Finally we had m,ade it to our destination Kota Barhu in the far north east of Malaysia. Walking around the town we were looking fo things to do, whe we walked passed a padi dive shop. As we had planned to do our open water dive certificates, we were taken in by the location of the island and the reef that we would be learning on, and the price was about half what we would pay in the UK, with accomodationa and transport included. So out to the island wich was called Paula Perenthian Besar, an untuched paradise, it had a couple of resorts splattered along the little bay, and that was it. Crystal clear waters, and sand as soft as icing sugar. We began our course on the day we arrived, a few, quick basics on what we were going to be doing, and a bit of safety, and we were straight into our first confined water dives, learning the basics of breathing and moving aroun under water. It feels very strange at first. As the days went on we became more and more confident under water, we had to do things such as remove your mask and put it back on and clear it, under water. Swim without any air, rescue your buddy, and take your entire kit off underwater then put it all back on. All of which we both did ok. So by the friday night we were both qualified [email protected] water divers. Brilliant.