i took the 2hr Ferry from Tagbilaran to Dauin for some long-awaited diving at Aivy Maes Diving Paradise.
Mode of transportation for this trip, Ocean Jet Fast Ferry; nice stable ride except it's always too cold in there. Then a couple tricycle rides.
I spent a week+ there last year and very much enjoyed the people, facilities, and diving. There is so much to like about Aivy Maes! I have my own Bamboo Bungalo, with a porch and hammock.
It is right on the water, lounge chairs and hammocks everywhere.
Bathrooms are shared, but they are tiled, clean, and have hot water! (a rarity here). It’s not a big place, and does not attract rowdy people. It was fun to return to welcoming smiling familiar faces.
When i arrived i was visiting with the owner, Mae. She said a group of girls were going into town (Dumaguete) on Thursday night, and would i like to join them. So i said yes, even though i was the grandmother of the group :) We had dinner, then went to a 'Club' and danced until 12:30. I knew it wouldn't be my kind of music, so i had earplugs. It was fun being with them and 'people watching'.
I always feel so sorry for the dogs and cats when i travel. I was feeding shrimp heads to a cat under the table. Later i noticed it had been injured, part of it's nose and upper palate is gone...and appears pregnant. Breaks my heart. But obviously she can eat, and i guess the male cat doesn't care since she looks pregnant. :(
Now on to happier times.
I was anxious to get in the water again with my favorite Dive Guide, Gien (pronounced Gin, like the drink he said).
One of the things i really like about Aivy Maes is their personal services. When you dive with most Shops, you get in a boat with 8, 10, or more divers. That many people in a boat, all getting ready at the same time, all rushing to get into the water, is unsettling for me and i get nervous. And, you are paired up with one Dive Guide to 4 Divers. At Aivy Maes it is usually just Gin and I, maybe another person; we take our time getting ready, nice and slow, and we walk right into the water, ...right out front.
On our FIRST dive Gin spotted a Blue Ring Octopus!
That was a Welcome to Dauin present for me. I have talked with many many divers who have never seen one! Several retired guys who dive this same place 2x per week, every week; have NEVER seen one! They are not very big, maybe 3", and when Gin pointed him out, he had no color, was all brown, like the sand. I have no idea how he sees these things! As i approached he began to color up ...and swim away.
I'm so excited, i'm getting ahead of myself a little bit. Last year i did 43 dives, ....i usually dive 3-5 dives in my 3 month escape. Since i'm diving more, i felt like i should be a more responsible diver and buy a Dive Watch Computer. Usually i just stay with the guide, which is safe; but your own computer calculates exactly how long you stay at what depth for each dive; and keeps you 'safer'. This is my new 'toy' ... i love the color orange, and should distinguish it from all the others.
This shows 83 feet is the maximum depth i went for all dives, i completed 9 dives, and spent 8 hours underwater, with an average temperature of 79F. Honestly, i still don't understand all of it; but i will the more i use it, and ask questions. And, continue to stay with the Dive Guide !
Last year i also decided i needed to add a light to my camera. I did a lot of research and purchased one; and i am pretty sure i should have purchased something else .... or not wasted my money on one.
Which brings me back to the Blue Ring Octopus. I need a lot of practice with a light, and this first time out, it was just distracting ! All this to say, if i wasn't playing around with the damn light, i would have gotten better photos :(
This Peacock Mantis Shrimp poked his colorful head out long enough to get this shot. This guy punches and smashes it's prey. In the time it takes you to blink an eye, the mantis shrimp could theoretically punch 500 times.
Watch this guy in action: eyes moving, feet moving, beautiful display of colors.
Or for a better video on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/ZrqUAckMAH8
On another dive we saw the Giant Mantis Shrimp. This guy prefers to Stab it's prey. You almost always see them buried in the sand with just their head exposed. They also have oblong eyes, rather than round.
Last year in my first 4 Blogs, i went into greater detail about all of the creatures i saw. Rather than duplicate the info here; if you are interested in learning more (or forgot); please check out last year's 'Shrimp' blog at:
http://dp-newadventures.blogspot.com/2019/02/new-obsession-part-3.html
Another shrimp sought-after for it's color is the Harlequin Shrimp. They are eye-catching ...and rather barbaric. They eat Sea Stars, taking up to 2 weeks to eat them, while they remain alive :( You can see the Sea Star under this Harlequin Shrimp. If i would have been paying attention, i would have done a better job of showing it.
Here is a photo of one devouring the last leg of a Sea Star :) There is more info on how they accomplish this brutal death in the above link.
These area called Squat Shrimp, or Sexy Shrimp, because they always have their bum in the air. They are about 1/4" - 1/2" long
I took this photo of this yellow Nudi in the corner. It wasn't until i was looking at the photos on my computer that i noticed the little Skeleton Shrimp right in front of it ! 1/2" tall
This is a type of Whip Coral Shrimp; less than 1/2" long
They lie very flat and are difficult to see, even when they are being pointed at. They are found on long slender stems of coral like this one.
The Hairy Shrimp is a prized shrimp because they are so difficult to find. They are about 1/8" and look like a fuzz ball. I was diving with Ray when he spotted this one. But the little Shrimp was not interested in staying still and kept swimming around, making it impossible for me to get a photo. About the time it would stop, and i could see it, then find it in my camera lens, then make the camera focus on it ... it was off and running. This was the best i could do.
Ray insisted i keep trying. I counted, we took 48 photos of it. I say 'we' because i eventually gave up and handed the camera to Ray, since it was obvious he wasn't leaving until we had a photo. The silly shrimp finally landed on some algae where it felt comfortable and Ray got this photo. Look closely ... it is carrying EGGS ! This is quite common for Shrimp to carry their eggs; but not common to actually see them. Awesome !
On a dive with Ruben, he spotted the impossible. A BABY Flambouyat CuttleFish ! Check out the size of this little one ! It was so cute !
CuttleFish are almost impossible to ignore. Of all the critters, i could just watch them forever. An adult CuttleFish is about 3". We watched these 2 move along the sandy bottom, changing colors as they cruised.
If you want more info check out last year's blog with info about CuttleFish, Squid, and Octopus at:
http://dp-newadventures.blogspot.com/2019/02/new-obsession-part-2.html
Here is a video, notice how their color change, and radiate through their bodies. Also on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/G0YKjfWhyb0
Keeping with the Octopus theme, this is a Mimic Octopus that came out of hiding
and scurried along the sand
I saw many crabs ...that i didn't see ...and still don't really see them :( They area so small and blend in perfectly with their environment. Here are several, maybe on another dive i'll get another chance
I can kind of see the eyes and a yellow claw on this one
These Porcelain Crabs are pretty easy to see. But they never look friendly ... more like fierce !
This is a Harlequin Swimming Crab, first one for me !
I'm calling this one a Red Claw Cuapetes Shrimp, looks just like the photos except the red claws. Photographers are supposed to focus on the 'eyes' ... so i wasn't interested in the claws :( But it could also be something else.
I was obviously very proud of myself for seeing this on my very own! Unfortunately, it isn't anything, ... but it's in focus perfectly, so i'm including it. We could have a contest to name it :)
This Hairy Squat Lobster was easy enough to see, and i love his color !
Back on land. There were also 3 white and yellow cats that were very friendly. One was very pregnant (not pictured); and the sweet little one on the right had been attacked by a dog, they told me.
She walked around fine on 3 legs, the back left is broken, and seems to be keeping the wound clean, another heart break. These 3 cats do live here and are fed (including feeding by the guests) :)
There was the sweetest female dog, who had puppies a while ago. She was so gentle and not a bother, just wanted some attention. She 'belonged somewhere else' ... but was with us often.
Dauin Diving - Part 2 will be next
dp
