"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"….
My wish to explore Albay Gulf was granted, just a couple of days ago. Indeed, there is always beyond the surface. We paid respect to a diver who choose the depths as his graveyard. He died many years ago, cremated and his ashes sprinkled over this area, this must be his favorite spot. His tombstone is now calcified and encrusted with algae. The inscription is not readable anymore.
Just one of the highlights in exploring Albay depths!
The fleeting trip to Surigao City late last year was full-packed yet our plan was amply covered. We have been planning to explore the city for diving and finding Mabua Divers more than a year ago was a blessing. It was unexpected to chance upon a dive operator, I was rejoicing I found one. So, my dive buddy just gave in to my whims. On a November weekend, we met up in Butuan terminal to catch up a bus to Surigao. Our hosts were too excited to have us for our dives.
We arrived past 8am already with Dirk & Doris eagerly waiting for us, with almost everything ready – the rubber boat, boatman, gears and other needs. Our hosts warned us not to rush, it was comforting as Angel and I both had short naps during the night trip. Dirk showed us around their property that has on-going works for the the additional two floors of the building.
Deep in Mabua
Our boat sped off west ward as Dirk wanted to show us the neighboring shores and the lighthouse, and got back for our first descent in Looc. I went first but was carried away by the current, what did took them long to get off? A local fisherman helped and tow me to our boat until I was picked up. The slope was decorated with a small reef – corals, anemones, feather stars , juvenile fishes and hard corals. There were groupers, barramundi, puffers and nudis. The black leaf fish was a great find!
We had a long surface interval, our hosts graciously entertained us with travel stories! Our next descent was at Mabua Rock, we dismissed it in the morning after Dirk failed to locate it. 🙂 It’s a big rock among white sandy area, covered with corals, anemones, crinoids, hydroids – with juvenile fishes swarming around. It has more active fish life, it was uniquely situated as if separated from other forms of life. The rock served as reef and shelter to variety of species. We found yellow leaf fish, lots of puffers, banded pipefish, dotted barramundi, nudis and a herd of striped eelfish. We noticed a seastar with its fingers deformed, like it has a disease! We made rounds again and again until Dirk signaled for our ascent. It was reviving to be in the depths again after almost nine weeks!
Should you do a round trip Cdeo – Surigao – Cdeo in less than 36 hours? Quirky and rash but we had quiet moments to relax and savor life’s surprises. Indeed Mabua is more than just a pebbles beach as it was known, it has its own secrets beyond its unique shoreline and blue waters. It has its own mystery, just waiting for curious spirits.
Disclosures
After the dives, we rushed to Butuan City and had dinner in our fave cafe, Margie’s Kitchen, lingered and waited until it closed at 1am, then proceed to the bus terminal. We took the 2am aircon bus to CdeO, and arrived past 6am. Leisurely sat on a park bench in Divisoria, then had a sumptuous breakfast at another favorite, Vienna Cafe which opened at 8am. Just savoring precious moments in our favorite homey restos! 🙂
NB. Underwater photos courtesy of Angel using iPhone 4S with iPix.
Although eels naturally thrived in freshwater, this specie inhabits marine waters and commonly sighted in Philippines. My sightings were usually juveniles in group wiggling as they swim in accord, incessantly stirring the sand. This specie feed on crustaceans, mollusks, worms and small fish. They appear to be harmless as they always shy away within close range, but all specie of eelfish are confirmed to be venomous! Beware then when you encounter them next time you dive.
Some of the greatest travel stories come from getting lost, or losing yourself, in a new place…
Travel is about exploration, and some of the most fulfilling exploration happens when we lose ourselves — in a place, in a culture or in an experience.
A traveler is never annoyed getting lost, for many it is more enjoyable and could lead to discoveries and more surprises. One may wander a bit, but can always find the way. You know, that innate sense of direction, the traveler’s feet are with invisible compass! Admittedly, the advent of modern technology has made navigation a lot easier and worry-free.
I have my own share of stories on going astray and expectedly I was back on course, in the end I always find my way. But what about if one is in the depths? You suddenly find yourself floating deep down alone. You desperately look for some sign – bubbles, shadows, sounds or an obscured image of another diver. You lost your buddy, your DM or separated from the group – it wasn’t your fault, of course. It is challenging indeed, I have my own stories to tell.
Few years back, I was a newbie and had no dive computer yet, I went diving with my mentor after his invitation. I was learning with my new point & shoot camera. Although the waters was bit choppy, it was a warm and sunny day. Just perfect! But the waters was all hazy and greenish, it was plankton season then. I was following my DM but carelessly stopped to take photos when we passed-by the colorful reef. Moment later, I was all alone and the poor viz wasn’t really of help. Admittedly, a surge of fear enveloped me and my heartbeat went faster, I wasn’t prepared to be lost. I waited, in case he would try to look for me and incidentally found a rare scorpion fish sitting on the reef in front of me. It was S R T A, the scorpionfish was my inspiration to do my next move sensibly. Obviously, I made it to surface and swam back safely to the boat. I can’t forget the look of my DM’s eyes and chided me for my carelessness. He was deeply worried of my safety.
Indeed, it was heart pounding but it has taught me lessons as well!
In my memorable Tubbataha 2011 dream trip, everyone was praying for good weather and our safety pilgrimage in our paradise. Everything went well, until on the third day. There wasn’t much fuss actually, but the other skipper (there were two in our trip), went back delayed. One of our companion priest was lost – everyone was back on the boat except him. He surfaced later, unwary that everyone was deathly worried for him. Some of the ladies were crying already. Just few weeks our trip, a foreign national was missing while diving in Tubbataha.
It was not heart pounding for the one lost, but everyone in his group was affected!
Just few months back, we explored Guiuan, Eastern Samar for diving. Although it wasn’t in the diving map, the costal town has its own share of promising underwater sites. The devastation from Typhoon Yolanda was undeniably obvious – surface or underwater, but it wasn’t the reason why I was lost. We went only shallow at 14 meters, sans a dive computer after mine went flooded few months earlier. This time again, the visibility was poor after a passing storm. I lost my dive buddy first, our DM signaled he would find him and I must stay stationed on my spot. So, I waited. I looked around and entertained my eyes watching the thriving marine life over a reef. A cloud of juvenile anthias over some corals and a heard of groupers on another side, still it was hazy and beyond four meters was nothing! I had enough air and I waited further, just enjoying the waters and hazy view around me. The cloudy environment has that touch of mystery to me! I was oblivious of the time as I waited. Unknowingly, they all surfaced without me – our DM lost me as well. When I surfaced, the tension was noticeable – my companions were all watching out the surface for me. My dive buddy ran out and hugged me, obviously grateful I was back safe.
I felt sorry for the aftermath, our DM got sick and aborted our second dive. I hid my disappointment but as DM, he should be in control especially on such situations. Where is the S R T A technique? Our safety relied much on our DM who was obviously unprepared!
It wasn’t heart pounding on my part but it has taught me lessons again!
My early lessons in diving taught me that we can not eliminate risks but it is my responsibility to minimize and manage possible risks and must not undermine safety. Just like other things in life, risks are inevitable and we can’t always know we’ll be alright. Sometimes, I just need to do all I can and go with the flow and let things happen. The experience undoubtedly made me a stronger person.
Have you been lost whilst diving? Just one principle to remember – relax, think and do come out of the water alive. Your companions are anxiously waiting for you. Here’s to a safe diving as we begin another diving year this 2015!
The dives for this month has been reserved for dive clean-up as I always did with my dive buddy every year. Banking on my mentor’s advocacy efforts coordinating with LGUs and other civic societies, I was looking forward to join and be part of the clean-up team. But there was no invitation and I didn’t make it.
My dive buddy suggested for Mantangale Alibuag Dive Resort (MADRI), one of my favorites and has been my home for diving. Yes, the comforts of a home awaited us.
Home. So simple but we all have what we need. Blue skies, blue seas and blue depths teeming with life.
Home. Serene, uncluttered and beautiful. I was home again last September!
NB. Photo snaps credit to Angel using Lumix Ts2 with Ikelite casing.
Life in the Great Beyond 
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