HPB Voices Reloaded

In September this year, 5 HPBians decided to embark on an adventure of their lifetimes by going for a diving trip to Pulau Aur, just off the coast of Mersing. For four of them, it was to be their virgin dive trip. Read on about their adventures!

The journey to Pulau Aur was a grueling one. Katherine Oen (WHP, AHP) and Angela Sim (Marketing, M&C) share their experiences….

“We felt like refugees… or worse…prisoners of war on the boat that was bringing us the island.”
- Katherine

“We got off from our bus at the Mersing jetty, blurry-eyed and all after the bumpy ride at about five in the morning. Although there were double-deck bunk beds on the boat, by the time we got on the boat, all the lower bunks were taken by other divers. We had a lot of difficulty groping in the dark and climbing.”
- Angela

The bunks found in the boat provided these girls their much needed beauty rest.

After what little sleep they had, at about eight 8am , the girls woke up to prepare for their virgin dive.

All raring to go!

Initially they were all a little nervous and jittery about entering the depths of the ocean. Their first descent was thankfully guided by ropes and they all hung on to the ropes for dear life. “We were like dirty laundry fluttering in the strong and cold currents”, Sharifah (NHLP, AHP) quipped.

After succeeding in controlling their buoyancy, they began their visual feast on what the sea has to offer. A moray eel was peeping out of its rocky abode sleepily and a bumphead parrotfish paraded for them up close and personal. A turtle was happily spying on the group’s practice session on proper fin techniques as well. Jelly fish and sea cucumbers were also found in abundance.

Bumphead parrotfish – up close and personal

Green sea turtle gracefully gliding by

Moray eel – wakey wakey:)

The only experienced diver was Kuan Ling (ND, AHP), who went for leisure dives while the rest were busy with their basic open water diving course. Her dive buddy for these leisure dives was a German guy who was a real gentleman, much to the envy of the rest of the ladies :) At the end of the dive, everyone agreed that it was a trip well worth all their time and effort. Here are some of their comments after the trip:

“It’s a life-changing experience!”
~ Sharifah

“What a good get-away from work!”
~ Katherine

“The sea has a calming effect on me.”
- Angela

“Diving is all about teamwork, and you also learn to be responsible for your buddy.”
~ Pei Ping

“I am glad everyone enjoyed themselves during the trip.”
~ Kuan Ling (organiser for the event)

Note: Interested in a beginner's 'check-it-out' dive lesson or exotic dive trips in the region? Please email Kuan Ling at kang_kuan_ling@hpb.gov.sg for more details today!