Dive day #12
Another flat day in Anilao!
I confuse everyone at breakfast by changing my egg order to omelette with cheese as the number of opportunities for trying different food is fast running out. I was not tempted by the corned beef with rice, one of the things that I tend to avoid on these trips, that and the little sausages you used to get (and probably still do) on the Egyptian live aboards.
We must have had a big changeover of guests yesterday as breakfast in uncharacteristically under attended though as we eat, the rest of the guests slowly drift in.
Being here for a little over two weeks we see a lot of guests come and go as well as big groups from Spain and the U.S. the bigger groups do tend to make themselves heard a little more than just couples or individuals. Perhaps they are simply trying to communicate with those at the other end of their table, or perhaps they are too busy talking when they should be eating!
.. And taking of changes, today for lunch I just ordered a B.L.T. (Jo had been suggesting I do this for days and I could do with a change from the pasta, lovely though it is).
Tonight I intend to push the boat out further still by ordering the salt and pepper shrimp that come with shells on, crunchy!
Dive #45
22.5 metres / 76 minutes / 27 degrees
Apolls Point
Another favourite site with so much going on and so much colour. Highlights include crabs in corals, a pair of beautiful risbeccia nudis, a swimming frog fish and more well positioned nudis. A glorious dive on this amazing site
We spend the surface interval moving back towards the resort and we moor up at Mainit Corner with four other boats though by the time we get in, they have all gone, which is nice.
Dive #46
23.5 metres / 80 minutes / 28 degrees
Lots to see again! More nudis including something very orange!
Other highlights include white shrimp on a white feather star and some flabbelinas!
Back to lunch, BLT as mentioned earlier and then, the wait for the afternoon dive at three.
Dive #47
24.1 metres / 65 minutes / 28 degrees
Elmers Point
It’s a bit of a cloudy afternoon so underwater things are a little on the dark side but fear not, we bought plenty of light with us. Mostly Nudi and Shrimp action on this dive which is ledges of coals down to a sandy slope, also full of corals. There are giant sea fans / Gorgonians though sadly, none of them were playing host to any pygmy seahorses.
Back to dry land for hot drinks before we head out for the night dive which, as it happens will be Jo’s dive No. 1900.
Dive #48
23.5 metres / 69 minutes / 28 degrees
House reef night dive.
Important to note that, after you have been here for a good while, you get to choose what dives you do and when and it is vital to know, with some confidence, that you are well equipped with the skills and knowledge to choose any dive site that suits the conditions and your desires.
So, with that in mind, when I’m asked, I redirect the question to Jo, what with it being her dive No. 1900 and all.
So instead of going with her instincts and desires, she chooses to fit with our guides recommendation, the house reef it is then!
After the dive I’m awarded a special dispensation to slap her around the head a few times if she ever gives in so easily ever again!
All that being said, it was a fine dive with nudis, skeleton shrimp and a wonderpus out to entertain us.
Entry for this dive was from the boat (which pulls out around 15m from the beach, exit is on foot though as soon as you clear the water, willing helpers remove your camera and weights and we are left to walk into the dive center for cylinder removal etc.
The staff at the centre really do look after us and are adept at providing various gear dipping solutions so we are assured that we smell of roses (as opposed to well used neoprene) on every dive!
Tonight we dine on Tuna Sisig, mango and cucumber salad and fried rice.
.. And very lovely it was too!