"Now more than ever do I realize that I will never be content of a sedentary life on the surface, I will always be haunted by thoughts of being drenched elsewhere"….
Our ultimate dive trip for the year is indefiitely postponed, few circumstances beyond control keep us from pursuing our coveted diving destination. This will not dampen our spirits because there are more trips in store for me and my friend & dive buddy Angel to explore in the next months. I’m sure there will always be a right time for us to experience the beauty and secrets of the Sulu seas! 🙂 There will be more time to prepare ourselves for our dream diving destination and I’ll have enough time to search for cheaper trip than the commercial liveaboards…
So, we need to dive in more challenging and interesting sites, learn new lessons and equip ourselves with the necessary skills and be more ready for diving adventures. And so I will wait for the time, my guiding star onwards…
As part of preparation of our Tubbataha 2010 mission I was aiming to acquire a dive computer early of 2010. I searched, consulted my mentor, read reviews, discussed with Angel and finally decided to have Suunto product as it has local after sales service. I finally made up my mind to get one sooner as I need to acquaint myself and be comfortable with the equipment in the next diving trips.
After our dive trip at Sogod Bay and having extra time while at Cebu, we included a visit to a diveshop in our itinerary. Angel have made some research also as I was consulting him about my purchase for another brand. So, after we indulge ourselves with good food at La Marea in Banilad (we love budbud kabog, we finished 4 pcs all!) we went to Capitol Site and roam the streets to search for Ma. Cristina Street. Well, the walk was good as we were too full from our food trip!
We finally found Scubaworld after several asking for directions, and hastily took refuge from the summer heat. We felt overwhelmed of the sight of diving equipments & paraphernalia, the feeling that I am in familiar grounds, Angel and I was all beaming inside the shop. We finally settled for D4 after haggling for a 15% discount! 🙂 It was a real bargain… We linger more, while asking for Palau & Tubbataha trips, I tried some BCs as they were on sale and just roam around the shop – there were lot to see… 🙂
Finally, I have my dive computer – actually, it created a hole in my pocket but it is necessary and it is about time that I must have one. Angel was also contemplating to have his own soon, really a diver just need one!
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 beatenpath site – it’s gonna be an exciting discovery! 🙂
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… 🙂
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!
Life in the Great Beyond 
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