Hi guys, just thought i'd share my trip report on dumaguete... it'll be a little different since i'm a relative noob AND i wasn't there to dive (primarily) although i did get 2 dives in over the weekend.
so here goes:
BACKGROUND
i was commissioned (together with a couple of dive pros) to produce a series of videos for ScubaWorld (one of the, if not the, biggest comprehensive dive op in the country)... our job will (hopefully) take us to most of their philippine operations including shops, shore ops and liveaboard ops... it will also take us (hopefully) to their palau liveaboard op and their on-the-drawingboards tahiti op.
in time for a Russian Dive exhibit in mid-feb we began phase 1 of the video shoots... 3 weekends covering philippine diving in Dumaguete (where they have a new resort), anilao (the hub of local diving) and coron (for fabulous scenery and wrecks).
the project deal is a combo cash/ ex-deal system so its a win-win situation for everyone aboard
especially little old under-equipped me hehehehe.
CHAPTER 1: DUMAGUETE, HERE WE ARE!
We were not really sure what was awaiting us. All we knew was that ScubaWorld (hereafter SW) was in the process of finishing a new resort in Dauin, Dumaguete (about 20+ minutes south of Dumaguete City) that was gonna compete for the relatively upscale dive market here and abroad but for a reasonable price.
We took the first flight in to Duma at 545 aboard Air Philippines and got there a comfy 645am where a van was waiting to take my crew of 4 over to the resort.
In the party were Mel Segarra PADI MSDT and u/w videographer, also the point person of the project. Jun Austria PADI DM and director, hes got the whole concept in his head. Karen Regpala Prod Assistant and a non-diver
for now. And me PADI OW, 9 dives under the (over)weight belt but one heck of a top-side media pro.
We arrived at the resort and were welcomed by a plantation of coconut trees towering 40 50 feet off the ground, palms swaying in the wind. The property faced east and along its southern boundary were two 3-storey complexes one finished, the other about 80% there.
Towards the beach were about 8 detached cottages and on the northern edge of the property a raised veranda area overlooking the gorgeous sea and ApoIsland in the horizon. The pool was still under construction and I can tell you it will be worth the wait. 2 levels with a horizon pool on the upper deck, a 15-foot dive training area integrated in the pool, a sloping floor to do away with the usual pool designs. The dive area will have a window looking out into the lower pool deck this gives people a chance to watch the pool sessions like watching fish in a tank.
There were kayaks, banana boats, paddle boats and hobbie cats on the beach and lounge chairs everywhere waiting for the guest to take a load off their feet.
The rooms were very spacious! 2 double beds fit andyoud still have space for a dance or two. The bathrooms are well and tastefully appointed and are large and airy. The cottages feature a loft where the bed is and a living/ dining area on the ground floor. Large windows give you a great view of everything and sliding doors give you instant access to your very own paradise.
The cottages also feature a whirlpool bath and shower area with large scenic windows that, although supplied with cloth blinds, will eventually be covered by a generous hedge (for privacy) but also allow you to be a tad daring and do your rituals by the light of a brilliant sunshine.
CHAPTER 2: LETS DIVE!!!
Neither of us ever having had a chance to dive Dumaguete before, Jun declared that since the light was too harsh during the noon time (around 10am-2pm) we would be unable to shoot very well, hence it was our chance to dive.
We joined a 2-tank trip to ApoIsland (about 20 minutes away by banca) where a few of the resorts guests were also joining.
After our ocular inspection of the locations and the planning of shots over breakfast, we hastily went back into our rooms, got into our swim gear and made for the dive shop where we were to be supplied with BCs and regs (we had brought everything else but opted out of BCs and regs to save on weight).
The dive shop was quaint and clean with rows and rows of pristine BCs, wetsuits, booties, masks and regs.
The boat and dive shop crew then carried all our stuff to the boat
all our stuff. Its great not having to carry your stuff the 15 meters from the shop to the boat... hehehehe
Less than a half-hour later we were at our first dive site on ApoIsland: Coconut Point. The boat men helped us into our equipment, got us strapped into our BCs and helped us to the prow where we giant stride into the water. And this is where the fun begins
Going in the current immediately sweeps you off
I had a bit of a hard time getting in with the current and equalizing at the same time. My descent must have been a bit faster than I figured because I had to ascend a few times to clear my left ear. Because of the current our original group of 12 was quickly being dwindled to a much smaller group.
A few minutes into the dive I was able to settle in and allow the current to do the work for me. The sea life was excellent! The usual huge biodiversity and color
angels flitting in and out of coral heads, hard and soft corals, the largest starfish I had ever seen, and a school of jacks hanging in the current.
I hit 24 meters (about 75 feet) at some point (to my surprise) w/c prompted my to pay closer attention to my skills so as not to drown or bend myself unknowingly
also so as not to push my current skill levels too much.
At about 50bar I began a slow ascent and stayed at relatively shallow water and enjoyed the views afforded there. Soon enough I bump into our local host and he points me to the chase boat about 20 feet away where I clambered up. Paul (a Brit PADI MSDT) was already there cursing himself for leaving the red filter on his camera prompting him to take very nice, albeit rosy pics of the sea life.
When he found out my dive record he was astounded that I was still calm and relaxed after a dive even he found challenging. I got a good share of praises from the others when he told them the story
nice to see I didnt totally screw myself up.
Its a good thing I had top-notch instructors who trained me well. Now, off to lunch.
