"How does one make a pact with the skies to be both full of stars and NOT rain at the same time? Then again it's the monsoon season and no one bargains with the weather. Pegasus and Andromeda overhead, Orion to the east, Gemini and Cancer rising from the seas, water splashing into our upcast eyes; Not too bad really." 27-29 November 2000 (Air Papan / Teluk Godek, Mersing, Malaysia)
We dropped off at the taxi stand at Woodlands checkpoint. I figured I would go ahead and try to locate the bus terminal. Bad move. I did not know that the main control area was planted a good 500metres away. It was an endless path of corridors and stairs and doors before one even meets a customs officer to get some directions. I took a good 15 minutes at brisk pace, telescope in backpack, before I found the officer.
That aside, I returned to the taxi stand to fetch Woei Jiin, and trekked back again. By which time, I absolutely LOATHE the building structure.
Passed through the checkpoint, hopped onto the public bus 170 to Larkin. No problems with the Malaysian customs. ("What's inside?", "Camping stuff.", "Ok.") Next, a 2-hour cab ride to Mersing. Along the way, dense gray rain clouds lumbered sluggishly across the sky. The cab was hit with a heavy downpour once. We arrived at 1.30pm, Air Papan Resort.
7.30pm, Venus punched a powerful beam of light through the thin veil of clouds in the west. 8pm, the Pegasus square and Andromeda opened a glorious window of stars among the clouds. A slight smear of M31 could be seen. Woei Jiin and I tore down to the café to announce the good news. Everyone was still having their dinner. Barely 15 minutes later, the clouds rolled in again.
8.45pm, the weather took a turn for the worse. Ferocious winds whipped in from the South China Sea, creating a low-level sand storm with the minute silicon dioxide particles from the beach. We heard that Choon Guan had set up his C5 at the beach and were heading out to warn him when I recognize an all too familiar drone that was increasing in volume: Incoming Rainstorm! The few who had started their observing sessions at the beach were scampering for cover. The few of us who were heading out to warn them, froze, caught on to their actions, turned tails, and sprinted for shelter. No sooner had we reached cover, a flood of rain pelted down.
Less than 15 minutes later, only a slight drizzle remained. The downpour had created small artificial rivers that were flowing swiftly past our line of chalets towards the beach. Indents in the ground were now miniature mud ponds. Woei Jiin & I made our way to the AstroBashers' lodge.
The clouds remained temperamental for the rest of our stay. By 11pm, a couple of us decided to take our chances and ventured out. Clear patches of stars were visible. Sometimes there was a thin veil of high clouds, other times, total smoke-out. For the next 3 hours, binocular hunting and naked-eye observations were the best options for these unannounced hit and run rain drops. Orion, Canis Major, Gemini, Perseus, Taurus, Auriga, Eridanus and Cancer. The Praesepe cluster basked beautifully above the eastern horizon.
I had attempted several times to bring out the GPDX & WYO. The clear patches were just too tempting, plus Jupiter and Saturn were right overhead. We managed to snitch a glimpse at Jupiter before the jealous clouds swooped in. Half the time, I was teetering on uncertainty; My senses on hyperdrive for any hint of rain. I was shifting the equipment in and out of the chalet when I thought I felt drizzles. The whole situation got the better of me and I swore I would never stargaze telescopically again in the monsoon season until I get a JMI observatory tent.
The first night was still loads better than the second. We took periodic naps throughout to awake to either a black sky with no stars or heavy downpours.
But dang the skies! The AstroBash party was still a hit largely because of the spirited camaraderie, and the cheery folk who took the lousy weather in their stride. They could always found something new to amuse themselves and everyone around them. In my many trips up to Air Papan, it was the first time I noticed the teeming beach life. Four guys squatting on the beach, looking with intense concentration at the sand; That piqued my curiosity. Crab-catching. Ah.
Soon it became a full-fledged event as more people noticed the few of us peering intently at the sand. It became a practical session on seashore life. There were hermit crabs, a starfish (dead, i think), a small soft-shell crab, a couple of sea snails, and even more seashells. There were monkeys overland too. Woei Jiin and I caught a few rummaging through our trash can.
The Committee did a great job of trying to keep the rest entertained when there were no stars to see. Thanks for the memories, everyone! Hope to see you all at the next Bash.
By Lin . 3rd December 2000, Sunday.
