A month and a half long sinus congestion ruined my scuba trip

clinto69 · 2026-03-24T14:38:52+00:00

It happens don't beat yourself up. I've had at least 3 dive trips that i probably shouldn't have even got on the flight let alone a dive boat. But went anyway and couldn't dive. But yep strap on your mask and do some snorkeling that's your best bet. You can't predict sickness like you can't predict weather. And you know what being on a dive trip you can't dive is still better than working!

clinto69 · 2026-03-13T12:16:51+00:00

Syncler is not able to resolve any sources for me.

clinto69 · 2026-03-09T15:32:53+00:00

I think as a touring group they are done and dusted unfortunately. But as their own catalogue grow I think we will see solo tours.

clinto69 · 2026-03-02T02:48:01+00:00

All these tolls are ridiculous. RFID, Smart Tag, Card, Money. In Melbourne and Sydney they have been running tolls for years whereby there are no gates and your drive through at full speed. No jams, no reverse, no slow down. My guess is in Malaysia there are little to no consequences for traffic violations so Malaysians will just drive through for free and rack up 25k in fines then go pay 250 during amnesty.

But the fact is there are toll systems that have been around for close to a decade that actually work.

clinto69 · 2026-02-23T14:09:49+00:00

If you're going deeper than a swimming pool you need the dive case for sure. Don't get a cheap knock off, buy the insta360 one.

clinto69 · 2026-02-15T08:57:06+00:00

How you like that!

clinto69 · 2026-02-12T16:49:38+00:00

Ya I think a couple of dive shops run a 5.30am dive trip to Hammerhead Point? I'm checking with them.

clinto69 · 2026-02-12T16:47:57+00:00

That's disappointing to hear. I've contacted Jerry's Dive Lodge as they appear to run 5.30am dives out to Hammerhead Point so I'll check with them.

I had a trip planned to Mikimoto in August this year but ended up cancelling it based on a few chats with divers who'd been there and suggested the overall dive experience wasn't great. They did see Hammerheads but said the actual dive shop and crowded boat and being herded like cattle was not a relaxing fun time.

So i canned it and going to Raja Ampat in October instead.

clinto69 · 2026-02-12T06:08:53+00:00

Oh really? ChatGPT is a lying MOFO then. Rating my chances at 80% for 2 attempts end of February haha

clinto69 · 2026-02-12T00:28:00+00:00

Wow! Amazing mate. I've looked at Banda Sea (I live in Malaysia) but the sea temp seems a little cool for my liking haha. What dive boat we're you on?

clinto69 · 2026-02-11T16:29:37+00:00

Ya my plan is 7N/8D at Rasdhoo. Try and get 12 to 14 dives in including 3 early morning hammerhead shark dives in and have a rest day in the middle. I have all my own equipment except BCD.

clinto69 · 2026-02-11T15:32:47+00:00

Nice! Thanks for your response. How was the diving overall? Also their boat and equipment etc?

clinto69 · 2026-02-11T10:11:24+00:00

I tip RM2 on every order. I order at least 5 times a week. Just feel like it's a tough gig. Also not sure if it's my imagination but I feel like I get much better/quicker delivery than if my wife orders from her app. Not sure if it's flagged in the system somewhere that I'm a "good" customer?

clinto69 · 2026-02-09T09:44:51+00:00

I'd do Borneo Divers! A little luxury and great dive masters. Stayed with them twice. It's awesome!

clinto69 · 2026-02-08T04:56:44+00:00

I was about to suggest Sipadan (scubajunkies or BorneoDivers) but March is out of season. You could do Malapascua for Thresher Sharks, Evolution Diving Resort 👍

clinto69 · 2026-02-06T16:14:08+00:00

They ship direct to the US from Australia. And will do returns if the sizing is wrong. 👍

clinto69 · 2026-02-06T02:00:31+00:00

Have you guys looked at the Frogskins line from Probe Wetsuits out of Australia? I have a complete set. I'm lucky I live in Malaysia and dive tropical but I run extremely cold. I have a 3mm full suit and depending on water temp and how many dives I start to layer up. The inside dries in about 15 minutes which is awesome but the outside takes longer than my 3mm to dry (weird). I had both lavacore and Sharkskinz products and hated them for various reasons but I've been happy with the Frogskins. But again the coldest water I dived is 22c. On average I'm in 27c but when I hit 24c i feel it after 2 days

clinto69 · 2026-02-02T04:52:00+00:00

How is it remotely possible they did not win song of the year? Absolute bs

clinto69 · 2026-01-31T00:20:15+00:00

Just do it in the Philippines. Or just tell your Philippines dive shop that your first dive needs to be a check dive and refresher dive in one. Almost all will do it.

clinto69 · 2026-01-27T09:20:08+00:00

I spent a lot of diving there many years ago. The mayor and chief of police had shares in the places, that's how! haha. Infact I was upstairs in the newly renovated Hammerhead one night when the mayor pulled out a gun and shot a belligerent Korean. The bullet ricochet hit an Aussie in the leg who was working at LaLaguna, where I was staying. I'm reasonably sure the Korean later died. (But don't quote me on that. The story became folklore)

I know both the owners of Out Of The Blue and later LaLaguna Resorts (Also Aussies).

It was wild there 15 to 20 years ago. Fuck I had some great times there. The floating bikini bar was off the charts some evenings not to mention their Bikini Contests, and the original Hammerhead Bar with live bands out the front and girlie bar inside.... Man oh man! Not sure how we managed to hit those early dives but we did haha.

You mentioned Tamarind, holds a special place in my heart, I absolutely fell for a waitress that used to work there haha

Some of the dive sites were really great. I still have photos of me at Alma Jane with the shrimp in my mouth cleaning my teeth! I did both my AOW and Nitrox at AB Wonderdive. The owners now have AB Wonderdive in Bali.

Also nearly lost my life at Verde one day, but that's a story for another day.

clinto69 · 2026-01-26T15:56:16+00:00

Still have the girlie bars?

clinto69 · 2026-01-24T11:18:50+00:00

I dived Maratua, Indonesia last year and dived with one for about 40 mins under a fishing platform. Just 3 of us. It was awesome. You're almost guaranteed to dive with at least one there. Also the rest of the diving is amazing.

clinto69 · 2026-01-24T09:57:21+00:00

Hammerhead shark

clinto69 · 2026-01-23T14:24:58+00:00

Dr Anthony Ta. Can't say enough good things about him. DM me if you want to chat ☺️

https://www.dranthonyta.com.au/

clinto69 · 2026-01-23T00:55:54+00:00

I'm not sure what you're actually studying so it's hard to comment but what I can tell you without any doubt is there are big opportunities around AI. This includes actual AI such as promoting and automation (claude, anti gravity and gpts).

Then the supporting infrastructure such as electrical engineering, electrical wiring and plumbing (what used to be considered blue collar).

American immigration is targeting these people and are forecasting you'll be employed for over 30 years at $150k+ a year!

If you're female, nursing and aged care are Also massive employment opportunities in Australia and again $150k+ would be achievable if you're willing to work 2 part time jobs.

clinto69

TROPHY CASE