Author: cbartazo

Diving in Sogod Bay!

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Limasawa Island – historic and spectacular… Mere mention of the island bring memories of  my History subjects back in grade school and high school – the mark when civilization started in my country.  But now, the island is more than just that, and I never planned to set foot on this place just for historical issues although I love discovering the roots of Philippines history.  Thinking of Southern Leyte gave more appeal to me and Angel – to discover its secrets in the depths which is more enthralling and exciting. And without much hesitation, we included it in our dive sites to discover in 2010!

 One New Place

Being our first dive trip together for the year, we look forward for this get away – work was too hectic for the past months and weeks and all we needed was a break.  We met up at Cebu that leads us to a night boat trip to Maasin, we’re going to some strange place and I trusted that things will work out well just like our previous trips.  The weather has been good but as we started to sail, the waters got too choppy, anticipating for a delayed arrival but hoping we won’t get motion sick.  Docking as early as 2am in Maasin port, it was still too dark and cold.  We boarded (after asking from a PPA guard) on a multicab for Padre Burgos, it took an hour for the drive but on the way we entertain ourselves watching the road scenery – old houses, churches and structures.  We asked the driver to drop us off at Peter’s Dive Resort – I guess Leyte people are generally friendly.  No sign of life when we got into the resort as we entered the gates, unknowingly the guard was asleep at the dark corner.  A staff got up to lead us to our cottage after asking our reservations.  Setting our heavy bags and still sleepy, we are grateful we arrived safe at the resort.  Making most of the time, we dose off for more rest – Angel ahead as I was setting up the UW cam.  It was good morning already instead of good night!  🙂

 Zach’s and Adrian’s Cove

I jolt from my bed, when Angel announced that it was already 730am – getting more than two hours sleep was  enough to start our day.  We hastily went to the shop to inquire and book for the morning’s dive – indeed, it’s for Limasawa Island! J We ordered for breakfast at the resto and noticed that the guests were all foreigners. We rush back to our cottage to prepare, it seems everybody and everything were set in motion already. It started to drizzle as we prepared to leave, but it doesn’t dampen our spirits, we cruised for about 45 minutes to our first site – we choose to take our time while other divers obviously excited jump to the waters ahead.  Well, they have to wait for us, Angel and I got into the waters about 8 minutes later as the boat had to turn back to the spot after drifting away.

 It was a wall, there were drop offs and we feasted with the rich marine biodiversity – varied corals, anemones, anthias, damsels, butterfly fish, pipefish, stonefish, moray eel, puffers, and lot more. I had to summon Angel now and then for the photos! DM Ronnie had to add weights for me, which I found disgusting – aluminum tank is making me lighter! I was adjusting myself with the weights and for awhile I keep on going down, the DM including Angel keep on hinting me to go shallower.  But the sights wee all to wonderful to behold, not yet totally disturbed by humans – it’s a marine protected area. The corals, crinoids were bountiful and too colorful. We stayed longer for our safety stop on a sandy spot with coral gardens, hopping and taking photos.  Angel surfaced earlier but promptly followed him when my air was down to 40bars.

 

Our next descent (after an hour of interval) was a little further but still in the island, like the first site it was rich with fish life, colorful corals – we even spotted greenish bubble corals which is uncommon.  I think there’s a mantis shrimp, colorful nudis, more puffers, pipefish. I swam through a barrier reef! J Angel and I spent more time over a coral garden going around and taking photos.  WE found some trash and finally surfaced when he got low air, we ascend first than the rest of the group.  Fortunately, the rains have stopped when we cruised back to the resort.

 More Discoveries

After a brief afternoon nap, we went to town for an internet café, my WCDMA connection is not working since signals were too low.  I need to change my flight back home for some error in time estimates.  Padre Burgos is laid back and rural but with friendly people.  But potential to flourish is not far for PBurgos with splendid dive sites, more people would be visiting the town, and possibility for more investors.

 We got back and waited for dusk as we were booked for a night dive at the house reef.  Dess is our dive master and gave us a short briefing. It was a beach entry and I have to get into the gears with the tank!  Something I never done before, I always put on gears while on the water and have it carried for me with an assistant.  It was tough, and Angel searched for my mask twice down the water as I have lost it while struggling with the gears. And when we descend already, I felt something was wrong so I signaled to Dess for ascent, I lacked weights!

 

The housereef is interesting, I guess night dive is more interesting as more critters not visible during the day come out and display their uniqueness. Colorful nudis, hermit crab, cleaner shrimp, a cute squid, grouper, sleeping fish, colorful reefs, puffers again, critter that looks like a spider, and more…  Our Saturday is indeed full, three wonderful dives all!   🙂

 We got up later the next morning and after a hasty breakfast, we rush to town to attend mass, it was drizzling again.  Well, the Visayas is not disturbed with the El Nino as it rained everyday. I was blessed especially that the African priest did well in officiating the mass, his song is inspiring and articulated his homily spiritually. We cancelled our snorkel as the water’s rough and cold.  We rested (like a real vacation!)  for the rest of afternoon and after packing up, left the resort for Maasin.

 We took refuge and landed at  Panny’s Bakeshop after roaming the streets in Maasin – getting our tickets, search for ATM, and looking for resto.  It was fortunate that wi-fi connection is free and so we’re productive until we board the boat for Cebu. The brief stay in Padre Burgos was too wonderful and we promise to be back to explore other rich sites in Sogod Bay. The Lord never fails to arrange things perfectly everytime, always…

Acanthasia & Paradise Dive!

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The water was all greenish due to plankton season…

Wake up early and sneak away from home  hoping to catch up the 7am bus to Medina but miss it just about a minute, I saw it speeding  away as I got out of the taxi! So I waited for the next aircon bus and arrived at the diveshop  almost 10am.  I was surprise that there’s no other diver guests but just intimate friends and cousins of the Jugador’s,  but it’s good to see Mario and his wife, Ma’am Cristy.  I hastily dressed up and prepared, obviously the group have been waiting for me and I felt guilty about it.  😦  

The guys went up in another boat for another spot for their game fishing, while I went with my mentor and his wife for another spot to Acanthasia for our fun dive.  Just like my previous dives with my mentor, I’m all too confident it’s going to be effortless and safe descent in his territory at the bay.  The waters was bit choppy, and was all greenish due to the plankton season as explained by Mario.  So the visibility was poor, it was all hazy. But I was all forward looking what to discover for my cam, I need to learn more with the adjustments to get better photos underwater.

We descend at 60 feet as deepest to get around in the sanctuary, I felt overwhelmed with the fishes getting near, suddenly the scene went lively as we fed them (sorry, again!). So near I wanted to pet them with my hands, but they’re so quick and mistakenly bumped my hand!  I just watched them in awe and grateful for the chance to get close encounters like this right in their own habitat. We went around following Mario while taking photos until we lost Ma’am Cristy.   I stumbled upon a reef with crinoids, colorful corals and anemones and stop for some shots, only to find out moment later Mario was gone!  I went to follow his directions but decided to get back to the reef hoping he would try to look for me.  It was heart pounding to be alone down, I was trying to think my next move when I noticed a camouflaged colorful scorpion fish right in front of me!  🙂  If I didn’t get back to the reef I wont get the chance to see this rare specie. SRTA – I decided to head the beach direction to get shallower as my air is getting down.  Slowly I surfaced with my air at 500psi, about 60 meters away from the boat! 

A colorful scorpionfish!

I found them waiting for me including the boys handling the boat, I sensed Mario was bit annoyed with my getting lost, I could see it on his face – but surely the Lord will keep me unharmed!  I told him calmly that I found a scorpion fish & took photos – feeling like a guilty child caught in the act!  Lesson:  don’t expect your companions to look for you down as their air could be limited, ascend safely and in such situation do SRTA always… We get back to the shop and found that the guys had a big catch – a 12 kilo giant trevally! Amazing, we had a sumptuous lunch later…

Our second descent was at Paradise – the spot of the cold alibuag, the waters get choppy and our small boat was rocked by the waves.   Mario told me to have Ma’am Cristy as my buddy, careful not to be separated and not taking chances he got Gonz as our companion. We got to the alibuag again,  the cold fresh water was so cold and I swam over it again and again, and watch the pelagics passing by. The waters were still all hazy but had great time taking photos of the hard and soft corals I stumbled upon.  It was all uniquely shaped with unmatched hues!  Mario and Gonz carefully watching over us. I felt some bit of current.  Then, we get back as my air was down to 1000psi and prepared for our ascent, and found out as we surfaced that the sea calmed down already.  We went 80ft as our deepest – 20 feet deeper down than our first – which is actually against the rules!  🙂

After some pleasantries and consultation from my mentor and reminding him of the Tubbataha Dive plans, I left the shop but not without having me brought to the bus stop by Gonz & Edward. Riding on the bus heading home for Butuan, I was reflecting on some lessons for the day’s events.  Sometimes, the Lord allows situations when we felt helpless and vulnerable, not to harm us but to learn something valuable and important. I learned to find my own way and ascend alone unharmed and got delighted as I stumbled an elusive rare scorpion fish by myself.  And Mario is indeed a good mentor (actually he was annoyed with my mistakes but handled it well!), he can always be depended on in my diving lessons needs and concerns.  The Lord always made things perfect for everyone  everytime – especially on valuable stuff that warms your heart!

But just now, I can’t wait for my next month’s dive trip with Angel at Sogod Bay!  Patience, patience… 🙂

 

Valentine’s Weekend Dive…

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Black & White Clown fish taking refuge on a sea anemone…

Finally, I have finished my reports and made it to the deadline, though other tasks are still in queue,  but as I have promised myself I need to go to the depths and flip my fins to be once again in the midst of the Lord’s most grandeur creation. Last night, while still at work finishing my tasks for the day, got a message from my mentor for a Saturday dive !  What an inspiring invitation – it felt like my back pain is gone!  🙂 

So, I have something to look forward this weekend although my mind is still lingering for other tasks that need my attention, I just couldn’t resist going for a dive… I’ll be back again at Duka Bay but I don’t mind, because I knew there will be something new in every encounter deep down. But I don’t want to miss the cold alibuag, and maybe  caught sight of the sea turtle!  I just miss to be with Angel for a dive…  Well, our next month’s trip would be an off the beaten path site – it’s gonna be an exciting discovery! 🙂

NB.  Above photo was taken at Paradise, Duka Bay

Diving in Subic Wrecks!

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The wonderful sunrise at Subic Bay…

Glancing over the schedule of the conference didn’t encourage me to plan for a dive in the bay, normally I extend my stay in a place like what I did last year to accommodate my whims.  But it would be a long bus trip to the metro and I don’t want to be struggling with my luggage much less to burden my companions. I was letting go of my at least one dive in a month agenda, anyway there will be more trips to come.  So then, my schedule with Angel for January is cancelled…

Surprises Not Only in Packages

Continuing my plan for a regular morning walk, I explored the neighborhood of our hotel and found the seafront. I felt blessed getting an opportunity for my walks, a wonderful way to start my day looking out at the sea with fresh morning air.  The next morning we explored the other end going to the lighthouse and I spotted at least three dive shops, it brought smile to my lips.   So, that night after attending mass at San Roque chapel and having dinner, we trooped to the seafront.  While my friends wander, I hop at the dive shops to inquire.

Subic Scuba College offered good rates and it’s a 5 star PADI dive center, it was so tempting. GM Ali said they could only be available afternoon next day which is also true for me.  🙂  So,  I booked for two wreck dives and what’s good was there’s no other booking which means the DM would be all attention to me alone – safe for sure…

Back to the Waters

The next day while everybody rushed after lunch to prepare for the Zoobic Safari, I sneak away from the hotel and walk to the seafront under the blazing sun.  That same feeling of getting away from all and be at peace alone going somewhere you love most.  The little mermaid in me is rejoicing! I didn’t mind the scorching heat and I walk with light quick steps as if my feet had wings!   🙂

Another surprise is DM Jun speak visayan together with his wife Ma’am Lourdes, who is a dive instructor.  The assistant is also visayan, so it felt home speaking my dialect. They are all friendly and what a blessing!  DM Jun planned for USS New York, and if the visibility is good our second dive would  still be there exploring another end of the ship.  It’s a large ship which they usually had for technical diving lessons.

After 10 minutes speed boat ride, we were at the spot.  They let me try the tech gear which I found heavier due to the steel casing, but it’s good try something new. We descend following the line – it was hazy at first until we got into the wreck. It is still intact, USS New York had been lying there more than 60 years!  It had become an artificial reef but fish life isn’t really abundant.  The large canon gun, a big propeller, some chambers – spectacular!  DM Jun have forgotten a torch, so wasn’t able to penetrate deeply – though we entered some shorter passageway.  I think we exceeded the RDP table (I really need the dive computer!), because we spend much time for the safety stop! Until we finally ascend slowly… It felt so good to be back in the waters!

DM Jun decided for another site for the second dive as it was bit hazy, so after an hour of interval we descend for LCU which is shallower.  It is lying upright flat , I haven’t get the whole stretch of ship but I presumed it to be  broad and spacious as it was a landing craft utility.  We entered some portions, there were  lion fishes, snappers, damsel fishes and banner fishes.  I guess they got used to fish feeding because the fishes came near us…  We cruised back after we surfaced, just in time for sundown.  It was so cold and I felt like shivering.  It was such a joy diving with GM Ali and DM  Jun…

After some pleasantries, settling my bills and promising to be back sometime I retraced my steps for downtown. I felt craving for something sweet and after I got to LBP ATM, I searched for Snow Spoon. Too glad to have found it, and got for myself frozen mango yogurt with banana toppings plus the cream puff!  I wanted to get rid of the nitro in my veins  🙂  I remembered Angel’s food trip every after our dives… 🙂

Spoiled but Blessed

Unplanned – but again the Lord arranged things for me perfectly.  He spoiled me again with His generosity, He can never be outdone.  He took care even the small things  – I brought with me a swim suit randomly, my logbook, my sunscreen, my backpack , even my contacts.  The people (whom I called angels) and events, which made possible for my whims. All things indeed.  There are always surprises in store for me, now I am thrilled what’s next!   🙂

Saturday Morning Surprise!

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Note:  I’m looking forward to have a close encounter with a green sea turtle at Tubbataha Reefs!

I was up early this morning for my walk, the week has been too full at work and I want to shed off all the negative energies to have at least a refreshing weekend. It started to drizzle when I had my last round but determined to finish the stretch and  I made it. On my way home, I decided to stop at the corner and take refuge at the Cham’s before I could get wet.  Duh, I don’t need another bout of cough & colds or worst, a fever.  I’ll be off for an official trip on Monday and getting sick is forbidden…

Somebody was waving at me inside the store, my poor eyesight (no glasses, no contacts)  wasn’t helpful. I wasn’t expecting to have any friend or acquaintance encounters on a rainy morning in a very unusual spot. But sluggishly I pushed the glass door to see who’s who, the morning is so beautiful to be a snob!  🙂   Well, I got a pleasant surprise – of all the people – it’s Mario with Fred!  After almost three years of under Mario’s care as my diving mentor, I never bumped with him in downtown CdeO! The city is not that big but he’s not the type who’d be loafing in the crowds or walk randomly down town,  he had lot to attend to – all about matters of consequence.  So I was truly aghast to see him there standing, looking at me with a big smile!  It’s really heartwarming to see them both.  The last time I saw Mario was in September during our clean up dive, he was out for a class when I got to Duka Bay last December with Angel for a dive.  And I saw Fred last April yet during a dive at Duka, he just got back from his work outside the country.

Like my real advisor, I told him my dive plans in the next months including Angel’s AOW lessons in May. And encouraging him to pursue organizing  a Tubbataha dive trip in June, surely we can’t go there with the expensive liveaboards!  Though it will be subject to many arrangements, he promised he will do it, even Fred was enthusiastic about it.  He still have enough time for the preparation and planning.

The little mermaid in me is rejoicing!  Angel and I have been looking forward for Dive Tubbataha 2010! The thought of our drive trips in the next months is just perfect to pep up my weekend for today and next weeks’ tasks. This morning’s surprise was just enough for that much needed vigor!

After all the smoke will be cleared in my workplace, I will sure be back in the waters for one of my great love.  The beauty of the sea is so enthralling because of what is deep down and it’s just so irresistible…  🙂