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Midnight at the oasis

Posted by: Jamie AKA Pesky

I am in the middle of the sea, on a village made of wood, on WiFi.

Borneo’s diving and, more specifically, the island of Sipadan is consitently regarded as a top ten dive spot. In 2004 the government ordered all diving resorts to leave Sipadan in order to preserve the eco-system of one of their biggest tourist attractions. All diving is now from either Borneo’s mainland, Sipadan’s nearest neighbouring island Mabul or where I’m lucky enough to be staying - Kapalai. Over 200 years ago, Kapalai was itself an island, but years of erosion have left only a sand bar visible and it is now the home of Kapalai water village - an impressive wooden structure, built on specially designed stilts that literally rises out of the middle of the Celebes Sea.

It was more like something out of the movies than real life as I skimmed across the almost mirror like surface of the sea in a speed boat towards Kapalai for the first time, the resort gradually turning from a tiny speck on the horizon into a wooden oasis. A hot towel and smiling faces greeted us as we arrived, and I knew that I was going to have an amazing time. My jaw further dropped when I saw the water bungalow I had all to myself. There is no air conditioning and no mosquitos on the resort, the constant sea breeze sees to it that neither are a problem.

I’m not sure how to accurately describe the diving on Sipadan, but you often struggle to see the water for the turtles and sharks. On one dive I was taking a photo of a turtle and literally sat on two more by accident - much to the amusement of the rest of my group, and much to the dismay of the turtles. The schools of Barracuda and Jacks are also a sight with their silver scales catching the sunlight as they surge past you.

The rest of the diving, on the house reef and at Mabul is all muck diving (literally diving with a mucky or sandy bottom) and showcases the smaller species that the Celebes sea has to offer.

I’ve got a couple more days until I leave, and although the visibility hasn’t been fantastic (that’s a relative term) since I’ve been here, it’s still already been an amazing experience.

I’ve just made a major update to the photo album (I’m sure all those who have been nagging me will be happy about that!) and there will be some photos of the resort and diving soon!

Next we’re off to the Philippines for volcanoes, beaches and hopefully some wreck diving for me!

This entry was posted on Monday, October 22nd, 2007 at 12:31 pm and is filed under On the move. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

13 Responses to “Midnight at the oasis”

  1. Gravatar1011 days ago Susie L murmured

    Photos are great. I want to be where you are - really does look like paradise. Hug a turtle for me! xx

  2. Gravatar2 hours later, Lynsey announced

    haven’t looked at the photos yet but I am very jealous as you can well imagine!!! I would like to take credit for giving you the idea of going there :)

    ps I hate you

  3. Gravatar2 hours later, Mum - Sugy murmured

    BRILL pictures!!!!!!!! Im jealous want to be there - :)

  4. Gravatar12 hours later, Nan& Grandad murmured

    Hi Jamie, Have only looked at some of the new photos so far but it all looks wonderful. It was lovely to hear from you today, it was a shame the connection was so bad. We have settled into one of our temporary accommodations but hope to find a permanent one not too far in the future. xx

  5. Gravatar22 hours later, Pesky blurted

    I’ve uploaded some of the underwater shots now. Haven’t done much with them yet, but hopefully there are some nice ones to print for my wall when I get home!

  6. Gravatar4 hours later, Jay aka SugarDaddy whispered

    Your great, you know that?

  7. Gravatar3 hours later, Rachel yelled

    WOW I’m jealous!!!! The photos are pretty! I can’t believe you have seen all that in real life. I shall definitely have to go there one day…
    On a slightly different note, when you get a moment, would you be able to put me as an administrator on the Brunel Scuba facebook page please? I can’t update bits of it and it’s looking a little sad at the moment!
    Keep well x x

  8. Gravatar1 hour later, Marilyn yelled

    the pictures are great and it was lovely to talk to you today. I think we will have to book a world trip soon. take care love Mal and Tony xx

  9. Gravatar2 hours later, mum hissed

    who’s great Jay - me?????????????

  10. GravatarShortly after that, mum screamed

    Jamie guess it is you who is great after seeing the pics simply AMAZING!!!! take care -

  11. Gravatar1 hour later, Leon uttered

    All I can say is Wow on the underwater shots! They will look great on the wall

  12. Gravatar3 days after that, Benny Boy yelled

    Hey guys,

    Photos are brill. So jealous, hope to join you along the way at some point!

  13. Gravatar1 days after that, Sandra blurted

    Hey Jamie, the pictures are awesome - looks exactly the same what I have seen on Koh Phanang. The sharks I have seen were at least 2 metres bigger though. :) Can you send me the pictures of the fullmoon party ? Take care und lass krachen baby! Sandra

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