Category: Diving

Trip to Dumaguete…

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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

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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

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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…

Diving at Duka Bay

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It was a bright Saturday morning – it was still early but I gotta be going – I was expected to be at the meeting place at 7:30am, I need to leave home earlier.  My bags were packed the night before to be sure everything I need is all tucked. It was bit exciting since this dive is a requirement from my diving instructor before I could have my lessons for advanced open water diver course with him.  It has been almost two years that I dove with him, so it’s some sort of reuniting with my fave instructor. Though its bit tense because for sure, I would receive many reminders and corrections from him J – but no worries actually, he’s so ever kind with me… 

I was carefully browsing the mag stand (nothing to do) when Mario arrived, glad to see him and we climb into the truck J – my mind is wandering with excitement for today’s adventure. All was guys, not uncommon – still a gender issue! I was introduced to the guys, two of them from NY and London – Fred & Andy but both Cagayanons.  They were bit amused buying fresh fish along the road – not found in their new place! They were amazed that big yellow fin tunas as abundant in MisOr waters, at super low priced compared in NY & London.  It was bit of long drive to Duka, especially that we have cargoes in the truck – tanks and other dive equipments.  We drop-by at Baling ni Juan for  breakfast – the guys need it while I waited for them. 

Mario has just opened his diveshop about 3 weeks ago here in DU Dy Beach Resort, the place is exclusive – outside Duka Bay Resort.  A modest shop still undergoing improvements – tranquil and idyllic.  We finally got into our gears after we waited for the crew who went to the palengke for our needs.  We will go fish feeding today!

 Duka Reef is a marine protected area, very rich in marine life and has lot of dive sites waiting to be explored.  Our first descend was in Paradise – drop offs, caverns, crevices gaily decorated with colored corals. It boasts of “alibuag”, a freshwater spring in the sea – a nature wonder!  I tried to go near and feel the gushing water… There were a  variety of fish specie in the area, we went fish feeding (don’t like it much) so it was an alive encounter with the  critters. Our companions enjoyed taking photos and vids. I ascend later than the guys as I still have more air, Mario stayed with me while the rest of the group left.  I took my time swimming near the reference line, finally ascend when Mario summoned me and my air down to 1000 psi.  We had a late lunch, enjoying the tuna – tinola, grilled and fried! 

 Our next site was Japanese Garden, we went fish feeding again – such a rich fish life!  They feasted on the bread, we were surrounded by varied fishes (please view the vids – courtesy of Andy). I was fascinated with the sight of fishes so alive circling us as if asking fro food.  I was even more delighted when I stumble with a porcupine fish – I had fun playing with it, and Andy was quick to get a short vid of my encounter. J I sighted an artificial reef, a big structure with corals, grasses, sponges and other marine critters – wonderful sight! I ascend later again than the guys and I spend more time roaming around near the ref line, finally surfacing when my air is down to 1000psi.

 It was another wonderful encounter, new things learned, new sites explored – more reason to come again as I will be having my advanced open water diver course with Mario.  Well, got an approval from him to have my lessons – and it must be soon.  It’s been long overdue and I need additional skills for a more enjoyable dives.  I will be back in Duka Reef again soon for more diving adventures…

Samal Island: More Reasons to be Back

Samal Island: More Reasons to be Back

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Diving at Audanao and Tagpopongan

I have been on transit these past days, packing and unpacking bags has become my latest bustle, in fact bags lined up at the foot of my bed. I’m beginning to get tired with packing and sorting, that I just pull another bag and stuff my things for the trip.  It felt like I’m in haze with all the goings.  J It was about task and responsibilities at work. Anyhow, on a Friday rushing to get back to CdO from Lanao Norte I have to cram my backpack for an anniversary trip with travel friends.  We planned for this trip before year-end,  everybody is looking forward to see each other again.  And I am even more forward looking because I’ll be diving again at Samal Island.

I have read an account about Aundanao and I was getting interested to see the place. It was just perfect since we will be going the northern part of the island.   I’ll be diving with Angel as we promised our selves  – our first dive together after he become a diver.  I tried to convince our friends to try intro diving which everybody did – looks like more will be taking diving course soon. J

Leaving CdO

After hurriedly packing and forcing myself for dinner (it’s gonna be a long trip), I picked up Rico at his hotel for the bus terminal. We boarded the aircon bus wondering there were many lining up for the regular bus – probably because it’s a Friday. I was thinking for 12:00mn departure but it promptly left at 11:00, it’s too early to arrive 5:00am at Davao as I’m sure the diveshop would still be close.  Anyway, we sleep on our way – bearing the ill-temperatured transpo, it was just too cold!  Arriving Davao too early, we landed at Jolibee for an early breakfast and morning routine – I have to change ready for the island cruise…

Together Again

Rico and I arrived early at the dive shop, it was embarrassing staying long waiting for the 8:00am assembly time.  We got a bit adventurous and decided to ride jeep to Monteverde Street from JP Laurel Avenue – it only costs P 14.00 compared to the Taxi! J It’s heart warming to see friends at the shop (DM Maeng, DM Arnold, DM Yoyong).  Our friends finally arrived, was too glad to see them again – Carina, Mario, Angel, Jen, Kay!  So kuwentuhan, kumustahan…. Jen, Carina, Mario & Owen (DIY Coron Batch 2), Angel & Kay (DIY Samal Batch 1) not to mention Rico (DIY Batch 9 with Mario, Jen with me), it’s good to see them again.

We left for SAmal with the divers, the sun brightly shining, DM Maeng informed us that we will have our lunch stop at Hayahay Resort ( owned by Sonny, a diver too), which will be featured in Mabuhay mag April 2009 issue. It has unlimited shower having a fresh natural spring – so cool!  We cruise for over an hour to Aundanao, I feel like I wanted to take a nap, J sleeping in the bus sitting wasn’t fun actually. L We were able to convince our friends to try intro dive except Mario and Owen who preferred only to snorkel. Well, photos again – walang katapusan! Mario & Carina got new DSLRs – so we pose, pose, pose and they shot, shot, shot! J

SAmal Island

Angel and I got into our gears, this gonna be our first dive together – at last!  We descend with DM Yoyong, funny since I got used to briefing before a dive but we got none.  We leisurely examine the wall looking for critters, found big clams, sponges, colored soft corals, nudibranches, seafans until we got into the current.  I was flapping my fins hard but I wasn’t moving, I was in jitters I was breathing hard. I waited for our DM to look my way but took him few minutes before he signaled the other way!  I hinted for my air.  We ascend after our safety stop near the boat.  It was my shortest dive so far and least air at 500psi….. DM Charlie commented we surfaced too early!

We sailed off to our Lunch stop after our friends got their intro dive.  Hayahay is a quiet place waiting to be discovered, it has few huts, a duyan, flowing fresh water shower and a scenic view. No sandy beach but clear turquoise waters – such a perfect place for a leisure lunch….. I failed to savor the place as I climb up the boat after my lunch, I feel more at home on the boat.  I relax to prepare for our next dive.

We cruised again for our next site at Tagpopongan, actually we are sailing the circumference of Samal passing the small & big Ligid Island, Vanishing Island, the resorts along the shore and more. We finally had our second dive, Angel and I went with DM Yoyong again.  We descend to a wide sandy area until we got into a wall, the viz wasn’t really good.  We passed a hazy area, and proceed to explore to site. I found fish traps again, something I didn’t like to see underwater. I was wondering I didn’t encounter big fishes.  There were seafans, sponges, colored soft corals, nudibranches, amazing ghost pipefish; we saw puffer fish too, a minute robust.  We encounter currents again but this time we drifted and surfaced away from the boat.  We swam going to the shallow area until I was able to stand on my fins, until finally we swam towards our boat .  That was my first time not to be picked up – it was tiring but a learning experience. It’s good that there were no waves and no current, I still had 1300psi of air.As soon as all intro divers finished their second dive, we sailed off completing the viewingaround the island.  We had photo sessions during a brief stop at Punta del Sol… We had chats with the other divers in the boat,  as always Keiko and Ernest/Marco was there with us.  It was dark already when we finally arrived at the wharf.

Not an End

Our day was full, but again Samal is till worth coming again as there are still sites waiting to be explored by a diver like me. It was tiring I guess but the beauty experienced down under can not be equaled by scenes in the  metro. In the near future I’ll be back again for my great love – underwater life… We hastily left for our lodge as we still have more adventures in the next hours, in the next days…