5/31 Flew forever passed the time line (12+ hours) In an airport in Seoul So Korea where lots of people are wearing face masks to hide from swine flu --Not many Americans are left in the pack. Soon to hit Singapore for a quick layover then on to Manila Philippines! After 3 days in transit - diving on Tuesday - I hope!
6/1 Exhausted-- but finally in Manila Philippines! Drive by hi from some disco like gaming black leather, red light, black fake marble tile floor, internet cafe, in the Philippines. I feel like a brothel. Girly boys everywhere, street girls making offers non-stop and lots of guns guarding reputable looking places. So glad to fly to the islands in a few hours. Ahh it's going to feel so good to dive a wetsuit without gloves!
6/5 So glad to leave Manila behind - Apo island is Paradise!
It is a beautiful remote island with two nice places to stay. We are staying at the Liberty Lodge. Amazing warm water, ocean front room, roll out of bed plop in the water 20ft away - insane biodiversity & 3 dives a day! The food is decent but electricity is limited & cold showers. I don't mind though
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Came with no expectation so am delighted at everything except the annoying DMs that want to babysit - I might just have to take one out if they keep assembling my new gear! I do miss independent shore diving in Lobos & believe it or not I miss the challenges of my drysuit learning curb, my new California dive buddies and the kelp forests.
But it is sooo fun to fly over the reefs reefs - "Coconut" is a fantastic really fast drift dive through aqua water that feels more like flying than diving in my new bp/w.
We are diving off small traditional pontoon boats. Many Apo Island locals live in traditional coconut tree huts with dirt floors and cook over outdoor fires sharing communal showers.The island has been established as a preserve for years and the locals proudly protect both the ocean Sanctuary & turtle sanctuary on land! 60-100ft vis. Some of the nicest soft coral I have ever seen & many colorful tropical fish -- the beauty is almost overwhelming.. Did 11 dives in 4 days and am now heading to another site ;-). Life is good! Sorry no underwater pics yet just getting use to the gear & warming up.
Tomorrow is an off day local village weddings & parties. Small bamboo huts set in a jungle & lots of dancing!! The Philippino island people are very hospitable. Spent the last few days sharing local food. They definitely eat some interesting stuff but the best part was fish caught just 1 hour before grilled over coconut husks. YUMM!
Village band
Village girls
Dive guide
