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The journey home

We have had a very wonderful, very long, holiday. We have done so much diving. We are now ready to come home.

As it was raining last night, we brought our jackets up to the room to dry under the fan (everything else will dry quickly) together with our rash vests and leggings. All dry this morning. It doesn’t matter too much as we have 40kgs each weight allowance.

Brendan and Vicky are diving this morning, they are leaving tomorrow morning to go to Manila for a few days exploring before flying home to Melbourne.

Darryl and Dianne leave tomorrow afternoon and flying home. Dianne did 12 dives and Darryl did 10 dives, less than half they were going for. Dianne is much better now although yesterday the rash came back and she was on oxygen again. She is cleared to fly.

It will be with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to our antipodean friends.

After breakfast with Brendan and Vicky (no sign of Darryl and Dianne yet) we pack the camera stuff, say our goodbyes to Wendell, Jake and Nanny.

Then we see Brendan and Vicky off for their last two dives of the holiday.

We headed up to the room to pack but got distracted by the pool. Whilst bobbing, Darryl and Dianne come and chat with us. The story of how Darryl shot himself in the leg was one of the tales told. Always entertaining. How Darryl managed to make it into adulthood is one of life’s great mysteries!

Mostly packed now. Stopped for a quick wheat crunchy break.

Finished packing with an hour to spare before lunch.

Now enjoying sitting on the balcony in the rain.

Early lunch. Daryl and Dianne join us and shortly after that Brendan and Vicky come back from their last dives of the holiday. I had a BLT with fried and Richard had chop suey with chicken.

A final picture with the six of us.

We leave the resort at noon.

The weather is not so nice now. There is talk of a typhoon that could be here by the weekend.

Ernie is waiting for us, in the minivan.

It does make me smile, the sights that we see here that have become the norm to us. Whole families on one moped. Three adults on a moped and a goat in the side car. A woman on a moped, in the rain, using an umbrella.

Just before we get to the outskirts of Manila, we stop for a comfort break and buy some Pinipig-Ampaw to nibble on.

At the airport! Wow! The normal hours of extricating queuing did not happen. Out of the van, said goodbye to Ernie, checked in at one of the empty Etihad desks, cleared immigration, cleared security, all within half an hour!

After a quick search for a shot glass for Richard and Jack, we are now relaxing with a drink. Iced citrus ginger tea for me and a caramel latte for Richard.

Flight from Manila to Abu Dhabi was uneventful. I even got a bit of sleep. We arrived a little early so it is two and a half hours until our next flight takes off.

The transfer to the next flight was uneventful. As was the second flight from Abu Dhabi to. Heathrow.

We were collected from the airport by Ibo, who got us home in good time.

In the door by 9.20am. that made the trip, door to door, just over 28 hours.

Now for the jet lag…

Dive Day #18

Well, it was inevitable, the last diving day has finally arrived 🙁

Sunshine outside with a slight breeze though yesterday there was talk of high winds that would impose certain restrictions on where we could dive. Here the coastguard plays an active part in all boating activities. Each morning they collect completed paperwork for each boat, check the list of divers and crew and film each boat departing!

Off to breakfast shortly before we commence the last dives of the trip.

At breakfast it’s Bacon Day!!!

Dive #63 Elmers Point

After a brief trip around to secret bay to see the coastguard we search for a site with no current and end up at Elmers Point, milky at the surface due to earlier surge, the descent to 18m seemed to go on forever though it cleared by the time we got to the seabed.

Various critters found as we moved between the coral outcrops. By the end of the subs the vis had sorted itself out at the surface. Phew!

Dive #64 Twin Rocks

After the surface interval (fuelled by  coffee, Oreos and sweets) we jump on at Twin Rocks where a Turtle is munching it’s way through the soft corals.

Lots more to see on this dive as we bimble around spotting nudi after nudi as well as other critters.

At the end of the dive we make the the short trip back to base for lunch, I had salt and peppee squid,  very lovely.

Dive #65 Olympic

On the way across to this site we loaded through a shower of rain which has ceased by the time we arrived.

Our penultimate dive of the trip, this is a flat bottomed rubble area dive, the rubble is in fact just small coral and rocks.

Various nudi’s and shrimp present themselves asking the way including a mahoosive monster nudi trying so hard to look like a piece of coral.

After the dive we make our way a short distance to the south for our next dive, before which we dine one final time on Oreos and coffee.

Dive #66 Minilog

We start this dive at the opposite end to that which we usually do, it’s getting towards the end of the day and it’s quite dark but still plenty to see including a collection of cinderella nudi’s, always good for a picture, large pink bodies and bright yellow gills.

As we get towards the surface we can see that it’s raining quite heavily. When we do break the surface it’s a lot warmer in the water than out though we cant stay in, diving is done, it’s all over, time to get back to base.

On the way back, multiple towels keep us cosy and before too long we disemvark for the last time.

At the bar we commiserate with our friends who are leaving a day or so after us and then head off to dinner such was a lovely combination of Tuna Sisig, vegitables in coconut milk and rice, all very nice.

It’s still raining so we take our wages dive gear back to the room where magically, overnight, the air con (which we barely have on) managed to remove all the water from it. Handy!

Dive Day #17

It’s raining. Has been windy overnight but that has decreased somewhat.

Also, I have a bit of a runny nose and a tickly throat…

After breakfast we set out to the other island to shelter from the wind.

Dive #59

Daryl Laut

Casino wreck

A very gentle descent. Ears clear but a bit of pain in my right cheek. I was very careful about not going up and down too much. At about 22m when I turned to look at Richard my head spun. Best not look at Richard!!

A gentle assent back to the boat.

We saw lots of nudis, including a psychedelic and the wreck obviously.

We went to Aguhuta for our safety stop. Coffee, Oreos and lollies.

Watching divers from another boat who appeared to be doing their PADI open water. Most interesting. Looked like six or seven students to one instructor.

Dive #60

Aguhuta

The first thing we saw was the divers from the other boat, one of which was standing on the reef and the instructor adjusting his BCD. Wow!

Again, a very gentle descent on coral outcrops on a slope.

We saw all sorts of critters including porcelain crabs in anemones, more psychedelic slugs.

At the end of the dive my mask started to fill up. So I cleared it and something stung my eyeball. Cleared again, stung again. The pain was awful. I told Nanny that I was going straight up (stop already done). At the surface I took my mask straight off. Rubbed my eye and the eyelid had been stung. It was red and puffy for a little bit but did calm down quite quickly.

Back to the resort for lunch BLT and fries for me and chicken with noodles for Richard.

Just us on the boat this afternoon. We head out about 1.30pm

Dive #61

Bubbles

A bit of current, not my best dive, not feeling too great.

I spotted a green painted frogfish. We also saw many nudis and shrimps.

The surface interval was spent at Mainit Corner. We tied on the back of another Buceo boat. Jerich from the other boat came over for sweeties.

Dive #62

Mainit Corner

Fabulous dive. Just us and Nanny on the dive site. Divers in the other two boats had got out by the time we got in.

Such an amazing dive site. The topography, the colours, the critters. Amazing!

We saw a dragon shrimp, a huge swimming scorpion fish, many nudis, some large some small.

Once we got back to the resort, I spent an hour relaxing in the room whilst Richard was entertained by Darryl and Dianne at the bar.

When I came down we had dinner. Two lumpia, sweet and sour chicken with fried rice.

After dinner, photos. We got some nice shots today.

Light off before 9pm.

Dive Day #16

It’s another flat day here in Anilao. We arrive early for breakfast (!!!) and already, our gear is on our boat and our captain has arrived.

No sign of, or news from our buddies Darrell and Dianne. We last heard that they were being held hostage at the chamber until DAN paid them $14,000 AUS.

It just goes to show that you never know how good your insurance is until you really need it!

Just three diving days left, with 12 dives. Having now visited coconut point we really dont mind where we go (though I do fancy a return to Red Rock if it is an option).

Dive #55 Layag Layag

Another bimble at the back of Kirbys rock, lots to see, for us, mostly nudi’s, all very good.

Back on board we make our way over to Bethlehem for the second dive, the usual coffee, biscuits and banana are consumed!

Dive #56 Bethlehem (from the other side)

A little current at the start though this all but vanishes as the dive goes on. Nudi after nudi on this otherwise flat, rubble filled area between two islands.

Jo managed to spend 30 minutes in the same spot  as critter after critter were bought to her for their portrait shots!

Back on board we head back across from the island to enjoy a light lunch of B.L.T. And Pancit Canton with chicken.

Darrell and Dianne meet us for lunch where they spill the beans on the chamber adventure as well as how ineffective D. A. N. were.

This is in stark contrast to the support provided by our resort with transportation and staff that went to the chamber and acted as the go between between Dianne, the hospital, doctors and the insurance companies. Dave Santos and his team delivering exceptional customer service as always.

After lunch, a short rest before we head out again.

Dive #57 RedRock

One of my favourites, lots of nudi action including some nudi-canoodling!

Another lovely dive on this pinnacle and surrounding area.

Back on the surface for light refreshments before we descend for the last dive of the day.

Dive #58 Mainit School.

This is a lovely bimble through coral outcrops down to a sandy sea bed at about 21m, again, much nudi action. In  case this is not obvious, this pleases us photographer types and allows us to return with an array of colourful images. This time round, the guides seem to have taken on a challenge to find the smallest stuff out there. It will not be obvious from the photos but some of these things will be 1 to 3 mm long. Thank goodness for macro lenses!

Back to base where we spend a little bar time before tonight’s dinner of deep fried Lumpia, beef curry and rice, yum!

Dive Day #15

Looks like it rained last night. Very high humidity, clocking in at 86%.

Very calm here today, unlike myself, who is feeling a little grumpy that my omelette was under cooked. Richard decided that it couldn’t be left, so he ate it after he had eaten his breakfast. Turns out that his uncomfortable tummy is my fault! Hmmm…

Here are a few pictures of our trip out to Caban Cove…

Dive #51

Kavan Cove

A very relaxed dive. On a coral slope.

Some nicely positioned Cinderella nudis, swarms of red tooth trigger fish, lots of small stuff to take pictures of.

Lots of fire urchins in one place. Probably fifty urchins huddled together between the coral.

The surface interval was spent in the next cove along from Caban Cove.

Dive #52

Tres Cuevas

We dived this many years ago, not for ages.

Another coral slope.

I spent quite a while with a peacock mantis shrimp, a coral infested with Christmas tree worms and lots of interesting small stuff.

Back at the resort, I went to the office to find out about Dianne, it looks like she is going back in the chamber for another two and a half hours because she is not quite right yet.

Lunch was a BLT and fries for me and spaghetti carbonara for Richard.

Across to the island for the afternoon.

Dive #53

Coconut Point

The last one on Richard’s “I want to dive list”.

A sandy slope with an oasis of black coral, which is actually white, small outcrops and lots of barrel sponge.

Very relaxed dive, no waves or current.

During our surface interval, we relocated to east on Apol’s Point. This is the furthest east we have dived on this island.

Dive #54

Apol’s Point East

Coral outcrops in sand on a gentle slope.

Again there were so many red toothed trigger fish. It was like a wall of fish. Unbelievable!

If I had my head in an outcrop taking a picture, I would look up and be surrounded by fish. So cool!

We saw all sorts of things. A group of four cream nudis together, shrimps, lots of other stuff.

Back at the resort, we see a message from Darryl who has been at the hospital all day, saying that Dianne is fixed and should be discharged today, but it could be late. Good news!

Spent some time chatting to other guests and bar then we had dinner with Brendan and Vicky. We had BBQ pork on skewers, fried rice and lumpia.

Photo stuff after dinner, then sleep.

Dive Day #14

Another flat and sunny day (so far at least).

Today’s breakfast is based around hot ham slices and hash browns so I settle for a couple of fried eggs, hot ham and a cream cheese sandwich, another classic combo!

D&D are sitting today out as Dianne got herself a skin bend yesterday (for no apparent reason) and has been on O2 therapy every since.

So today’s boat will consist of Jo, Myself, Brendan and Vicki.

The only dive that I’m hoping to do now is Coconut Point, hopefully we can get there in the next 5 days.

Dive #47 Kirbys Rock

Very few of us on this dive, Eric pointed out some very nice small stuff.

Though I did not see it myself Jo had an incident on the wall where she was first passed by a camera executing an unplanned solo decent which was hotly persued by a diver (presumably the owner of the camera) at very close quarters.

Once recovered, the diver (now with camera in hand) was making what seemed an equally uncontrolled ascent directly through Jo’s fins.

Back on the surface it’s coffee and Oreos as we make our way to the next site.

Dive #48 Olympic

A lovely relaxing bimble over this site, again Eric found some micro nudy action and a fertive duck  shrimp at the end.

Back to base for BLT and Chicken Curry where we are informed that Dianne is now spending quality time in the local chamber to deal with her skin bend.

Out again for the afternoon dives.

Dive #49 Koala

Dived this from a different perspective so it’s like an all new dive site.

Eric is straight in with the  harlequin shrimp and then the yellow painted frog fish and topping it all of with the smallest of all possible nudi’s though Jo managed a most excellent shot.

Our surface interval is spent making our way back to secret bay though our captain had forgotten the hot water for coffees etc so we dropped in at the dive centre on our way past for supplies.

Dive #50 Secret Bay

A nice relaxing muck dive revealing several micro critters!

Back on land we hear that Dianne is out of the chamber and will spend the night at the hospital pending a review in the morning. Ernie (the driver) will take Darrell to see her this morning and hopefully break her out!

Dive Day #13

Looks like another lovely day.

Every morning here, I have had an omelette, today I thought I would change it up a bit, what with it being bacon day.

Here you get two types of fried eggs, snotty whites, that Richard likes, or rubber eggs, that I would take every time over snotty whites. Just the thought…. Yuk!

Dive #43

Aguhuta

Love this dive. Corals on a slope.

No current.

The water was filled with red toothed triggerfish. Amazing.

All of my pictures on this dive were taken using super macro. That is a first.

We saw thousands and thousands of trigger fish, many teeny tiny nudis, and big pink and yellow nudis.

The surface interval was taken at Bethlehem.

Dive #44

Bethlehem

No current.

Slope with coral then sand and a rubble plateau at 20 meters.

We saw various nudis including the teeny tiny psychedelic slug.

Back at the resort, it was dinner time. BLT and fries for me and raw fish with ginger and chilli for Richard.

Dive #45

Apol’s Point

Enjoy this dive. A bit of current but we kept out of it.

We saw pink pygmy seahorse and a very special nudis which we need to look up to find a name.

A lot of current at the surface at the end of the dive.

We crossed to Mainit Corner for our surface interval.

Dive #46

Mainit Corner

Brrrr… Most of the dive was at 27 degrees, only reaching 29 degrees under the boat at the end.

It was a beautiful dive. We got around the corner for the first time this holiday. Such an amazing site.

We saw lots of critters, large and small. Some very bright scorpion fish. Some tiny juvenile nudis.

Back to the resort for a wash and brush up followed by drinks at the bar. It is Tiara’s birthday so snacks were provided. Chicken wings and meat on skewers with a very delicious, spicy sauce.

Darryl came to the bar on his own. Dianne looks to have a skin bend and was in the office getting checked over.

Following the administration of 100% oxygen, the bend is responding well. So good news!!

She will continue to be monitored and definitely won’t be diving tomorrow, after that, we wait to see…

To say we are surprised by this, is an understatement. Darryl and Dianne dive twice a day and are always well within limits and dive in a very relaxed way with gentle desents and assents.

It shows that you just can’t be sure and any changes to your body that are worrying you should be checked out.

Between the sessions of oxygen, we all had dinner together,

Richard and I had (his choice), Shanghai rolls, noodles with chicken and vegetables and chop suey. Good choice!

Camera stuff, followed by photo stuff before bed.

Dive Day #12

After the stiff breeze Yesterday, this morning is a lot calmer so, who knows where we shall go!

Favourite sites yet to be dived include RedRock, Bethlehem, Coconut Point, Agahuta and Mainit School. Perhaps we’ll pay them a visit shortly.

Today’s breakfast; pancakes, mango juice and a couple of fried eggs, the classic combo.

An amazing couple of dives this morning, we managed to get away nice and early (07.35) and headed out in glorious sunshine to the first site.

Dive #39 Red Rock

Great to dive this one again, lots of nudi action and some shrimps on an amazing pinnacle in the middle of the sea.

After this it’s back on board for the surface interval whilst we slowly make our way to the next site.

Dive #40 Mainit Corner

A lovely dive with nudi’s, shrimp, frog fish and other delights.

We’ve got to that point in the holiday now where we are on the surface one moment and under it the next so regularly that (apart from the obvious differences) both environments are equally familiar!

This dive is not far from the resort so we find ourselves back at base at just after 11.00 so we head off to the pool to meet Bob.

For lunch I finally caved and went for a B.L.T with fries which was topped off with the banana I pinched at breakfast.

Before long (perhaps not quite long enough) we head out on the afternoon dives.

Dive #41 Mainit School wall.

Wow, what a dive, we start Mainit School as usual and then on to a wall that goes on and on though we then rise above our and make our way back to the boat via lovely coral outcrops.

Back on board for coffee and Oreos before….

Dive #42 Bubbles

Another lovely dive, slightly different route this time on this visually stunning dive.

Back at base it’s bar time.

Then finally. Dinner of chicken adobe, rice and deep fried Lumpia. Lovely

Dive Day #11

Another lovely morning here.  Didn’t sleep too well because Richard was tossing and turning. His excuse was that I was asleep, flat in my back, snoring in the middle of the 4’6″ bed, and he was having to teeter on the edge. Hmmm… I think he must have me confused with someone else…

Before breakfast, it was time for camera stuff.

After breakfast it was time to dive.

Dive #35

Layag Layag (sail is in a sailing boat)

Coral slope

We saw a huge turtle, slug hatching from an egg, nicely positioned nudis.

Across to Minilog where we had our surface interval. Coffee, Oreos and Darryl and Diane brought 7kg of lollies  (sweeties) with them.

Dive #36

Minilog

A coral slope.

Did my check before rolling back. Only 50bar! My tank had been changed! Anyway they found a full tank for me.

Rolled back, descended, no buddy, no dive guide. Hmmm……

I followed Brendan and Vicky for a short while and eventually Eric, our guide, found me. Not too impressive that either my buddy or my guide hadn’t noticed that I wasn’t in the water. I felt a little pissed (understatement).

I finished the dive with 60 bar more than Richard. I have 60 bar… Perhaps he used lots of air looking for me? I doubt it!

We saw lots on the dive, nudis mainly.

Straight to lunch. I had a very tasty BLT and fries. Richard had a not so tasty spag bol.

Diving again at 2pm. The wind has got up.

Dine #37

Arthur’s Point

Choppy on top, a bit more than I like.

Dive was fine, spent most time on rubble at about 20 meters. Surge at that depth too.

As we came up, more surge. Safety stop under the boat in the blue and then coming to the surface one at a time to avoid anyone waiting on the surface. Very rough! Our guide made sure he was ok, he got out first. Jomar, Brendan and Vicky’s guide, looked after us underwater and got us all out safely. Also a big thank you to Wendell, our captain, and Gewell, our crew, for their help.

It was a slow trip around to the next dive site due to the sea state. The surface interval was spent at Secret Bay, coffee, Oreos and bananas.

Dive #38

Secret Bay

A sandy slope – muck dive

The bubbles, coming from the same, were amazing. It was like diving in lemonade. The most bubbles we have ever seen. Just amazing. Had to swim into it and just be there are a while.

Lots of nudis and shrimps to see

Completely calm on top! Lovely!

Back to the resort and a quick shower before heading to the beach bar.

Dinner was too big! Two lumpia, ground pork and potato, chop suey and rice. Nice though.

Photo import before bed. The computer was not too happy, so once it settled itself down we took a back up of the pictures and Lightroom catalog

Lights off before 9.30 – late night!

Dive Day #10

Well, this is the first day of the second half of our adventure. For the next few days we have a different guide (Eric) as Nanie is away for the week. We await with much interest to see how he copws with us!

I’m sure that with sufficient induction and training, he’ll be able to cope with our desires.

Breakfast was the usual combination of eggs and other stuff and I sneaked away a couple of bananas for us to forget to eat for morning snacks.

… And yet again, we forget to eat them!

Dive #31 Kirbys Rock

We arrive just after the first boat and end up hanging on the back of it. This means that after entry we have to swim towards the wall before making our descent.

Eric keeps us busy with lots of small things to see and then Jo finds the larger orange nudi which was just awesome.

There were several boats on the site at the same time which meant that parts of the dive were diver soup. Fortunately not the boys that we were on!

Back on board it’s coffee and orios time as we spend our surface interval over the second site.

Dive #32 Cavan Cove.

Eric is finding lots of small stuff including a purple winged unicorn nudi, another lovely dive.

Back to base for a brief inter lude and lunch stop as we have one again bought the afternoon dive forward to 2.00pm.

Fillet of fish in a white wine source for me whilst Jo sticks with her regular (BLT and fries)

Dive #33 Elmers Point.

Another excellent dive work plenty to see, many coral outcrops on an otherwise sandy slope.

Dive #34 Twin Rocks

Off to a good start with a harlequin shrimp with eggs.

Not the most willing subject but I snapped away regarless. This was followed by a collection of micro nudi’s and shrimp and ended with the bog pink one with yellow gills etc alongside a baby one. At least the baby faced my way!

Back at base after a brief interlude at the bar we head over to dinner which tonight consisted of tuna sisig, pancit vegitables and shanghai Rolls, super yum.