Sipadan here I come.

18/3 - 4.30 taxi to the airport. The driver who brought me here, gave me his number, so he is taking me back too. He's a good man and he didn't try to fleece me, unlike the barber I went to yesterday.
Checked in, once more and waiting for the rest of the divers. I paniced a bit when the flight started to board and they had not shown up, so I rang Richard. The problem was that is was Tiban's mobile number, but he was very good about the early call. Tiban is another good Malay friend. The others turned up anyway and we boarded. I slept for about 2 of the 2.25 hours. We got into Tawau airport and through customs, which was weird seeing as how this is the same country we left from. Apparently it is to stop an influx of Malays from the mainland to Borneo Malaysia. I was tail end Charlie again and went outside to see nobody from the group. Luckily David had sent Richard back for me. I was headed in the right direction anyway. The bus to Semporna, where the boat leaves from, took about 40 minutes and it was palm oil plantations all the way, interspersed with small villages of houses on stilts, some of them pretty big, with flash cars parked underneath in the shade. I was glad to get into Semporna, the leg room was not the best. After a short break, during which I spotted "Backpacking Divers Hostel" and made a mental note, we were on the boat to the gas rig off Pulau Mabul. It is a lot closer than I remembered. There are lots of houses on stilts on the way to the rig and they are not close to shore, although it is obviously not deep. I bet they don't have cable TV. I wonder if they have electricity. Probably not. It makes you wonder how people would adapt to no TV again.
The sea is beautiful and calm, it looks really inviting, which is just as well as we'll be in there soon.
The group seem a happy bunch, mostly Chinese Malay, with an Aussie and another Brit. I'm struggling a bit with the power and flexibility, it is probably the early start. The rig looks to be a bit of an adventure and thank heavens there's a hoist from sea level to the main deck. The rig is just across from the Water Village where I stayed last time. Happy memories. We are met by a few of the staff with a glass of orange juice as we step off the hoist. I suppose it is a lift, but there are only rails on the sides, not front and back, but if you fall off it will be a soft landing. Lunch has started, so we get stuck in too. Good Malay food, lots of fruit and soft drink. There are loads of fish just looking over the side of the rig. A bit of a relax then take the gear up to the room. We are on the 2nd floor. I wish I had understood the floor numbering before I got to the sundeck on the 4th floor. My pack enjoyed the ride. Someone did offer to take it, but ......... Macho man.
A quick change and we are off for a dive around the artificial reefs under the rig. A shakedown dive. It shook me down. I don't know if it was the murky water or the intermittent current, but the confidence was not high. A quick break for a brew and a biscuit or 6 and we are off to Paradise reef, Mabul for another dive. This dive has me back on song. There are a few turtles, cuttlefish, morays, trumpet fish, all sorts. I got the mickey taken because nobody could understand when I said cuttlefish and we weren't underwater. I had to use a Malay accent, I think.
There's a night dive going down, but I opted out. I am not a fan of night dives. Perhaps it was a good one to miss too, as there was some current around, plus I am knackered, but I hung around to socialise a bit. They are a good bunch. Catherine did a year in Newcastle studying and my room mate, Paul, is from Chorley. He used to live down the road from Kelly.
Off to bed to recharge the batteries. Hopefully it will be Sipadan tomorrow.