The Unforgotten Paradise

Our Sunday started off with a long ride on the bumboat to this particular reef, which we'll simply call it BB. It is only exposed at very low tides and thus, WildFilms usually never let go off such opportunites to check out what's on it. Everyone was excited because the last time we went there was in 2004.

As it was still pitch dark in the early morning, we couldnt recognise where we were in the sea. We estimated our location by judging the lights from the opposite island but we still couldnt find that patch of reef. Everyone started to panic & rushed to the side to help locate ourselves in the middle of the sea. The boat tilted to the left very much but that wasn't the point. We were lost!!
We decided to nagivate around to continue searching, but to no avail and Ria decided to switch to Plan B - Sekudu, but suddenly someone exclaimed:"Is this the one?" With a closer look using our torches, everyone replied affirmatively. We've found BB!!

We unloaded all our stuffs as we landed and wandered off immediately so as to make use of the super low tide as much as possible.

BB was very muddy.Our feet sank in by 20cm at every step we made. Despite so, we could still see life on it!

We had the allied cowrie
crinoid
soft corals
purple polka-dotted flatwormsea urchin (Diadema setosum)nudibranch (Cuthona sibogae)with eggs at closer lookan unidentified nudibranch an UFO (Unidentified Fishy Object)& many many more!!

Kok Leong found an eel hiding in a hole and we decided to remove the piece of rock that covered the opening to take a closer shot of it. But slippery hands of Kok Leong dropped the rock into the hole, murking up the water & causing the eel to retreat further into the hole. The crew screamed at poor Kok Leong as he made the most innocent face of the year.

Something about WildFilms trips. We always get to see the most beautiful sunrise of everyday.
Our time on BB was very limited, given the fact that we'd spent near half an hour trying to locate BB and the fast rising tides, we had to leave before we drown ourselves.

Back on the bumboat back to mainland, all were tired, thirsty and hungry, but we still looked very energetic, chatting about the animals we just saw.

We hope to have more chances to visit BB and continue to discover life on it. It will, however, be next year when we'll have extremely low tides again. Sigh. Fortunately, we managed to find its location and enjoyed our Sunday at BB.

Till next year (or hopefully soon) we meet again, BB! =D