Category: Diving

Posted in Diving, Exercise, Feelings, Food, Place, Restaurants, Travel

Diving @ Mikomoto, Izu Part 3 (Day 1)

Posted on by sonokotchi

I came to Mikomoto for practice and catching Hammerhead Sharks.

Today visibility was okay, average of 15 m, maximum 20m.

When I take this photo, I had a light.


I took this photo without light; it’s more in green.


This how we dive in a party.


I told my instructor that I’m sick of Takabe ( yellow striped butterfish) and want to watch Hammerhead Sharks!


Due to Typhoon 5, I didn’t have clear sight for last two dives.

Today, I could see the beautiful landscape of Mikomoto.





After diving, went to Korean BBQ Keiuma for dinner.

It’s delicious so a phone of this restaurant never stops at dinner time for reservation.

And this restaurant is highly recommend



I will continue to dive tomorrow; therefore, I’m staying at Pension Minami-Izu Shokan that is walking distance to my diving shop: Mikomoto Hammers.

A room is cute and private Onsen (Hot Spring) is nice.


Private Hot Spring



This Pension is also highly recommended.

I wish I can catch Hammers tomorrow.

Oyasuminasai.

Posted in Diving, Feelings, Nature, Place, Travel

Diving @ Mikomoto, Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka Part 2 (2nd Day)

Posted on by sonokotchi

I dived three times today.

I saw body of Hammer at the first dive.

I couldn’t see his head…I tried to look hard, but ocean is so blue and his body blended in.

At the second dive, when we just started diving, I met one Hammar.

I saw his head and body, but I didn’t see his distinguish head. 

He must have been facing side way. 

Then there was a family of Hammer, but I was bit late to swim fast.

I missed them…. ahhhhh

Unfortunately, I couldn’t take a photo of Hammer, but there are fish.



Now I became greedy.

Last week, I couldn’t see any Hammer and wished for one.

I saw one yesterday and two (!?) today.

But now… I want to see Hammer clearly, near and MORE!!!

I better check my schedule… hummmmm 

Posted in Diving, Experience, Feelings, Food, Japanese Food, Nature, Travel

Hammer Gettttttttt!

Posted on by sonokotchi

There was a concern about Typhoon 5.

It was 50:50 to dive today.

Nonetheless, I departed Tokyo by Shinkansen (Kodama 631) at 6:33 am and arrived Izukyu Shimoda Station by Ito line at 8:48 am.



The wave was high, but we could dive today.

And……

Finally, I saw a Hammer…

He was alone…

There was a distance between us, but I saw him…

A photo might not clear enough, but I think you can still see his figure.


Now I’m a certificate diver to see a Hammerhead Shark.

After finally have seen one, now I want to see a group of them… many Hammers!!!!

This is never ending adventures…


Today, I went to Mimatsu-Zushi Shimoda Station Branch to celebrate catching a Hammer!

I enjoyed every bite of sushi!

Bono Bono!

This Sushi restaurant serves many fresh local sushi that I highly recommend to visit!


Now let’s sleep to dream of meeting many Hammers….zzzzzz

Posted in Diving, Feelings, Nature, Travel

Gambling

Posted on by sonokotchi

I’ve been monitoring Typhoon 5 (Typhoon Noru) because it will affect my plan tomorrow.

The ocean swells today.

I would know I would dive or end up enjoying dipping into a hot spring tomorrow morning when I arrive at Izukyu Shimoda Station at 8:48 am.

Now it’s 50:50 chance. Amen.

Posted in Books & Magazines, Diving, Feelings, Nature, Shopping, Tokyo

Is Diving Addicted…?

Posted on by sonokotchi


I hope I’m not boring you…
Today, I received a turtle shaped dive stick and a book: Fish Watching 500.

When I started diving, I never thought I would want to learn name of fish and marine creatures that I see under the water.

hahaha

By the way, I usually buy diving goods at Aqros Shibuya Store.

Staffs are kind and always give good recommendations.

I also seek an advice on diving spots.

Posted in Books & Magazines, Diving, Feelings, Nature, Shopping

Book: Sea Creatures Watching 500

Posted on by sonokotchi

I ordered two books in Amazon: Fish Watching 500 and Sea Creatures Watching 500.

I received Sea Creatures Watching 500 today because Fish Watching 500 is currently out of stock.


Now I’m interested to learn names of fish and sea creatures so that I can introduce what I see under the water.


For example, I’ve seen these sea slugs such as yellow one and blue with polka dots (I should have seen it in Malaysia because the book says it can be found in Malaysia).

I never thought I would enjoy watching these encyclopedias…. 

Posted in Diving, Exercise, Feelings, Food, Nature, Travel

Diving @ Mikomoto, Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka (Day 2)

Posted on by sonokotchi

When I finished diving yesterday, the ocean became clear so I had a high hope to catch Hammerhead Sharks! 

I could see more fish today…..




Stingray

But no Hammerhead Shark….. ahhhhhh

Sayonara Mikomoto-jima (Mikomoto Island). 


After finish two dives at Zabune and Enokuchi Point, I had late lunch at Restaurants nearby Izukyu Shimoda Station.

Sushi, and 


Chinese… yap, I was greedy. hehehe


I reserved a seat for Odoriko 118 at 4:50 pm and I had time for my train.

After lunch, I still had time to enjoy free foot bath at Shimida Station.


I think I enjoyed my stay as much as I could.

Okay, it’s time to get on the train.


I’m glad I took a train this time.

It was relaxing and enjoying sceneries from the window — even sleeping! 


Posted in Diving, Feelings, Food, Health, Travel

Diving @ Mikomoto, Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka (Day 1)

Posted on by sonokotchi

Today, I took the first Kodama (the Second earliest Shinkansen/bullet train) to Atami, Shizuoka.


Then, I changed to Ito Line to Izukyu Shimoda Station.



I dived twice at Zabune, Mikomoto Island, Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka to look for Hammerhead Sharks.


The point is only 15 – 20 mins away from the harbor.

I thought I saw the shadow of shark, but nobody saw it and I don’t have a proof/photo…. hummmm

Today, I saw a group of Takabe (Yellowstriped Butterfish) and Isaki (Grunt).


After two dives, I checked in at Hotel Marseille which is conveniently located in front of Izukyu Shimoda Station.


I was hungry and had early dinner, Korean BBQ @ Hanmi, Shimoda, Shizuoka, at 5:30 pm.



Energy is charged.

I hope I can meet Hammerhead tomorrow.

Pleeeeeease

Posted in Diving, Feelings, Gadget, Shopping

Action Camera: Vemico

Posted on by sonokotchi

I bought an action camera via Amazon yesterday.

I ordered online yesterday morning (about at 9:30 am) and reached me in the evening — within a day! 

I was busy last night attending flower arrangement class; therefore, I opened a box today.


It comes with a water proof housing for 40 m and it’s reasonable: JPY 6,000 (USD 60).

It takes 1.6 million pixels photos and 4K movies and it can connect to WiFi.

I will play with it tomorrow.
Hope to share good photos with you.