Category: Travel

Snorkeling @ Tojoman Lagoon in Sohoton

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Rowing at Jellyfish Lake!

I revisited the enchanted Sohoton (in Siargao Island) last Saturday to once experience the wonders & challenges in the cove.  Just like my first trip, it was a crisp downcast morning which is unusual during summer but not in Siargao – it could rain anytime. Before we had breakfast, it started to rain already.  The two other guests (Cara & co.)  from  Manila whom I have convinced to join us (to save boat rentals) withdrew fearful of the rains. I told them it will stop later – even before we could reach the island.  But to no avail, they’re scared as they don’t know how to swim.  Our host informed me of something new in Sohoton – the jellyfish lagoon.  Actually it’s not new, they just failed to mention it last time and the occurrence of jellyfishes is seasonal. I decided to bring along my mask & snorkel to try a close encounter of the jellyfishes.

stingless jellyfish floated up...
Stingless jellyfish floated up…

So after a rush breakfast , we took off.  Rains, waves, winds were with us as we cruise silently to Bucas Grande.  I love the sights along the way – vast ocean, islands, fishers on their boat, blue waters, blue skies, green mountains, etc. The rough waters of Siargao is not unusual but we arrived safe in Sohoton. The caretaker mentioned it was timely for us to come as there were so many guests the previous day,  the cove was flowing with people.

I learned that jellyfish naturally choose quiet & secluded place for their sanctuary. The species used to inhabit the lagoon in the cove but due to noise of motorized tour bancas, it disturbed their ecosystem. They transferred into another lagoon used to be a place of sea urchins. So the bancas going there are non motorized, we have to paddle  going there which I enjoyed (just like kayaking).  Only one guest in each banca (small enough for two people) – I was thinking its purpose is purely economics.  Anyway, we have to go to jellyfish lagoon first, the cove later…

We got into our cute bancas, I paddled with the guide to the lagoon.  We paddled fast at the entrance as the surface current was bit strong. Getting inside, I watched in awe of the sight before me – a quiet green lagoon with lush green vegetation on the side.  If you could see those brownish thing (at the photo above) on the waters, those are the jellyfishes! By the way, they’re stingless.  I was thinking of white ones just like what we saw in Calauit. I learned there were brown, even bluish ones.

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With the guides….

It was so tempting I asked the guide to go down for a snorkel – it was beautiful!  Getting up close with small, medium, large jellyfishes and swimming with them!  I could watch them move like they’re breathing or maybe shouting at me not to go near them! So many of them floating on the waters.   The guide said there were much more in the past days but due to many guests, it disturbed them and choose to remain down under. I swam for awhile savoring the serenity and beauty of the lagoon.  I was wishing I had an underwater cam so I could get photos. The clear waters with the jellyfish, few corals, sea urchins would be so perfect. And I could see the lagoon floor, it would be so ideal for photos…. I was so engrossed I realized my sister & friends have gone, I can’t see them anymore.  The guide summoned me to the sides so I could get back into the banca. Time was up we need to rush to the cove before the high tide.

I promised myself to be back in the lagoon, I want that time when there would be so many jellyfishes filling the waters – so many I could get lost in them!  It would be amazing!  🙂

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A Summer Water Rafting!

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I troop with office mates to Mambuaya for another rafting trip yesterday, I just love the excitement in conquering the rapids as we paddle fast and make sure not to be thrown out of the boat.   I have been dying for the advance level but all who signed up to join were all first timers, I was bit disappointed but it never dampen my adventurous spirit to once again  commune with nature along Cagayan de Oro river. Such adrenaline rush!

It was very sunny, all I need here is the ever loyal sunscreen SPF 50. I don’t want to suffer the ill effects of the scorching heat, much less to visit my dermatologist which in less than ten minutes conversation I have to shell out my pocket for the expensive PF.  Anyway, everybody seems to be so excited as we drove to the jump off area, especially the kids. We’re in two paddle boats – the briefing as usual – safety measures, river left & right, forward/back/turn left/turn right paddle, high fives, etc…. There were so many rafters for that day, all in throng to the river. It looks so lively, rafts in different colors (red, yellow, blue,flesh) floating along…

Well, it’s not as exciting anymore as before but the feel of cool water  splashing on your face and body is so refreshing. I choose to sit in front so I could get the first rush and tug of the rapids! Wow! I need to be careful so I won’t be thrown out into the water.  Well, 14 rapids plus tiny uncounted river gush is enough to test your strength.

We ended at Kabula White Water Rafting Park past 1PM, all feeling hungry. great-natabunan-na-akoWe took our

lunch under the trees in the park.  We left the area as the kids would wanted to make a side trip at the Makahambus Park, then finally explored the cave.  As we were talking on our way home, we promised ourselves to schedule another rafting trip – this time for sure in Advance Level…

It would be more exciting and adrenaline rushing!

Diving at Agutayan Island! (October 13, 2007)

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My dive trips are far between, though I wanted it to be more often – few circumstances have kept me then. Last time, the plan was end of July but days passed and it’s almost three months since then. So today, I’m going to Agutayan Island (in Jasaan) about 40 minutes away from Cagayan de Oro with Mario J’s (my diving instructor) group. It’s a sunny Saturday, and after a long trip to Misamis Occidental passing Zamboanga Sur and a Friday non-working holiday, I was in a good mood! My diving gears which I bought two months ago have gathered dust already, waiting to dip in the sea waters.

 

 My diving instructor has a dive facility now, and I’m diving here with them in the white island. As soon as we arrived in the area, we got into the boat to cruise unto the dive site. I meet new friends and Aina is my buddy today. We went down through the bouy line, and again down there are lot of creatures to marvel – giant clams, shells, colorful reefs, hard & soft corals. The area has been planted with artificial reefs – exactly the kind DA/BFAR have promoted. There was variety of fish species, even if I can’t name them all, I will always be fascinated going deep down. It seems like a dream in another world, floating and watching marine life with endless beauty – in silence. So serene, so beautiful…. We surfaced, just in time for lunch – with the grills smelling good…

 

 We went down again after a leisure lunch and a little rest (I feel like I wanted to lie down) – the waters was bit rough but again going deeper was majestic – I can’t imagine rich marine life down. Banner of colorful fishes, colorful reefs, sweet lips, oversized jacks and most of all – 4 barracudas! As in four glistening Bs swimming coyly – Mario J has to summon me to come nearer as I was afar, but don’t have much time to take a closer look as they hastily disappear. I wasn’t expecting to see a barracuda as we were trying our luck to find a hammerhead shark in the area. Truly wonderful though, real amazing…. We went up just in time when my air is down to 1000psi. Mario said we went to 105 feet – wow! I went 101 feet last time, so I’m 4 feet deeper today, not bad…..

 

Few lessons for today’s dive:
1. my mask was too tight, Mario need to adjust it and I have to clear my mask -just snug but not too tight
2. I use 4 weights (Mario installed in my belt) in second dive which made me heavy, so Mario have to take away one while we’re there deep down there – 3 weights is enough for me
3. my left fin was detached (funny was I didn’t notice it) before I reach the boat, I must lock it tight before I could lost it next time.

 

 We cruised back to the fish landing, the waves getting bigger. And like every after end of a dive, I promise myself for another trip – don’t know where and when but for sure I will. I must I should say, the sights are just too irresistible… After the goodbyes , I left with Aina and Jackie back to CdO, just in time as a storm is looming behind us. I arrived home drizzling already…

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*Agutayan Marine Sanctuary


Located about 5 kilometers from the Poblacion, is the white island that dots Macajalar Bay with its 5,000 square meters white sand. With its shallow water, the place is ideal for snorkeling and swimming.  A 3-hectare Marine Sanctuary was established on the island by the local government in 1995.  Agutayan is home to giant clams, national treasures from the U.P. Marine Science Institute, Bolinao, Pagasinan. Five hundred of these clams were seeded in December 2001.

 

 

Snorkeling @ Talisayan

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It was on a sunny mid-day while preparing for our first open water dive, our dive instructor gave us a surprise –  to view the whale shark trapped in a fishpen in the next coastal town of Talisayan. Ah! It was not part of the dive lessons but we were excited with the idea.  So together with Julien & Joyce on board the glass bottom boat we cruise for Talisayan.

 

Dressed in wet suit, mask, snorkel, booties & fins we prepared to get down but we were stopped by the caretaker of the pen, snorkeling inside the pen is not allowed as it would disturb the fishes and surely affect their catch.  After negotiating, I swam wondering if I could make it there without bouyancy device. We swam & linger on floating and waiting (I made it though),  and finally sighted the whale shark. Wow! A 30 foot dotted whale shark, gracefully swimming… I never imagined I got the opportunity to see such wonderful creature!  J So beautiful,  it was amazing!

 
We hastily left the area, as the caretaker never left his eyes watching us.  We cruised back to Sipaka Point to have our first open water dive.  I can’t wait for it, such adrenaline rush!
 
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Note:  Photo courtesy of Mario J.