Richard & Jo's Blog

Dive Day #8 – Richard

Here we are at the start of another day of eat-dive-dive-eat-dive-dive-eat, though fortunately we seem to have gained a little more control over our eating habits this time around when compared to previous trips!

Just breakfasted on eggs and ham with a slice of mango on the side then we’re off to prep the cameras before we head out into the sea for subaquatic adventures.

I think it’s Nina’s last diving day today so tomorrow there may be some fresh meat on the boat, Tim and Becca leave today so it could be quite quiet on the boat, no worries, I can make up for that!

… And the details are out, not only have the recently departed buddy pair been replaced but we have an additional diver bringing the total number of guest divers on board to six, max capacity! There are also three guides who will be wrangling us all.

The first dive is set to be Kirby’s Rock (assuming no current) which is a spectacular underwater rock formation and wall down to about 26m with another pinnacle slightly away from the main rock. There is also a pygmy seahorse photo opportunity here which I tend to avoid.

Well, what a cracking couple of dives!

Dive #24 Kirby’s Rock

Another spectacular dive on this stunning site, a tall wall and pinnacles slightly away from the wall. Loads of Nudi action and a good sized frog fish but it was mostly the nudis that made the dive. I know we go on about them but there is such a diverse range of colours and sizes and they make spectacular pictures, so on we go!

Dive #25 Olympic

After a surface interval where we enjoyed hot drinks and snacks we move to the next site which was planned to be Agahuta but ends up being….

A great bimble around the site which is basically a massive plateau of ‘rubble area’ with banks all around up to the mooring area. This time we spend a majority of the dive on the sloping banks where we find yet more Nudi action and many many shutters were released!

As we surfaced it was raining but this cleared up on our way back to the resort where we dined on BBQ pork skewers with coleslaw which was super yum.

Side Note: The water temperatures here have been about a half to one degree lower than we experienced at Puerto Galera, not only that but I’m sure I saw a 27 on the night dive last night, so today we thought we would give the 2.5mm’s a go. So far so good, super comfy and positively steaming!!!!!.

A swift lunch of BBQ pork skewers and Coleslaw and we’re back to the room for a rest before the first dive of the afternoon.

Dive #26 – Apolls Point

Just awesome, loads to see on yet another of our favourite sites, for me the highlight was the Dragon Shrimp which was displayed nicely in an area that was easy to access, fingers crossed for the photos on that one.

I was taking a picture of a Nudi when I noticed the background was moving. I back away a little and realise that there’s a giant black frog fish right in front of me, then a mahoosive turtle swims across right in front of me, quite the experience!

Back to base for now drinks before heading out for the last dive of the day which is set to be Secret Bay (assuming no current!).

Dive #27 – Mainit Corner

So yes, there was current at Secret Bay. Now, when I say current, I’m not talking about what we get in the UK, it was more a gentle movement of the water but the guides here are quite picky about these things and they don’t want us in ANY current whatsoever!

A nice bimble around a small part of this site as there is loads to keep us occupied, another excellent dive.

Back for dinner, preceded by a couple of Red Horse. We had Baby Back Ribs, coleslaw and fries.

Then back to the room for photo work and ZZzz……..

Dive Day #7 – Buceo – Jo

Slept like a log! Didn’t get to do the cameras last night so that was the first thing we did. This was shortly followed by an omelette for breakfast.

After a shortish wait for the coastguard, we are off to the other island.

Dive #20 – Daryl Laut

Depth 28 metres / time 82 mins / temp 29

Here we are again! Love this dive! The sunken casino wreck. We are the only boat here!

We spent a lot of time between 24 and 28 metres looking for nudis. Then onto the wreck for two separate painted pink frogfish, one large, one large.

We saw nudis, two pained pink frogfish, juvenile batfish, two lembeh sea dragon ( we’ve renamed to lembeh snot dragon).

The surface interval is spent with us boring people (Nina, and Tim and Becca from Oz) about bees.

Dive #21 – Layag Layag

Best ever dive on this site. Just our boat on this site. Everyone spreads out. Lovely. Lovely coral garden. Lots to see.

We saw lots of nudis!

Lunch was spent with Nina chatting about anything and everything.

After camera work, we spent an hour sitting on our balcony enjoying the gentle breeze.

Now it is time to dive again.

Dive #22 Aqua Garden

Depth 22 metres / time 78 mins / temp 29

Don’t do this one very often. Down at around 20 metres there are hundreds of soft corals ranging from about 4-12 inches high. Most have critters in.

We saw many pink crabs, flamboyant cuttlefish, two frogfish, three ornate ghost pipefish, shrimp on whip coral.

Back to Buceo for the surface interval. Coffee and skyflakes.

Just us of the forth dive as Nina dies three dives a day.

Dive #23

Bubbles

Depth 22 metres / time 75 mins / temp 28

Current when we got in which continued until we got out.

We didn’t go very far but found lots to take pictures of.

We saw some very nicely positioned nudis and shrimps.

After a drink and a chat at the bar the three of us have dinner.

Dinner was Shanghai rolls, boiled rice and vegetables in coconut milk.

Camera work and photos before bed.

Dive Day #6 – Buceo Anilao – Richard

Today is actually resort transfer day so we got up a little earlier, prepped the cameras, got our dive gear on and threw what’s left into various bags.

Now we are about to have breakfast whilst waiting for our water taxi to arrive.

We had thunderstorms over night and a lot of rain (they only watered the gardens yesterday!).

The sharper eyed amongst you may have spotted a teaser in Jo’s post yesterday, something about ‘we all eventually met up at 4m’. the finer detail involves a story regarding my weight pouches and a struggle to descend, you can fill in the blanks.

The water taxi should take little over 30 minutes (depending on conditions) to make the journey between the resorts. When we arrive at Anilao there will be a boat waiting to take us straight out diving (which is why we are already dressed for diving!)  along with one other diver ‘Nina’ who’s an ex-pat living in Malaysia who we first met out here over a decade ago and several times since.

The taxi pulls up at around 07.20 and by 07.29 we are on our way to Anilao.

The captain informs us that because of the monsoon (!) he might need to drop us around the corner from the resort. Thankfully it’s all quite flat and we are dropped off at 08.02 and less than 15 minutes later we are on board a dive boat and headed out for our first dive.

Dive #16 – Minilog

Lots of shrimp and Nudi action in particular a nice dragon shrimp  and a large octopus decided to bury itself out off  our gaze.

Dive #17 – Olympic

More of the same here minus the dragon shrimp.

Lunch was a relatively minimalistic coleslaw and fries, just what we wanted!

After a bit of camera prep it’s time to get back in for the afternoon dive.

Dive #18 – Vievery

This is basically a dandy slope down to about 24m which is where we are headed to find the black hairy frog fish and sure enough, there it is in all its glory.

One thing about black frogfish in general is that they are visually impossible to photograph what with them just being so over black and all.

The hairy variant is no exception to this rule, all very splendid to look at but any attempt to take photos produces a black blob with no distinguishing features so you’ll just have to take my word for it, it was black, it was hairy and it was most definitely a frog fish.

Then it’s back to base for a quick cuppa before we head out for the last dive of the day which was meant to be ‘bubbles’ but because of their policy of not putting divers in where there is any current, we diverted!

Dive #19 – Mainit Corner

This  was a spectacular dive on another of our favourite sites with much Nudi action to be seen on this amazing site which is at the end of a rocky outcrop and underwater, the rocky outcrop extends to the seabed. All very awesome.

Dive Day #5 – Fishermen’s Cove – Jo

Richard seems better this morning, so that is good news.

Breakfast, for me, was scrambled eggs and bacon with coffee.

It is very relaxed in the mornings here. First dive is at 9am.

Out on the boat, with three guides, round to the far side, in search of pygmy seahorse.

Dive #13 – Kilaman steps

Depth 17 metres / time 81 mins / temp 29

Coral garden descending in steps.

Lovely relaxed dive with no need for Richard to disappear…

Actually saw some other divers on this dive.

We saw pink pygmy seahorse, shrimp on wire coral, nudis, and many Christmas tree worms.

When we came to the surface, Joseph told us he had seen one of the other groups squeezing the gorgonian fan to find the pygmy seahorse!! Absolutely disgusting!!

We came back to the bay for our surface interval.

Dive #14 – Mountani

Depth 11 metres / time 99 mins / temp 29-30

We all met on the bottom (eventually) at about 4 metres.

We bimbled around. The current fish came and went during the dive, as did the thermoclines.

We saw nudis, Shawn the sheep slug, small black frogfish, a yellowy-green seahorse, robust pipefish, flamboyant cuttlefish.

Back to the resort for lunch…

Lunch was very shortly followed by the last dive

Dive #15 – Secret Bay

Depth 16 metres / time ?? mins / temp 31

A sandy desolate area, swept by current that couldn’t make up its mind which way it wanted to go.

That being said, we saw lots.

We saw Picchu slugs, lots of flabelinas, small red frogfish, posing fish on coral, other various nudis.

We said our goodbyes to Joseph and the captain.

Before the rigmarole of packing we opted for a leisurely dip in the pool and coke zeros. It was at this point we heard that we were having pizza for tea! Yes!

Packing didn’t take too long. We packed a bag for the dive centre, a bag for the camera room, and two other bags for our room at Buceo.

And now… It’s pizza time!

I would have liked to have shown the empty plates but neither of us could manage it. Very tasty though!

So, that’s it. Some bits and pieces to pack in the morning and camera checking as we are planning on doing four dives tomorrow at Buceo.

Dive Day #3 – Fishermen’s Cove – Jo

I’m back in the room. Not sure what happened to yesterday. It appears that I slept through most of it. The only bits I was completely aware of was Richard leaving and coming back from breakfast, diving, lunch, diving and dinner.

Feeling much more myself this morning.

Breakfast of scrambled eggs and bacon, with Richard also opting for cinnamon swirl and fresh mango.

Dive #7 – White Beach

Depth 11 metres / time 92 mins /temp 30 degrees

We did the reef part. It’s not the prettiest of reefs but there were lots to take photos of.

We saw three broccoli nudis (not their official name), Life nudis (also, not their official name), shrimp on whip coral.

Surface interval involved coffee and peanut prestos (no milk).

We spotted this sign… Made us laugh. Lost in translation perhaps…

Dive #8 – White Beach

Depth 15 metres / time 92 mins /temp 30 degrees

Ropes and sand.

We saw lots. Two hairy frogfish. Two psychedelic slugs racing across the sand. Emperor shrimps on a cucumber worm. Two Orange frogfish. Ornate ghost pipefish.

Lunch was sausage with olive rice and lettuce, followed by mango for Richard.

Dive #9 – Mountain

Depth 8 metres / time 108 mins /temp 30 degrees

Amazing dive this one. Just a sandy slope but so many critters. Also, some current fish.

We saw two different colour hairy shrimp, various nudis including one with a huge mouthpiece, two Shawn the sheep slugs.

Back in the pool for rest, relaxation and drinks before dinner.

This evening for dinner we are having bacon and tomato pasta followed by carpacio of beef with fries.

Cameras and photos before sleep. ????

Dear gentle reader, I must apologise for the brevity of today’s post but one of our number is unwell and I am somewhat distracted.

Dive Day #2 – Fishermen’s Cove – Richard

Dive #4 White Sands, coral area

Several nudis including two of the monster pink broccoli type!

Dive #5 White Sands, further south, sandy bottom. Hairy Fog Fish and Coleman Shrimps

For lunch it was pork chop with chinese style rice.

Dive #6 In the bay, hairy octopus, tiny cuttle fish, skeleton shrimp, flabellina.

Dinner was pasta with clams followed by carpaccio of fish, yum!

For the next few days we have the entire resort to ourselves, oh yes!!!

… Back to my patient now…

Dive Day #1 – Fishermen’s Cove  – Jo

Another sunny day!

We slept well. Richard even went back to sleep after he was pretty wide awake at 2am. If only he could do this at home…

Whilst waiting for breakfast, we got talking to a nice American lady. She asked us if we were “advanced”… “Urm… Advanced? As in PADI?” It was as if there was only one dive organisation. “No, we have been diving for twenty years, we’re BSAC Dive Leader and BSAC Advanced Diver”. “Oh” she said “I don’t know what that is”, although she seemed reassured that Richard was “Advance”. She also didn’t know what a blue ringed octopus was… Newbie!

On the boat today are us, Johanni and Minna, from Italy, it is our first day but their last.

Dive #1 – Mountain

Time 98 mins / Depth 9 metres / Temp 29

Brilliant first dive

This is a very shallow sandy area. So much to see.

I did get viciously attacked towards the end of the dive, by a very aggressive orange clownfish. I hadn’t even provoked it!

We saw a, very rare here, butterfly nudi, flamboyant cuttlefish, flabelinas, two tiny black frogfish, cuttlefish, two hairy shrimps.

Equipment failure #1! My band keeping my close up glasses attached to my mask broke, so that needs fixing.

Equipment failure #2! The dial on Richard’s camera housing that adjusts the shutter speed is locked. Had a quick look but couldn’t get it working, so Richard set it to 200 and left it at that. Contacting Alex Tattersall will be done at lunch.

Between dives it was coffee and biscuits. It was hot,35 degrees.

Dive #2 – lighthouse

Time 62 mins / Depth 17 metres / Temp 29

A sandy area, more barren than the previous dive although still lots to see.

Wonderpus, pretty white seahorse, flamboyant cuttlefish, two tiny cuttlefish together, four large orange stripey nudis, lots of different types of feather worms.

Equipment failure #3! Bubbles coming from his join between his contents gauge and the hose. Looks like a couple of new o-rings are required.

Back to the resort for lunch, BBQ fish steaks, olive rice and salad. Skipped pudding.

Mask fixed and contents gauge dealt with…

Dive #3 – White Bay

Time 90 mins / Depth 10 metres / Temp 29

Sandy area, festooned with cucumber worms.

We saw many cucumber worms, some of which had pairs of emperor shrimps. There were more than 10 ornate ghost pipefish in one place, mimic octopus, hairy scorpionfish and another, different type of butterfly nudi.

Straight back into the pool for relaxation and drinks.

Then to the restaurant, where we had two games of rummikub, which I won.

Dinner was vegetable pasta, followed by whole fish and tater.

We spoke with Alexia this evening. It turns out that all the other guests are leaving tomorrow. After that, it will just be us here. The weather is currently perfect, such a shame for them, just because it is coming into the wet season. All that means is that it will rain heavier here, when it rains. Oh and I suppose more chance of a typhoon, but they can come at any time.

Back in our room now, camera and photographic stuff being done before bed.

Ate too much today! Feeling quite uncomfortable now and that was with me leaving some of the food that came. Can hardly move! Must eat less tomorrow!

Trip Out – Richard

Here we are in Istanbul at midnight having just invested in some light refreshment whilst we wait for our gate to be announced for the next leg.

An uneventful flight during which I managed to sleep through most of the first film (something to do with our visit to Wetherspoons perhaps????).

Then I decided to treat myself to a quality movie staring Olivia Coleman and Sir Anthony Hopkins, well, that was all very dismal but it kept me awake!

We enjoyed extra leg room by the emergency exits though the seats were all boney as can be, not the padded loveliness I’m used to, perhaps in didn’t bring enough padding with me this time????

The airport here is massive and like most airports there is a constant stream of people moving in every direction. Not us though, we’re just sat here, watching it all go by!

After sitting at the departure gate for half an hour or so the queue magically comes into existence as it does so often in this part of the world, we sit tight but successfully merge with it when the official call comes.

It’s a bit of a scramble getting on these flights as so many people have so many bags that they want to get into the overhead storage, get in quick to avoid disappointment!

Jo and I bagged the naughty seats right at the back where there are just two and not three together however these have the added disadvantage of having the overhead lockers filled with O2 delivery systems for the plane so we have to store our stuff elsewhere. Fortunately we get sorted but afterwards about 100 other passengers all fight for the remaining zero space!

All tucked in, Captain, you may commence airborne operations!

Ten and a half hours to run on the second leg, a leisurely arrival and a short transit to The Belmont for overnight stopover before 07.30 pickup for the trip down to Batangas Ferry Terminal.

We landed at Manila, almost last off the plane, straight through passport control, baggage took an age then we pick up a mobile phone SIM before making our way the The Belmont.

After dealing with a reservation issue we get to the room, order room service and watch the last Downton movie before passing out!

After what seemed not quite long enough we are up and heading to breakfast. I took advantage of the shower facilities and realised that they had the same feature as those at the Henry hotel in Cebu, if you know, you know!

Breakfast was an almighty buffet which I struggled to avoid and now we are headed south in our transport to the ferry port at Batangas.

Once at the terminal, we are met by a helpful chap that wrangles the porters and all our gear is taken through for us and ultimately put on the ferry. We take our allocated seats and brace ourselves for departure. Fortunately the weather is fine, sunshine and a moderate breeze so sea conditions are favourable, or at least that is how they look right now.

Doors have been closed and hatches battened, hopefully departure is imminent (due 9.45, currently 9.56) let’s hope that porter was pleased with his tip and he had loaded our baggage instead of tipping it into the sea!

Right now we are somewhere just east of Verde island, still nice and flat, probably just over half way to PG. Some Vin diesel movie is playing but you can’t hear anything! Then again I don’t expect there is  any complex story line, just a lot of car chases through the jungle from what I can see.

I’d expect us to arrive at PG at around 11.30, just in time for lunch, oh good, more food ???? though I’m confident it will be something super delicious and very tasty. After that I expect we’ll be prepping cameras, sorting dive kit and bobbing in the pool, let’s see what actually happens!

… And it all happened  like clockwork!

After unpacking we took a dip in the pool and then had lunch (BBQ fish, salad and rice, all beautifully cooked and washed down with Red Horse and Coke Zero) then it’s off to prep cameras.

We have a meeting with our supplier later this afternoon, apart from that, nothing to do but generally just holiday.

.. And that’s how it went, a thoroughly relaxing rest of the day spent in and out of the pool. Our visitor arrived later in the afternoon so we spend a few hours in conversation on all things dive holiday related which was great, after that, dinner!!

Another feast consisting of pasta Bolognese followed by grilled chicken in a lemon sauce with mashed p’tata! All topped off with fresh fruit and cheesecake (i’m going to need some serious dietary therapy when in get home).

I just remembered, the day did not pass entirely without incident! When prepping my dive gear I thought I would just check my pocket where the smb lives. Upon opening the zip it was like a scene from a horror film as gazillions (and I really do mean gazillions) of very tiny insects emerged and ran everywhere! Perhaps some kind of ant? No idea, and it’s not like the thing hadn’t been used recently, I dived in it only last week. It took a thoroughly good hosing out to get rid of them all, very spooky indeed.

Jo had also discovered a small shell that had got packed in with my jacket, the shell was still occupied by a very recently deceased creature and it’s aroma was really quite something!

We had a round of Rummicub after dinner but concentration levels were waning so we retired!

The journey home

Well, unsurprisingly we still wake up early and are down to breakfast at the usual time despite their pressing need to do absolutely nothing!!

After the usual breakfast we spring our wetsuits from the changing rooms and hang them out in the hope that we are not visited by any passing monsoons (like we did get yesterday).

Our jackets are already out and have so far enjoyed a rain free overnight experience. If it does look like it’s going to rain then a hasty dash to the dive center will be required!

We return to our room carrying some of the dive kit ready for a day of further drying before packing.

Our flight is not until 23.50 so we don’t leave the resort until about 5.00pm, plenty of time for drying, swimming, packing, a light lunch and more pool time.

Next up, packing the camera gear which, given than it’s all for to be unpacked and cleaned when we get home, is not quite the complex task or was on the way out. That being said, we have the added twist of sneaking a bottle of Don Pappa Masskarra rum into the camera case, resulting in certain items being downgraded to other baggage!

Before long it’s all packed away with a few tee shirts thrown in for good measure then it’s off to the pool for a quick dip and we are now taking coffee on the balcony!

So we had our coffee on the balcony and very lovely it was too, now  time to relax in the sun…

Now then, some time at about 3.00am, the internet connection failed here. Not usually a problem as we try to escape it most of the time when we are on holiday but right now it’s definitely one of those ‘you don’t know how much you’ll miss it until it’s gone’ kind of things! Perhaps the whole world has gone quiet and we just don’t know it!!! Time will tell.

We took an early lunch of B.L.T. And Fried Lunpia and headed back to the room with our dried jackets and wet suits. We got to the room and quickly identified that I had left the boots behind. Jo swiftly suggested that she would go and get them, for which she will get a special medal!

Bags get mostly packed and we decide to head back to the pool for a final dip (the pool is right outside our room!).

We stay in and around the pool for a good hour or so, spending time soaking up the sun which was lovely.

I did just check the UK weather forecast, it seems it might not be quite so hot at  home, very sorry to hear that….

We head down to the office to settle our bill and then to an early dinner, another B.L.T and for me, spag-bol, yum.

We see our gear get loaded into a boat so it’s time to say our goodbyes and head off around the corner where the van waits to whisk us away.

Our driver (Richard) wastes no time weaving his way along the route up to Batangas which is a little busier as it’s the holiday season. From Batangas up to Manilla was a far more  brisk affair and the total journey time was about 3hrs from the beach to the airport.

Check-in was reasonably quick, all the staff are quite jolly and become even more interested in you when you greet them in Tagalilog!

Passport control and security were flowing quite smoothly and before long we find ourselves in the departure area and boarding is now  in just over an hour so we are sitting, snacking and writing this!

Boarded, flew, slept a little, watched more movies, don’t ask me what and before long (or so it seemed!) descended into Doha.

Now relaxing with coffee and biscuits, boarding in about 3 hours. The airport here is amazing, as are the prices, two coffees for under £12, bargain! We gave Gordon Ramsey’s burger and pizza outlets a suitably wide berth!

The second leg was uneventful though there was someone sitting on Jo’s seat when we boarded, soon sorted that, the interloper then sat surrounded by her three bags, apparently not capable of putting them in the overhead!!!

Anyhow, we watched some films, ate some food and drank drinks. Lovely and blue at altitude…

Baggage arrived swiftly and our driver was there to us so now we are lurching our way around the M25 in the rain, yuk!

Dive Day #15

Last diving day…

Rudely awoken today at 4.20… but I did manage to get back to sleep. Richard knows it’s best to let me sleep.

Breakfast was eggs… Again. Nice with the extras sprinkled on top.

Dive #57

Bethlehem, the other side.

19.2 metres / 65 mins / 28 degrees

Spent the dive in the rubble at about 18 metres. The beginning of the dive was a bit slow but picked up with the sightings of all sorts of nudis. Nice to have a Coleman shrimp on a fire coral at the end of the dive, unusually, only one.

We saw, various nudis of various sizes, lots of fire urchins and a Coleman shrimp.

We moved to Aguhuta for our surface interval, where we chatted with Mirko and Babett, from Germany. We have met them in the restaurant at breakfast, next to the toaster but not really spoken to them. They were very entertaining.

Dive #58

Aguhuta

23.2 metres / 80 mins / 28 degrees

I love this site. The diving here is so relaxing. The top of the reef is at 5 metres and a gentle coral slope with a sandy bottom at about 20 metres.

We saw a red hairy shrimp, three bright red slugs on Spanish dancer eggs, a large cuttlefish, shrimps, nudis, a very close, very large batfish and thousands of red toothed triggerfish.

On the way back across to Buceo, we saw the rain coming in. Buceo disappeared. Then the rain arrived. Very heavy, sharp like needles. It lasted about 15 minutes.

By the time we arrived at Buceo, it was sunshine again and clouds all gone.

Lunch was BLT and carbonara.

Back out diving at 2:30.

Dive #59

Bubbles

27.4 metres / 66 mins / 28 degrees

Richard wanted to go to the end of the wall, which we did then bimbled around where the nudis hang out.

The current picked up and it was quite fierce on the safety stop.

We saw bubbles, flabellinas, slugs

Back at Buceo for coffee and skyflakes. A quick turn around and back out.

Dive #60

Twin Rocks

22.9 metres / 71 mins / 28 degrees

Our last dive is the holiday. Just us and Nanni. A lovely dive.

We saw a huge shoal of Jacks around the Twin Rocks and crabs and shrimps on wire coral, a coffee and cream nudi laying eggs, many other slugs.

So that is it. 60 dives. Done.

It’s always sad after the last dive but we have dived a lot and are looking forward to returning in June.

We said our thanks to Nanni, our trusty guide, Ay-Yeck, our captain, and Saldy, our crew. They have all been fantastic.

We had a drink at the bar, chatted with Dave,and Mirko and Babett. Mirko sent the rain video.

For dinner we had chicken adobo, chop suey and fried rice. Delicious.

After dinner we broke down our cameras and left them to dry overnight. They will need a proper soak when we get home. A couple of weeks in deionized water should sort then out.

Struggling to stay awake whilst doing photos…