Philipphines

This winter I could again feel the itch to go travelling and diving.
Meeting new cultures and new people is a way of putting my own values at perspective. When I started to plan and dream in the middle of the cold and snowy winter of northern Sweden I had three different options to chose from.
The nominees were Cuba, Maldives and Philippines. I spoke to my buddy and we agreed on the Philippines.

The winter slowly shrank back under the onslaught of a fierce sun and warm winds and it was finaly time to go south. Two days after Lule river broke its prison of ice I began my journey.

In Manila we were meet by a happy cabdriver who told us that the first typhoon had reached the country. That typhoon managed to affect the weather for the both of the weeks in the Philippines. After a small mishap at the airport we landed at Puerto Princessa. Andy Pope meet us there and took us to the rest of the divers.

Once aboard we found our cabins and settled down to wait. Before leaving for Tubbataha Reef we had to get a permit to dive in the park. Two representatives from WWF came aboard and held a short information about park rules and the work that was done for the enviroment.

Our start form Puerto Princessa was delayed due to the weather.
When we left the sheltered bay we could really feel the tremors of the typhoon

After a real roller coaster we finally reached the South Tubbataha Reef where we could find some shelter from the wind
Ever though the waves wasn’t so bad behind the reef it wasn’t possible to dive there. According to one of the crew he said.
-“Well, you can dive but I can’t pick you up! The next morning he was able to pick us up after the dive so we happily doned our gear and began.

Just five minutes into the first dive I had seen a shark and turtles, I was quite impressed.
The next moment a Manta came gliding out of the blue to pass us, I have seen manta in the Red Sea but they where noting in size compared to this one (3-3,5 m wingspan) The rest of the dives that day was a rapid mix of sharks, fish and corals in all colors
To spice it up we had to keep an eye out for the triggerfish who happily wanted to take a bite of any diver in range.
 

Day 2, first dive. After 5 sharks we are meet by a even bigger manta (3,5-4 m) She came sweeping towards us stops to scrutinize us before she continues to feed, hovering above us for some five minutes. Spooked by the engine from the pickup boat she glides away. Five minutes later we meet up with her again. Gently we settle down on a sandy patch to enjoy the show. In circles she flies over us feeding. When I look around I see just behind a coral head,  that I have some 50 cm to my left, that Allen and I have a small white tip reef shark not bothering to move just 1,5 meters away. After that thrill we happily ascended to the surface and the waiting boat The next day we moved to the North Tubbataha Reef where we enter a shark aquarium. Pictures Lemon Shark, Leopard shark, white tip and a hammerhead was the different species that I saw

Pictures

After four days of diving in a scenery like that I had my doubts about going to Puerto Galera and the diving they had to offer.
All my doubts came to shame. The joy that the guides expressed over the diving and their eagerness to share their favorite spots was contagious.
We ware able to see frog fish, Star gazers among other things Sea snakes was a new experience for me but here I found two of them.
At Sinigan Wall I had the opportunity to enjoy a stunning drift dive with Allison and next day, as the tide turned we explored and saw a lot of different nudi branches

The time just slipped away and all of a sudden it was time to dry out my gear, not an easy task since it was raining constantly.

We stayed at El Galeon with their wonderful staff, great food and spectacular view.
The diving with ASIA DIVERS  fulfilled al my expectations and more.
I can not say it enough times that their guides, with their knowledge and enthusiasm made me feel that every dive was something special.