Est modus in rebus

From Tioman, the ‘diving with dad’ trip  [3rd to 8th July] 

[Continuation from Diving with Daddy]

I shout for dad, and mom says he is already out, looking for food.

Surprise, surprise.

When he comes back (with nasi lemak and some noodles) I ask if

the rain is going to be a problem. It looks like it will rain all day, I say.

“Bah humbug”, says dad. (Or well, he says something to that

effect anyway) Rain is nothing, and will clear by the time we reach

the dive spots, he says.

As I will not argue with a diving and Tioman seasoner, we make

our way with umbrellas to the dive centre, which is about

10 minutes walk away.

As we approach I see that the dive staff and our group (consisting

of 7 people, excluding Francis) are ready to go.

So we have a quick dive briefing about our trip to Chebeh Island and

the Malang Rocks, check out equipment and head to the jetty.

 

 

The rain, not too heavy but not light too, continues.

It is about 40 minutes to Chebeh Island. In the group there is me

and dad, two older mat salleh dudes (who don’t know each other

but with their experience, becomes each other’s dive buddies,

one English boy who can’t be more than 19, who will buddy with

Francis, and a Chinese couple who seems to be just beginning

and will be led by another dive master.

Dad is all excited and super chatty, and he immediately launches

into spirited talk with the younger Mat Salleh about diving in Sipadan,

the barracudas etc, the history (wah lau?) of Tioman’s corals

(Used to be good, then shite, then now growing better again).

 

He also excitedly points out that I am his daughter, and that I dive too.

I play the part of the dutiful daughter, smiling and acknowledging

his pride, enjoying the ocean’s spray and the rain on my face.

We arrive at Chebeh, and true enough, the rain has abated, though

the sun is refusing to make an appearance.

No matter, it’s time to dive.

As we all huddle at the back to put on our gear, dad seems to make

a little fuss around me – do this, check that, make sure this,

tighten that – but I do not mind.

The other Mat Salleh smiles and says “Your daughter eh? I’m like

that with my sons as well. Always listen to dad!”, much to the

entire group’s amusement.

I reply with “Yes, I listen to daddy, he has been diving forever,”

with a big smile.

And then we all go down, the pair of MatSals on their own, the

beginners, and then us four.

 

 

 

It is a thrill, as usual!

At first I wonder why dad keeps on disappearing from my sight but

then I realise he is right behind me, content to watch out from me

from the back. And so I follow Francis’ lead and take in the

underwater scenery. I realise how much I miss the serenity of diving.

 

 

To be continued… More of Letters from Tioman (just two more left)