Hello from the Center of Global Marine Biodiversity
And I mean the Philippines (its Verde Passage being the "center of the center" of global marine biodiversity, yes?).
I'm new to the forum so I guess I'll start here.
I’ve been diving for only six years (the decade before that was focused more on the hiking bit until my trekking group members started lying low to start families :) ).
The easy dives of Anilao in Batangas being only two hours away, I was quite content with my open water NAUI certification (even the littlest anemone shrimp makes me happy) but maybe around two years later I had to get a PADI advanced certification just so I won’t miss out on the night diving from a live-aboard.
My favorite live-aboard destination in the country would be (no surprise to Filipino divers) the drop-offs of Tubbataha Reefs where I saw my first manta ray (on the last dive of the last day). Don’t mind traveling a long way for even a brief sighting. I once rode in a bus for 12 hours to get to Masbate and this current-crazy site named Ticao Bowl, which traps the plankton that lures the mantas. My most recent manta encounter since was in Malapascua’s Monad Shoal (where thresher sharks regularly make a 6 a.m. appearance.) Microlife in Anilao, wrecks in Coron, giants in the Sulu Seas—I’m obviously spoiled for choice and happy to be where I am as a relatively newbie diver. I’m kind of a late bloomer and so I'm glad there's a venue like this and I do look forward to learning from (and I'm sure being entertained by :) ) the experiences and expertise of the people here.
dive-and-dodge (bojimbs' high praise)
Thanks for the triple-exclamation mark welcome, Jimbo!
You’ve always been so encouraging with us, newbies (I know, I know, even after a hundred dives, I still feel like a beginner, I just do.) And, let me take it down a few notches, I only remember (and not everytime) the common names! Like most everyone else, I go book-diving for the scientific names (gasp).
Divemaster? Uhm, it took me long enough to get an advance certification, Sir :)
Your new Ride-and-Dive style sounds cool…and challenging. Why, your students can’t hitch with you anymore. And I wonder how you haul your diving gear. On the subject of new hobby, our friend Jay Ortiz’s is Dive-and-Fly, kiteboarding that is. He waits for the wind to pick up while his wife and the rest of us girls sit out our surface interval, praying our DM doesn't get any more injured beyond the torn toenail from the last time!
Safe diving yourself this Holy Week break. I’m off to Boracay this Wednesday (do I hear you say Yapak Wall?) with my hiking group (no divers there) but they always give me a day’s leave in case I want to trade their company for fishies :)
lapu-lapu, manutsot, talakitok...
Quote:
Originally Posted by
iDiveChick
In that case, the red fringed batfish is Platax Pinnatus, the orange spot filefish is Oxymonocanthus Longirostrus and the Emperor Angel is Pomacanthus Imperator.
;)
I'm tickled, tickled, and tickled :D
Quote:
Originally Posted by
iDiveChick
Our publisher is looking for a resort to review in Anilao. I am so jealous, lol.
Bojimbs was actually one of my three resource persons for my Batangas resorts listing (more a listing than a review). One of his recommendations/favorites in Anilao is Club Ocellaris (boyv@clubocellaris.com) because it's quiet, photographer-friendly (dog-friendly too, not that one has anything to do with the other :) ), and the owner-operator-instructor is a conservationist (big points for me, personally).
Bojimbs' Top 10 Dive Resorts in Batangas
Quote:
Originally Posted by
iDiveChick
Our publisher is looking for a resort to review in Anilao. I am so jealous, lol.
Er, wait. I belatedly realized that perhaps you don’t mean just Anilao but also the Mabini area of Batangas. If that’s the case, and since I already earlier bandied Bojimbs’ recommendation :) , I might as well say that his no. 1 resort is Dive Solana. Cut-and-pasted his list from my notes for anyone’s quick reference:
My Top 10 Batangas Resorts
From Jimbo Jimenez
PADI OWSI 472099
Mobile +63 920 950 9631
bojimbs@yahoo.com
1. Dive Solana – easily the best in facilities, service, and food. Downside: price
2. Pier Uno – convenience (no long walks, no steep steps), amazing service, cozy surroundings, unbelievable casitas. Downside: distance to the dive sites.
3. El Pinoy – always excellent food and it has a beach!
4. Aquaventure – value for money, still the best buffet food
5. Club Ocellaris – if you want peace and quiet
6. Planet Dive – great house reef, close to the dive sites, nice rooms
7. Dive and Trek – unlimited diving in the best house reef in Batangas
8. Portulano – very cozy resort
9. Villa Ligaya – those speed boats have, well, speed!
10. Eagle Point – can’t beat that salt water pool filled with baby sharks
Just for the record :)