Summer School

Summer equals fish. Schools of fish.

It is my third time to try scuba diving.. And what better to start it with than by being KIA. That's - Know It All. Haha. If you've been reading my blog, I've mentioned in a nota bene what scuba meant.

On a Friday, we left Manila for Miss Macky's place in Batangas. (Jr drove us to and fro Batangas. Not an easy feat, and one we are all grateful for.) Ms Macky was generous enough to open her home to us, overnighters. We are couch surfers like that. We met her darling kids, Mike, Drew, and the little girl. And her jowa. Thank you Miss Macky for the stories, the booze, the roof, and the sheets.



From her place in San Juan (oops!) Luis, Batangas, we left at 6am to fetch Alot somewhere along the way. A map was in order. It was a big use for me who knows directions well - left and the other left.

We met with our instructors Mr. Gil Turgo and Ms Joyce at Dive and Trek Resort parking in Anilao Batangas.

At 10 am, we had our briefing and decided who shall go first.

The compulsory photo shoot

Good thing Yeye has an underwater camera good up to 10m deep. And our watches are capable to resisting up to 20 bars of pressure. In depth, that is equal to 200m. (According to Rick, who calculated that 1 bar = 10m.)

Alot and I

I've always kidded about how I panicked the first time I tried scuba diving. And I always tell stories on how one should equalize ever so often underwater, because your ears could not withstand the pressure brought by several meters of water. And you could hear this certain ringing/whistling once you pop your ears. And I've always known it was dry air in the tank. However, while it was my turn, I forgot how thirsty you could get. It was worrisome when I felt the first pangs of panic attack. I felt like choking because I could not swallow any liquid in my mouth. But this did not hinder me from my play of tug and war with my instructor. She was trying to direct me in one way, while I was trying to chase colorful fish the other way. The other instructor found this funny, how I could be such a rat underwater. And how I could become semi-autistic which is a big no-no. Scuba diving is a sports that thrives on a buddy system. Else, you could get lost in the depths of water. It was especially more difficult during ebbing (turning low tide) because the under currents could drag you downwards. During our dive, I think it was swelling, that is, going high tide.

Yeye, Alot, I, Ms Joyce, Yeye, Rick. Si yeye na maraming shots!

Our instructors were telling us stories. Of their dives in Tubbataha (200 feet visibility! Imagine that! In Anilao, it was just around 70 ft), of the voluntary rescue operations in Romblon (eyes peeking behind lost souls. sniff.), of their dives in Maldives, Indonesia, and all over the world! *dreamy sigh*

Kuya Noel and Yeye

On another note, it was an achievement that for the first time, I opened the tadpole tent I bought five (5) months back. I pitched it myself, while they were cooking Alot's marinated meat. But since food was available at the resort, it was packed again for home.

The cost of diving is 2,500 Php, inclusive of boat transfers, complimentary welcome drinks, buffet lunch, afternoon snacks, diving gears, and instructor. Unlimited milo, coffee, juice, and water were also offered. Warm towels were available for use. Good thing, too, because I forgot to bring my own towels. Tch.

The gang at sunset boulevard

Sailing off to sunset

Pico de Loro, yer next.

Steak Dinner in Johanna's Grille at Bauan, Batangas.

The cost of the entire trip was roundabout 3,100 Php.

Epic bantering of two future kakikiligan and kaabangan couple.

Girl: Wala bang matamis dito?
Boy: Ngiti ko ayaw mo?

Girl: May saksakan ba dito? Hindi yung saksakan ng ganda, ako na yun.

Boy: Ay clingy ka. Di na nga kita gugustuhin.
Girl: Ah so ginusto mo talaga ako dati?

Girl: Hindi ka ba pa napapagod?
Boy: Kasi takbo ako nang takbo sa utak mo?
Girl:  Hindi kasi tambay ka sa utak ko.
Boy: Eh di hindi talaga ako mapapagod niyan. Tambay pala eh.
Girl: Kaso di ka mapirmi eh.
Boy: Bakit?
Girl: Palipat-lipat ka sa puso at isip ko..

Girl: What do you want?
Boy: I like Y-O-U.


Boy: What do you want?
Girl: Pagmamahal and pag-aaruga.
Girl 2: Nursing home kelangan mo, ate.

Contact information in summary:

Dive and Trek Resort

Alex Llorin
Resort Manager
0910 936 4556
llrnx2000@yahoo.com

BOOKING OFFICE:
15 Clipper Ave. Bayview Village Tambo Paranaque City, Philippines
Telephone No.: 632 851 8746 / 852 4411
Fax No.: 632 8338020
Mobile No.: 0920 906 4123
Email: sales@diveandtrek.com
Website: www.diveandtrek.com

(They have different rates entirely, since we contacted Mr. Gil. I think PADI members have discounted rates at diving resorts.)

Mr. Gil Turgo
0916 374 1524 / 0923 510 7175
yugi_nyt@yahoo.com / gil.turgo@gmail.com

Johanna's Grille
Villa Florentina Subdivision
Bauan, Batangas
(043) 727 1304
+639186152217


Cost in summary:

Toll rates (Class 1) 
SLEX Manila to ACTEx : Php 218
ACTex: Php 25
ACTex to Star tollway Lipa Exit: Php 35

Scuba Diving
Php 2,500 @

Return Toll rates (Class 1)

Star Tollway Balagtas to ACTex : Php 47

ACTex : Php 25

SLEX ACTEx to Manila: Php 218

Dinner: Php 200 @

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