Just one more...

A Moray Eel comes out to say hi
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So, this is probably the only journal that I have written while I am still in the place I am writing about, but I guess it had to happen at some point in this trip, just don't let it set any expectations for future entries ok....

I arrived in Semporna on the 6th with a view to getting to Sipadan to snorkel for a day since everyone told me its great there, better diving but a great place to snorkel for those like me, who didn't dive.

It's amazing how things can change your plans so simply, if I had gone to any other Dive shop, I would have snorkeled in Sipadan on the 7th and probably left on the 8th or 9th, but I went with Scuba Junkies to a different island (they had no spaces for that day to Sipadan and I was too lazy to go elsewhere.. well it was hot).

Lion Fish... how rude... he turned his back on me
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The only other people going to the same island as me. was an instructor and someone doing the Open Water Course.  The instructor promptly asked me why I wasn't diving, so I explained my "gotta hold my nose" attitude to having my head underwater, which isn't conducive to diving.

He didn't see that as a good enough reason and told me to try it from the jetty and if I had problems removing my mask, to let him know and he would help me over lunch... like hell would my pride let me ask for help... he wouldn't actually know if I had or hadn't now would he?

couldn't get close enough to this turtle to get the photo in colour (my flash isn't that good)
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So the afternoon drew on and I still hadn't tried the mask off thing, nor had I been asked, so I just carried on snorkeling when I met a fellow snorkeller, well, I saw his snorkel as we kept our distance (no in water collisions please).

Something didn't seem quite right until I realised he was naked, now objects in water do appear larger, but the nicest thing I can say is, he must have been cold, but he certainly wasn't shy... after he got out he was happily walking on the jetty, bending down to pick things up in all directions.... it was a case of eyes down and keep on snorkelling!

Decided not to wake this shark up for a closer picture...
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In the end, I needed a break and it was easier to hide in the lower area of the jetty while he did his thing and left the upper area to him, which didn't give me much reason not to try the whole mask off scenario.

It was easier than I expected, but then I was stood on solid ground, so I knew I could, if I had to, cope with my mask coming off and not holding my nose (yes I was a wimp ...)

So I guess, I should finally get down to the point is that after snorkelling on the 8th, its now the 21st and I still haven't snorkelled in Sipadan, I have however dived it 3 times so far.

Nudi Branch... sea slug by any other name, you'll see alot of these in my pictures
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In fact, I didn't stop at the open water course, but took the Advanced course as well (the piccies come from the photography section plus the following days diving) so that I could, if I wanted to, dive a little deeper.

And even now, I am writing this journal as a break from studying my Rescue Diver theory (yet another course) with 2 more days of practical skills to learn and 1 more day of Theory for the first aid/CPR section of the course (I have to have that certificate, known as EFR, before I can complete the Rescue diver course).

The highlight so far?

Well that's all of it I think, I mean there are so many good bits that until yesterday it's hard to say that one is the best, but when I found a Giant black Frog Fish I was so happy, and believe me, despite the name, people get these pointed out by the Dive masters and Instructors (their stick is almost touching the fish) and fail to actually see the fish it is so well camoflagued.

Follow that with an amazing night dive and that has to have been one of my best days so far.

So in the last 14 days, I have racked up 31 dives, including 10 for the 2 courses (open water and advanced) and 2 night dives (totally amazing) with this (21st May) being my 3rd none diving day.

So I just want to finish by saying, My names Lindsay and I am a Scuba Junkie..... is there anywhere out there that I can find help?

General photos are here and some close ups (mainly Nudi Branches) are found here