Richard & Jo's Blog

After a bit of an Anglo American breakfast of bacon buttie then pancakes with maple syrup and more bacon, we head off for the first dive of the day which ends up being ‘Bubbles’.

.. Though we might rename it to Flabelina Point as that’s where we were headed, right for the spot where there was much Flabelina ‘action’ of you catch my drift!!

Whilst Jo is enjoying am extended stay with them, I take a tour to the end of the point and back and they are still ‘at it’!!!

Am excellent dive on one of our favourite sites.

We spend the surface interval munching on oreos, drinking coffee and discussing the property prices in Hawaii!

Then we are back in the water at the nearby ‘Secret Bay’ (Shhhhh, tell no-one) where Shaun The Sheep nudi’s were the order of the day.  A very enjoyable 85 minutes with much photo action including a monster nudi that strolled through the site whilst we were there, you know, like they do!

A very short run around the point back to base where, after the briefest of hosedowns we head off for a light lunch of Spaghetti Carbonara for me and B.L.T with fries for Jo.

At the end of each meal we have to place our order for the next. So, for our tea tonight, we expect to be mostly having Tuna Sisig, vegitable Chop Suey and fried rice. Let’s see how that ends up being!

Just had an awesome dip on the pool, it’s scorchio in the blazing sun. We have to walk almost 10 metres to the pool, a bit of a hike, but worth it.

Before long we head out sir the afternoon dive which on this day takes us to ‘Arthur’s wall’, a gentle bimble amongst coral outcrops until we arrive at the wall propper where all manner of Nudi’s await us.

Not to mention a spectacular wall with huge coral outcrops, festoon with life.

Back at the surface the boat picks us up, and then it starts to rain, and it rained and rained. The journey back was spent huddled under towels though by the time we get back, order has been restored and calmness has returned.

We just have time for a hot drink (coffee for Jo, I’m drinking their hot chocolate which I think they call ‘Milo’) and it’s time to head out for the last dive of the day which today is at El Pinoy.

After about 5 minutes boat ride we arrive. Their are storms in the area so every 10 seconds or so their is an incredible lightning display which gets better as it gets darker.

We drop in and before long we find plenty to point the cameras at.

On a technical point, Jo is using twin Inon strobes whilst I am using a single Backscatter Mini Flash Mk2 with optical snoot attachment. So, even though we end up shooting the same subjects, the results are always very different (If you want to know more then take our advanced underwater photogography lighting course).

After the dive we head back to base for a quick rinse then prinks which on this occasion consisted of the ubiquitous Red Horse for me whilst Jo went all out and consumed a cocktail which consisted of Calamansi (small lime like fruit) ground into a generous helping (4 spoons) of brown sugar which then had some ice added and a double measure of Jeagermister added, yum!

Dinner consisted of Tuna Sisig, vegitable Chop Suey and fried rice which was a great combination and then we return to our room to collapse once more… And by collapsing, what I really mean if that Jo goes through the days catch, weeding out the dross whilst I update the blog, though in reality, I collapse!

Hot tip, when you show your pictures, ONLY show the good ones, people think I’m so much better than I really am but behind each picture that I show, there are dozens of  deleted images!

Another beautiful day! Even less wind than yesterday!! Sunshine and blue skies.

Normal start to the day – breakfast, camera stuff and diving

Across to the other island for Bethlehem followed by Agahuta.

Dive #9

Bethlehem

Down a slope to a rubble area where we spent the majority of the dive at about 20 metres.

No current and excellent visibility.

Saw all sorts of slugs.

We moved to Agahuta for our surface interval. The sun was so warm and the water was so flat. Stunning. Coffee, Oreos and good conversation with our dive buddies Nina, Anne, Fred and Julie. Lots of laughter.

Dive #10

Agahuta

This is a coral slope to the sandy bottom at about 20 metres

We both said what a lovely relaxed dive it was and that’s saying something as most of the dives here are relaxing.

Some very nicely positioned slugs

The water on the trip back was like a mill pond.

Picture to follow.

After lunch of BLT and fries for me and Richard’s taken on fish and chips, tuna ceviche with fries, we had a quick dip in the pool followed by a nap.

Dive #11

Sun View

Fabulous dive.

Started with a yellow pygmy seahorse and followed by numerous photo opportunities.

As Patsy would say “absolutely fabulous darhhhling”😜

After an hour interval we dived again. Very calm here.

Dive #12

Manit Corner

One of our favorites. Just us and Nanny.

This is a rocky peninsula, covered in life.

We saw two of the tiniest of squid, less than a centimetre long, a very beautiful purple mottled tiny octopus. Also, some chunky slugs and finally an amazing harlequin shrimp.

I was trying to use a red light on this dive for focusing but my camera didn’t like it. Any shots I got were by luck rather than judgment!

Cocktail before dinner – Pina Colada

Ordered too much food for dinner! Pork sisig, sweet and sour chicken, fried rice and two lumpia.

A bit of picture work followed by some much needed sleep.

Yesterday was calm, today is less windy!

After breakfast we prep the cameras and we head out acoss the bay to Kirbys Rock. This is a pinnacle and wall down to about 23m then a slope to a second pinnacle which is festoon with the hello sea cucumbers.

Making it when more special was the fact that it was Jo’s 1700th dive. Several nudi’s were spotted on the way, zero current, monster visibility and still 29 degrees, lovely.

We head around the corner for the next dive which is Kirbys Point layag layag which is coral outcrops, a sandy slope and then the occasional outcrop. Nudi’s, eels and other sealife is lined up ready to entertain us.

Back on dry land for a light lunch of chicken chop suey for me, BLT and fries for Jo then a dip in the pool, it’s got properly hot today with blistering sunshine making the pool even more inviting.

After the briefest of rests we head out to ‘Bubbles’, this is the dive site with a thin layer of rock covering lava, I kid you not, touch the rock and it burns!

Many nudi’s and flabellinas spotted, one of our favourite dive sites.

Back ashore for a hot beverage before we set out for the dusk dive which tonight is at Siam Sim.

… And on that dive we saw:

Seahorses, crab porn. Frog fish, bobtail squid and two different kinds of Picachu nudies.

Then its back on board for the swift trip back to base, quick showers, prinks and tonights dinner of shanghai rolls, chicken chop suey and pork binagoongang.

We collapse in our room once more to recharge ready for tomorrows great adventure!

Up at six. Slept for eight hours, although awake a couple of times in the night.

As a consequence of our complete mess up of camera equipment last holiday we had a proper run though before coming out. So, the setting up of the cameras has been relatively straightforward.

After an early lunch we headed off to  Olympic Point for first dive.

Dive #1

Olympic Point

Rocky outcrops on Sandy slope

A very lovely gentle dive

We saw Coleman shrimp on fire urchins, tiger crab on fire urchins and tiger shrimp.

We motor over to Minilog for our surface interval. On the boat we get to know our boat buddies. Obviously, we have Nina and Ann, and also Fred and Julie from Hawaii. Very lovely chatting about photography and lighting.

Dive #2

Minilog

A slope covered in coral. We saw an orange dragon shrimp in an orange coral, an electric clam and many nudist and Christmas tree worms.

Ann didn’t join us due to a fin strap failure. Unfortunately, the spare strap on the boat didn’t fit her fin.

Lunch was, of course, a BLT and fries for me and Tuna ceviche with ginger, chilli and onion.

I had a little nap before the next dive and Richard lent Julie his spare snoot flash.

Dive #3

Manit School

Large coral boulders with lots to see

Crab, shrimps and fish on whip coral.

Lovely dive, the temperature so far today has been 29°in the water.

Short break back at the dive centre to drop off Nina, Greg and Julie as they aren’t doing the final dive. Jennalyn found me some Oreos to go with my coffee, some for now and plenty for later.

Back on the boat and round to Heidi’s Corner for a dusk dive.

Dive #4

Heidi’s corner

Muck dive on a sandy slope.

Lots to see in the barren landscape including Tiger shrimp, frogfish in a variety of size and colours and two coconut octopus, one of which was tiny at about 4-5mm.

After a shower it was cocktail and red horse time, shortly followed by a spot of dinner, pork Adobo, noodle with vegetables and fried rice.

Both shattered so an early night it is,!

Travel day #1

In stark contrast to previous trips, we were mostly prepared this time around.

That being said, we had not left any moments of free time to deal with the unforeseen.

Fortunately, there was no unforeseen, just non stop final prep without a moment to draw breath!

Ibo (our driver) arrived 10 minutes early and proceeded to load the baggage. This did not pass without comment!

Advising that this time round we were 20kg lighter than the previous trip seemed to have no effect, at least not in a positive way!

We head off, ahead of schedule, only to find a stationary A3, apparently an accident was causing traffic delay. Our skilled driver makes suitable adjustments to our heading and we make our way across country to the M3.

Before long we arrive LHR T3 and head for the Emirates checkin desks, all of which have been replaced by machines it seems.

First we have to get our baggage tags printed and attach them ourselves. Then we move to another machine that weighs and consumes our baggage where a helpful assistant advised that we should dump our camera bag on some dodgy looking red trolly, will we ever see it again?

A long crawl through security and a Boots meal deal later and we find ourselves at gate 7 with boarding set for 13.20.

7 hours later we find ourselves in Dubai. Following a short walk (about 2 miles) we arrive at gate C7 for the next flight to Manilla. Watched a few good movies on the plane: ‘Living’, ‘Corner Office’ and ‘Asteroid City’, all recommended.

The waiting area near the gate was rammed, not a spare seat anywhere, we wondered around for a moment then someone very kindly pointed out a short corridor that lead to a ‘quiet area’ with rows and rows of empty seats with fancy leg rests, obviously a well kept secret!

After not very long it was time to go to the gate. Once at the gate they start boarding by the various different categories, they had just called the frequent flyer gold member types then they called our group so we make our way slowly to the gate like slow moving cattle, a series of short shuffles as everyone from everywhere is trying to get into the same single file when it becomes obvious that there were still a few goldmembers making their way through.

Jo successfully tailgates her way through to board, obviously looking like goldmember material, I however fail to make the grade and am disallowed, imagine the horror, did they not recognise me?

‘I’m with her’ I announce, at which point i am immediately granted access and so we board, goldmember style in advance of the remaining passengers.

… Which was just as well as it turned out.

Now then, I often marvel at what some folk count as their single piece of carry on baggage though on the UK to Dubai sector, everyone seems to get theirs stowed without much fuss.

It has however, been our experience, that, on flights into the Philippines, if you haven’t got at least several pieces of over sized carry on baggage including the occasional flat screen tv, microwave or other random Dubai purchase, then you are in the minority!

Much time is spent whilst the cabin crew play 3D tetris with all the obviously over sized and over numbered pieces of baggage that the passengers on this flight count as their single piece of carry on.

Finally, it’s all in, the warning ‘please be careful when opening the overhead lockers’, has never been more appropriate!

We both managed to bag some sleep on this leg and before long we found ourselves on the ground in Manilla.

Passport control was a breeze, no more form filling, nor much of a queue and then straight into baggsge reclaim, time to tell if that box of camera kit, last seen on a dodgy trolly in LHR would ever be seen again!

.. And there it was, followed 20 minutes later by the rest of our bags, result!

Baggage reclaim was the usual hectic affair with everyone trying to get a good view of the belt. Jo stood back with the trolly whilst I grabbed the bags as they came along.

I noticed that Jo was in conversatuon with a couple of young filapino chaps who seemed to be staring my way. There was a young couple to my left who had some very fancy baggage (and a lot of it). She was wearing some very fancy sunglasses which I thought was a little odd as it wasn’t that bright in there! It Kind of reminded me of the glasses that Julia Roberts wore in the film ‘Pretty Woman’ . They got all their bags and she asked if I could step aside to let them out of the way. Which I did.

Turns out she was Nadine Alexis Lustre, filapino movie star and singer! Google her!

Our pickup was there and before long we were moving through Manilla on our way to Anilao.

We arrive at the usual spot for the beach pickup where team Anilao were there to get us, nice to meet some familiar faces.

We head around the corner to the resort where more familiar faces are there to welcome is back, including one who had a cold bottle of Red Horse ready for me, thank you Nina!

Into our favourite room which has been all refurbed with new furniture, new doors, new fridge, new air conditioning and a swanky new mirror in the bathroom with multi colour lighting and built in clock.

A quick un pack then pass out ready for diving in the morning.

Today is the last diving day off the trip 😔 so we get to choose where we dive. For this morning our first choice was for a dive at Red Rock.

It was a spectacular dive, the vis has cleared and there was no discernable movement of water so we enjoyed an un hindered saunter around the base at around 22m where we encountered various nudi’s and shrimps along with spectacular views of the pinnacles from the sea bed.

It was moderately alarming when, on our safety stop, we see the boats anchoring hanging down with an anchor at the end, seemingly hanging in mid water and not actually attached to anything.

Winds at the surface were pushing our exit point further and further away!

Just before the whole thing disappears from view, the anchor snags in something and we don’t need to swim too far to pick the line up again.

Back on board we need akong the cost a little to ‘Bubbles’. So called a gas is venting permanently through the sand from volcanic activity below.

Our mission for this dive is to head straight to the wall which is about 20m at the top and descends down to the sea bed at around 40m or more.

Again, the vis is absolutely stunning and we explore the entire length of the wall which actually ends at a depth of around 27m. This is the most we have ever seen of it, an absolutely spectacular dive.

On the way back up we encounter all sorts of Nudi’s and at one point, a shoal of ‘I’m filming these razor fish and I’ m oblivious to who I’m about to land on top of’ fish.

I tap their fins as they are planted on my head, thankfully their buddy could see what was going on and also alerted them. The oblivious offender turns round. I smile and wave!

As we snuck out early for diving, we arrive back in plenty of time for a pre lunch dip in the pool, lovely.

For lunch I enjoyed a plate of Tuna Ceviche which was awesome. Oddly, the only dish that required no cooking was the last to arrive. Meal delivery order has been a little random though today, Judy had her soup, today and butter delivered in one hit. A hitherto unmanaged feat!

Cameras prepped for the last two dives we take in the sun on our balcony – Scorchio!!!

First dive in the afternoon was Twin Rocks, easily identifiable as they are two very large rocks which look the same!

After visiting the twins we head down deeper to look for stuff, some of which we find!

We spend the surface interval ashore as next dive (our last) is just around the corner at Mainit Corner, let’s see how that plan goes!

We head off around the corner and we can see that the onshore breeze has kicked up sand and silt all along the coast and the vis at the corner looks questionable. Nani our guide gets in and disappears in to the murk!

He soon returns and gives us a bug thumbs up – really? So we get in and descend, sure enough, by the time we had reached 3m, we were in clear water once again, we head down to around 15, where it’s relatively crystal clear and we are presented with several photo opportunities right there including a pair of Beautiful Risbecia Nudies that were posing on an outcrop – excellent.

We carry on and find lots to have a go at, on the way back up a turtle passes by just out of view – which just goes to show how easy it is to miss things!

Back at the surface – all diving done, it’s time to start pulling things apart and getting ready for the journey home.

Dinner was the usual over-ordered thing which included Shanghai Rolls, Fried Rice, Tuna Sisg, Pancit Canton with Chicken and Teriyaki Chicken. We are really looking forward to a break from all the food!

Another beautiful day!

After breakfast we head out to Sombrero island for the first dive of the day.

This is such a beautiful reef.

Very pleasing to the eye but generally not so many critters.

Lots for pyjama nudis, white and black nudis, both yellow and green cup corals.

So lots to take pictures of.

Second dive was Layag Layag, just around the corner from Kirby’s Rock.

Beautiful coral garden

We saw…

Blue ringed octopus
Double nudi action
Many, many other critters

Normal lunch for me… BLT

After lunch, we head across to the other island to do Coconut Point.

On the sand at the top where we saw…

Shaun the sheep slugs
Shrimps
Slug

At the black coral garden that starts at about 17m we saw…

Fish and shrimps on wire coral
Tiny blue nudi
Tiny white and black furry looking nudi on blue sponge

After the surface interval we did Apols Point…

For me this was a dive of all things pink.

Pink pygmy seahorse
Pink featherstars
Pink scorpionfish
Pink feather duster worms
Halgerda slugs, not pink

Cocktails, dinner, picture work and sleep.

Welcome to another day off fun under the sea!

The first dive is at Secret Bay where we saw nudi’s various, shrimps of several kinds, frog fish of many colours (black, red, yellow and a small red and white one). One particular nudie is now known as the Holiday Nudi as a picture of it was referred to as the picture of the holiday so far!

Back on the boat for coffee and biscuits we move up the coast a little to Siam Sim.

We drop in once the surface interval completes and see octopus, frog fish, flabellina and an obliging sea horse.

After a quick dip in the pool we dine on Spaghetti Carbonara and BLT for lunch.

After a bit of a snooze in the sun, we head out once more, this time to Arthur’s Rock in an attempt to find the Rhinopia at 25m in the rubble area, well, hats off to our guide Nani, he found it!

After some time with the Rhinopia, we head to shallower waters to see more of the usual suspects.

After the surface interval we attempt to dive Viveri but the current fish were there so we headed around the corner to Koala for a hard coral dive which turned up a large white nudi which I’d not taken pictures of previously.

Back at base is cocktail time, I started with the ‘Anilao Matic’, an interesting blend of spirits and sour mix!

Dinner was Tuna sisig, black peppered prawns, rice and mango salad.

This was followed by an early night on account of being completely whacked!

It is a little windy today. In fact, it is a little more than that.

Have realised that we have been remiss in putting lots of photos in.

So here is a flower…

After breakfast, camera stuff, then out, on the boat by 7.30.

It was a bit of a choppy crossing over to the other island and a bit choppy on site.

First dive was Kirby’s Rock.

This time we didn’t go out to the pinnacle.

Lots of slugs on this dive

Bumpy getting out of the water too.

We moved to Minilog for our surface interval. Sheltered from the windy, lovely.

Shortly after our arrival another eight boats arrived. This dive could be busy!

Another really good dive. coral at the top and sand and coral outcrops further down

Lots to take pictures of.

Some very nicely positioned slug

Both Richard and Barry had a run in with a diver in a very loud, blue and yellow wetsuit. Much discussion ensued once back on the boat.

We had a very bumpy crossing back but Wendal made it as easy as possible.

We had a dip in the pool before lunch.

Guess what I had for lunch…

BLT with fries, of course!!

We were in the water by 2.00pm at Elmer’s point.

Excellent dive.

The dive went so quickly, so much to see.

Wire coral with shrimps and fish on.
Beautiful bobbly nudi, Tony nudis, large nudis.

Very good!

The surface interval involved hit drinks, biscuits and hat comparisons.

Last dive of the day was Twin Rocks again.

Back at the block again, so more yellow cup coral shots.

We bimbled around, going plenty of critters to take pictures of.

At the bar now, watching the sunset…

Not quite so sunny today, in fact at some points this morning we have seen rain in the distance. Thankfully it has avoided us, we certainly would not want to get wet!

Our first dive was on Darry Laut, the sunken casino wreck where nudi’s, Christmas Tree worms and feather duster works entertained us.

It’s not got any colder here though several of us are feeling cooler underwater here. More layers required.

Our second dive was at xxx Street an aborted attempt to dive Bethlehem. Lots more nudi’s to see there.

Back on board we head off to lunch which today is BLT with fries for Jo whilst I went for the onion soup. I must have known something about the soup as I elected to go for an additional plate of fries, this helped a great deal!

After lunch we had out to Sun View which produced another crop of Nudi and Shrimp shots, it’s a nice slope of coarse sand with very many small coral outcrops. Picachu and Large Orange Pyjama nudis were a couple of highlights.

For the second dive of the afternoon we move a short distance to Vivirey where we take ‘between dive’ snacks. But, by the time we are about to go in the current fish had arrived so instead we head across to Mainit West which turns out to be a very productive dive!

At one point I’m trying to let Jo know that the mother of all turtles is heading our way, in fact, the turtle ended up giving her a shove though all the time Jo was concentrating on a macro shot and was unaware of the passing monster!

Back to base for Prinks which today consisted mostly of Pina Colada, Mango Daiquiri and Amaretto Sours. This was hotly pursued by a dinner which tonight featured Filipino dishes of Ground Pork and Potato, Pancit Canton with chicken (noodles), deep fried Lumpia and vegetables in coconut which mischievously hid a very large and long green chilli!