Category: Diving

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!   🙂

2009 in Summary…

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my blue, blue world...

Year 2009 has been fruitful without doubt, and as it draws to a close I believe it won’t be too gibberish at all to recount  the wonderful memoirs – heart warming and worth reminiscing – in one of my great loves.

It’s been a rewarding year in terms of travel and dive trips, there were changes and time management became an art at home and at work to accommodate the whims of wanderlust.  On this account I would focus more on my diving pursuits which I become engrossed with, I would say I dealt it more seriously this year with the objective of preparing for Dive Tubbattaha 2010!  I was heeding with my mentor saying I must dive as often as possible and go advance, in other words – to stretch, to grow and be ready for more challenges and adventures in diving.

So, here’s my list of what I’ve done and where I’ve been, my 9 things in 2009:

  • Dove more than 20 times this year (20 is much considering time & expense considerations), almost having a dive trip each month
  • Discovered Balicasag, Moalboal, Duka Bay, Green Waters, Anilao, Dauin & Bacong sites
  • Revisited Agutayan Island, Samal Island and the wrecks in Coron waters
  • Finally took my Advanced Open Water Diver Course with DiveSpecial
  • Discovered the mysterious, challenging and amazing night dive! and learned beach entries
  • Participated PADI sponsored underwater clean-up in Duka Bay and getting involved in underwater preservation and protection
  • Meet friendly DMs and new diver acquaintances
  • Learning underwater photography though still needs much improvement
  • Gained a buddy who shared my deep passion for diving and underwater life

There is always something new in every dive – learnings, discoveries, lessons – making me a better diver each descent. I took note also on my mentor’s comments and corrections, asking my mistakes every time I surfaced if I dive with him. Indeed, there has been lot of improvement – I felt more comfortable in the depths and I’m getting deeper (114 ft as deepest!).  I can now dive sans elegant dive boat, I agree with Mario – water entry with the paddle boat is more interesting and challenging and it won’t hurt my back! 🙂

There still more to do to better prepare me for our mission, and I need to acquire dive computer soon, it’s really necessary. I’m taking up soon also EAN certification and as my mentor was suggesting – Rescue Diver Course.  Much have happened in 2009 but there’s much work to do for 2010.

I would like to give thanks and credit to two people who are now my good friends, these friends who inspired and gave me courage to go on and hope for the best in my diving pursuit.  Mario –   my dive instructor for OW and AOW, my mentor – ever kind and patient with me though strict, as my professor I would only get B minus by his standards!    🙂    He who always assist me in my needs and concerns in diving.  And of course Angel, travel and dive buddy – my constant companion in all my amazing dives this year, whom I shared wonderful memories in my underwater escapades. I traveled with him almost every month – actually he spoiled me with all those get aways, I love it though!    🙂    I felt blessed and honored to have these two noble men who shared their time with me, cared for me and extended a hand in any way they can – they were with me in this year’s journey.

I can only wish for a fruitful and productive diving in 2010 with God’s blessing!

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Diving in December!

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I never knew that getting into the depths in the last days of the year can be more challenging!  🙂

Amazing Duka Bay!

There is always something new in every dive I had and indeed there are surprises and lessons in store in my every underwater encounters – what a joy!  J  Despite pretty hectic schedules in December, Angel and I tried to fit in one dive trip (my last for the year) last weekend.  Mindanao has a perfect sunny weather on year ends except two weeks ago when Typhoon Urduja strike Northern Mindanao leaving floods and landslides in some parts in Misamis Oriental.  I was suggesting for a hop to Camiguin but Angel wanted to have a side trip to Butuan for his cravings at Margie’s Kitchen.  Duka Bay would be a strategic site for our dive given itinerary plans.  I have been eagerly waiting for this last 2009 dive with Angel.

Full & Complete Saturday

Waking up early for the preliminaries – setting up uw cam and my contacts plus final packing,  promptly got a message from Angel of his arrival a little bit past 6am. I rushed thinking to get the 7am Bachelor Tours for Butuan.  It was fortunate to chance up a King Long bus, Angel was just in the nick of time when he arrived, the bus promptly left like 2 minutes after he got into the transpo!  It was a sunny morning indeed though when we arrived Medina, the skies went downcast.  Bubbles and Edward came to our aide, there were no other divers, just us and I like it.  We geared up for our first site, but we’re not on a dive boat but on a baruto – such a crude and spartan way to reach the dive spot though much better than swimming! We headed for  mooring bouy – it was that simple –  paddling to the spot riding the big waves! J It was something new and bit challenging, I only had my water entry during my night dive lessons but I had all the assistants surrounding me.  The water was choppy so we need to hold on to the mooring line for our descent.   It was amazing because it was plain clear and current-free down, we had a great deal going around – the crevices, small cave, drop-off.  We tried to search for critters, carefully probing corners.  We swam along the fresh water spring (alibuag) deep down, I went round again and again savoring the cold waters! It’s a wonder…  Near the spring were drop offs, we got down unto a sandy area and took photos.  We went round savoring the scenery and had our safety stop when our air got down to 80 bars, we went 110ft as our deepest! Well, taking off the gears in the choppy water is challenging indeed! And I got difficulty getting into the paddle boat but I made it though…. 🙂

When we got back to the dive shop, we took our early lunch and had some rest for our surface interval.  We geared up again for our next descent after more than an hour but this time the waves got higher!  This time we got a little pumpboat instead of the baruto, which was better especially that the water is getting more choppy. When we had our stop for the descent, we were tossed by the big waves. We started at the shallower part of the Aquarium going deeper. We went around, and the usual abundant fish life in the sanctuary is truly engaging – anthias, gorgonians, colorful crinoids, basket sponges, hard corals, soft corals.  We didn’t miss too the artificial reefs and swam on top of it, to get a glimpse of the giant clam perched on the AR crown.  We stumble upon a sea turtle – watching the creature wading its limbs was wonderful to behold!  J We followed him swimming. We sighted too a moray eel, puffers and lionfish trapped inside a basket sponge, and  school of angel fish and batfish.  Really, the sanctuary has truly an abundant fish life – just perfect for its name – Aquarium.  We prepared for our ascent when Angel’s air was almost zero.  It was getting more choppy and we were tossed when we surfaced, getting off from our gears.  Angel has to help me to get up into our boat, it was challenging but I was learning.  🙂

DM Edward suggested to call it a day, the waters became too choppy and the viz is getting hazy.  Angel and I planned for three dives but agreed with him, we felt exhausted too after the two challenging dives.  We packed our things and left Medina for Butuan a little past 3pm.  One thing keeps nagging my mind – I need a dive computer soon!  We arrived home after sundown, just right for our plans for the night.

Margie’s, Oh Margie’s

I was getting famished already and after settling our luggage we hastily left for my favorite café – which has become Angel’s favorite too.  He just loved the English beer battered fish n chips in tar tartar sauce plus the cookie monster and cheesecake.  He has these cravings months ago after he first tried it last April!  And indeed, we were blessed that fish n chips is still available (hallelujah!) – we had a sumptuous dinner , actually it was utter indulgence! The rich cookie monster and blueberry cheesecake  plus the langka homemade ice cream was so tempting – I’m feeling guilty of eating that much! 😛  I needed help from Angel for my crispy beef tadyang! Angel and I was biding our time – for me it was like savoring life’s pleasures – to brace me for the all too hectic days ahead during year ends. It was some kind of regaining my equilibrium, to keep me perfectly sane… 🙂

I guess Angel  is getting fanatic with Margie’s, because the next day before our leaving back to CdO we went there again with Kay for lunch, just imagine we were the first customers on that Sunday, we were just right at their doorstep when the coffee shop opened!  😛 We tried other menus but never eliminating the cookie monster and cheesecake, we had another sumptuous meal again!  It would still be long before Angel could get back to Butuan for Margie’s Kitchen.  This time we never missed the chance to scribble on the café’s wall, we tried to beg the staff to let us do it.  Voila, Lakwatsero invades Margie’s Kitchen!  And yes, we had our photo taken by the shop – hopefully to be posted in the shop’s bulletin board.

Another Great Weekend

Angel was saying his weekend is full, so much has happened – well, two cities , in two regions in Mindanao, two dives in two wonderful sites in Duka Bay and two sumptuous meals at Margie’s. It was full indeed, and no doubt pleasurable.  We arrived CdO past 4pm just right for Angel to catch up for his flight back home.  New lessons, new learnings and new challenges.  The Lord has always done marvelous things for my trips keeping things in perfect order. Indeed, all things work for good to those who trust Him…