Saturday Morning Surprise!

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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…  🙂

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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December and Calories…

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What’s this in connection with Little Mermaid’s journey?  Musings…. As if thinking how to survive the calories fever during the holidays!

So what calories have to do with the little mermaid?  Well, extra calories is not included in her pursuits in fact, it must be avoided. In the first place, fat mermaid is a complete taboo, a sore and an utter disappointment! On a deeper sense, it’s not healthy and against the rules of wellness. 

The gatherings  that come with the celebration for the season is now on, invitations comes now and then not to mention the lunch and dinners with good friends and the parties at the workplace (got at least two) and more.  Last Sunday morning, I woke up with a headache and just as I used to do, still closing my eyes I tried to make a rundown for the past days for my food intake – trying to make an inventory what I ate. Well, I had lechon at least in 4 meals last week plus red wine in Friday and Saturday evening!  I guess it was too much for me, it felt like I was nauseous but have to get up for an important Sunday celebration which got me exposed again to meat and other foods that are not healthy (but very tempting and delicious). 🙂  I was thinking how to get out from this food splurge that came with December festivities. How can I? 

 The mermaid in me is worrying that my wetsuit would get tight I couldn’t fit in, maybe I’m just being paranoid.  But honestly, I aimed to have the same wetsuit until it will go kaput after 10 years?!? J I’m making it as my gauge for my right weight. I wish I could get away from all the superfluities in December, after all it’s not necessary for a meaningful Advent season.  The little mermaid in me feels sheer bliss if I could just jump into the waters, swim and burn all these calories and feel fit once again but I couldn’t just do it these days! 😦

 Hmmmm, what about dancing and sweating it out?  🙂

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…

Probably My Last Dive for the Year!

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I laze around today – its one of those days with that kind of feeling I just wanted to do nothing but I have to pull myself up to do some thing productive.  After my laundry, I rested again then had quick errands, finally visiting my hairdresser.  There’s still lot in queue that must be done: Christmas cards for mails, books to finish – I had three in line; write-ups to do; overdue blogs; etc.  Surely, things never get done not to mention at the workplace, there’s a lot of catching up to do.  But today I’m pacing down, I need it though…

I miss the sea and I just wanted to be swallowed up in the water and be at peace down in the water world.  I’m looking forward, two weeks from now I’ll be going back to Duka Bay for a dive with Angel, probably this will be my last dive for this year. This will also be my last trip for the year with Angel. Weekends are booked already for the rest of the year and things are getting pretty more hectic at work.  The holidays will make it worse!

But plans for 2010 was set up already, of course all of these dives are part of the preparation for Dive Tubbataha 2010 which will be the highlight of next year’s dive trips. I could hardly wait!  J  There will be new sites and new places to explore next year, the wanderlust in me is throbbing…

Note: Above photo is the beautiful Sakayan, dive boat of DiveSpecial, Inc. taken at Jasaan port.