved now coz I can see many fishes in the see <~^.*~>

Great thing to have diving as a fetish!

Cool pics P'Ann!

Very cool! And welcome back! I didn't know you had gone until I talked to May on Sunday. Now, answer your PM! hehehehe

Cool ... Welcome to Malaysia.

So u r in East Malaysia for Diving. But this year in West Malaysia Deep dive is no good. Temocline.

East i dunno.

But u did not let us know where u dive? But i think u miss something. You should go to P.Sipadan.

What i know This year Sipa_pipa was there for diving too.

Tawau is located in Sabah,which is away from Peninsular Malaysia..I haven't gone there yet though..

"One thing I discovered, Malaysian credit cards has smart card. That means all the credit crad machine has the smart card system. The downside is, many retail workers doesn't know how to charge the balance on credit card from other country. "

- There are too many cloning cards cases in the past..so the govt. already banned magnetic strip cards for Malaysian credit card companies only and introduced a higher security smart chip.It's a horror to find out someone clone a card under your name..and purchase things under your cloned 'credit card'..then to find out the bank calling you to verify.

My thailand friend had no problem with her magnetic card while in Malaysia.

" KL also has huge shopping mall that stretches for 4-5 kilometers walk. "

- I figured u meant "Mid Valley Megamall" which is located 10-15 mins outside KL city..thats supposedly the longest..but there are 1-2 more in Petaling Jaya district..especially when 2 shopping complexes combine into 1 HUGE one.

My thai friends enjoyed their shopping experience in KL as they find it more variety..and cheap..somehow..

To me..when I goto Bangkok..I enjoyed the BIG city..friendly Thais..and cheaper things (to us Malaysians)

JayB : I was at The reef resort on Mataking Island.

Nicebkklady : I went there for biz then took a couple days off for diving. Oh yes....this habit is getting crazy. I'm addicted.

Khunlung : Ok ka....I will answer your PM now....hahahha

Yappy : I dived too deep for too long....hahhah.....My dive computer kept beeping that I go over the limits. It outputs error. ^_- So now u know....I like to get down...

Somtamcharlie : Tawau is a city in Sabah (Sabah is like a state). And no....I didn't go to Sipadan. Maybe I'd make it my next trip.

Woah!!!! so cool. Thanks for sharing.

OK. who wants to organise a diving week-end somewhere in thailand ??

CiaranM : If so....I'm volunteer.....Who wanna be another addict?

Cute_face_malaysia : Ok....I'll let u know if I go there again....what's the plan? Another shopping? Megasale? LOL I better save up my $$

Cutie .. Dun worry next time may be we dive together.

next time pls invite me. WELCOME to Malaysia.

P'Ann, soo cool!!

which licen do u have now?? Open water or advance??

I have seen in the magazine. diving at Sipadan so beautiful.. have u been there??

I would like to go there but i need holiday.

My boss said my next holiday is in 2010............... grrr!!

anyway, I looking forward a next public holiday to take a underwater photograph course. it would be fun )

by the way, I am curious who is ur buddy? ;o)

ive been missing you like a desert misses the rain.....

yellowsubmarine : U just know....I thought u checked me out last time.... u guys.....beware cherry....she's DANGEROUS>> hahhahaha

friends : I have Rescue Diver now ja......haven't been to Sipadan...but would try to make it next time to Malaysia. And oh....I went alone...so the dive resort match me with some Divemaster to be my buddy....depends on who's sign up for the dive that day. Next time, I should try to find a buddy in TF, u think? ^_- So...Who wanna dive with me? LOL

Filurina : I miss you too kiddo.....too bad there's no hot guys there on the island.....otherwise....I'll bring some as ur souvenirs.....hahahah

sound cool! Maybe we gonna amke an event "TF scuba diving" would be cool )

by the way, have to wait after rain season and also wait for next holiday.. sniff sniff!