Liveaboard Diving

A lot of divers told me that liveaboard diving is the best way to dive... but i never had that chance to experience it to give my personal opinion.
Why? Because it is very expensive to join a liveaboard dive cruise and i was not yet offered a job to work on a liveaboard boat.
Anyways, this weekend i will be joining the Oceanic Explorer to visit the Holy Grail of Philippine Diving... the Tubbataha Reefs!
It will be my first time and finally i will be able to personally experience the difference between a resort based diving and liveaboard diving.
Another plus factor about this trip is that there is no daily flight to Cebu. We are spending overnight in Puerto Princesa and its a chance for me to savor again the Kamarikutan coffee blend and i really miss that exotic dinner at Kinabuchs Grill & Bar. I also wanted to visit again Badjao Seafood Restaurant and Ka Lui Restaurant.
Why do i always think of food? I'm supposed to be on a diet! Darn!

Whale Shark Encounters

I only had two unforgettable encounters with this friendly shark in my entire diving life but the experience enthralled me to no end.
First time was January 1996 between the islands of Samal & Talikud on our way back to Pearl Farm Beach Resort where i took my Open Water & Advance training. When the banca made a complete stop to let us observe the world's largest fish, i immediately free dive and was able to hold on to its fin. I later found out that i was not supposed to do that because it will put a lot of stress to this harmless sea creature. I sure did scare this 12m giant 'cause it speed up like i was being towed by a wave runner!
Second time was September 2004 in Tongo Point off Moalboal. As soon as i backrolled together with my two buddies, this gentle giant of the deep suddenly appears from the blue and swim very close to us... i think it even slowed down a bit that gave us the chance to take a closer look at this 6m baby shark. Too bad we didn't bring our cameras!

Camotes Islands

Just got back from an overnight business trip in a very sweet and charming islands of Camotes. We stayed in Mangodlong Rock Resort where a La Union based Ocean Deep dive shop will soon open. Camotes Islands is known as the best dive destination to watch pelagic action such as sharks. Wasn't able to dive but i did some snorkeling at the resort's House Reef.
I was supposed to go straight to Siargao after this trip to catch up with the awarding of the 2nd Siargao Girls International Surfing Fest and also to practice my surfing... but i need to cancel that plan in order to attend a friend's funeral in Abuyog, Leyte tomorrow.