Author: cbartazo

Wet Adventures!

cbartazo

Agutayan White Island & Cagayan de Oro River
June 27 – 28, 2009

Being hectic for the past weeks and lot of pressures seeping in, it didn’t stop our plans for some quest of exciting leisure that Angel and I have been planning to get into.  We have been dying to dive together in MisOr waters plus the advanced water rafting we have been talking about since last year in Coron.  I had been chattering about wonderful underwater sites and lately I have discovered that night diving is so exciting, mysterious and challenging.  These are too wonderful not to share with Angel who’s been always up to underwater discoveries as we prepare for our Tubbattaha 2010 mission!

Rushing my Friday activities, official and personal was some kind of challenge, we got visitors to attend to, then I have to attend a prayer vigil at 7pm– to think it was raining hard that night,  I need to rush home to pack my gears!  So I wake up the next morning early to pick up our visitor from the hotel  and send off at the airport, then by chance pick up Angel too at the airport.  I was glad because we’ll be diving at Agutayan Island as arranged by Mario J – a rich marine sanctuary in Jasaan. It’s been almost 2 years since I dove there and I would say it’s one of my fave site – I had my first deep dive there @ 105 ft even if I’m just OWD certified, this was too where I sighted first giant clams and 4 glistening barracudas!

Revisiting the  Agutayan Sanctuary

DSC_7297
Agutayan Island – sand bar, more aptly!

We drop off at home while waiting for 10am meeting time, catching up things especially on our scheduled next trips.  More so with the night dive later and morrow’s advanced rafting! J Rushing to Baloy, we found Mario J waiting for us…  We arrive at Kimaya port an hour later after we dropby at the palengke for our food, the beautiful Sakayan waiting for us.  The sunny weather was too perfect for our get away, we cruised to Agutayan for about 30 minutes. I chose to set up my own gears to get use to the procedures as Mario keep reminding me that I’m now on advance level – so I need to be efficient with all these things! I need to wear compass to practice my navigation…

After the briefing, we descend for our first dive – it feels good to be in the waters again, swimming & floating in silence. We fish feed (sorry, but  it feels wonderful fishes come near me), Angel watching me from behind.  We linger for a moment then off going around – school of fishes, sponges, sea fans, lion fish, anemone & clown fish, puffer fish, sweet lips, some grouper, nudi branches, those electric blue juvenile fishes, and more… I forgot to watch my compass :P, keeping in tow with Mario.  One of my weights was taken off for balance as well as Angel.  We went shallower and after 40 mins passed, Angel surfaced ahead of us with rest of the crew.  I lingered for another 10 mins with Mario as I still have enough air.  We started our ascent just under our boat, raising my right hand as I swim up like a true diver! J  We went 105 ft, such a feat for Angel!

We had early lunch during our surface interval to make most of our time and chatting the time away.  We had our next descent at the AR area and giant clams. I was hoping to find again the barracudas but we were shallower this time.  We had an encounter with the trigger fish who wanted to attack us as we passed her breeding area.  The clams I noticed get lesser – I heard some of it was stolen from the sanctuary during the typhoon last year. But I saw smaller clams, hoping it would multiply soon – too wonderful to watch the specie.  The ARs were bit disheveled perhaps due to the typhoon and last time it was too colorful with the soft corals on it.  The surrounding is still rich with marine life though.  We surfaced together after 55 minutes, Angel’s air consumption improved after his weights were reduced to three.

We had a much longer surface interval this time as we will wait to get dark for our night dive – this will be my first time for 3 dives in tow after my advanced lessons. I was excited for the night dive with Angel. I tried to convince him that he will be allowed to do it even if he has not taken the exercise yet. J We asked PJ if we could go to the white island to explore it, Mario said we will do beach clean-up. Such a pretty idea, an environmentalist attempt to do something useful while enjoying the splendor of the site.

We got bottles, tansans, plastics, drinking straws, candy wrappers, etc – such a beautiful site to be marred with rubbish!   I tried to walk through the white island,  Angel got some photos then we lingered              for awhile  while sitting on the beach – watching the beautiful Sakayan and the far away Camiguin Island.  So serene, so beautiful – feeling free surrounded by nature – sand, sea, sky! We hastily get off for the boat when it started to drizzle…

When it get dark, we got unto our gears leisurely – I decided not to wear my gloves. Mario found it necessary to have a briefing, reviewing signs underwater plus important reminders like look around for buddy and companions, check your gauges often, don’t point your light to other divers, try to be observant of night critters.  The waters was choppy as it was late already, and I felt uneasy in the waters – Mario had my BC replaced so I had to get back unto the boat which was bit tough. Anyway, we finally descend having PJ as my buddy and Angel with Mario.  As we got down, we had our lights pressed unto our bodies and wave our hands in the water – amazing sight!  Silvery things like tiny stars before us… J

We were in the same site with ARs, as expected the vista was like a different world – dark with only our lights illuminating for us.  This time I tried to look around for my companions – Mario, PJ and of course Angel, check my gauges – my air is not a concern actually.  We search for moray eels, unusual fishes under the ARs, passed by a big gorgonians, pipefish?, puffer fish, porcupine fish (a favorite), a crab with unusual shape, anemone and clown fish, sea cucumber. We curiously search under the ARs,  then we sighted a swimming nudibranch – wonderful sight! J  I tried to reach for Angel’s hand when I felt some current somewhere.  But truly it was such a magnificent encounter – exploring underwater at dark is something mysterious, wonderful, majestic!  Finally, Mario signaled for ascent – I stayed close to them as we swim up.  We surfaced away from the boat and the waters still choppy!  The boat came over as we swim back to it – it was not easy for me because my BC keeps on deflating and worst my right fin got loose so I took it off fearing it might get lost!  So I was swimming with my left fin only – it was tough! We went  65 minutes at 50 ft  deepest – wow! J  As soon as I got unto the boat I rushed to the rest room – I threw up!

We got into Kimaya port and drove back to the city – I was tired and felt so sleepy.  We arrived almost 10pm already, need to check in at the guest house for Angel.  I was famished as I threw up twice, so we went off to Night Café for dinner.  We explored Cdo bie nacht by walking to the Divisoria area – we went through throng of people  looking for a place to dine, we finally settled at the barbecues.   I chose to do it kinamot – well, it was something never did before but it was worth it.  I don’t want to find myself sitting there eating al fresco with such surroundings, but it was good…  We got into a trike for home and called it a day – indeed it was such a long day!  We need to retire sooner for morrow’s another adventure…

Wild Cagayan de Oro River

Angel drop by as we head for Divisoria, we need to be there at 8am but he wanted to walk going to the meeting place, we arrived late already and the group have been waiting for us – it was good they waited for us (I got 5 missed calls but didn’t notice it!).  We got into the jeepney bringing us to Uguiaban near the bridge.  We were joined with others (a couple & 2 guys)  in one raft, and have Baldo & Ricky as our river guide.  I was just excited and could feel the rush – finally, after more than a year of waiting!  The run is 18 kms with 21 rapids, and will take 4 hours from Uguiaban to Kabula.

Angel and I chose to sit in front, we agree it’s more fun to feel first the rushing water on us! J The water was brown but still I love the sights along the river, green mountains, blue skies, lush vegetations.  Nothing beats nature’s beauty and going thru the rapids is so adrenaline rushing. Our aim was never to be thrown into the water, paddling thru the rapids is challenging… We had a stop over midway, for a break and had photos.  We took time also at the calm part to jump out and swim in the murky waters.

P6280468
Rafting once more!

Well, we enjoyed so much the rapids and no one fell into the waters! J We arrived kabula almost 1pm, and went straight to the resto for our lunch. We are all famished, it felt like forever when we wait for our food. We took our lunch leisurely trying to savor our food, I’m thinking about dining with pleasure….

We got on to our transpo for down town, dropping by at Rafting Adventure office for our photos.  I felt dirty and all I wanted is to wash off and take rest.  Angel and I went home by trike and settled to attend the 5:30pm mass.  I doze off after a rush bath, waking up late at 5:15. Rushing things, Angel came who wake up late too despite the alarm! It was raining, and we rushed to XU – the mass just started when we arrived.

DSC_7358
Foodie enthusiasts…

We drop by home before dinner, I just need to change and picked up my notebook. Angel wanted to dine somewhere like Margie’s – something like to cap our weekend adventures! 🙂  We went off to LKK mall walking – another exploration of CdO bie nacht on the other side… We settled at Bigby’s (Angel like its ambiance) and tried to investigate its menu trying to find something to our liking – and we end up with Passion Fish and veggies in butter.  The servings we found later was too much I cant finish the whole thing!  Well, dining taking our time while browsing the net – taking pleasure what we have before us – life is beautiful! 😀  We discussed too our next months’ trips for itineraries, arrangements, schedules –  we got skeds until September! We finished off as Angel needs to rest sooner for his morrow’s early flight, we walk again back home.

My weekend has been full, it’s a  great weekend with Angel actually.  There’s that feeling of newness, ready to take on the challenges everyday at work, at home, in the community.   I’m looking forward for our next trip especially our aqua adventures…

Sohoton Again!

cbartazo
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Entrance to another world…

My sister and I  planned for a summer trip to Sohoton Cove, we promised ourselves to once again relish the hidden splendor of this favorite spot alone.  We shall be exploring a new route via Claver to get away with the long trip through General Luna  to maximize our time.  We wanted to see more of Sohoton’s  other pride – the caves, lagoon, white beaches and  islands.  And we carefully scheduled it after the Holy Week, as we will spend the holy days at the farm – coming home – ou r tradition every year .  But surprisingly, Angel asked to join us.  I thought he would be joining the group tour we’re planning for our travel friends.  I can’t find any valid reason to say no, I just thought it wont be too bad to have someone with me and Cherry in our private get-away trip.

So after a quiet and relaxing sojourn at the farm, I rushed back to M. Calo on Easter Sunday to prepare for the trip – few chores to do for the rest of the day.  At lunchtime I called up Angel to check if he arrived already and gave him directions for M. Calo.  We talked about our trip and left him in the sanctuary of his room for awhile for a good rest – he just came from his Jomalig voyage.  Kay and I hastily went to the supermarket for our needs, then did the backyard garden until Susan called up.  I joined them at Razon’s after I dropped at Gaisano Mall for Odessa’s request.  It was kind of treat after Karin’s (my inaanak) high school graduation.  They dropped me home a little past  7pm so I could catch up for the last evening mass (in English).  Kay and Angel joined me to attend the mass.

We got back home by foot and run for few things and suggested to Angel to further explore Butuan by night.  We went to my fave café – Margie’s Kitchen – one of city’s pride. 🙂  I was thrilled to let him try our much loved cookie monster and food for the gods!  It wasn’t a mistake we went there – he love Margie’s and was sorry we have to leave before it closed at 1am.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Deep blue waters, green islets, blue skies!

We woke up early as agreed as we need to leave at 5am, we need to catch up an early bus for Surigao City.  The bus finally left at 6am and it went smooth until we got our breakfast stop at Kitcharao.  We dropped off upon reaching Bad-as to get another transpo for Claver.  It would be something new as I haven’t tried this route, we waited for awhile  for a bus to Tandag until the man I talked to suggested we took the jeepney bound for Carmen, Surigao Sur.  Our contact kept on texting and finally reached me when we were in Gigaquit.  We had a stop though at Parang where there were fresh melons on sale.  We finally arrived at the stop for Hayanggabon Port, Dodo waiting for us.

We took the boat for the  Sohoton cruise which was about thirty minutes, fortunately we were blessed with a very good weather.  We were transported to  our lodgings  in the lagoon to deposit our stuff, it was about lunch time.  We took our baon and leisurely had our lunch at the dining hall overlooking the calm waters – so beautiful!  Angel, Cherry and I enjoyed our lunch talking amidst the serenity of the lagoon – and I was lost in thoughts on our adventures for the rest of the day.

Afternoon Adventures

We didn’t want to waste our time so after putting things in order, we got to the boat and left for the Sohoton cove to start off.  It was sure on low tide and again as we got into the entrance and maneuvered through it, I had that familiar feeling of being transported into another place – so mysterious.  We toured around and swam into Hagukan Cave to view the rock formations and swam in its clear waters.  We waded inside the Magkakaub Cave, viewed its unique stalactites & stalagmites, rock climbed on it’s wall towards the exit for the big jump.  We lined up, Angel first but he wanted me to go ahead, but in the end he jumped! 🙂  Then Cherry with wobbling legs came next, then finally me but again I gathered enough courage to do so (after having done twice)… We lingered for a moment snorkeling in the clear waters, there wasn’t much fish life though.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
White beach all to ourselves!

We went next to La Fortuna Beach – a secluded white beach north of Sohoton with beach huts. It was such a great spot to just laze around, we played with Spirit – a lovable spitz who stayed and put up with our antics.  We throw him into the waters and impressed by his swimming prowess! 🙂  Angel and I snorkeled viewing the wonderful and beautiful corals – the area was filled with colorful hard corals in all sizes.  We lingered longer at the spot and while waiting for the boat, we took our baon (bread, bananas) when we got famished a bit.  And when it almost got dark, we got into the boat and sailed back into the park’s reception area.  We talked with Dodo about the park, their needs and the PO’s activities. We discussed about sustainability, preservation and protection of the coastal resources – while waiting for our dinner.  And it finally came, we were so famished already but it was such romantic because they don’t have electricity – so we’re having dinner in kerosene lamp! 🙂

I was asking Dodo if we could go to the posh Club Tara – to inquire about their diving (there’s no other available diveshop in the area) and of course to see the place. The boat took us – we ended up boating in the dark night. What about boating with the fireflies around?  It was simply majestic!  We were ushered when we got to the resort, they have security protocols – we need to have IDs before getting into the premises.  It was an exclusive and luxurious place.  And we were aghast that it will cost $80 per site to dive with them, and the DM warned us that there isn’t much fish life – only corals, wonderful as it is.  He was asking about our previous destinations, feeling sorry that we would only be disappointed as the fishes around the area are juveniles.  After some pleasantries we bid our byes with them.  We sailed back to the park with the moon shining – glorious!  🙂  Finally we were brought to the guest house – it has been a long day… We took turns at the bath, Angel inside the room while Cherry and I went upstairs for another room.   We finally got unto our bed.  You can hear the cicadas in the silence of the night.  It was dark…

New Adventures!

I was up early and after my prayers got out side to take early morning photos in the lagoon, it was down cast and started to rain. We packed our things as it was getting late already with our schedule, the rain wasn’t stopping after all. We took our boat and went to the reception area for our breakfast.  We discussed again with Dodo about Sohoton’s needs. I told him the spots we have planned for the day.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Waiting boat…

Our first adventure is exploring the Tojoman Lake – lagoon filled with friendly stingless jellyfish.  We were early so the lake was all to ourselves. We got down to swim and snorkel, playing with the brownish jelly fish – in different sizes – thousands & thousands of them!  Angel was just too excited swimming with them. I swim with them looking at them closely – they’re pulsating as if breathing or maybe shouting!  🙂  The boatman motioned for our return but I still wanted to stay, Angel gave me another 15 minutes…  Swimming with the jellyfish is my favorite in Sohoton!

When we returned at the reception area, we got into the pumpboat with Dodo for Tiktikan Lake. Fortunately the rain had stopped, and we enjoyed our boating at the lake viewing the old mangroves and the elusive resident mother bangus. They have huts and a coop store maintained by the PO.   We trekked the trail up and down and get back into our boat, we need to get away with the low tide or we will get stuck in the lagoon.  We got next to  Bolitas Cave and Crystal Cave – I have been wanting to explore these caves long before.  We got first to Crystal – viewing the white rock formations that sparkles, with lighted candles it’s even more sparkling. Now getting into Bolitas is more challenging, it had a small entrance and so you got to lie flat and maneuver your body to get through. I need to be careful or I could get scratches and bruises from the sharp stones, it was bit difficult but we all made it.  We lighted our candles again, and went through – white round pebbles abound inside – it’s a wonder how it got there.  Then a balinsasayaw keeps on flying darting back and again, our guide tried to catch one and Angel took some photos of the illustrious bird that emits saliva for their nest for a very expensive bird’s nest soup at Chinese restos.  The guide told us that the other end of the cave is another barangay with the mangrove plantation – it will take about 2 hours to go through the whole stretch – maybe next time we can do it, I thought. We went out and going through again the small entrance was a test of patience, agility and strength.  All of us were laughing as we tried our way out – I felt so dirty  when I finally got out.  I quickly washed myself in the lake waters.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
The placid Tiktikan lake…

We got into the boat again and Dodo led us to Lim-ao Island where another secluded white beach welcomed us. I needed to swim to wash off all the dirt.  The waters were bit choppy but we went to snorkel again and viewed the colorful corals in different sizes. We lazed in the white beach, swam and snorkeled,  and finally got into the boat when we felt pangs of hunger.  We took our leisure lunch at the reception area and got back into the guest house for a quick bath.  Again, we were at the reception area to bid byes to the staff and of course to settle our bills!  🙂

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Noon fishers on our way…

We cruised for Hayanggabon Port with Dodo and Reggie beaming and grateful for the wonderful time at the cove.  When we got to the port, we waited almost an hour for the bus to Surigao.   We decided to go down the city so Angel could catch glimpse around. I called up Gay who promised to pick us up at the terminal.  As Gay didn’t know of any coffee shop in town, we went to the Tavern Hotel instead, to have our dinner there.  We talked and talked – you know Gay!  🙂  We had a leisure walk at the Boulevard to get the Surigao City by night experience, before we finally left for the bus terminal.  We boarded the 10pm last trip bus for Butuan feeling so tired.

We arrived home past 1am already, thankful for a safe trip.  It was good to have Angel with us, he wasn’t an intrusion after all – he put up with Kay’s & my chatter, shrieks, loud laughter and silence as well.  We have shared much during the two-day trip, we had a great time and promised to be back again.  There’s still so much to explore at Sohoton…

Trip to Dumaguete…

cbartazo

boat on anchor

Having a 4-day weekend was perfect for an out-of-town trip and since there was an invitation for Dumaguete, I was overwhelmed and planned for a dive trip in Apo Island (one dive site in my wish list!) plus a possible cruise to Siquijor. It was such a perfect escapade!  🙂

I sneak from the Independence Day celebration before it ended to catch up with our boat going to Cebu, leaving at 11am in broad daylight is new to me. Night boat trip for Cebu is the usual thing.  It was drizzling when we got to Pier 4 arriving at past 6pm, we hastily get off as we still need to get tickets for Dumaguete.  But alas, when we got to George & Peter Lines, there was no available trip for the night!  I need to be at Dumaguete before 8am, so our only alternative (after calling a friend) is to take the bus to Santander and cruise from Liloan to Sibulan, Negros Oriental.  It meant only 2 hours of sleep, since we need to get the 1st trip at 3am to catch the 6am fast craft to Sibulan.  Well, this is an adventure, surprises may come and an open mind is necessary to adjust to situations such as this.  Our refuge for the night was at guest house of DA 7 Regional Office, I was just thankful that I have good friends I can count on especially for necessary arrangements.

We started early so we could catch up the schedules, we cant afford to miss the bus consequently the fast craft.  By God’s grace, we arrived perfectly at SPUD compound almost 7am and was welcomed by the sisters.  We joined breakfast with Fr. Roman – a fun loving, articulate and friendly chaplain of SPUD. We learned that the sisters have arranged already for Siquijor cruise that day, it meant I’ll miss the trip since I have to go for my dives.

We hurried off after our breakfast, as the diveshop will picked me up at 8am (I need time to get on to my contacts, whew!) and Ate Inday with the sisters will take off for Siquijor hop.  Sir Snoopy informed me that  Justin will fetch me at SPUD gate 3, I was eagerly waiting while talking to the friendly guards. Finally, they arrived (a white multicab with tanks at the back – as Sir Snoopy described) , so I joined them and tried to talk with Justin about the trip. I was up for surprise no. 3 – he informed me that we’re not diving at Apo Island! 😦 So I keep my cool and go with them – I was bit disappointed since I have been dying for Apo Island.  We arrived ahead at the site, then DM Alvin arrived with other divers. There were two couple divers and I ended up with Justin as my buddy.

I was asking if we’re going on a boat, but DM Alvin said all our dives will be beach entries – well, it would be another lesson to learn!  Dauin Car Wreck – our first site to explore, the weather was good and it was too perfect for underwater escapade.  Dauin is one of the coastal municipalities of Negros Oriental with community  –  managed environmental protection and preservation.  I wasn’t surprised when Alvin told me that wearing gloves is not allowed.  😛  I was thankful that Scuba Ventures has the same professionalism as with other PADI dive shops I encountered with, Alvin and Justin was friendly and helpful.  I need their assistance for doning gears and carrying to the water.

Imagine white sands, turquoise waters and sun brightly shining – then we got deeper and their lies the wreck, the body and axle separated,  but lot of fishes hovering on it, colored corals covering it.  Lion fishes, anemone fish, scorpion fish, sea horse, ghost pipe fish.  We’re hoping to find the frog fish but wasn’t around.  I keep following Alvin, frequently glancing Justin as I go through enjoying the site.  Until DM Alvin signaled for us to surface, after we played with the two seahorses while our companion tried to take video,  during our safety stop.

We get off and took our early lunch in one of the carenderia near the police station, and as usual I choose to eat little and got bas-oy veggies (squash, malunggay, beans).  I joined Justin and Alvin while the two couples in another table.  We left for Bacong, as our appointment for DUCOMI pier is at 12 noon.  Under the blazing heat, we went to beach near the pier.  I was wondering what the pier could offer underneath, I was bit excited.

We swim again on the sandy shallow area until we went into the drop-off, then going to the pier area directing to the concrete posts.  All covered with colored soft corals combined with abundant fish life, then sunlight shining through – what a sight!  It’s a forest-like scene, a forest under the water!  Lion fishes, bat fish, angel fish, puffer fish, anemone fish, clown fish, nudi branches among others.  We circled around, up and down enjoying the marine life. We spent an hour floating, going around enjoying the scenery – in silence – so beautiful!  We swam back to the beach, in disbelief that it was already an hour passed.  We get into our transpo and left the place with the other divers as Justin was going the other way. I got the chance to hop from one resort to another with the divers going home.

I joined DM Alvin to the dive shop hoping to meet Sir Snoopy or Ms. Percy but they were not around. Well, I need to pay my fees and wanted to see Scuba Ventures Dive Shop.  We went to drop off  a couple at Bethel Guest House along the famous boulevard of Dumaguete.  They finally drop me off at SPUD gate no. 3, home at last.  I arrived early as expected and was able to take a rest after shower and washing my gears. It was such a long day!

Around the City

The next morning we attended a Sunday mass at the university chapel, then have a sumptuous breakfast later.  Sister Luz have arranged for our city tour:  Silliman University, Boulevard, down town looking for souvenir shop, take a snack at a shop, National Bookstore to buy card.  Then we rushed back to SPUD for our lunch as instructed  – well, sisters have that kind of lifestyle, everything is structured and you need to abide with it. 😛

Our afternoon outing is also structured, we need to get back at 4:15pm (not 4:00 or 4:30!) because we will attend a dinner party with the nuns.  We thought  that we will go alone to the Our Lady of Gardens but Sister Luz joined us!  Anyway, we went to Sibulan for the Gardens and enjoyed the overlooking view – so breathtaking!  We went back to the city as it started to rain, and went to pier to buy our Supercat tickets for the morrow’s trip back home.  We joined the sisters later at the dinner party and was too full when we got back home. We made one last round at the boulevard by night before we finally settled that night.

Coming Home

After our final packing the following morning, we attended mass at the sisters’ convent, then have our breakfast again with Fr. Roman – again I was enjoying his stories, he’s so fun loving and so articulate.  We hastily left for the pier after bidding bye to everyone,  and get into the Supercat for Tagbilaran.  I promised myself to get back to Dumaguete for one reason:  to dive at Apo Island  with Angel hopefully soon.

After two hours, we had a stop at Tagbilaran and left  for Cebu afte about 30 minutes.  We arrived at the Queen City of the South a little past 12 noon. We went directly to the Travelers’ Lounge, bought tickets back for CdO and had our lunch as we get famished already.  I was hoping to get a chance to visit the Sto. Nino Shrine but Ate Inday was too tired for a downtown tour, so we stayed at the mall and went to Powerbooks instead. I was overjoyed because I finally found French Woman for All Seasons in paperback and at a discount!  🙂 We went back to the Lounge and took some break sipping cappuccino and started to read my book – well, this is life!  🙂

We finally went to Pier 4 for our boat, and settled in our cots.  We took our dinner at the boat’s café and settled for the night as I need energy for the morrow as I have to get back to work.  We will have a project meeting (11am) and I have some presentations to make…  We arrived too early the next morning thankful as I have enough time to prepare for the day’swork.

Another journey ended but then again, it brings smile to my lips.  There were lessons learned and surprises that came along, making it a trip to be remembered.  There’s always that feeling of newness every time I got back from a trip.  I promised myself another Dumaguete trip to dive In Apo Island hopefully soon, and without doubt not missing a Siquijor hop next time! 🙂

Diving at Green Waters

cbartazo

AOWD Course II

One crisp Saturday morning, I hastily get out of my bed to prepare for the day’s trip.  We’re going to dive to one new place at Jasaan, near Green Waters Resort.  I usually passed the area during my trips to the Caraga region, I was awed with its green (of course) sea waters – so pure, so clean and so cool looking.  I was bit interested when my instructor informed me  about our destination.  Today, I’ll finish my advanced diving lessons – I’ll gonna do my last two dive exercises.

I keep myself busy reading a foodie mag while waiting for my instructor at the meeting place, why so long?  😛  At least the trip is shorter compared going to Duka Bay, we head to  Kimaya port for the  transfer to Sakayan.  I take comfort in this dinghy – it has a room, a lounge, rest room and most importantly it cruise fast.  Again, I was lone student so it was some kind of special class, while cruising to the site we review the lessons and spent more time for the knots. We finally had the briefing for the exercises that must be done for the day.  Well, I need to assemble my gears on my own – no assistance now…

Just like my previous training dives, I didn’t take the time to explore the underwater critters as I was more  concerned on the exercises, I just need to put things in order.  But in between, I explored a big rock with anemone and soft corals on top of it, I look closely and found a cleaner shrimp  – beautiful!  Big sea fans in varied colors, colored sponges, fishes… I had fun with the search and recovery, it’s challenging to find missing objects in the water. I was just determined not to stop until I got it – I was confident since my air consumption is efficient.  I finished all the requirements even reviewing other things missed in Part I lessons.

Now, I’m more ready for more adventures in diving.  I can’t help thinking of my next dive sked, visualizing what I have gained from today’s lessons – more than just getting the license, now I understand better about necessary skills and attitude to get maximum pleasure and prioritizing safety in all dives. It’s really not a place for an oooops! More diving trips to come….

More Adventures for Diving

cbartazo

My passion for marine life is unrelenting, wishing I could have frequent encounters as often I like. My dream to dive at Tubbataha etched in mind like a guiding star, an inspiration like a coveted reward at the end of a mission.  There is that yearning for more discoveries and amazing encounters in the underwater world – a different world! Marveling how perfect creation is…

I have been planning for the advance open water diver course so I could gain skills enough for more adventures in diving.  I was planning for it since last year, but bought the manual end of January this year and scheduled my lessons  end of February. I tried reading the assigned chapters since then. But it was pushed back again and again, and finally I did it yesterday with so much fuss in trying to fit schedules – me and my dive instructor. I was cramming trying to finish the assigned chapters and working on the knowledge reviews. I have to catch up especially that another chapter was added for my review, I sleep late to finish everything…

I wake up early so the next morning I could get a 5:00am bus and reach the diveshop not later than 9:00am – it was bit down cast and I was praying it wont rain.  As soon as I arrived, I read again to review the manual while waiting for them.  The area was still quite and I still have one hour to spare.  I found it relaxing reading at the beach hut facing the ocean… J

I thought I’ll be with Mario for my lessons but he introduced me to Erwin – a friendly, kind and fun-loving guy – as my instructor for the day.  We got along well, and everything just went smoothly.  After discussing the knowledge reviews for the three chapters, we went for our first dive exercise with Mario’s group who was diving with guests. We went to Paradise in the shallower part, I was just too engrossed with the exercise I didn’t mind the surroundings. Bouyancy control is a necessary skill…

We had late lunch and after short briefing and practice in using the compass we head for the second site in Aquarium.  I noticed lot of fishes but didn’t get the chance to explore around. We did navigation skills and it was a bit long exercise and seems confusing, I failed to count my kick cycles J I found it  hard to maintain a straight line heading for my target destination. It was helpful in finding my way to the boat or reference line.  It was bit drizzling when we surface, we had a much longer break waiting to get dark. We had another discussion and briefing for the next dive.

It was bit exciting but I was feeling jitters for our night dive, actually it is not mandatory anymore but I chose to have it. We geared up past 6:00pm already.  I thought the plan would be generally simple (as a rule for night dives), but we went to the site in a small banca paddling.  Yes, it’s simple – well, it meant water entry. Get into the cold waters and don the equipments with flash lights.  It was fun, of course I need assistance from my instructor.  We descend slowly holding unto our lights – so wonderful! A different world – underwater during night time.  Everything quite, I spotted very few fishes – I notice one just floating without swimming, it’s sleeping I thought but when I tried to reach out  it wiggled away from me.  J A moray eel, a crab, something like a squid, other nocturnal critters.  I stumbled again a porcupine fish but can’t hold it as I’m not wearing my gloves.  We spent 53 minutes before we surfaced up, the guys signaled for our ascent.  Wow, amazing!

It was truly a learning experience and I was filled with awe, there are still lot of things to learn in diving.  I still have two more dives to complete the course, I can be sure that the new skills I would learn will help me better prepared for next diving adventures.

More stories in my next dive at Duka Reefs for Advanced Open Water Diver Course Part II…