Sogod - they're back!

[clgsamson]

It's officially whaleshark season now in Sogod, Southern Leyte. Me and the missus just returned from a trip (stayed at Sogod Bay Scuba Resort) and had good dives, a comfortable stay, good food (and in the adjacent Moose and Squirrel, a karaoke bar) and with great resort staff assistance.

Sharing now some of the pix of our wonderful experience....

First dive or rather, first night dive in Padre Burgos Jetty. (We took the first Cebu Pacific flight out from NAIA 3, Manila at 4:30am and arrived around 5:30am in a wet and chilly Tacloban City. Had private transport picked us up for the 2.5-3 hour trip to the resort).

Not exactly the most welcome site in the morning, but probably one of the best muck diving sites in the PI. Padre Burgos Jetty. Luckily, they only allow night dives in that area.

no, no he's not the divemaster...

at night....

2nd day
The 2nd day was all whaleshark interaction. Leaving the resort around 8am, we arrived in the San Ricardo area to pick up 2 spotters on bancas. It was not long before the 2 spotters were shouting...we got ready, snorkeling equipment check, fins check, weight belt check, camera check....and

My chasing one of three whalesharks sited that day

We ended the 2nd day with a free dive in the house reef (4pm), Max Climax Wall. There's a wreck at around 120 feet.

3rd day -
We did Turtle Rock and Tangkaan point

4th day was in Napantao Wall (1 and 2).

the rest of the pix (and some crappy videos) are in here Sogod 2008 yearender - a set on Flickr . For topside pix http://www.flickr.com/photos/clgsamson/sets/72157611927524161/show/

Thanks for looking.....

 

[annasea]

Thanks for looking.....

You're welcome. What's that poor creature fourth from the top that looks like it's been spackled?

 

[clgsamson]

You're welcome. What's that poor creature fourth from the top that looks like it's been spackled?

That's a Stargazer, Anna

ps - also met some staff from Coral Cay NGO. Naomi, Andrew and Lis, they're based in San Francisco, Southern Leyte which is just across Sogod Bay.

 

[pakman]

Happy New Year Caloy. Thanks for the report. Ah I love the smell of Padres Burgos Jetty in the morning...

 

[annasea]

That's a Stargazer, Anna

Thank you. The whaleshark pics are great, too!

 

[shugar]

thanks for the trip report!!!

Jag

 

[rhadamantus]

wow- looks like it was a good trip, kuya Caloi. nice way to end the year!

 

[iris_ice]

did you really dive in padre bugos jetty?

 

[clgsamson]

did you really dive in padre bugos jetty?

yes, they vacuum it at night

Seriously, we didn't know how it looked like since it was our the first time and it was a night dive. The critters are bigger and very healthy, though.

 

[Narcd_dvr]

Thanks for the sharing your photos Caloy. Man, that Padre Burgos jetty is rather filthy. However, I've heard its great for diving.