Twin Watches

Some months ago, I met this girl whom I noticed wore the same watch as mine. It was cartainly a surprise, seeing a watch similar to mine on the wrist of another, although it was of a different colour.

I mean, what are the chances of that?

So, I asked for our two watches to be photographed together, with the addition of our rings and our mobile phones. She graciously complied.

If you take a very good look at the two watches, you will notice that they portray the two very different characters of its owners. One of them indicates the time in the 24-hourly fashion, while the other chooses the a.m./p.m. style.

Even the mobile phones indicates time in a very different manner. One chooses the digital display, while the other is an analog clock.

With four different time displays, four different times were displayed.

Rock Climbing: My Climb

Previously, I talked about the people and the place of rock climbing. Now, this is the real action!

I did three climbs that day. We all did three. We would get ourselves mounted to the rope at the harness, and start climbing.

The first two climbs were for us to get a feel of what rock climbing was. The wall that we climbed was refered to as the "Baby Wall". It therefore had a lot of holes and cracks for us to get a firm grip for support.

The third climb was just inches away from the "Baby Wall", yet it was a much harder climb. The nearer you were to the top, the less cracks or holes there were for you to grip. It would then require more skills and strength to climb it.

This was me getting a feel of sitting on a harness.

Learn to trust the rope, they said.

When I was ready, I started my climb.

Concentration and focus were both very important to get you up there.

This was me halfway through my climb, and looking down at the world below.

Eunice was my belayer when I was climbing.

I had reached the top of the "Baby Wall". Yeah!!!

Now this was me during the much harder climb. I was then one third the distance away from the top.

During that climb, I was too exhausted at some point to continue my climb. Therefore, I sat in my harness and took a breathing break.

Malcolm was my belayer then, and he had to wait patiently for me to gain my strength back. Poor guy...

Me trying to get a good right foot support, while wiping myself with my sleeve.

Now, I had to wedged myself in between the rocks, for there was no more holes or jutted edges for gripping.

Me moving out of the hanging rocks, and trying to move up.

Almost at the top, but still a few inches away...

This was me after the climb. Kim said that I looked like a kid monkey.
What do you guys think?

Rock Climbing: The Coaches and The Gears

Rock Climbing is considered as an extreme sports. With extreme sports, you will need to be extremely cautious while you are at it. Therefore, one must always have in mind that the priority is SAFETY!!! For you will always want to walk back on your own two legs in one piece.

The two coaches, Malcolm and Eunice, taught us all about the uses of ropes, belaying devices, knots, and ways of climbing.

Eunice and Malcolm, with Bailey at the back.

They are helping Bailey to dismount after his climb.

(Sorry, guys, this is the best pic that I could find for the two coaches)

First of all, you will need a good pair of climbing shoes.

One good pair of climbing shoes will provide you with a good grip on the rocks.

Ropes are a must.
They said that climbers did not worship the rocks, but the ropes!!!
Then, there is the Gri Gri, which is a belaying device that allows the Belayer to hold onto the leader while he/she is climbing.
Finally, there is the climb harness, which is worn around the waist and thighs of the climbers.
This is so that if the climber falls, the ropes and all devices attached will prevent the climber to fall to his doom.

This was Eunice and Malcolm preparing our climbs.

Malcolm demonstrating the ways to climb the wall.
Trust me, guys, this was no one easy wall to climb.

Malcolm supporting himself with his two opened legs.
There were no cracks or holes for him to support his legs.

Malcolm reaching the top.

Malcolm hanging and talking to us from the top (of the world).

Malcolm, getting ready to come down.

These were us, all watching in awe...

Rock Climbing: Lesson I

Teresa organised a rock climbing lesson for some of us divers the other day, and the lesson was on 17 December 2006, Sunday. There were only six of us, which was pretty much sufficient for a session, given that only one person could climb at any one time.

The climb took place at the Batman Wall, which was about 100m away from the Fairy Cave of Bau. It was named Batman Wall by some Aussies some time ago because during then, this place housed a lot of bats.

We each did three climbs that day, and was coached by two very wonderful coaches, Malcolm and Eunice. They will be in my next post.

For now, I would like to introduce to you, my lovely team mates!!!

A Tat, Bailey, Me and Ah Hii

Bailey and Ah Hii were both very kind to offer me a ride up to the caves.

Thanks so much, Guys!!! You Both Rock!!!

This is Teresa, the leader of the pack!!!

She is one of the coolest girl I have ever met.

Our group photo
Back, from Left: Bailey, Ah Hii & Malcolm
Front, from left: A Tat, Teresa, Karen, Me & Eunice

Just A Note

I have received some of the pictures from my last trip to the Sipadan island. Therefore, I will be updating my blogs with stories and pictures about the trip very soon.

Pardon me for taking such long time to do it. We have more than 2,000 pictures to be processed, a joint contribution by all the cameras brought to Sipadan/Kota Kinabalu trip. The process of getting pictures from everyone, and burning them into the CDs took a certain amount of time.

And with this, I would like to extend my deepest gratitute to my dear friend, Bailey P., who had spent countless hours and effort to make such wonderful presents for all of us. You have our thanks!!!

Finally, Johnny-boy!!! I heard that you are leaving for your home town today!!! Have a great holiday, J-boy!!! Come back bring us something lar... You know we all very greedy one!!! But we are also very nice to you bah.... Haha!!!

December Babies!!!

We had a simple celebration of December birthdays for both Chris and Kevin at Pizza Hut, Jalan Song, the night before.

We bought a cake for the two of them, and ordered four pizzas for nine persons. And because we were celebrating birthdays, Pizza Hut actually gave us an addition of two pizzas, for free!!!

Pizza Hut actually closed off the first floor, reserving it for the purpose of birthday celebration. We were one of two tables of customers allowed upstairs, and it was pretty quiet compared to the full house down below. I guess it was for better control and monitoring of such celebrations. Consider it a courtesy to Pizza Hut's customers. For birthdays, you get privacy for eating pizzas...

Chris and Kevin's birthday cake.

It was wholely made of chocolate, by Taka.

The elongated spikes makes me think of sea urchins.

Chris and Kevin

Kevin and Karen

Cindy and Chris

EL and Karen

CK and XXX

(I'm sorry but I've forgotten your name, again.)

Tony's Wedding Dinner

Tony had his wedding dinner on this night, and I had the honour to be invited to this occasion.

The dinner was at Tian Soon Restaurant in BDC, and a rough number of 300+ people were invited.

The food was slow to be served, and the taste was just alright, albeit slightly salty for some.

Tony N. and his wife

They have been together for so long that people has trouble remembering when was it that they first started dating. :)

Linda and Adelyn
Linda and Adelyn are best friends since high school.

They are friends of Tony from the scouting days.

This was supposed to be a night of celebration, but something really bad happened that night too.

When Tony's family got home after dinner, they found out that their house was broken into, and some money stolen. Luckily, they did not leave any of their gold and jewelry in the house.

Tony made a police report immediately afterwards, but the whole atmosphere was destroyed. It was supposed to be a happy occasion.

I'm sorry, Tony. I hope things will get better for you and your family.

Honey!!! I'm Home!!!

Finally!!! I'm back!!!

I was off diving near the Sipadan Island and the islands around the Kota Kinabalu (KK) area in Sabah, Borneo. Thus the reason why I was off line for SO..... long.

The trip took nine days, and I went white water rafting at the the Padas River in KK too!!!

Sipadan was the place to dive. The marine life was so full and rich, this place was like a jewel to all divers!!!

Man, diving is the life!!!