Pixelating the Sea

The Invitation:

I’ve learned a crucial point is that, regardless how well the plans you planned, is never gonna be as good as the spontaneous , totally random ones. We had vacuum opportunity of such when @Myhorng decided to include us #porkgang into his annual family trip: Koh Lipe

 

 

Normally we would require much emails corresponding, group chat convincing and some dinner chat to lure, poison and to entice everyone but fortunately some from our group got her Open Water, some bought new dive equipment, some just quit her job, some looking for adventure and some just bored shitless, Lulcky Us.

The History:

Koh Lipe Island is located at the very southern tip of West Thailand. Thais would normally fly to Hat Yai, board a ferry to the island. Malaysians on the other hand can only Ferry from either Penang or Langkawi. We chose Langkawi for several reasons, Alcohol, Alcohol and Alcohol !! Being one of Malaysia’s DUTY Free State/Island, how can alcoholics like us resist the chance of grabbing a few mini bars arsenals.

 

Island itself is the smallest among the three, Koh Adang & Koh Rawi but being thailand’s oldest national forest reserves, Koh Lipe was the only island Thai Gov sacrifice making it a tourist destination. Nicely done.

Since bookings were made randomly at random times, we have three different resorts/hotels. Some were at Zanom, Sunrise Beach enjoying the serenity and the strong breeze. I was at Pattaya Beach’s west tip, Forra Resort enjoying the bustling arrays of restaurants, bars and massage parlour which we frequent very very often.

They have so much to offer, being a bookworm, being a party animal, divers, photographers, jungle trekkers, devout Buddhist, sand lovers and etc. Really one island to suits everything & everyone. some like me and some friends did diving while the rest were basking themselves silly.

 

The dive:

We made our booking tru Forra Dive, they operates from within 3 spots. Pattaya, Sunrise and Forra Barracuda (Walking Street) with Antoine. A solid, rustic looking French that have seen many moons in that island. If you met him elsewhere, you’ll assumed he’s with the Foreign Legion.

we’re pluck from our resorts to Forra Boat, massive 60 footer, well equipped with all necessity needed for a comfortable  LOB experience. On board, Antoine and his crew comprises of Dive Masters and rescue divers.

3 dives per day and the whole day out beginning at 9am till 8pm due to the distance and gap from 1 dive site to another.

 Black Moon, have you guys heard about it ? is not mythical or involving any nude dances around any bonfire. Is when the Moon is positioned directly behind the SUN. This is when earth gravitational pull is strongest at one side making ocean tides and current misbehaving (strong & choppy). For experience diver this is excellent time for drift and also you’ll find numerous fishes and big guys come out to play: Strong current = more flow of foods

 

My 10bar casing still giving me problems especially with settings and dial control. I can’t get a single good setting when i saw some really interesting products

Someone sponsor me a new Underwater Casing plz !! i’ll buy my own DSLR !! hehe..

Xmas Wishlist:

1. Casing for

a) 7000D

b) GH2

c) GF2

d) D90

We managed to cut open 1 fishing’s trap to release a 5 feet Tall Moray Eel. We first thought is the fisherman’s daily income but when we saw the eel, there’s no choice but to cut the trap. Fisherman can starve for a day, but moray eel will die if starved a day. Fish Comes first

THE ISLAND

 

Regardless how you point your camera and shoot, the pictures will be like in any beautiful island postcard. it just can’t possible go wrong, not even disposable cameras.

Whole island once the sun hides, turns into a big fiesta with twirling fire dancers, reggae pubs, much like Koh Samui on full moon but less drugs , same amount of alcohol same amount of foreigners same Thai soil and all. Krap Krap

My Bro proposed to his 7 years GF Kimberly our last night at the island. He sms us asking us to scout a place, not too noisy, not too dull, not too dim and get ready to shoot, video once he’s on his knees. Congrats to you two

Watch the Proposal Video here ;

httpv://www.youtube.com/embed/4sb0x_bCSkw?rel=0

The Walking Street (i wonder if there’s any street there we need to swim, hop, fly or anything but walk) is covered with sovereignty of various trades. French selling Ice Cream (we have more info she’s selling more than Ice Cream), dive Shops, Utilities shop, Laundry, restaurants, pubs, souvenir shops and more restaurants. is almost daily routine to walk this street while relaxing along the beaches.

We as tourist, doing what tourist should do, snapping pictures like there’s no tomorrow.

Like all things, end must come. The epic adventures in Koh  Lipe will be seared into my memory for a long time and hopefully we get to visit this mystical island in the near future.

Our Transport to Ferry, thai ppl’s daily commune

catching another Glimpse of Koh Lipe before we depart’

The beautiful Emerald sea gently washing the white sand. 

 

 

‘

Langkawi !! here we come !’

 

Thank you my dearest  Bro and Sis

@myhorng @yukisq @fireangel @lavuarne @kimberlycun @shaolintiger @z33s and my Dar @_klin_ for such a remarkable holiday