"Now more than ever do I realize that I will never be content of a sedentary life on the surface, I will always be haunted by thoughts of being drenched elsewhere"….
There is only stillness and serenity.
Orange skies, sound of cicadas and the placid waters reflecting sky hues are simple signs that another day has ended. I can sit all alone watching the horizons until darkness engulf the scenery. Then a sparkling light in the distance from fishers going their way or the occasional fireflies in summer nights.
Home. There is only stillness and serenity…
We were back again in Mantangale for CY 2015 dives kick-off, after two failed attempts in December and this January. Aiming for Mantigue Island (in Camiguin), the desire was too great to ignore – my gills were dried up after nine long weeks from my last dive.
Early morning dive at Mantigue is preferable as waters can get choppy, my favorite school of jacks also appears on mornings as they look for food. We arrived late at the diveshop, but too grateful that the captain waited for us, it was a shame as other guests were already on the boat.
Mantigue Island
Coming back after three years was with much anticipation, my encounters on this site were productive and I was hoping for its diverse life exploding with colors. We descend in a slope with wide coral area, hard and soft corals in variety decorated with tropical species – shrimp fish, giant moray eel, spade fish, emperor, wrasses, chromis, damsels, angels and those colorful anthias! And when we were about to have our safety stop, the school of jacks appeared like teasing us. It was unexpected! It was amusing, a drummer was manipulating a female jack to separate from the school. 🙂
We went deep for 48 minutes at 30 meters as deepest. Our surface interval include exploring the park with its mini- forest which Angel wanted, our cruise back to Talisayan and our lunch break of fish n chips!
Sipaka Point
Some guests call it a day and new tanks were needed for next dives, another boat came and after the transfers of equipment and passengers we prepared for the last descent. Sipaka, in the next town of Talisayan is another site with diverse marine life.
We sighted stonefish, frogfish (!), banded sea snake and giant groupers not to mention the colorful anthias and other tropical fishes hovering over the colorful reef. It was another relaxing viewing of the colorful depths, 54 minutes at 18 meters deepest. Both dives were at 30% EAN!
If you are a diver and you haven’t been to Mantangale, you need to reconsider your dive trip plans. In my last engagement at MADRI, there were more than ten Russians for more than a week stay – either diving, swimming or lazing around in the beach. It was amazing they chose such obscure dive resort right here in Mindanao for their vacation, there must be something in this resort which I called my diving home.
No doubt, I will be back. I will be back home again…
My wish to explore Albay Gulf was granted, just a couple of days ago. Indeed, there is always beyond the surface. We paid respect to a diver who choose the depths as his graveyard. He died many years ago, cremated and his ashes sprinkled over this area, this must be his favorite spot. His tombstone is now calcified and encrusted with algae. The inscription is not readable anymore.
Just one of the highlights in exploring Albay depths!
The fleeting trip to Surigao City late last year was full-packed yet our plan was amply covered. We have been planning to explore the city for diving and finding Mabua Divers more than a year ago was a blessing. It was unexpected to chance upon a dive operator, I was rejoicing I found one. So, my dive buddy just gave in to my whims. On a November weekend, we met up in Butuan terminal to catch up a bus to Surigao. Our hosts were too excited to have us for our dives.
We arrived past 8am already with Dirk & Doris eagerly waiting for us, with almost everything ready – the rubber boat, boatman, gears and other needs. Our hosts warned us not to rush, it was comforting as Angel and I both had short naps during the night trip. Dirk showed us around their property that has on-going works for the the additional two floors of the building.
Deep in Mabua
Our boat sped off west ward as Dirk wanted to show us the neighboring shores and the lighthouse, and got back for our first descent in Looc. I went first but was carried away by the current, what did took them long to get off? A local fisherman helped and tow me to our boat until I was picked up. The slope was decorated with a small reef – corals, anemones, feather stars , juvenile fishes and hard corals. There were groupers, barramundi, puffers and nudis. The black leaf fish was a great find!
We had a long surface interval, our hosts graciously entertained us with travel stories! Our next descent was at Mabua Rock, we dismissed it in the morning after Dirk failed to locate it. 🙂 It’s a big rock among white sandy area, covered with corals, anemones, crinoids, hydroids – with juvenile fishes swarming around. It has more active fish life, it was uniquely situated as if separated from other forms of life. The rock served as reef and shelter to variety of species. We found yellow leaf fish, lots of puffers, banded pipefish, dotted barramundi, nudis and a herd of striped eelfish. We noticed a seastar with its fingers deformed, like it has a disease! We made rounds again and again until Dirk signaled for our ascent. It was reviving to be in the depths again after almost nine weeks!
Should you do a round trip Cdeo – Surigao – Cdeo in less than 36 hours? Quirky and rash but we had quiet moments to relax and savor life’s surprises. Indeed Mabua is more than just a pebbles beach as it was known, it has its own secrets beyond its unique shoreline and blue waters. It has its own mystery, just waiting for curious spirits.
Disclosures
After the dives, we rushed to Butuan City and had dinner in our fave cafe, Margie’s Kitchen, lingered and waited until it closed at 1am, then proceed to the bus terminal. We took the 2am aircon bus to CdeO, and arrived past 6am. Leisurely sat on a park bench in Divisoria, then had a sumptuous breakfast at another favorite, Vienna Cafe which opened at 8am. Just savoring precious moments in our favorite homey restos! 🙂
NB. Underwater photos courtesy of Angel using iPhone 4S with iPix.
Although eels naturally thrived in freshwater, this specie inhabits marine waters and commonly sighted in Philippines. My sightings were usually juveniles in group wiggling as they swim in accord, incessantly stirring the sand. This specie feed on crustaceans, mollusks, worms and small fish. They appear to be harmless as they always shy away within close range, but all specie of eelfish are confirmed to be venomous! Beware then when you encounter them next time you dive.
Life in the Great Beyond 
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