Plenty of people will advice you against buying your own diving gear when you just started diving. It’s skills that matters most, not the gears, they say. But I beg to differ. I have to strongly disagree with that statement as in my humble opinion, part of the things that could make or break your dives is the diving equipment. Rental equipments are not always new and well maintained, and therefore, buying your own equipments is definitely an investment if you plan to be a diver for a very long time. At the very least, buy your own diving mask, snorkel and fins. Don’t tell me you’re okay with wearing leaky masks that doesn’t fit snugly on your face? Or a mask that plenty of divers has spit on to defog? (Yes, people. Some divers do use their saliva to defog their masks) Or fins that rubs on your heels that it injured you badly after diving? Eww, no. No thanks, not for me. I’d at least use my own mask, snorkel and fins, thank you very much.

Picking your first pair of diving mask and fins is a serious business, and after some research and recommendations, I decided to go with this; the Mares Avanti Pure Fins. This pair of fins is pretty much lightweight, and it weights just about 0.6kg and is made of soft of thermoplastic rubber, making it one of the most travel friendly fins in the market.

The Mares Avanti Pure Fins is originally made to be worn barefoot, but the design is unique in the sense that it can also be worn with booties. The Mares Avanti Pure is an excellent pair fin that’s also budget friendly. I bought it from a dive shop in Kuala Lumpur for less than RM300, and pretty much a good deal, I must say.

The Mares Aventi Pure’s ergonomic heel pad minimises pressure on the Achilles’ heel while the bungee helps the strap to stay in the right position while finning.

Easy finning, works great with flutter or frogkick. I usually have problems with rental fins as I couldn’t muster effective kicks to glide through the water, but the channel on the Mares Avanti Pure fins helps to glide through the water effortlessly even with gentle kicking. The Mares Avanti Pure helps improve ankle flexibility and leg endurance while the ownward angled blade promotes the ease of surface swimming. (I bet it’s awesome to be used as snorkeling fins too)

The fins helps with underwater navigation and is pretty buoyant. I even tried the reverse kick with this Mares Avanti Pure and it’s definitely easier to use and less tiring on the feet in comparison to other rental fins that I’ve worn before.

So do I recommend the Mares Avanti Pure? Yes, I definitely recommend this fins, especially for new divers and for those who are diving in warm tropical water and those with small feet and for ladies who are prone to leg cramps and fatigue.

I’m not sure if this pair of fins provide strong thrusts that will be able to fight strong currents as I’ve only used it in calm underwater environment but I can definitely vouch it’s effectiveness in calm tropical water.

Scuba diving is a very honest and non- glamorous sport. Once you’re underwater, your looks does not matter. Even if you’ve put on some makeup prior to diving, it’ll simply be washed away. What matters most about diving is not you, or how you look like, but your surroundings; the beauty of the marine life and it’s wondrous ecosystem.

If I were to describe how diving is like to non divers out there; it’s like stepping into another world that’s both beautiful and mysterious at the same time. To me, diving is life. Everything else is just surface interval. But I’m a terribly vain person. As much as I love diving, this recreational sport have a drawback. It gives me frazzled hair, painful sunburns and nasty rashes. Now, why didn’t I use sunblocks to prevent such things from happening? Well, I don’t use sunscreens/sunblocks lotions because most of the sunblocks commonly sold are not reef friendly and they are harmful towards corals and the marine lives.

Irritating skin due to sunburns and rashes as well as frazzle hair is really annoying. But luckily for me, there’s this; Sabun Ajaib.

Sabun Ajaib is a handmade soap made from 100% natural ingredients- mainly bamboo vinegar and is great for relieving skin irritation due to itchiness. It’s highly recommended for those with ekzema or skin proriasis.

I was skeptical at first when my friend introduced me to this soap, but I’ve been using this Sabun Ajaib religiously and it works wonders on me. It actually have cooling effect and soothes sunburns instantly upon usage. My skin actually felt much more moisturizer after frequent usage. And the best part? It works wonders on my hair too where it helps to reduce frazzles and actually soften my hair like expensive shampoo would. Needless to say, I’m never going for a diving trip without taking Sabun Ajaib along with me. It’s definitely a saviour. Yups, I highly recommend this, especially for divers.

If you have sensitive skin, ekzema, or suffer from skin irritations, you might want to try this soap. It’s been helpful for me and my family. Who knows it might work wonder on you too. 😀

For more information on Sabun Ajaib, hop over to the link below:

https://bamboo-soap.blogspot.com/

To make a purchase, visit the online shop on Lazada or Shopee

Nestled on Gaya Island’s crescent Malohom Bay off the coast of Sabah, Malaysia, Gayana Marine Resort is a picturesque destination that strikes a balance between ecology and indulgent luxury.

Gayana Marine Resort has extraordinary 45 overwater tropical villas boast vistas of the aquamarine sea, mangrove forest or tropical jungle. Each abode is designed in such a way that enhances the lulling sounds of the surf beneath the villa.Gayana Marine Resort offers a host of fun and exciting activies for you to make the most of your time with this island paradise.

Gayana Marine Resort’s PADI Certified Dive Centre lets you discover this marvellous underwater world in the waters off Gaya Island, where you are likely to encounter sea turtles, clownfish, coral fish and even whale sharks, to name a few.

For those who are not certified divers or not planning to be certified, you may enjoy beauty of the marine lives by snorkeling.

For those who are interested in marine conservation, can give the Marine Eco Centre a visit.Gayana Marine Resort is currently having a great deal for those who are interested in chillaxing at the resort during the RMCO period.

Gayana Marine Resort Staycation details:
Period: Friday to Sunday only until 31 October 2020
Rates: Rainforest Villa – RM 550nett per room night /Ocean Villa – RM 850nett per room night
• Daily breakfast
• Return scheduled boat transfer (check-in at 12pm and check-out at 11am)
• Maximum 2 adults and 2 children (age 0 – 7 years old)
• 20% discount off food only

As a gesture of tribute, healthcare workers booking for the Rainforest Villa will be upgraded to the Ocean Villa subject to availability.For bookings, call +60 088-380 390 or email [email protected]

So, I’ve been having some backache and my feet is kinda prone to cramps. Now, I’ll be taking my diving exam in Perhentian next month and that’s a no no. I cannot be having leg cramps at 18m underwater. Absolutely no! It would be a catastrophe if I have to abort my dive midway! Realising how important feets are for divers, I consulted with my Dive Buddy and he suggested that I do something about the issue as unlike swimming where hands played an important role in moving you underwater, finning is what actually help you propel and glide effectively underwater while diving. And so, I decided to do something about it.

My Dive Master suspects that I may have been wearing the wrong kind of shoes and therefore I’m prone to cramps. He suggested some feet or chiro checkup. Visiting the chiro is a bit freaky for me since Covid19 happens, so I decided to visit the newly opened JennOrtho at Midvalley Megamall, Kuala Lumpur instead to have my feet checked.

Jenn Ortho is a leading center that provides Custom 3D Medical Orthotic shoes specially designed individually. At JennOrtho, it’s not just about selling health shoes but also help you to analyze your feet so that you will be able to pick the right footwear for you.

Free foot alignment check at JennOrtho

I was lucky. They were offering free consultation by Dato Dr.Edmund Lee himself when I visited the outlet.

Anyway, like I said, feet scanning and consultation is given for FREE here and therefore, I decided to go on ahead with the free consultation. Here’s the expert at JennOrtho scanning my feet to help me determine my feet type and the type of shoes I should be buying for myself to ensure maximum comfort all day long.

My scan result. I was informed that my feet are apparently a little bit on the flat and low arch side and extra support is needed.

During the consultation session with the experts at JennOrtho, I was informed of the common problems with our feet.

I didn’t really pay much attention then as I was too excited with all the shoes displayed over there and I was a bit distracted but here’s sharing with you some of the common problems that we usually faced that are related to our feet.

1. Flat feet (our feet are flat and has no proper arch for support)
2. Nunion (excess bulding at the side of your big toe)
3. Callous (thick dead skin cells under the base of your feet)
4. High arch
5. Intoe-ing (pigeon legs- walking with both legs pointing inwards)
6. Toe walking (tip toe when you walk)
7. Bowlegs (bending outward of the legs from the knees down)

And so here’s some of shoes that were suggested to me.

These shoes are especially designed to support flat feets.

Dr Edmund Lee, the owner and the in-house doctor at Jenn Ortho shared tips with me on choosing the right footwear during my visit and here’s sharing his tips with all of you here:

1. Buy shoes in the evening because our feet expands the most at that time

2. Suitable shoes are shoes that can be inserted two fingers behind the shoes and the front of the shoe. This is to allow for a space for our feet growth.

3. Try both side of the shoes and walk with them to make sure they are comfortable.

As of writing, they are having the 50% off on selected shoes and I thought it’s high time to pick some new shoes.

Wide range of health shoes to suit your needs.

Some of the collection for children. They’re not only smart in design but keeps your kids’ feet comfy all day long. Look at these, pretty neat, right?

JennOrtho is also selling supplements for bone health.

Anyway, if you are looking for shoes, or any casual shoes for both yourselves and your children to wear that’s not only fashionable but also promotes overall comfort and well being, you might want to head over to JennOrtho at Midvalley Megamall and check things out.

Remember, feet are the basis for healthy body formation. If you choose the wrong footwear that does not support your feet, it will affect your well being and you’ll have tendency for knee pain, unhealthy spine, waist and many more. Therefore, picking a pair of shoes that provides proper support is very important.

Ps: (Don’t worry about hygiene and stuff. JennOrtho completely adhere to the RMCO SOP and the machine is sanitized with every use.) You’re also required to check in for contact tracing purposes and all of their staffs wears masks during service as well, so yeah, go for it, guys!

For more info, refer below:

JennOrtho
Address: S011 2nd Floor, Mid Valley Megamall.

Operating hour: 10am to 10pm daily.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennortho/

SMI Cars Sdn Bhd, or previously known as Superbike Motortrade International Sdn Bhd, has launched its first brand new car showroom in Jalan Ampang today. Led by a well-experienced management team of 30 years and a young blood director, SMI Cars are set to provide Malaysians, especially amongst KLlites, a wide range of luxury and imported car models. The genuine importer and member of PEKEMA plan to set itself apart with others through its upcoming innovation and personalized services.The strategically located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, the one-floor showroom was designed by a 19-year-old soon-to-be architect Asyraaf Khan, featuring modern
architecture with a welcoming ambiance to ensure customer comfort is given priority.SMI Cars showcases almost 150 top range cars such as Mustang, Lamborghini, Maserati, Range Rovers, Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Lexus, Mini Cooper, and various collection of Toyota MPV models such as Toyota Vellfire, Toyota Alphard and Toyota Estima.

To celebrate, SMI Cars hosted a ‘new normal’ soft launch of its new showroom that encompass the presence of automotive enthusiasts and live performances by local
celebrities.

Customers were encouraged to explore their options and develop their thoughts and experience by test driving the car of their liking.

To ensure peace of mind
and health concerns, SMI Cars remained committed and ensured all cars are sanitised in and out after every session of a test drive.

Following prime minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s short-term economic recovery plan speech where he announced relief measures for the automotive sector known as Penjana; SMI Cars are also offering its customers with special Merdeka deals on top of the 50% off sales tax (*Terms and conditions apply).

Director of SMI Cars, Dato’ SM Zulkifli said “We are thrilled to be on this journey and have much in store for our customers. Some might say we are young, but at SMI Cars we embrace the new open-heartedly, which is why we are proud to have our director, Irene Deanna as part of the team. Having young blood in the upper management brightens
the future of SMI cars as it encourages innovation and future thinking. It also sets SMI Cars apart from others as we appreciate youth leadership and believe that they play a huge role in the industry for the coming years.”

The young blood director of SMI Cars, Irene Deanna added “We understand that we have to be dynamic to stand out. SMI Cars are gearing towards innovation that will disrupt the norm of the industry and we are excited to reveal our plans when the time
comes. Our goal is to provide our customers with sublime options and a fresh immersive experience throughout the journey of purchasing their dream car.”

SMI Cars hope that by lowering the cost of owning these imported vehicles, customer’s excitement will increase and simultaneously boost the economy of our nation.

For those who are looking to upgrade or invest on a new car, now is a great opportunity to buy your dream vehicle at a lower price.

Find out more on SMI Cars through their social media platforms below:
Facebook: @SMI Cars | Instagram: @SMI_Cars

For Bell & Ross – the luxury watch company and ultimate reference for professional timepieces – each watch is designed to match its specific environment.For divers, Bell & Ross has developed tools that are perfectly suited for underwater exploration. They are capable of effectively assisting divers in the deepest and darkest waters.

This year, Bell & Ross presents two new diving watches which are perfect example.

DIVER COLLECTION: Tailored To The Extreme

(1) BR 03-92 DIVER BLUE BRONZE

Limited to 999 pieces

With this new addition to the Diver collection, Bell & Ross pursues its aspiration by evoking the historical roots of underwater exploration. A nod to the origins of these adventure. Its case and bezel are made from bronze, a material that is deeply linked to diving history, that was used in the past for deep-sea helmets and naval construction. This symbol can be seen on the steel case-back, which bears the engraving of a 1940s diver.

• For your information, its price is RM18,500.
• Discover this model Bell & Ross E-Boutique by clicking HERE.

(2) BR 03-92 DIVER FULL LUM

Limited to 999 pieces

Playing with inverted contrasts, Bell & Ross adapts its Lum concept to its diving collection and reverses the traditional principles of day and night legibility. Optimum legibility is key when diving and may even be lifesaving. It is also Bell & Ross’ main philosophy and one of its guiding principles. To that extent, the BR 03-92 DIVER FULL LUM perfectly fulfill this essential requirement. To make it a true ultra-legible diving watch. For this new timepiece, the brand has worked on different shades of luminescence by using Superluminova® C3 and Superluminova® C5. If night diving or when reaching abyssal depth, its subtle shades turn into an explosion of light. The luminescent dial illuminates like a punch of light.

• For your information, its price is RM19,900.
• Discover this model on Bell & Ross E-Boutique by clicking HERE.

As the nation gears up for Merdeka and Malaysia Day, JACK ‘n JILL Cream-O dials up the celebrations with a tribute to ‘Ekstra O-Some’ Malaysians – our frontliners.

The tribute kicked off with a special surprise for delivery riders whose contributions have been essential in helping many Malaysians throughout the Movement Control Order. Earlier this week, it seemed like ‘business as usual’ for the 100 foodpanda delivery riders until they were greeted at their destinations with a Cream-O ‘Ekstra O-Some’ thank-you. When the foodpanda delivery riders arrived with their customers’ food orders, they were surprised to discover that the meal was instead for them! In addition, delivery riders were also gifted with a Cream-O ‘Ekstra O-Some’ thank-you kit which included packs of delectable Cream-O and a Bluetooth headset to help the delivery riders go about their routines safely and efficiently.

The Cream-O ‘Ekstra O-Some’ tribute will climax on Malaysia Day with a special thank-you video, produced in collaboration with singer-songwriter Ismail Izzani. Throughout August, JACK ‘n JILL Cream-O is calling on all Malaysians to submit a creative appreciation photo which includes their thank-you message for all frontliners in any language. 63 submissions will be shortlisted and featured in the thank-you video compilation which will be unveiled on 16 September 2020. Entries featured in the video will also receive limited-edition memorabilia and an invitation to an exclusive E-meet with Ismail Izzani who is collaborating with Cream-O for this special tribute.

“Over the past few months, it has been truly awesome to see Malaysians come together to face one of its toughest trials. Our front liners have played an especially important role and as a company that has been part of the Malaysian fabric for many years, we are inspired by their dedication, sacrifice and service. Cream-O’s ‘Ekstra O-Some’ campaign is our way of thanking our frontliners who have not only given of themselves but also rallied Malaysians of all walks of life to come together in the true Malaysian spirit of sharing, caring and unity. We hope consumers will join Cream-O and take the opportunity this Merdeka and Malaysia Day to celebrate their invaluable contributions to the country,” said Emmanuel B. Puno, Senior Vice President (SVP) of URC Snack Foods Indonesia, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore.

Cream-O crunchy sandwich cookies are the perfect choice to ‘Make Everyday O-Some’. Filled with a variety of delicious rich cream flavours, every Cream-O sandwich cookie delivers a touch of awesomeness that makes the day more vibrant. In celebration of Merdeka and Malaysia Day, consumers across the country will enjoy an additional 15% in every 132g or 120g pack of Cream-O and Cream-O Tart respectively.

For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/creamomalaysia/ .
JOIN JACK ‘N JILL CREAM-O IN OUR TRIBUTE TO FRONTLINERS
Stand a chance to be selected for our special thank-you video and win an exclusive online meet and greet session with Ismail Izzani along with autographed memento:

Step 1
Buy JACK ‘n JILL Cream-O and/or Magic products worth RM5 in a single receipt. Date of purchase must be between 1 August 2020 and 31 August 2020.

Step 2
WhatsApp your receipt with <name>, <mykad no=”no”> and your photo with a thank-you message for our frontliners.</mykad></name>

Step 3
Answer the question and submit to +6011-5500 1878: “Cream-O FREE 15% promotion pack is available in 4 variants – Yes/No?”