"Habal-habal (motorbike that sits 5 or more!) takes one from Dapa pier to Cloud 9 - the most well-known surf break in the island of Siargao, Philippines.
I'm no surfer and I don't think I have the power abs & legs and balance to match with to stand on a surfboard and conquer the waves. Butofcourse, my adventurous self won't let this opportunity pass. I've tried diving, whitewater rafting, trekking, spelunking, free-fall... i'm sure surfing would be equally fun & challenging. Here I come, ready in a purple rashguard.
Daku island has more mellow breaks, great for us beginners to learn. After a physically stressful day, laid on a hammock with the best view of the sunset.
Not to be missed is the whole day island trip to Bucas Grande (a striking resemblance to the Rock Islands of Palau in Micronesia, they say). On a kayak, paddle through Sohoton Cave, the sole entrance that leads to a labyrinth of a lagoon where the pool with stingless jellyfish is.
Too little time, so much to explore..."
What an adventure weekend that happened to be Siargao DAW*!
*a reporting particle that expresses that the information in the sentence is second-hand; they say, he said, reportedly, supposedly, etc.
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Dumaguete dive log
Last weekend, we went on a 4-hour landtrip-barge via the Southern tip of Cebu, Santander for a diving trip to Dumaguete. I was excited to use my newly purchased Aladin Prime dive computer.
Day 1, dive 1 & 2: Dive Dauin [74ft, 66mins] and Masaplod [57ft, 66mins]
Unlike the dive spots I've been to, Dauin is primarily composed of brown sandy bottom. One has to have the spotter's eye to see those small creatures and critters found at the bottom. Masaplod on the other hand, is a small fish sanctuary, where corals grew in the middle of this sandy bottom. There we found this 1 meter-sea turtle, that didn't mind our presence.
L-R: leaffish, mating crabs, frogfish, clownfish, blue-spotted stingray, pufferfish, sea turtle, pipefish, scorpionfish
Day 1, dive 1 & 2: Dive Dauin [74ft, 66mins] and Masaplod [57ft, 66mins]
Unlike the dive spots I've been to, Dauin is primarily composed of brown sandy bottom. One has to have the spotter's eye to see those small creatures and critters found at the bottom. Masaplod on the other hand, is a small fish sanctuary, where corals grew in the middle of this sandy bottom. There we found this 1 meter-sea turtle, that didn't mind our presence.L-R: leaffish, mating crabs, frogfish, clownfish, blue-spotted stingray, pufferfish, sea turtle, pipefish, scorpionfish
Day 2, dive 3, 4 & 5: Dive Apo Island [86ft, 71mins; 80ft 60mins] and Ducomi [76ft, 67mins]
Coconut Groove in Apo Island was the experience to beat. The waves on the surface was fierce, thus, we have to descend fast. Luckily, the decongestant worked well this time, I made it down fast. At the bottom, the current was even stronger swishing here and there, thus, we have to hold on to our dear life line (a rope). We almost aborted the dive when there was nothing to hold on to. Thanks to the school of huge mating jacks that appeared below us, we were enticed to descend again. Thanks too to our Dive Masters, who made us feel safe amidst the strong current. The reefs of Apo Island is a vast area filled with corals and schools of fish.
With slightly strong currents and ships docking on the surface, we need our dive light in Ducomi Pier. The pillars of this pier are filled with corals and different interesting creatures. You can actually hear the fishes flap their fins! Lionfishes dominate the area as well.
L-R: commensal shrimp, nudi, us, jacks, black seahorse, me with dive light, lionfish, octopus, eel
Day 3, dive 6: Bahura Resort House Reef [92ft, 63mins]
I skipped the morning dive in Ducomi as I opted to take a good rest and lounge around the resort with a hearty buffet breakfast.
As rain started to pour, waves started to pick-up, we were about to start our dive at the house reef. This reef is deep and with limited visibility, there goes my ears
again, it took me some 10 minutes to reach the bottom (entry down 80 feet). As I slowly worked my way down, I got stung around my philtrum (for the 2nd time)! 'Twas worth it though. My first to see spiny lobster, mantis shrimp, boxer shrimps, jaw fish... i can go on and on :D
L-R: jawfish, boxer shrimps, mantis shrimp, spiny lobster, ghost shrimp, bahura resort
Can't wait to dive in Philippine's prime dive spot -Tubbataha, Palawan next year.
Coconut Groove in Apo Island was the experience to beat. The waves on the surface was fierce, thus, we have to descend fast. Luckily, the decongestant worked well this time, I made it down fast. At the bottom, the current was even stronger swishing here and there, thus, we have to hold on to our dear life line (a rope). We almost aborted the dive when there was nothing to hold on to. Thanks to the school of huge mating jacks that appeared below us, we were enticed to descend again. Thanks too to our Dive Masters, who made us feel safe amidst the strong current. The reefs of Apo Island is a vast area filled with corals and schools of fish.
With slightly strong currents and ships docking on the surface, we need our dive light in Ducomi Pier. The pillars of this pier are filled with corals and different interesting creatures. You can actually hear the fishes flap their fins! Lionfishes dominate the area as well.
L-R: commensal shrimp, nudi, us, jacks, black seahorse, me with dive light, lionfish, octopus, eel
Day 3, dive 6: Bahura Resort House Reef [92ft, 63mins]
I skipped the morning dive in Ducomi as I opted to take a good rest and lounge around the resort with a hearty buffet breakfast.
As rain started to pour, waves started to pick-up, we were about to start our dive at the house reef. This reef is deep and with limited visibility, there goes my ears
again, it took me some 10 minutes to reach the bottom (entry down 80 feet). As I slowly worked my way down, I got stung around my philtrum (for the 2nd time)! 'Twas worth it though. My first to see spiny lobster, mantis shrimp, boxer shrimps, jaw fish... i can go on and on :DL-R: jawfish, boxer shrimps, mantis shrimp, spiny lobster, ghost shrimp, bahura resort
Can't wait to dive in Philippine's prime dive spot -Tubbataha, Palawan next year.
Sunday, March 25, 2007
blogging
opening myself up to the blog world is a phenomenon. never in my wildest thoughts did i ever consider writing a blog for everyone to read. i consider myself as someone who is very private. i even seem aloof around strangers, but very candid around friends. a friend of mine is challenging me to come up with one, and here i am today, freezing my thoughts for the rest of the blogsphere.
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