Hello everyone,

I have had a busy few days here in Kota Kinabalu (or 'KK' as the locals call it). As I was waiting for my friend Harriet to arrive, I decided to spend my time wisely and do a diving course. Why not I asked myself? Apparently Malaysia has got some of the top ten diving sites in the world so what better opportunity is there?

And that's what I have been up to for the last three days. First day was theory only, all about the equipment and what to do and not to do. With a 50 question multiple choice test at the end. Passed so I was allowed to do the fun bit too!On Saturday we went out to Pulau Sipa (island just of f the coast of KK). First thing I had to do after putting on all my equipment was a backwards roll into the water from the edge of the boat. I thought they were having a laugh! I haven't done anything like this before and then they wanted me to flip backwards into something that I couldn't see with a damn heavy tank on my back? Against my expectation it was easy and great fun to do actually. So there I was, in the water with my wet suit and all the other kit and caboodle and I was nicely floating in the water even though they tried to sink me using a 4kg weight belt (I am sure that this was their intention.... :o)). Anyway, we did some skill training like breathing under water, taking your mask off, putting it back on (under water of course.., taking your mouth piece out etc. and then we went for our first dive and it was absolutely amazing. Although we were only very shallow it was incredible to see all the fish that my daddy used to have in his aquarium! VATI, if your reading this, you should think of trying it one day yourself, it is so much more amazing to see everything in real life!!!!

After a quick lunch we went for the second dive and again, there is a whole new world down there that is so beautiful that it is hard to describe to anyone who hasn't seen it for themselves. Managed to take my mask off and put it back on at 15m depth, I must have to admit I never thought I could do this!

After this I went back to my hostel grinning from one ear to the next. Had a quick shower , just in time for Harriet's arrival. It was good to see a familiar and friendly face after 6 weeks on the road. To celebrate her arrival we had a really posh dinner at the seafood restaurant at the shore line. We ordered enough food to feed a football team (although we didn't know that at the time) and enjoyed as much of it as we could. Had to pay around 9 pounds each though. But I don't splash out that often!... Kept chatting till late until both of us couldn't keep our eyes open any longer.

Got up early today to see the Sunday market in KK. Well worth a visit. You can buy anything from handicraft over freshly baked pastries, dried fish, puppies (alive!!!), goldfish, flowers to things that I haven't got a clue what they were. Harriet and I have agreed to try something new (of which we don't know what it is) everyday and so far we have been lucky that it didn't make us ill and was enjoyable at the same time! After breakfast went off to go diving again whilst Harriet went off shopping and sight seeing.The morning started with another skill session but this time I struggled with the mask thing. I started thinking about what would happen if I didn't stay calm and swallowed a lot of water and that was it! I struggled and swallowed a lot of water. I managed to get the mask back on and start breathing normally but my confidence took a great big dip. Spent the next 30 minutes repeating the task over and over again until I finally stopped thinking and got it done calmly. Later my instructor Nev joked and said that this was a typical woman thing, they start thinking and then everything goes wrong... Not sure I agree with that....

Anyway, the afternoon session consisted of a proper dive, no skill training. We dived on top of a reef with thousands of fish and corals. It was absolutely amazing. The dive took 45 minutes and it was really superb. After cleaning all my diving equipment I was awarded my "Open Water diving Certificate". And now I can dive anywhere in the world. Just in time before travelling Southeast Asia and Australia, I'd say!Tomorrow we are off to MountKinabalu, the highest mountain is Asia. We'll commence our climb on Tuesday, followed by the final early morning ascent to the top in time for sunrise on Wednesday. After that we're heading for the hot springs to relax before moving on to see some Orang Utans and Turtles at Sepilok. Not sure when I'll be able to update the blog again but rest assured I will as soon as the opportunity arises, if not just simply to make you entirely jealous... Merry Christmas if I don't manage to say this before everyone leaves work for the Christmas break. Hope you have a white one (and I am sure I won't have one at all!).

Take care,
YA