Richard & Jo's Blog

We had such a wonderful time, last night. I am sure Richard told you this on the previous blog but I have to say my bit.

Joanne from the resort invited us to her home for dinner. Joanne is very sweet and very shy so it was a big thing for her to invite us to her home.

She lives about 5-10 minutes from the dive centre, along the beach, through the basketball court and past many of the other staff’s houses. Joanne and her husband, David, live with her Aunt Sonja and other cousins, in a house right on the beach.

When we got there we saw how much work she had done. In fact, they all had done. Richard has put the pictures up.

It was so nice to just chat and laugh. So nice to see Joanne come out of her shell. Such a kind heart and we were very touched by her welcoming us into her home.

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Thought I would post a picture of our door. 

“Not in Frogfish room?” I hear you say. Not this time. Ghostpipefish room is also good although we have to climb another five steps, so that it a real downer!

This is our view today. Looks like a perfect day to go diving.

Oh yes, diving… Missed the fact that my first dive yesterday, Bethlehem, was dive 1600. Oh well, will celebrate 1700 whenever that arrives…

A couple of lovely dives this morning.

First dive was Koala (no idea how it got its name). Coral at the top and sand and rubble at about 20 metres. One of my favourite animals are Christmas tree worms. We saw a variety of colours but I particular liked this blue one.

Quite a noisy surface interval! Got a father and son on board for the day so we were chatting with them. Darral and Dianne were both on form. Obviously coffee, Oreos and sweeties to keep us going.

Second dive was El Pinoy, to see the pygmy seahorses. Lovely dive, lots of viz and no current at all.

Dinner was the usual for me and vegetable noodles for Richard followed by picture work and a nap. I did one, Richard did the other, I shall leave it with you to guess who did what… ??

This afternoon is hot, hot, hot!

Michelle and Timothy have been joined by another lady, Dawn, also from America, for their 3/4 week Philippines tour. Dawn has been suffering from sinus problems but has been able to dive. After the second dive today, we wasn’t feeling so well. Numbness in both forearms and her lower back. She has had some O2 and it looks like they are going to get her checked out at the chamber.

Third dive was Vivyre, a short way north of the resort, a sandy slope with a area where there is many sea pens. We saw a seahorse attached to a sea pen and lots of tiny crabs (2-3mm) in most of the sea pens. I would say if if you can’t spot your buddy find the nearest lady dressed as a whaleshark and follow her! That’s what I did.

Lovely dive.

As it was only us with Nanni this afternoon we stayed on the boat. Had coffee and Oreos! ??

We traveled to the other side of the peninsula to Saim Sim dive site, another sandy slope. Shortly after getting in we saw two mimic octopus and a wonderpus. I spotted a very tiny coconut octopus. The white shells it is using to hide were about the size of my thumb nail.

Even smaller than the octopus was the tiny tiny tiny orange Frogfish that Nanni spotted, came and got us, returned and found it again.

Amazing skill!

We got an update on Dawn. It looks like she will been going in the chamber tonight. More updates to follow.

Dinner was lumpia, sisig and vegetable noodles. Unfortunately, the sisig was to Richard’s liking which meant that I couldn’t eat it. Bother!

After dinner, more picture work and napping. Again, you can decide for yourself who did what…

Sloely but surely getting  ‘back in the saddle’ after a spell of feeling a little under par.

After a relatively light breakfast (a whole banana and slice of bread) we head out to dive Bethlehem, this is one of those coral rubble areas which hides all sorts of critters.

Immediately after submerging I check the camera. The sharper minded amongst you will not be at all surprised to learn that I executed those two tasks in the wrong order.

What no strobe power on my snoot torch? I must have put the dang battery in the wrong way around (being male I’m qualified for such bafoonery) I take my camera back to the surface and check but, no, it was in the right way around, ok, so it must be flat (I assumed). So I head off to do the dive using my conventional strobe instead. No drama, just different pictures.

We see all kinds of Nudi’s as well as the now ubiquitous (though formerly uber rare) Rhinopia so we take pictures though nothing super clever, I different lens would have helped.

Back on the boat it’s time for coffee and oreos. The mis behaving snoot torch is investigated, the source of the issue being crud on the battery compartment seal.

Romnick takes a knife to it and before long, it’s all polished up and ready for action once again.

The second site is Minilog which this time produces a plethora of the big pink nudi’s with the yellow gills (hugely photogenic) as well as a fair few other species, including one which measured 7″ long, a monster nudi!

We return to the boat and then to base where a number of guests have left so we elect to change positions in the camera room (a failing light and duff power sockets were just too much of an issue!) whilst there are plenty of unoccupied positions.

Then off to lunch where I had chosen something off the menu, yes, I had gone all off piste and chosen noodles with vegitables, it was lovely though it was pointed out that it looked (and tasted) like a ‘pot noodle’. I was happy and shall be ordering that again soon.

For a change we did not have to order our evening meal after lunh as we are dining out tonight at ‘Joannes’. Not a local bistro but actually the house of one of the members of staff here who we have come to know well.

Back on board in the PM for a swift couple of dives (we limited them to 1hr as we had a date night at 7.00pm so first we dive at Sun View where a coarse sandy seabed is loaded with coral outcrops with plenty of critter action. We then stay on board whilst the boat is moved around to Mainit School which is another critter rich site, even more rich now that the light has gone.

Fairly soon we come across a flamboyant cuttle fish which is out on the hunt, after that it’s mostly nudi after nudi, awesome!

Again we curtail activities at 60 minutes which is just as well because when we get back to shore we find that our hosts are already ready for us so it’s a quick wash and change then off we head.

Joanne leads us along the path through the densely packed accommodations, pointing out who lives where along the way. Everyone here is so very friendly.

Before long we arrive at Joannes place where we meet her aunty Sonia and husband Dave and are greeted by a packed table of freshly prepared food which included Pork Adobe, roast chicken deep fried Talapia, rice, fries, salad, Lumpia, all manner of dressings and dips (chili’s were well represented here) and a selection of fresh fruit.

Plenty to drink including water, Royale, coke and Red Horse beer, what an amazing feast.

The doughnuts were a present from us, I was under strict orders not to eat any of them!

I am on the mend. Feeling much better but my buddy is not so to well. Same people on the boat but it is Martin’s last day. Great to meet people from all over the world. Martin is an Argentinian criminal prosecutor laywer. Where else in our day to day lives would we meet an Argentinian criminal prosecutor laywer?

A trip across to the other island. We were going to do Kirby’s rock but the current was too strong so we did Alang Alang instead which is just around the corner from Kirby’s rock. Lovely clear water and lots of critters to take pictures of.

Still current at Kirby’s rock so we move to Kaban Cove. Quite wavy but much less so in the cove. Surface interval was full of coffee, Oreos and sweeties. Richard was a little quite. ??

I had a great dive! Lovely critters to take pictures of, including a psychedelic slug, see picture, only about 0.5cm in length. An awesome animal.

On the trip back Richard looked like he was about to fall asleep (I know, not unusual) but he didn’t look so good.

After lunch we went to the room for some rest and relaxation. When it came to getting ready for the afternoon dive Richard couldn’t do it. Just to tired.

So I went diving.

Just myself, Nanni and Martin on the boat for a trip just up the coast to El Pinot for the pygmy seahorses.

Lovely dive. Spent plenty of time with the seahorses although I didn’t take many photos. No point taking the picture of the eye is not in focus! Also, it’s a waste of time and stressful for the seahorses. Also saw lots of other critters including this porcelain crab in an anemone.

A returned to our room to find Richard on the balcony in long trousers and a hoodie. He didn’t look like he was about to get ready for the night dive.

For the night dive, it was Nanni, Martin and myself on the house reef. Lots of critters, nudis not seen anywhere else, Bobbitt worm, just lots of stuff.

Richard came to dinner, just as well as it had ordered him chop suey, his favourite, with Shanghai lumpia and fried rice.

Richard was asleep shortly after returning to the room and I spent an hour or so organising pictures.

Now then, the problem with writing the blog retrospectively is that all the days have a similar format and it is sometimes not so easy to remember as far back as… yesterday!

Obviously we ate meals and went diving.

The diving was fairly easy as

recall as I keep a daily log. I know we went to Gasang and Heidis point in the morning then Arthur’s Rock in the afternoon and Twin Rocks for the night dive.

Yesterday was a day of frog fish and seahorses.

Back to the bar for a light refreshment before heading in to dine. After which we retire for an early night where I literally pass out before the power goes off, Perhaps related to that electrical storm display earlier, ?

It is my day to blog again! It comes round so quick.

Woken up at six with coffee and biscuits. Eight hours sleep is not enough! It is a beautiful day!

Omelette today, to make up for all the fruit and veg that I have eaten over the last few days.

Another for dives today.

Darryl Laut

Lovely dive on a previous casino which was thought to be scuttled for insurance purposes. Lots of nudis, frogfish and many christmas tree worms.

The surface interval was spend drinking coffee, eating orios and Australian “lollies” and British “lollies”.

Elmer’s Point

Back across in the same area as the dive centre. We saw lots of the same critters

Coconut Point

No Martin on this dive as he had some ear issues. We saw Shaun the sheep slugs and Coleman shrimps on fire urchins. Then we went down to the black coral area at about 18 metres. So beautiful.

Heidi’s Point

I found a coconut octopus! Tiny! Also, a small white frogfish and crabs on sea pens.

Not feeling my best so went straight to bed after the dive. Shattered! Richard, Dianne and Darral had a special fish tea.

Not so windy today and flat seas – nice. Off to breakfast shortly.

OK that’s all done, we head out and dive at Gasang (current at Red Rock) where its mostly critters hitching rides from fire urchins, it is our first 90 minute dive of the trip.

Lots of sunshine today which is nice though we are in the tropics so the weather is changable to say the least.

We spend the surface inteval with coffee, oreos and the glitering array of sweets that D&D have bought with them.

Time to dive again so we head back do Red Rock where there is still current so we decide to return to ‘Bubbles’ which is a great dive down to 27m with lots to see and plenty of nudi action as well as bubbles rising everywhere due to the proximity of the volcanic activity below. The seabed is hot enough to cook an egg on in places!

Back on board we head back to base for lunch which Consisted of BLT for Jo and Cheeseburger for me.

The afternoon dive is at Twin Rocks – just outside of the resort and that is a most excellent bimble amongst coral outcrops with plenty of time to work on techniques and practise new ideas with ‘the snoot’ – there is always more to learn! Highlights include plenty of nudi action as well as a nice yellow painted frog fish at the start of the dive.

Back to base and time to bob in the pool before the night dive. We end up chatting to some other guests after which I realise that people have made the journey from all over the word to be here, sometimes travelling for up to 39 hours to make the trip. So far we have met people from:

Korea – though now living in Tennessee
Las Vegas
Canada
Australia
Argentina
Switzerland
Israel
Emsworth

… and they are all repeat customers – we must be doing something right!

On to the night dive – we head off to Mainit Corner – less than two minutes in the boat and enjoy a spectacular night dive around the fine tip of a headland which is festoon with life during the day and then takes on an amazing transition in colour at night time when all the bright yellow cup corals come out to play – just awesome.

We are heading back to the boat at around 80 minutes in when Jo makes friends with a squid – I decide to get on to the boat – Jo and Nani return some time later!!! The dives here are not very short.

Back on dry land for tea, preceded by drinks at the bar – for me – Red Horse (as usual) and for Jo – a new cocktail (Crazy Jo) consisting of Mango, Banana, lots of Malibu and a dash of sugar syrup.
Tea consists of Sweet and Sour Chicken, Vegetable Chop Suey, Fried Rice and Coleslaw – all super delicious. Then its back to the room for photos, blogging and snoring ZZZZzzzzzz………

The wind got up yesterday afternoon and it was still windy this morning. Down to breakfast at 6.30 where we chatted with Timothy and Michelle from Tennessee, they arrived last night and their journey had taken three days, including stopovers at New York and Korea. We had met them previously when we were last here in May earlier this year.

After breakfast it was camera time. We must be getting into the swing of it was all done in a blink of any eye.

Same divers and crew on the boat again this morning. No Wendel as his wife had a baby the first night we were here, so we have Saldy Jr as captain instead.

First dive was on Kirby’s Rock which is on the other island sheltered from the wind. Beautiful dive including a wall, coral covered slopes and large pinnacles.

On this dive we saw many nembrotha slugs, bright yellow sea cucumbers, shrimps on wire coral and two frogfish, one large black one and the other a small yellow painted frogfish which decided to swim directly towards me as I hurriedly tried to backup to get out of its way.

Stayed in the boat between dives, and talked about Darral and Dianne’s camera and lighting equipment. This is their first trip out with new Olympus TG6s, housing, a backscatter snoot for Darral and new video torches for Dianne. All going well but Dianne’s lights are not working as they would like. Out was decided that Dianne would have a go with the backscatter snoot and Darral would assist her.

Second dive of the day was Aguhuta. We went in search of nudis and the site did not disappoint. Load of them everywhere. My favourite was not the nudis but a couple of very bold featherduster and fan worms. They are just so delicate and so beautiful.

Where we dived this morning was sheltered. As we crossed the sea back to Buceo, we wind became apparent. One wave completely soaked our Captain. He literally was soaked through to his skin. The winds was onshore at the dive resort but getting off the boat was completely fine as long as there was a hand to hold to.

We had a spot of lunch, in fact, we both had BLT and shared a large bowl of coleslaw. The coleslaw here is make using extremely finely sliced cabbage, a little vinegar, sugar and caraway seeds. Delicious!

Lunch was followed by a spot of picture work and blogging.

Next dive was at three. Manit School, around the corner from Buceo, so sheltered. This is a coral slope going down to sand with lots of critters. Many different nudis of types and colours and gobies on wire coral.

The winds is picking up again. Whilst we were doing our surface interval in the pool the rain came in. The islands opposite us disappeared as did most of the sea. It absolutely hammered down!! The wind really came up. Large waves on the shore.

Some people had their night dives cancelled but Nanni was happy to go, so us and Martin were up for it.

As getting the boat to the show was a little difficult, Michelle and Timothy came on our boat, out to the dive site, Secret Bay, where is was flat calm, then they “walked the plank” to their boat.

No waves. No current. Not many divers. We saw bob tail squid, skeleton shrimps, tiny octopus and an even tinier yellow (hairy) frogfish which decided it wanted to climb on the camera and when I moved it, it decide my hand was a good bet!

A very excellent dive! By the time we good back to Buceo the waves had calmed a bit and there were not issues on the shore.

It was tea of lumpia, spicy salt and pepper squid, mango and cucumber salad with fried rice.

Then picture work and lights out by 9.50pm.

After dealing with various emails we dive down to a breakfast of omlettes and spicy pork, yum.

Shocking news, someone was sat at our table, that’s not the kind of upset I need at this time of day, that needs to be sorted out!

Off to sort cameras shortly then the diving shall commence!

.. And so it did!

Dive #1, Bethlehem, this is a flat seabed full of coral rubble where everything hides. Many different nudi’s and the elusive Rhinopia were spotted.

My first dive with the snoot today, I am determined to master snoot ology!

We spend the surface interval on the boat drinking coffee and eating oreos, yum.

Dive#2 is at Olympic Point, another coral rubble area with all sorts of Nudi’s and other life including Coleman and Donald duck shrimps.

Back to base for spicy chicken curry and BLT – the chicken was a bit super spicy then back to the room to recuperate before the afternoons diving.

At three we head across to Apols Point, a particular favourite with amazing topography, all colours of feather stars. Essentially: plenty to see though I think it was the Nudibranchs that we focused on mainly (see what I did there?).

Also seen: large anemones with porcelain crabs.

After the dive we retire to the pool for hot drinks and biscuits before the night dive. We then head out to Siam Saim for the night dive. A sandy slope down to about 20m for fun and frolics with various critters including a tiny flamboyant cuttle and a bobit worm. Bobit worms are particularly nasty killing machines, thankfully they are only small themselves though I think they could still give you a fearsome bight.

For dinner it’s Lumpia followed by sweet and sour chicken, fried rice and vegitable chop suey. This time washed down with Pina Colada and Red Horse.

During dinner, plans were hatched to give Dave Santos (the manager) a bit of a break (because he never gets a holiday) so we are going to run the resort for a few weeks whilst he and his wife visit the UK and stay at our house. Everyone thought that this was an excellent idea, except for Dave who looked quite scared.

Then its back to the room for picture action!

After such a traumatic travel day, we slept well. I slept for nine hours with just a little awake time at about 1.00am.

We awoke to cloudy skies but a very warm day.

Shortly after six we were in the camera room getting the cameras ready for the first dive. So far, everything seems to be working fine.

Breakfast was the usual offering of freshly cooked eggs of your choice, hash browns, extremely crispy bacon (wonderful), cereals and fresh fruit. Severed with fruit juices and fresh coffee that is strong enough to strip paint, however, when watered down to 1/3 coffee and 2/3 hot water it becomes delicious.

At the dive centre for 8.00 where we met our wonderful dive guide, Nanni. So pleased that he puts up with us.

The boats here are small, which is just to my liking. This morning on the boat we had Wendel in charge, a Kelvinas crew, Nannie, us and Romnick with Darral and Dianne.

First dive of the holiday is Saim Saim, which is a barren sandy slope. Fabulous! A gentle dive down to about 25 metres seeing, mimic octopus, Shaun the sheep slugs, sexy shrimps, lemon goby, various shrimps in anemones and some tiny scorpionfish.

Camera worked well. Had to make a few adjustments to the settings but generally pleased. Not so sure on any of the photos but, hey, it’s only the first dive.

At this point Richard and I realise that we dive using nitrox but on air tables. Time to change the computers! Oh! Can’t work out how to change my main computer. Suunto! If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! The Suunto gekko computers were brilliant, but the new version is so hard to operate. Luckily Nanni has the same computer as me, so now I’ve had a little training.

Back to base for our surface interval as we had someone new joining the boat, Martin from Argentina. His first day. He seems nice.

Second dive was Manit Corner (Slug City). This is one of the closest sites to the dive centre. A beautiful rocky outcrop on a peninsula, covered in life. This was a nice bimble, again to about 25 metres. Lots of slugs, feather duster worms and other lovely stuff. Played with my snoot! Got a snooted picture of a slug.

After sorting the cameras, a spot of lunch (BLT for me and spag bol for Richard) followed a little time for relaxing, blogging and picture work.

This afternoon, on the boat was us and Martin with Nanni. Third dive of the day was at Elmer’s Point where we saw the current fish! There was lots to see and take photos although sometimes it was a challenge as the critters were waving about like a farts in a thunderstorm. I saw a very brave zebra moray who was determined not to move regardless of how close I got. Richard got a lovely shot of a a goby on a wire coral.

A dip in the pool between the third dive and the night dive and a chat with Jack, an octogenarian from Emsworth! You go almost half way around the world and bump into a near neighbour! Amazing!

It was out to the dive site called Bubbles for the night dive, with Nanni and Martin. This site is so called due to bubbles rising out of the ground due to volcanic activity and if you put your hand into the sand in some places it is to hot for comfort. An excellent dive, once I sorted out my fogging mask. We saw lots of stuff. Many different nudibranchs, shrimps, cup corals and many, many different featherstars feeding and rather more unusually a feeding basketstar.

A very quick shower and an application of 80% DEET to keep the mosquitos away followed but a spot of tea. Lovely Sisig, with Mango and cumber salad and fried rice. Richard had a mango float for dessert. Must remember to take food photos next time.

A quick look at the rest of the days photos and a couple of keepers have been spotted. Hundreds deleted. As I always say “don’t show the shit ones!”

We’re on our way. Taxi bound to LHR, now then, did someone say breakfast?

Check in was quite painless and not without entertainment as the previous flight was still checking in, we were directed to a holding queue where we watched other folk try and jump into the previous queue. It all sorted itself out in the end and we got checked in super quick, security was quick, nothing out of your bags apart from laptops, well OK.

Then we have to choose from the glittering array of food choices available in the departure lounge. Sadly no ‘Spoons’ so a WH Smith meal deal it was!

Meal Deal dealt with so now it’s just the waiting game before we get summoned to the next queue.

The flight was fine, we watched many movies but don’t ask me what and before long we land in Singapore.

Now for the story of how we get from terminal 3 where we arrived to terminal 2 where our flight to Manilla departs from. We have almost 2 hours so no drama (!).

The facts behind this story are as follows: we were in T3, we had to get to T2 and our departure gate was F60.

We head off to the Sky train which moves people between terminals but upon arrival it says that the train to T2 is non operational. So we have to take the train to T1 then walk from T1 to T2. What a trek!!!

In the mean time Jo mentioned seeing a sign to F60 on the other direction. Regardless, I knew we had to get to T2 and then find the gate.

We get to T1 and walk the length of it to get to T2. Curiously spotting no signage to T2 until we get to the very end. We are in T2 and start the long walk. Way to our gate. Disappointingly, our gate was nowhere to be seen, we get to the end of the walkway, still no gate, noone to ask. Hmmm.

We about face, walk all the way back to the other end of T2 to find T1, walk the length on T1 and her the sky train back to T3.

Closer examination of the signage reveals that there is a different train to T2. In particular, the bit of T2 where our gate F60 is located.

Our walk. Through T2 is another long one, about 10 minutes. W finally find the train we want and hop on.

Before long we find ourselves in T2, but not the T2 we found first time round. Now then, where is gate F60, oh. Just another 10 minute dash.

Curiously, at the end of this debacle, we are just in time to check in, we pass through security and collapse in a sweaty heap just before boarding commences, Phew!!!!!

The second flight was all fine and we land at Manilla though one we have landed we have to stay put on the tarmac for a while whilst a thunderstorm passes through. All to do with lightning strikes apparently (I did see some lightning as we landed) but as we are being collected by the resort transport we don’t need to worry too much about things here on in, it should all just happen.

Then again, we’ve been sat here for the next part of an hour so far…

Well then, 1hr later and we are cleared to the gate. Once at the gate there is an announcement for a long list of names to contact ground staff on arrival and guess what? Yep, we’re on the list. Jo immediately suspects missing luggage. Looking on the bright side I suggest that maybe we are lucky prize winners, a free holiday perhaps?

As it turned out, I was wide of the the mark whilst Jo had hit the nail on the head, no bags for us! We set about filling in forms and describing the missing items and are told that there is no need to worry as they will be on the next flight. When’s that we ask, actually sir, its just landed!!!!

Sure enough, the missing bags are some of the first off that plane, we can all calm south to a frenzy now.

As I write, we are headed south towards Batangas with our driver Robert in an air conditioned Toyota van.

I do most seriously hope that these things come in threes and that’s our quota done for the trip, time will tell…

We even have our dinner order placed and some Red Horse waiting in the super chiller!