Sunday, March 2, 2008
Friday, February 29, 2008
Time to Say Goodbye
Well folks its Saturday afternoon her on the Isle of Mindoro in the Philippines and the diving is completed. For those that have never dove or intend to dive I can n ot say enough about the hotel and dive staff at the Atlantis resort. A thanks to David or chef and the kitchen staff for well prepared meals that provide a mix of local and European flavors. The hotel staff was courteous and accommodating to making our stay here relaxing.
The diving….. A team led by a number of Dive Masters and Instructors. Tim our local Russian Instructor and guide furthered East – West relations with expert knowledge of the local waters and the diversity of plant and marine life we saw. He also introduced us to the correct way down shots of vodka and the required quantities needed to be consumed to really appreciate it. Bala, Vic, Richard and Robert all local inhabitants of Puerto Galera and Dive Masters at the Atlantis resort, we appreciate the knowledge and the help in taking on each and every dive while we were here. There ar e a number of boat crew who should not be forgotten. These individuals took care of air tanks getting regulators and BC’s onto the boats and then were helpful in getting equipment on for the dive and taking it back into the boats at the end of each dive. A very professional staff and caring as well. Tim stated the other night “comes as guests…leave as friends”.
I would like to extend as well a personal thanks to those that made this trip possible. Steven my brother for whom this trip would not have been possible. Steve booked this trip for himself, but was unable to go and offered to work it out with me so that I could take it. Thanks Stephen…you can say you had a great time…you really did.
My principal at Christ the King Cathedral, Christine Wanjura for allowing me to take this trip and Mr. Gossman for keeping an eye on my classes so I could vacation in the tropics. And even my class for being on their best behavior while I was gone (or better have been if they now what’s good for them).
And last but not least my wife Sheila for letting me go on this trip. It is through her caring and understanding that I have been able to really enjoy the diving and life on this island.
This afternoon is a slow one relaxing and gearing up for tonight’s going away party. After packing and getting ready to depart we will gather myself and the other 17 members of thee Pinnacles dive group to end this time of diving together raising our glasses to the patron saint of diving San Miguel. (Brewed and Bottled in Manila).
Our last day will be spent exploring the island on motor bikes from 8am -12. We depart on our boat off the island at 2pm to catch our van in Batangas back to Manila. Our flight departs at 10 PM from Manila and we should be back in the states by 5pm in San Francisco. Looking forward to seeing my family and friends when I return back home to Lubbock on Monday.
Until then Salamek
Mr. “D”
The diving….. A team led by a number of Dive Masters and Instructors. Tim our local Russian Instructor and guide furthered East – West relations with expert knowledge of the local waters and the diversity of plant and marine life we saw. He also introduced us to the correct way down shots of vodka and the required quantities needed to be consumed to really appreciate it. Bala, Vic, Richard and Robert all local inhabitants of Puerto Galera and Dive Masters at the Atlantis resort, we appreciate the knowledge and the help in taking on each and every dive while we were here. There ar e a number of boat crew who should not be forgotten. These individuals took care of air tanks getting regulators and BC’s onto the boats and then were helpful in getting equipment on for the dive and taking it back into the boats at the end of each dive. A very professional staff and caring as well. Tim stated the other night “comes as guests…leave as friends”.
I would like to extend as well a personal thanks to those that made this trip possible. Steven my brother for whom this trip would not have been possible. Steve booked this trip for himself, but was unable to go and offered to work it out with me so that I could take it. Thanks Stephen…you can say you had a great time…you really did.
My principal at Christ the King Cathedral, Christine Wanjura for allowing me to take this trip and Mr. Gossman for keeping an eye on my classes so I could vacation in the tropics. And even my class for being on their best behavior while I was gone (or better have been if they now what’s good for them).
And last but not least my wife Sheila for letting me go on this trip. It is through her caring and understanding that I have been able to really enjoy the diving and life on this island.
This afternoon is a slow one relaxing and gearing up for tonight’s going away party. After packing and getting ready to depart we will gather myself and the other 17 members of thee Pinnacles dive group to end this time of diving together raising our glasses to the patron saint of diving San Miguel. (Brewed and Bottled in Manila).
Our last day will be spent exploring the island on motor bikes from 8am -12. We depart on our boat off the island at 2pm to catch our van in Batangas back to Manila. Our flight departs at 10 PM from Manila and we should be back in the states by 5pm in San Francisco. Looking forward to seeing my family and friends when I return back home to Lubbock on Monday.
Until then Salamek
Mr. “D”
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Just pics
Hello from around 60 ft, the following images were taken by Juri, diving in my group. Most of our dives have included Juri and his father, the dives have been lead by our divemaster Bala.
This is an example of a nudibrach, these are flat worms, sea worms and slugs that are found amongs the coral. Their size ranges from a few centemeters to a couple of inches. Color varies from this bbright yellow with black to brilliant and deep purples and blues.
Found "NEMO" Lots of clown fish amongst the anemonie.
The coral both hard and soft as well as the sea grass and ferns provide a myrad of colors. Pastels of pink, lavender, purple, blues as well as reds, yellows. Some of these colors are bright and florecent as well as suttle and delicate.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
two Days of Diving
First a speacial shout out to "Sunshine" Tell the class to stay in line...I may be in a good mood when I get back, but they better not be pushing it while I'm gone.....
Well 2 days of diving lets review the activity:
Day 1
Dive 2: Kilama Steps
The steps is a series of reefs starting at about 15 ft and descending to 60 ft. Lots of coral as well as marine life. We observed Shrimp, clown fish, stone fish and the Dory fish as well as stag, brain and fan coral. Lots of color, reds browns, light blues. Dive time 00:43. Total dive time: 01:10
Dive 3: Sabang Wreck
We started the dive with the intention of diving 2 wrecks but diversity of fish at first wreck was so nice we stayed. Highlight of dive was frog fish on port rail of the wreck. When our divemaster first pointed it out I thought it was dead. Absolutely motionless with black and white coloring to blend in. Dive time: 00:49. Total dive time: 01:59
Dive 4: Small La Laguna
Small La laguna Beach is about 5 minutes from the resort just around the corner. It was our 4 pm dive of the day and the tide was going out. The dive was a short one in that the current was so strong we drifted about 250 yards down the coast past the next beach and inlet. We called the dive due to the fact the current was starting to separate us. Dive time: 00:29. Total dive time: 01:39
Day 2
Dive 1: Manila Channel
The weather is cloudy today as we headed out to Manila Channel. Our goal was to drift dive through the coral gardens at one end of the channel off Helio Is. Drift dive was great although the current prevented us from reaching the coral gardens. We did however see a number of shrimp, moray eels, clown fish, stone fish and angel fish of various size and color. Dive time: 00:30. Total dive time: 02:09
Dive 2: Sanandigan Wall
The wall was a great dive first 15 feet was limited visibility and then it opend up to 30-40 feet visibility. We dove an average of 45 ft with a max of 60 feet exploring the sea life and coral against the wall must have been a million small yellow cucumber attached all along our drift. Lots if fish saw a number of lion fish in crevices’ as we dove and drifted. Water temp varied from 77 degrees at 40 ft and dropped as we cut through a thermal cline to 65 degrees below 40 ft. Dive time: 00:47. Total dive time: 02:56
Dive 3: Coral Garden
Finally got to the coral gardens site with a drop above the site and drift down. Although water temp was 76 degrees but I think exhaustion was taking its toll and I actually had a few chills even with the 6mm Shorty dive suit I was wearing. We did a slow drift through the coral between vase coral that extended to almost 10 feet in some areas.
My goal was to skip the 4 o’clock dive and go on the night dive that evening at 6. Ended up being way too tired and missed dinner and was asleep by 6:30. Up early today and after having breakfast and updating this blog, it is time to prepare for the first dive of the day. Schedule has me with a group of three and the divemaster, need to check were we will dive first
Until later …P.S I hope to get the pics posted today of some of the dives.
Well 2 days of diving lets review the activity:
Day 1
Dive 2: Kilama Steps
The steps is a series of reefs starting at about 15 ft and descending to 60 ft. Lots of coral as well as marine life. We observed Shrimp, clown fish, stone fish and the Dory fish as well as stag, brain and fan coral. Lots of color, reds browns, light blues. Dive time 00:43. Total dive time: 01:10
Dive 3: Sabang Wreck
We started the dive with the intention of diving 2 wrecks but diversity of fish at first wreck was so nice we stayed. Highlight of dive was frog fish on port rail of the wreck. When our divemaster first pointed it out I thought it was dead. Absolutely motionless with black and white coloring to blend in. Dive time: 00:49. Total dive time: 01:59
Dive 4: Small La Laguna
Small La laguna Beach is about 5 minutes from the resort just around the corner. It was our 4 pm dive of the day and the tide was going out. The dive was a short one in that the current was so strong we drifted about 250 yards down the coast past the next beach and inlet. We called the dive due to the fact the current was starting to separate us. Dive time: 00:29. Total dive time: 01:39
Day 2
Dive 1: Manila Channel
The weather is cloudy today as we headed out to Manila Channel. Our goal was to drift dive through the coral gardens at one end of the channel off Helio Is. Drift dive was great although the current prevented us from reaching the coral gardens. We did however see a number of shrimp, moray eels, clown fish, stone fish and angel fish of various size and color. Dive time: 00:30. Total dive time: 02:09
Dive 2: Sanandigan Wall
The wall was a great dive first 15 feet was limited visibility and then it opend up to 30-40 feet visibility. We dove an average of 45 ft with a max of 60 feet exploring the sea life and coral against the wall must have been a million small yellow cucumber attached all along our drift. Lots if fish saw a number of lion fish in crevices’ as we dove and drifted. Water temp varied from 77 degrees at 40 ft and dropped as we cut through a thermal cline to 65 degrees below 40 ft. Dive time: 00:47. Total dive time: 02:56
Dive 3: Coral Garden
Finally got to the coral gardens site with a drop above the site and drift down. Although water temp was 76 degrees but I think exhaustion was taking its toll and I actually had a few chills even with the 6mm Shorty dive suit I was wearing. We did a slow drift through the coral between vase coral that extended to almost 10 feet in some areas.
My goal was to skip the 4 o’clock dive and go on the night dive that evening at 6. Ended up being way too tired and missed dinner and was asleep by 6:30. Up early today and after having breakfast and updating this blog, it is time to prepare for the first dive of the day. Schedule has me with a group of three and the divemaster, need to check were we will dive first
Until later …P.S I hope to get the pics posted today of some of the dives.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Getting to Sabang
Arrived in Manila 5:30 am on Sunday. We pretty much blew thru Saturday. At 4am we crossed the International Date Line and it was Sunday. When we got to Manila we were processed through customs and started a 2 hour bus/van ride to Batangas south of Manila. From here we boarded boats contracted to the resort for 1 hour ride to the island of Mindoro and our destination port of Sabang beach and the Atlantis resort.
We arrived at the resort at 11am Sunday. We were met by the resort staff who provide fresh cold, wet towel to refresh ourselves and a nice non alcoholic refreshment. Members of the massage staff started around the room making sure everyone was relaxed with a short 15 minute neck and back massage for everyone.
We were introduced to the dive staff and then prepared for our first dive of the day. A 50 minute orientation dive.
My group was taken to a site 10 minutes from the resort location “Monkey Beach” The dive consisted of a sloping reef that went from 15ft to 60 feet. We drift dove around 40 – 60 ft observing clown fish, tiger fish, shrimp and various soft and hard coral.
Main purpose of this dive was to acclimate to the location and check equipment. Started with 3000lbs of compressed air and ended with about 350lbs left in my tank. Need to learn to relax my breathing more and conserve my air.
1st dive today is at a location called “Ernies” Looking forward to the 1st dive. I will have an underwater camera for my next dives and hope to take many pictures. Since it is film I will convert images to a disk so that I can upload them on the page.
I will get back to all of you after today’s dive until then here are some pics from the trip in.
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