Setiu Sampling

This is waaaaaaaay overdue but what the heck, for the lack of updates I have I might as well post something. ^^

Erm. Some of us were actually reluctant to go there but since our supervisor asked us to we did. I drove up there with WS and PY. (really, REALLY grateful PY was asked to go there with us, btw XD or else I’d monopolize the cabin, among other reasons. heh.)

the trip made us go through a really healthy lifestyle. Tidur awal, bangun awal, 3 meals a day and work in between. no computer, not because there wasn't any electricity, but because we conveniently decided to not bring one up. it was REALLY comfortable in the cabin. spacious, since only PY and me were sharing it. really clean too. oh and did I mention there was an AC? X3

In the mornings we went out to put traps in the mangrove. All that stepping in the mud was goddamn tiring. There was a Master’s student coming along with us and he was used to this, having done this monthly since last year. On the first day he kept asking if we were okay (I was panting like mad – know lar, my stamina isn’t all that great), and asked us to take a breather when he went to the areas that were REALLY tough to get into.

WS: Luckily we are FYP students. If we were doing Master’s then WE would be telling the FYP students to rest and do all the hard parts ourselves.

Whew. Imagine the ground sinking with every step until the mud came up to hip level. It was damn hard to get around on the first day but over the next few days we sorta got used to it. (we were there for four days).

Then in the evening during air pasang, another team would be dispatched to collect the traps that were set. Sometimes, this trip would be easier as we’d just pull the traps out of the water while on the boat, but it the water level was too low then we’d have to go down and get it ourselves. THEN it’d be harder (in my opinion) because then we’d have to walk through the same hip level mud with waist level water. I’d like to be able to SEE where I’m walking, thank you, even IF it was through mud like this.

Then nights were utilized to help the Master’s students measure the crabs, and to tie up any that weren’t already tied when the catch was landed earlier in the evening. WS was bitten while learning to tie the crabs, kesian… haha.

Then the times in between were the leisure times, where we go out for meals and stuff. Most of the time we sat there chatting (listening to WS talk, mostly, until he decided he was tired and kept asking us to carry the conversation).

There were many, many mosquitoes during the night. Those that flew near enough to us were killed without second thought. (hey, Don't bother me, and i won't bother -kill- you.)

All in all, not bad. ^^ looking forward to next month’s trip.