Excerpts from my personal trip log.
“We had a very good trip through the South Part of Tubbataha. Unfortunately we didn’t get far north because of wind. A good reason to return. The reef was very healthy. One of the other Dive groups did see mantas but ours did not. However, we were not disappointed. We parted ways this morning—some heading home, others continuing their vacations. I know I have made lifelong friends on this trip so I am looking forward to the next time we meet.
At the moment I am en route to Cebu, then on to Malapascua. That includes a boat, a plane, a car, and a boat ride. Once I land in Cebu I am about three hours away from the final hour boat ride.
The draws to Malapascua are Thresher sharks and macro marine life. The path around the island parameter is sand and the internal roads are packed sand and some paved streets and paths. Guests get up at 4 am to catch a dive boat to try to see the threshers so it is definitely not a party island. It is relaxing though and if you have to do land based diving it isn’t bad.
Later in the day, surprise!
After a chance at the airport to read and answer a message from Rose, that she and Adam were Diving the Maldives in May, and would I like to go ? Who do I run into in the restaurant at my resort but Adam! Ok, what are the odds? On a Liveaboard it isn’t that unusual. Liveaboard Diving is a much smaller community in the dive world than land based Diving. Malapascua has loads of dive resorts. Still, there we were at the same resort.
After a really irreverent greeting on my part, and a big hug, it was a real pleasure to see Adam and meet his companions, Charles, Carl, and Ian. Adam, Ian and I got to do a little Diving together the next few days. Adam introduced me to a really nice Marine Biologist, Ellie. And over the course of the week it was a pleasure to also meet and Dive with Aafka, Chris, and Friedrick.
I had been to Malapascua before and requested the same dive guide I had last time, Pusoy. Pusoy is such a pleasure to dive with. He is never in a hurry. He can find anything. He still gets excited about finding interesting critters and he gets excited for you when you find things of interest.
So, over the course of a week and 18 dives I managed to get a look at a few thresher sharks, crabs of all sizes, including a crab releasing its babies, snake eels, shrimp, octopuses, frogfish, about 20 seahorses, probably hundreds of nudibranches, and the list goes on and on.
On the way back home I was fortunate enough to stop in to Manila and have dinner with friends, Hank and Beng. It was a very successful trip I look forward to my next Philippines experience.”
Now for a few pictures. If you would like to see more then you can check out my Facebook post. You can also find my work at SACs Gallery. Their website is SACs Gallery
Ladonna Idell 
Philippines, 20-27 – my favorite! I know it chapter and verse!
“O God, ease our suffering in this, our moment of great despair. Yea, admit this good and decent woman into thine arms in the flock in thine heavenly area up there. And Moab, he laidest down in the land of the Canaanites. And yea, though the Hindus speak of Karma, I implore you…”
I’ll get back with with a better comment after I have a chance to read your post. 🙂
But I love that pose over the pool table!
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As you should. It is the best bridge ever!
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