Underwater Photography near Gaya Island

From MySabah blog:

I completed and passed my PADI Open Water Diver course in early April. I didn’t blog about it coz I didn’t have any photos. The one-time-use water-proof camera works only up to 15 Metres deep, but our dive could go up to 18M and I also wanted to keep my hand free during the training.

Sabah has some of the most beautiful underwater spots in the world. Being a Sabahan, it is such a sin not to appreciate and photograph it. Besides, there are less people doing underwater photography in KK. Underwater Photography is extremely challenging. After I took the Digital Underwater Photography specialty course last month, I agree that the underwater photographers really deserve a few thousands dollars for a good photo, it is not as easy as you think.

My Underwater Photography training took only 1 day near Gaya Island base station. In the morning, we were doing shore diving, taking photos in shallower water. Below is the photo of clown fishes, which are the cousin species of Nemo. The coral looked like white noodles being surrounded by “Ikan Bilis”, yummy… There is one female clown fish in each group. If it dies, the biggest male clown fish in the group will “turn into” female and take over her place. Amazing huh?

Continue reading (incl. pics) at: Underwater Photography near Gaya Island

Sarawak – where you can swim with whale sharks

MIRI: Scuba diving and swimming with whale sharks, anybody?

The South China Sea, off the coast of northern Sarawak, is a popular route for whale sharks migrating from the north of Japan to the Antarctic Ocean and seas off Australia. And the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) believes this phenomenon could be turned into a major tourist draw.

“Whale sharks migrate through sea-routes off Tatau and Miri. These sea-routes also happen to be located in areas where there are plenty of beautiful corals ,” STB chief executive officer Gracie Geikie.

Continue reading at: Sarawak – where you can swim with whale sharks

Second development plan for Sipadan

KOTA KINABALU: A second development plan to set up facilities on the eco-sensitive island of Sipadan has been rejected.

The proposal was submitted following an order by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi that any development at the world famous diving island must not destroy the ecology of the island.

The island’s manager – the Joint Management and Supervisory Committee of Sipadan and Ligitan – turned down the proposal apparently based on technical and environmental grounds.

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'Minimum development' in Sipadan

PULAU SIPADAN: Deputy Chief Minister-cum-Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat said he wanted to see "minimum development" and restoration of a long beach front here.

"I want minimum cutting (of trees), if possible, no cutting and buildings pushed well behind the beach," he said during an official visit to the island, Friday, to identify sites for the Federal-funded 'Proposed Development of Quarters for the Army, Police, Park Rangers, Resting Facilities and Toilets' for divers.

His entourage included the Ministry's Permanent Secretary Datuk Monica Chia, top-notch Sabah Parks officers, CEOs of diving resorts and senior officers from the National Security Department in the Prime Minister's Department.

"Overall, I don't want structures along the beach," said Chong, citing erosion and loss of aesthetic values they caused.

Continue reading at: 'Minimum development' in Sipadan