Getting there is half the fun!

We sandwiched work between 2 dive weekends in the Philippines and took about every form of transportation available there! We took a long 4 day weekend in Boracay, 200 miles south of Manila, to celebrate Chinese New Year. First, we flew into Manila and then a short 1 hour flight to Kalibo. Next, was a 2 hour van ride to Caticlan. Roads were bumpy and we had to slow down and dodge jeepneys (low power tin can elongated jeeps); and tricycles (motorcycles with covered cabs attached). Then a banca (a motor powered large canoe with catamaran sides) to Boracay and then a tricycle to the hotel. All in all, the trip from Manila to Boracay (5+ hours) took considerably longer than the 2 hour flight form Hong Kong (693 miles)!

Boracay is known for its white fine sand beaches and it lived up to its reputation. We didn’t spend much time on the beach – we dove 8 times in 3 days (last day we couldn’t because we had to fly!) The highlights were the amazing coral and sponges, sea snakes, and lion fish. We were dazzled at every turn. We also learned how to dive with enriched air so we can take longer dives in the future! When we weren’t diving – we were eating. Tons of yummy food everywhere – crabs and all sorts of seafood, ribs, hotel buffets. We even caught some local entertainment one night walking home as well as nightly fireworks!

After a grueling 3 days of working in Manila/Cavite we headed to Puerto Gallera just 100 kilometers south of Manila. Again, getting there and back was half the fun. David came with a private car from Manila to pick me up in Cavite (1 hour 15 minutes). We then proceeded to Batangas by beautiful Lake Taal. The roads were twisty and turny and again we had to dodge, people, oxen, jeepneys and tricycles (2+ hours)! In Batangas we caught a private banca as the public ones were done for the day and had an amazingly hour long moonlight ride. The stars and moon were incredible! Total journey was 5+ hours but we ended at the Escondido a well name secluded resort between Sabang Beach and Puerto Gallera. We dove for the next two days at Sabang – again absolutely amazing dives with highlights of sharks, frog fish, puffer fish and sea snakes! We hit our 30th dive – amazing the opportunities we have had to dive since we started. Also, diving in the Philippines is about 25% the cost of in the US! We indulged in massages – 1 hour for the low low price of $10! Sunday afternoon was a long hot banca ride back to Batangas with about 200+ of our closest friends! Check out the photos below and then only a 2 hour car ride back to Manila.

While in Manila we had an opportunity to eat with colleagues at a yummy Filipino restaurant and then a wet market where you buy your seafood and take it next door to a restaurant to get it cooked! Very fun! Now we are back in Hong Kong and preparing for a visit from my folks!

Boracay by Land: http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=hggnkpd.7swdpiql&Uy=-ffui5t&Ux=1
Boracay by Sea: http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=hggnkpd.a8s4sffh&Uy=-gh594z&Ux=1
Puerto Gallera by land: http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=hggnkpd.69uxxf31&Uy=-fg812f&Ux=1
Pueto Gallera by sea: http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=hggnkpd.5vr7xvh9&Uy=-dhwxb7&Ux=1
Wet market adventure: http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=hggnkpd.9rv741lp&Uy=-pxtvcj&Ux=1
Video -Dancing in Boracay: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6E49t47HBU
Video -Sea snake: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UsriDucPr8
Video -Fish galore (frog, puffer, bat etc..): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lfUy8HGviA
Video -Venomous catfish: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6E4HQLaVYM
Video- Lion Fish: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqhrlFS30eU
Video - Clown fish and anemones: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_X5gH1KmVHg