Sunday, October 18, 2009

Diving at Pulau Hantu, Singapore

What is Pulau Hantu?
It is an island South of mainland Singapore, a favourite site for fishing, scuba diving and (the occasional) snorkeling enthusiast because its beaches are sheltered. The island also offers opportunities for campers looking for an outdoor experience.

Where is Pulau Hantu?
South of mainland Singapore, off the Singapore Straits (see map, in red)
Pulau Hantu, South of Singapore

Conditions at Pulau Hantu?
Because of its proximity to the busy Singapore Straits, and it being located along the sea passages to nearby ports, silt is churned up by passing ships and rarely has a chance to settle before yet another passing ship does the same, in a never-ending "almost a night dive in the day" situation. Visibility ranges between 1m to 9m.

Since visibility is chronic, why dive at Pulau Hantu?
Because the nearby (and affordable) weekend dive sites Pulau Aur and Pulau Tioman are closed due to the choppy seas brought about by the North-East Monsoon:
- costs between $100 and $200 only
- no long bus rides required
- one Saturday sufficient to satiate your nitrogen withdrawal

What's there to see at Hantu?
Lots to see, if you're observant and patient. Divers have seen Seahorse, fish (Clownfish, Cardinalfish, Wrasse, etc), Nudibranch, Starfish, Shrimps, Crabs, many species of Corals, and even Turtles!
See photographs taken by Hantu Bloggers: Gallery at Hantu Bloggers

For more information, visit Hantu Bloggers, an NGO with the objective of "raising awareness and creating a sustainable future for Singapore’s marine heritage".



Anyone interested in diving Pulau Hantu in Nov, Dec and Jan?

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Our Future Computer Interface?

You know what a computer mouse is and how it works:
..single point of reference, one pair of coordinates on the screen.
You know how the Windows Graphic User Interface (GUI) works.
..open/close, maximise/minimise, click, drag and drop.
You know how the Mac GUI works:
..two fingers and some software zoom-zoom for zooming in/out.

Now take a look at a possible future CON10UUM (con-ten-uum) GUI:
..a large touchpad, ten fingers, zoom function, scroll.

10/GUI from C. Miller on Vimeo.

Saturday, October 03, 2009

What Cove?

Definition
Cove /koʊv/ noun
1. a small indentation or recess in the shoreline of a sea, lake, or river.
2. a sheltered nook.
3. a hollow or recess in a mountain; cave; cavern.
4. a narrow pass between woods or hills.
5. a sheltered area between woods or hills.
6. Architecture.
a. a concave surface or molding.
b. a concave surface forming part of a ceiling at its edge so as to eliminate the usual interior angle between the wall and ceiling.

The Cove is a cove in Japan where unimaginable stuff happens. Despite the severity (and hypocricy) of the activies, the town's residents are still in the dark; they are shocked when told of what happens in their backyard.

Trailer: The Cove


Dank would like you to watch The Cove. It "tells the amazing true story of how an elite team of activists, film makers and
freedivers embark on a covert mission to penetrate a hidden cove in
Japan, shining light on a dark and deadly secret... The shocking
discoveries they uncovered were only the tip of the iceberg."
...it's been screening at GV Europa (Vivocity) for awhile already, and may be at the end of its run in Singapore; watch it this weekend!

Will you make an effort to save our seas?
...since 14 April 2005