Year 2007 Gathering

[TingOng]

Yo people, anyone that we know is organising next year's gathering? I think it would be a good idea to keep each other uptodate because some of us are wandering all over the world due to one thing or another. I would definitely make an effort to get home for the gathering no matter where I am (hopefully I'll be in Singers)

[Odysseus]

Yo people, anyone that we know is organising next year's gathering? I think it would be a good idea to keep each other uptodate because some of us are wandering all over the world due to one thing or another. I would definitely make an effort to get home for the gathering no matter where I am (hopefully I'll be in Singers)
TingOng, nothing yet.I guess the excitement is with the class of 81. Theirs is this year.

[TingOng]

TingOng, nothing yet.I guess the excitement is with the class of 81. Theirs is this year.

Hiya Les, how was your trip to Europe? Did check out the local talents during your trip?

Regarding the gathering, if we start sending out feeders whenever we can, hopefully we can get more people to turn out. It would probably work like the Chinese whisper

[PreciousPearl]

Ting Yew, could oso consider the above tho' there's not many of us this side of the world:
-meself, my chairman and exec chief officer are in Cheshire,
-LilianMiles somewhere in Manchester i think
-think TKHo & his public unlimited corporation is somewhere along the M1 corridor(?)
-SuperLilian in Dublin (we may have trouble getting her to visit UK since she doesn't like us very much esp London :sad-2: )
- Hammerhead in Hull (kerching! penny drops at last - AndrewH's bro. D'oh!!)
-visiting members could include Leslie & Andrew dan lain lain on their globetrotting travels?

wot u think?

[LiLiaN]

Ting Yew, could oso consider the above tho' there's not many of us this side of the world:
-meself, my chairman and exec chief officer are in Cheshire,
-LilianMiles somewhere in Manchester i think
-AndrewH's bro in Hull(?)
-think TKHo & his public unlimited corporation is somewhere along the M1 corridor(?)
-SuperLilian in Dublin (we may have trouble getting her to visit UK since she doesn't like us very much esp London :sad-2: )
-visiting members could include Leslie & Andrew dan lain lain on their globetrotting travels?

wot u think?esshhh... don't say that lar... actually planning to go to london end of this month but found out got exam so can't go...
instead looking at going next month.... :)

[TingOng]

esshhh... don't say that lar... actually planning to go to london end of this month but found out got exam so can't go...
instead looking at going next month.... :)

Oi Lilian, we the Londoner ain't such a toe-rag as some people fink. As for the gathering, we could organise it somewhere that tickles everyones' fancy. Problem is the timing as we have people up North, Midlands, Eire, South etc.

[LiLiaN]

i didn't say londoners are toe-rags what... :(
i just haven't been there since i discovered mainland europe mah...
plus you had to admit elsewhere is cheaper than london...
so while i get to spread my wings, london mah got neglected lor...

[PreciousPearl]

ayoyoyo Lilian O Lilian.......
London best avoided except if (i) u live & work there (ii) have to go there for meetings (or olimpik games in 2012! :p )
loads of other places much much nicer & cheaper to visit :)
(i promise i will post some more pics of when we were on holiday during half term the week before last to give u an idea)

Ting Yew - anything can be organised but have to give lots of notice for those of us having to manoeuvre round our jobs & school hols ........ does this mean u've been volunteered to be the organiser:cool: ?

[LiLiaN]

heeee... i'll be in london 6th to 10th next month... woohoo!!
staying with friends at very central location... that's great savings... ;)

[Zazu]

Ting Yew, could oso consider the above tho' there's not many of us this side of the world:
-meself, my chairman and exec chief officer are in Cheshire,
-LilianMiles somewhere in Manchester i think
-AndrewH's bro in Hull(?)
-think TKHo & his public unlimited corporation is somewhere along the M1 corridor(?)
-SuperLilian in Dublin (we may have trouble getting her to visit UK since she doesn't like us very much esp London :sad-2: )
- Hammerhead in Hull (when i figure out who he/ she is)
-visiting members could include Leslie & Andrew dan lain lain on their globetrotting travels?

wot u think?

coincidence?? I think not..... !??

[Hammerhead]

coincidence?? I think not..... !??
Wah Zazu...You Sherlock Holmes or what...been watching too much CSI ah?

[PreciousPearl]

coincidence?? I think not..... !??
thanks Zazu & daBoss for confirming who Hammerhead is (maybe a cross-eyed shark, or TUKULKEPALA or shall i just call him Dr Vincent von Hammerheadhongstein.....:laugh:

(and now my dilemma is ...........should i forum more to find out who's behind all the nicks or shall i just be blur blur?:confused: :squeeze: )

[Hammerhead]

Hi Selena..

[monay]

thanks Zazu & daBoss for confirming who Hammerhead is (maybe a cross-eyed shark, or TUKULKEPALA or shall i just call him Dr Vincent von Hammerheadhongstein.....:laugh:

(and now my dilemma is ...........should i forum more to find out who's behind all the nicks or shall i just be blur blur?:confused: :squeeze: )
dunno who who's and really wanna know, just pm Alka, he knows everybody.... and got their pics...

[PreciousPearl]

Hi Vincent long time no kaypoh with u

[PreciousPearl]

dunno who who's and really wanna know, just pm Alka, he knows everybody.... and got their pics...
I tisn't just i donno who's who, most times i can't even remember the names & faces exp those i dint hang out with much...:(
sometimes can only remember in reference to whose bro/ sis they are or whose kids they are (really showing my age here...)

[Hammerhead]

Hi Vincent long time no kaypoh with u
Yeah, must be at least 15-20 years...time flies..

[Oddfather]

dunno who who's and really wanna know, just pm Alka, he knows everybody.... and got their pics...
PP, got to the CNY thread or the NKS gang thread. You should recognise some "old" and familiar faces there.

[Oddfather]

Ting Yew, could oso consider the above tho' there's not many of us this side of the world:
-meself, my chairman and exec chief officer are in Cheshire,
-LilianMiles somewhere in Manchester i think
-think TKHo & his public unlimited corporation is somewhere along the M1 corridor(?)
-SuperLilian in Dublin (we may have trouble getting her to visit UK since she doesn't like us very much esp London :sad-2: )
- Hammerhead in Hull (kerching! penny drops at last - AndrewH's bro. D'oh!!)
-visiting members could include Leslie & Andrew dan lain lain on their globetrotting travels?

wot u think?
if the timing is right, i might bring my family along. :)

[Hammerhead]

if the timing is right, i might bring my family along. :)
yes... a visit is due..

[Zazu]

if the timing is right, i might bring my family along. :)

hey brother.... :) we r family right?

[Oddfather]

hey brother.... :) we r family right?
how ar???? Please explain. :eek: :squeeze:

[Zazu]

how ar???? Please explain. :eek: :squeeze:
I distictly remember i have a brother named Andrew. :)

[Oddfather]

I distictly remember i have a brother named Andrew.
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: different river liao.....

[Zazu]

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: different river liao.....
hey.... all rivers empty to the same ocean. :)

[Oddfather]

hey.... all rivers empty to the same ocean. :)
but some never make it to the ocean ler....??

[PreciousPearl]

PP, got to the CNY thread or the NKS gang thread. You should recognise some "old" and familiar faces there.
yes, thanks O Father of Oddness. (nice cerut u got there...!);)

[TingOng]

coincidence?? I think not..... !??

Blimey, organising the gathering will be a logistical nightmare. We are so sparsely separated, travelling would be a nightmare, as you all know the public transport in UK especially the unreliable train cost an arm and a leg, while having to book the ticket in advance. Don't think private transportation would fare any better.

I think the best idea is to drop in to see the individuals whenever your are within their vacinity.

[Hammerhead]

Blimey, organising the gathering will be a logistical nightmare. We are so sparsely separated, travelling would be a nightmare, as you all know the public transport in UK especially the unreliable train cost an arm and a leg, while having to book the ticket in advance. Don't think private transportation would fare any better.

I think the best idea is to drop in to see the individuals whenever your are within their vacinity.
Sounds like FFK to me liao..

[TingOng]

Sounds like FFK to me liao..
Hey Vince long time no see, how do? Any ideas to solve the logistic issues?

[Hammerhead]

Hey Vince long time no see, how do? Any ideas to solve the logistic issues?
Hi Ting Yew. Hope you are OK. I thing the best thing is to organise a long weekend together, i.e Thurs/Friday to Sunday, so no need to be so tight in terms of time. Get a cottage and share out the cost. Can have lots of outdoor activities. Best place in terms of logistics would be the Peak District, would be 2 hours for most people from the south or the north.

[TingOng]

Hi Ting Yew. Hope you are OK. I thing the best thing is to organise a long weekend together, i.e Thurs/Friday to Sunday, so no need to be so tight in terms of time. Get a cottage and share out the cost. Can have lots of outdoor activities. Best place in terms of logistics would be the Peak District, would be 2 hours for most people from the south or the north.
Right people, what do you think of Vince's idea? If we do go during the winter, we are going to freeze our you know what off. Summer school holiday would be suitable for all. How about the dales? people from London can fly to Leeds or Bradford for a fraction of train fare. By the way, I would probably be working out of Singapore during the summer

[Hammerhead]

Right people, what do you think of Vince's idea? If we do go during the winter, we are going to freeze our you know what off. Summer school holiday would be suitable for all. How about the dales? people from London can fly to Leeds or Bradford for a fraction of train fare. By the way, I would probably be working out of Singapore during the summer
Don,t fly. Drive is better if you can. More convenient and flexible. By the time you go to the airport and check in, fly and travel to the place, you would already spend 3 times as long getting there. Also cheaper.

[PreciousPearl]

Right people, what do you think of Vince's idea? If we do go during the winter, we are going to freeze our you know what off. Summer school holiday would be suitable for all. How about the dales? people from London can fly to Leeds or Bradford for a fraction of train fare. By the way, I would probably be working out of Singapore during the summer
Ting Yew - macam mana u boleh mali kalau sudah cabut pigi s'pore?:p
winter - dress up warmly
summer - dress up cool
season does not matter
i don't mind peak district (heights of abraham in Matlock is quite a good visit)
never been to the yorks dales but i'm game, have heard pickering is nice for outdoor pursuits

Don,t fly. Drive is better if you can. More convenient and flexible. By the time you go to the airport and check in, fly and travel to the place, you would already spend 3 times as long getting there. Also cheaper.
ring up yer mates for a lift to/ from the airport:laugh:

[TingOng]

Ting Yew - macam mana u boleh mali kalau sudah cabut pigi s'pore?:p
winter - dress up warmly
summer - dress up cool
season does not matter
i don't mind peak district (heights of abraham in Matlock is quite a good visit)
never been to the yorks dales but i'm game, have heard pickering is nice for outdoor pursuits


ring up yer mates for a lift to/ from the airport:laugh:


Hiya

Change of weather and scene is good. In saying that while I was in Singapore it's was all work because I had to handle of the queries generated by our projects in Europe. The time diferent means that I had to stay up late to contact them.

Dressing up for a good hike in the winter is a pain in the arse because you had to be prepared for the worst. worst of all, when you reach a peak, it's freezing because of the wind chill.

Heights of Abraham is ok but I think the dales have more to offer.

Vince, are you into scuba? seen the hammerhead in Layang Layang and hence the nickname?

[Hammerhead]

Hiya

Change of weather and scene is good. In saying that while I was in Singapore it's was all work because I had to handle of the queries generated by our projects in Europe. The time diferent means that I had to stay up late to contact them.

Dressing up for a good hike in the winter is a pain in the arse because you had to be prepared for the worst. worst of all, when you reach a peak, it's freezing because of the wind chill.

Heights of Abraham is ok but I think the dales have more to offer.

Vince, are you into scuba? seen the hammerhead in Layang Layang and hence the nickname?

Yes, very much into scuba..but did not see it in Layang-Layang..hopefully will go there soon. Saw it in Southern Red Sea........awesome!!:cool:

[Odysseus]

Blimey, organising the gathering will be a logistical nightmare. We are so sparsely separated, travelling would be a nightmare, as you all know the public transport in UK especially the unreliable train cost an arm and a leg, while having to book the ticket in advance. Don't think private transportation would fare any better.

I think the best idea is to drop in to see the individuals whenever your are within their vacinity.
The way you describe UK transportation system, you make us look like living in stone age era la....

[PreciousPearl]

Hiya

Change of weather and scene is good. In saying that while I was in Singapore it's was all work because I had to handle of the queries generated by our projects in Europe. The time diferent means that I had to stay up late to contact them.

Dressing up for a good hike in the winter is a pain in the arse because you had to be prepared for the worst. worst of all, when you reach a peak, it's freezing because of the wind chill.

Heights of Abraham is ok but I think the dales have more to offer.

Vince, are you into scuba? seen the hammerhead in Layang Layang and hence the nickname?
don't work too hard laaaa
so wot do ppl like...........(THIS MEANS U - Ting Yew, V, TK, LILIANMIIIIIIIILES???? and we hope for special appearance from Lilian Lau;) )
and then I'll be able to look up the holiday cottage catalogues that I've got, shall i, and see if there's anything that caters?

[PreciousPearl]

The way you describe UK transportation system, you make us look like living in stone age era la....
no lerrr, uk transport system from bronze age (only slightly better than stone age) but pay like it's the 21st century :sad-2:

[TingOng]

The way you describe UK transportation system, you make us look like living in stone age era la....

The public transportation especially the train is extremely expensive and unreliable. The joke in UK is that they have their book of excuses i.e wrong type of snow (too wet), wrong time of leaves on the track etc whenever there is a delay during that particular season. The train ticket from London to say Bradford (south of England to North of England) cost more than the British Midland flight from Heathrow airport to Bradford and the flight time is a third of the train journey.

[TingOng]

Yes, very much into scuba..but did not see it in Layang-Layang..hopefully will go there soon. Saw it in Southern Red Sea........awesome!!:cool:

Vince try Kapalai in Sipadan. The resort is awesome, unlimited shore dives, I did 6 to 7 dives per day. screwed up my no flight time. Saw plenty of macro and sharks i.e white tip, black tip, thresher shark, dog fish, leopard sharks, black marlin etc. Plenty of turtles and unusual marine life

I spend my new year on a liveaboard in Hin Daeng/Hin Muang. Super trip certainly worth the while saw Leopard shark on each dive and we saw three mantas

I was diving in the Red Sea couple of years ago (for a week). The place is good but Sipadan is much better. There are more marine life in Sipadan. Will be diving in Bali in May and planning to visit Manado in Sept/Oct.

[TingOng]

don't work too hard laaaa
so wot do ppl like...........(THIS MEANS U - Ting Yew, V, TK, LILIANMIIIIIIIILES???? and we hope for special appearance from Lilian Lau;) )
and then I'll be able to look up the holiday cottage catalogues that I've got, shall i, and see if there's anything that caters?

Hiya, if we can get together it would be nice. I am certainly up for it. Singapore would suits me down the ground because it's near to many nice diving sites i.e. Mabul, Sipadan, Layang Layang, Langkayan, Manado, Pupua, Similan to name a few

[Odysseus]

Hiya, if we can get together it would be nice. I am certainly up for it. Singapore would suits me down the ground because it's near to many nice diving sites i.e. Mabul, Sipadan, Layang Layang, Langkayan, Manado, Pupua, Similan to name a few
Wow.... I am glad to know you are a keen diver... Let's organize a Forum dive trip to somewhere :)

[PreciousPearl]

Hiya, if we can get together it would be nice. I am certainly up for it. Singapore would suits me down the ground because it's near to many nice diving sites i.e. Mabul, Sipadan, Layang Layang, Langkayan, Manado, Pupua, Similan to name a few
Wow.... I am glad to know you are a keen diver... Let's organize a Forum dive trip to somewhere :)

Les, Ting Yew, u guys carry on...... I think those places are a bit too far - i was thinking somewhere a bit closer to ingerland for a weekend away!

[Hammerhead]

Vince try Kapalai in Sipadan. The resort is awesome, unlimited shore dives, I did 6 to 7 dives per day. screwed up my no flight time. Saw plenty of macro and sharks i.e white tip, black tip, thresher shark, dog fish, leopard sharks, black marlin etc. Plenty of turtles and unusual marine life

I spend my new year on a liveaboard in Hin Daeng/Hin Muang. Super trip certainly worth the while saw Leopard shark on each dive and we saw three mantas

I was diving in the Red Sea couple of years ago (for a week). The place is good but Sipadan is much better. There are more marine life in Sipadan. Will be diving in Bali in May and planning to visit Manado in Sept/Oct.
Done Sipadan and Kapalai the year before the kidnapping.., Bali last year..

[andrewjpan]

what is the cost to get a diving licence?

[Hammerhead]

what is the cost to get a diving licence?
It depends; though not sure about Malaysia. In UK, if you join British Sub Aqua Club, the training will be free. You just have to pay the membership fee for BSAC and the local club fee. Training is free because it is given by instructors from the club on a voluntary basis. However, this usually takes weeks and can be painfully slow to get the certificate. Nowadays, you can do a BSAC cert on a commewrcial basis from dive schools.

More commonly however, most people now get trained by PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors), which is American. Starting qualification is Basic Open Water, which can cost about £200 -250 STG in UK. Can do it between 3-5 days.

[andrewjpan]

i see... for the basic open water... how deep?

[Hammerhead]

i see... for the basic open water... how deep?
You can dive to 18 metres. For Advanced Open Water, it is 30m. If you want to go to 40m, then just do a Deep Dive Specialty. That should be about enough for most, if not all recreational diving. Occassionally, some wrecks can be down to 50m, but PADI does not allow this, unless you do technical diving.

For BSAC, sports Diver can go to 40m (I think, or it it 30m?), but as Dive leader you can go to 50m. After that technical diving...

[TingOng]

i see... for the basic open water... how deep?

Andy, You don't need to get very deep to see the marine life, in fact you lose colour with depth. Most of the marine life are found between 10M to 30M. If you are in Sipadan, the first couple of dives are deep dive around 40M hoping to see hammerhead, but you are only limited to 10 mins at that depth. Remember air turn toxic after 34M and divers tend to suffer some narcosis during deep dive. Do your PADI cert in Malaysia because it's heluva lot cheaper compared to the cost in UK. If you require some advise on dive school, I know the owner of a diver station in Perhentian (Big Bubbles).

Guys, Sangalaki (House of Manta) was on TV there other day, rated number no 4 for Mantas. Apparent you can see mantas while snorkelling in Sangalaki. Sangalaki and Layang-Layang are on my list at the moment.

[TingOng]

Les, Ting Yew, u guys carry on...... I think those places are a bit too far - i was thinking somewhere a bit closer to ingerland for a weekend away!

Hiya

Yorkshire Dales or peak district is fine by me. I am equally at home in the water

[PreciousPearl]

Yessir, will see what we can do
any other takers from our Ingerland/ Ayeland chapter of the Forum?
(wah liao.... sounds like i starting up a masonic lodge only.....:squeeze: )

[andrewjpan]

Andy, You don't need to get very deep to see the marine life, in fact you lose colour with depth. Most of the marine life are found between 10M to 30M. If you are in Sipadan, the first couple of dives are deep dive around 40M hoping to see hammerhead, but you are only limited to 10 mins at that depth. Remember air turn toxic after 34M and divers tend to suffer some narcosis during deep dive. Do your PADI cert in Malaysia because it's heluva lot cheaper compared to the cost in UK. If you require some advise on dive school, I know the owner of a diver station in Perhentian (Big Bubbles).

Guys, Sangalaki (House of Manta) was on TV there other day, rated number no 4 for Mantas. Apparent you can see mantas while snorkelling in Sangalaki. Sangalaki and Layang-Layang are on my list at the moment.
thanks

:)

[TingOng]

thanks

:)

Andrew, there is a dive shop above the maxis shop in Lumut these days. The shop is called Sembilan Dive Shop. The owner of the shop is Claudia and she does diving courses locally. I went diving with her husband Olivier in Sembilan Island, nothing to write home about but it's OK. Apparently you can see some sea-horses in Sembilan island if you are lucky.

Hey chaps, if we are all home in Sitiawan at the same time say for CNY, why don't we organise diving trips, I am sure there are some un-explored dive sites in Manjung. Claudia told me that night dive in Pangkor is pretty good but I have my doubts due to uncontrolled polution and fishing activities. The local divers are concerned with the discharge from the power station in Teluk Rubiah. As every divers know, the rise of temperature by 1 deg c will be enough to kill the corals.

[andrewjpan]

Andrew, there is a dive shop above the maxis shop in Lumut these days. The shop is called Sembilan Dive Shop. The owner of the shop is Claudia and she does diving courses locally. I went diving with her husband Olivier in Sembilan Island, nothing to write home about but it's OK. Apparently you can see some sea-horses in Sembilan island if you are lucky.

Hey chaps, if we are all home in Sitiawan at the same time say for CNY, why don't we organise diving trips, I am sure there are some un-explored dive sites in Manjung. Claudia told me that night dive in Pangkor is pretty good but I have my doubts due to uncontrolled polution and fishing activities. The local divers are concerned with the discharge from the power station in Teluk Rubiah. As every divers know, the rise of temperature by 1 deg c will be enough to kill the corals.
TingOng, i do not live in perak any more, but through my exprence, the only good place to dive is pangkor laut island or some of the secluded beach on the back of pangkor island... there's nothing much to see around pulau sembilan.

but this was about 8 years ago, i haven't been for an outdoor trip to pangkor since then, but i don't think it would get any better...