Philippines 2001

Yes that’s right, we were the lucky few who had the opportunity to dive at Puerto Galera in the Philippines.

The group consisted of Allan, Blake, Dan, Peter, Jerome and myself and after the long flight we arrived at Manilla. I must add the flight was just that bit more pleasant when we were upgraded to BUSINESS CLASS for the last leg of the flight from Cebu (see what travelling with me does )

We were met at Manilla by Action Divers and after a few more hours in an air-conditioned minibus, followed by boat we arrived at Small Laguna beach. It was around midnight now so our luggage was carried for us and we checked in at Portofino Resort. Rushing for the shower I then discovered the water temperature was come as it pleases and tonight it decided I wanted a cold shower, which after the initial shock was quite ok as it was rather hot and humid outside.

We woke up the next morning to get a good look at this wonderful island we were staying on for the next seven days. During breakfast we greeted by the resort owners Gina and Rodger. We sat talking and eating and looking out at the water which starts right at the front of the accommodation. I tell you one thing, the snorkelling just out the front was amazing. Even in ankle deep water you put your head under to see massive amounts of fish and coral.

After breakfast we walked to the dive shop, a whole eleven steps, and met Roscoe the operator of Action Divers. We were introduced to Klaus, our dive leader, and as there were six of us we had our own boat and Klaus as our leader for the entire seven days. Now for the diving. Every dive was so different. We managed to dive ten or eleven times at a different site each time. The great thing is each site was a 2 to 5 min boat ride away. Our first dive (Monkey Beach) we saw a turtle, which was a thrill for everyone. The same day we dived Escarceo to Hole in the Wall. Each of the dives were drift dives but this drift was amazing. No time to even stop and watch something, it just all flashed by. When we surfaced we couldn’t even see in the distance our entry point. We also managed to do one night dive, which everyone loved, although I still insist all those wriggly worms in the water were making noises!

I guess a dive we all will remember (although I won’t forget any of them) was the day we did a day trip out to Verde Island. This was a 45 min boat ride and we did two dives at the drop off dive site. Here the bommie we dived drops off to over 150m, it just goes on forever. Anyway, after our first dive we went to the island to have a picnic lunch, with all the local children watching us. Yes the all know what Coke-a-Cola is and shared a bottle among themselves when we offered it to them. After lunch we jumped back in the water for a little snorkel before putting on our gear again for the second dive for the day. This was to be a 35m dive. We were on our way slowly up, around the 25m mark, when we all heard a massive explosion. Soon realise that the locals were DYNAMITE fishing!! Rather scary.

One night Rodger and Gina put on a local feast for us and was very nicely presented. We all ate of banana leaves and using our fingers (knives and forks were supplied for those who wanted). We were all rather full and managed to stagger to our rooms afterwards.

I loved sitting by the water every chance I had. It was such a relaxing place. One day I mentioned to Rodger I would like a coconut and the next thing I knew they had guys climbing the trees and delivering me coconuts with straws in them, some managed to be turned into Pina Colada’s also (only after the last dive for the day) As for coconuts. A word of advice. If things start dropping out of trees and I say run, don’t just stand there and watch or try to get a picture of the guy (Blake) they won’t wait for you sometimes those coconuts.

We took a bangkas (boat) into Puerto Galera, the capital, one day to do some shopping. The guy looked at us strangely when I told him to come back in two hours to pick us up. I was hoping I had allowed enough time. Well after 15 mins we had seen the whole capital but managed to have plenty of time to sit and have a drink. Another word of advice, if you pick up the coke bottle and it actually burns your hand, I think it’s been in the sun far to long, choose a different flavour (not mentioning any names )

Before we knew it our time at this wonderful island was up and we were all saying goodbye to our new friends we had made and boarding the bangkas for the long boat ride, bus and plane flight back to Sydney.

Thanks to everyone who came I had a wonderful time and you all seemed to enjoy yourself. Oh, and the business class upgrade, that was my special touch