More Dauin, Philippines

Still here ... can't think of any reason to leave.   I feel like i'm being lazy, and i guess i am   :)    I am meeting a lot of new fun people, they come, and go, and i'm still here.    Great diving, great accommodations, great people, and close to 'town' .

Diving continues to be exciting, always something new to see.

This is Romel, who has been my Guide and Eyes; the person responsible for what i am able to photograph, and most importantly ... my life !

I'll point out here that the diving we do is not from a boat, as is the case at a lot of places.   The sea-beaches right out front and all along the coast are reserved as Marine Sanctuaries, so no fishing.     Which means we can walk right into the water and start our dive.   The beach right out front of Aivy Maes is protected from the waves and is generally calm.  But along the coast, it is not the case.   It is challenging when there are huge waves coming in, and there are rocks and boulders underwater that you cannot see.   Because Romel is such a considerate young man, (and i am old... he calls me 'Grandmother') .... he carries all my gear, down the beach sometimes a couple football fields, to where we want to enter the water.  Then he helps me into the water, through the waves, over the rocks, and holds everything: my gear, my camera and usually me, ... while i flounder being bashed by the waves,  putting on my mask, then my fins, then helps me into my gear.    This is what it looks like ... definitely challenging ... and LOTS of extra work for him.    You'll notice that HE is still in the water, and i am on dry land filming  !

So, now you have a better idea of what goes into actually getting into the water.   I am very grateful for him.    When i was here before, there was another young man, Gien, that always did the same.    It is their culture to have great respect for their 'elders'.     I specifically asked for a 'native' Guide, also because they grew up in these waters and know where 'stuff' is.

So, i begin.

I'll start off with the Flamboyant CuttleFish.   Everyone wants to see them, so a group of us set out on one dive with that goal.    Just to remind you ... there is a HUGE ocean floor out there, and we are looking for something specific ... what are the chances?    Thankfully, one of the divers, Adam, spotted it, and the people and cameras came running/swimming.    They are only about 3" long, and don't move very fast, so I knew there was no chance of them getting away before everyone got their opportunity.    These guys are so cute and interesting to watch, most agree we could just stay there and continue to watch them the rest of the dive.   I have so many photos, it's hard to pick just a few.

I'll start off with some perspective.   That is my gloved finger.

 

When a light is on them, they are very colorful.   They walk.... using the 'leg' shown here.

 

They also hop...  and glide ... they do not swim like fish ...    I caught this one mid-air ...

They eat by very quickly sticking their 'tongue' out ...lightening fast.   Check out the guy at the top

 

Below is my latest video on them ...   watch closely at the very beginning to see the feeding action.   You'll also notice that if a light is not shining on them, they appear dull.   

It's a long sad story which I haven't mentioned.   The last time i was diving before Covid, i decided i need to buy a 'proper' external light for my camera, ...like the big kids have.   I bought one in 2020 when i returned, and was able to find the unopened box, 3 years alter, charge the light, and learn how to use it before i left.    I was SO excited.  This will make a HUGE difference in my photos.   After I arrived, and before my first dive, i got everything set up.   Long-story-short ... the light does not work  :(      So, i have to rely on someone else's light or ask someone to hold a their light in order for me to get color from any distance.   Close up photos are ok; but anything further than 1 foot away will be dark.    I was obviously depressed, almost in tears ... but i've moved on.   Something to look forward to next year  :)   You can also watch on YouTube:   https://youtu.be/ilVD3lndv7c

ok, i think we've covered Flamboyant CuttleFish, but i doubt for the last time.     You'll have to bear more photos in the future ... i hope.

But before we leave, there is another CuttleFish, a BroadClub CuttleFish .... interesting as well, but not so much sought after.   I've shown the BroadClub before, but they can appear so different.

 

Not the same one, just a few minutes later.   They can look so different.

Something totally difffent, this is a type of Anemone, which reminds me of FireWorks !

I love Ornate Ghost PipeFish .... it's unusual to see 2 of them ... but here are 3 .... like a family photo .... i actually have no idea if they are a family ... but one is definitely smaller.   The ones in my last post were yellow, orange .. this green yellow is nice too.

and this composition ... amazing!

I've already introduced you to Shaun the Sheep ... the green and white one.    This is a Gold Shaun.

Red Letter Day ... I found this one myself.    It was a brown blob, about the size of a walnut ... and it moved !      You won't hurt my feelings if you can't tell what it really looks like.  Honestly, I couldn't really tell either until it showed me it's  'Monarch Butterfly' fins.

This video is more helpful ... he was wiggling his way into the sand when i left.

I've shared photos of the Flounder before, but have never really gotten a good look at his eyes.    They move independently of each other, and they stick way up like telescopes.

This is a little Blenny that loves to hide in his home, but is very curious ... and grumpy ..

Unlike the Goby, who also takes refuge in it's home ... but this one is smiling at me.

Pretty Feather Dusters that were being shapened by the strong current.

On the same dive I found another treasure.  A 4" Mantis Shrimp, i think it's a Pink Eared Mantis Shrimp (b/c of the pink ears...duh).   I only spotted him because he 'attacked' me ....  Mantis shrimp are able to club prey with the force of a bullet, or spike them with their sharp claws, this was a 'stabber'    They are so beautiful !   

Each eye operates independently and has ‘trinocular vision’, which means it can gauge depth and distance on its own by focusing on objects with three separate regions.   You can see the eyes moving in the video. 

  

After several dives in Dauin, I still had not seen a juvenile FrogFish.   Romel did not disappoint when I made my request.   

I even have a video of his clumsy little self going so painfully slow!    He was only about the size of my little fingernail.

Another clumsy fish ... a Leaf Fish ...

I am posting a lot of videos, but it gives you a much better idea of the critters.    I wanted so badly to help this one along.

LionFish are so pretty.   They are an out-of-control invasive species in America and down through Central America.   They are everywhere and threatening the marine life balance.    Here in the Philippines, they are native, and you don't see many.    So people get excited when they see one.   So, when in Rome ...

 

How about a turtle !    I am so focused on seeing the tiny things, that when Romel pointed up a grassy slope ... i saw nothing; he pointed a 3rd time ....  There were 2 of them, and they were GrandDads, giant turtles.    I know everyone loves to see a turtle.

This tiny fish was on the same 'leaf' as Shaun the Sheep lives.    And, i saw him myself while looking for Shaun.

 

 

I was so excited when Romel showed me this Orangutan Crab, crawling across the sand.    I've seen them before, but they've always been hiding in a Bubble Anemone, and they've always been 'orange'.   I have a hard time to make out what is what, they are so fuzzy.... like a Orangutan.   You can see his eyes and little claws out front.

Here is a video of how painfully slow they move.    It's not easy being an Orangutan Crab.    At the end of the video, he throws his arms in the air, ... Hallelujah  !

This alien creature was creepy.   It keep slowly rising out of it's tube home, i assume to gather food from the sea.   

 

Some pretty Coral and the fish that call it home.

 

I struggled and was surprised to see this photo, since it was living in between some 'stringy' coral that the camera insisted on focusing on.   It's so very distinctive, and yet i can't identify it.

 

This is a Peacock RazorFish, that kind of floats as it swims, very graceful... and then very quickly changes direction. 

It was floating peacefully, then quickly flicked it's tail and almost ran into me.

I'll finish this post with a Long Horn Cow Fish ... they are SO cute ... and they are easily seen.   I've named this video .... "Are you Still Followin' Me? "

I've posted a lot of videos on this Blog, because i think they show much more than a photo can.      If you have an opinion, let me know if you enjoy the videos and if they are helpful ... or not so much.

 

Dauin, Philippines - 10-13 Jan

My next stop is Dauin, Philippines, from Tagbilaran, Bohol.   The Ferry takes me to the larger City of Dumaguete.

 

I had lots of help getting to the Ocean Jet Ferry to take me from Bohol to Dumaguete.  Nadia and the girls made sure i got my ticket and got on the Ferry.   Procedures for this have changed since i was here last, so VERY grateful for that help.    Another  'senior moment' ... we arrived at the Ticket Office for the Ferry.    There was a long line waiting for tickets .... the Attendent looked at me and pointed to the right ....    There was one other person waiting in that line ..... the line for 'Seniors'   .... hey ... i'll take it !!!!!!!!

It was only about a 2hr trip, on a large comfortable boat ... except for the child screaming next to me.   Thankful for earplugs and an audio book !   When  i got off the Ferry, I got a Tuk Tuk ...(a motorbike with a seat for me and baggage attached) to take me to the 'bus' station, where i got a MultiCab  ...(a large cargo van that has been gutted and bench seats installed) to take me about 40min to Dauin.    They pack as many people and their bags in there as possible.     Open air, hot, sweaty, and close quarters.    It's the Philippine way of travel.

Part way there, the girl in the large hat, looked at me and asked if i was 'Donna'.     She had been on her phone and sent a photo of me to her friend, who worked at Aivy Maes Dive Resort, ... the place where i was staying.    I kind of stand out in a crowded bus i guess  :)      The nice MultiCab driver stopped for people to get off on the street, here and there.   After the bus was empty .. i was still sitting there.    He said he would take me to Aivy Maes directly.    So nice ... and i gave him a nice tip, which he was very reluctant to take.   The people here are really very very nice and caring.    They are very respectful of their 'elders' ... maybe that's why i got special treatment...again.   I'm liking this getting-old thing !

It was great to see Kim, the Manager of Aivy Maes again, for the 3rd time.   She had my favorite Bungalow all ready for me.     I really do like it here.    I have my own bungalow, but not my own bathroom/shower.    Normally I wouldn’t chose that; but the bathroom/shower is always very clean and i’ve never had to wait in a line.   I don’t mind it at all.   Oh, I forgot to say that we have HOT water !!!!!!   It's very well maintained and the Staff are very nice and helpful.

 My view to the Sea

My friend, Paco, that i met in Utila, Honduras, in 2012, was also here to join in on the diving fun.

The Dive Guides (eyes) that i trusted my dives to last year are no longer here, except for Rubin.   I knew this, but it was kind of sad that they are not here.   I plan to dive with Gien before i leave, he is working down the beach at another resort.   I told Kim how much i enjoyed them because of their culture, they are very respectful of their elders, and they took such good care of me ... carrying some of my equipment and making sure i didn't stumble getting into the water.   Rubin was not available either, but she assigned me to Romel.   He is also a local, and he is taking great care of me too.   

Our first 2 dives were right out front... just 'carefully' walk into the water  :)    What did we see  ?

Several Nudibranchs ....   Indica Caloria, a bright and colorful one

 

Goniobranchus is a bit easier to see since it is 'fatter'   :)   One of the Dive Guides here told me this is one of her favorites, it looks like a pancake with syrup dripping down it.   I'll always think of that now  :)

 i

 

Romel found these Ornate Ghost PipeFishes ... one of my favorites.    There were TWO of them ....They live vertical ... usually around/among grasses.   I'll post them this way, so you don't have to turn your computer side-ways ... i'm considerate like that   :)

 

But you see them like this ... when mixed in their environment, are difficult to spot

This Moray Eel, maybe a YellowMargin Moray Eel ?     He was large

and i looked inside his 'home' ... and this is his tail-end ...  yellowish margin .... so, i'm calling it  :)

This is a Hairy Squat Lobster .... tucked way down in some coral.   I was surprised i got a photo because he was on the move.

 

This is a White Eye Moral Eel ... a much smaller Eel ... and more shy

I can never resist taking a photo of a pretty Sea Star

 

and i entertain myself with reef fishes, while Romel is 'working' to find something else for me to see  :(

This is a Thecacera or Pikachu ... which is a Pokeman 'thing' that i don't understand.   Never easy to photograph.   They are a Nudibranch, but such a strange shape; and you can see their organs ?

 

The next day they loaded up a 'jeep' and we drove to The Pier.    A memorable place for me from the last time I was here.   Always lots of great things to see at The Pier.   However, it was a very windy and rough sea day.    It is a very difficult 'entry'.   Romel carried the equipment way down the beach, so i didn't have to carry it.    Then he helped me wade into the waves, ... with lots of large rocks to try to navigate over.   This was not easy.   Then, i needed to put my fins on, while being belted by the big waves, then my mask, and rest of the equipment; all the while trying not to lose my camera, dangling from my wrist.    It was not easy.      Then we floated on our backs, riding the waves, ... and paddled backwards towards The Pier.    Finally we were deep and far enough to decend, where it was MUCH calmer ... and swam our way the rest of the way to The Pier.   It definitely was exhausting.    Even this video does not do it justice.

But .. DEFINITELY worth the work.     There were so many Nudibranchs under that Pier.   You may have to take a break to see them all.    Two different Nembrothas .... a Crested Nembrotha ... which i call the Broccoli Nudi

and the more colorful Dusty Nembrotha .... i actually found one of these on my own ...

I've never seen one of these before ... it's called a Snakey Bornella.   It's complicated name is Bornella Anguilla, which means 'eel', and is named for it's swimming behavior.   It swims like an eel.... maybe i'll see that someday.   I really like finding something i've never seen before !

This one was crawling along the sand ... WoW   ... what a beauty !

and one was clinging to the side of one of the many Pilings

The pier pilings were interesting themselves... so many specimens ....

 

Romel found one area where there were SO MANY Nudibranchs .... it was unbelieveable !

and then these two ...

and a FlatWorm .... no less impressive

I had a difficult time leaving this one alone ....it was mesmerizing !     I took so many photos, and all of them turned out.   I couldn't decide which one i liked best.    Sometimes it's the other way around... lots of photos, and none of them turn out.

and here is a video, just to show the grace of movement

There was also a pretty spectacular Sea Star under there

 

Swimming back down the beach to the shore was much easier than getting in ... although actually getting out of the water was tricky too.   Romel did all the hard work.    We got back in the jeep and drove down the road to El Dorado where we were going to do our second dive.    The sea was kicking up even more powerful than earlier, ....i hated to be the one to call it off, but the guys agreed.    We returned to our 'home reef' and did our second dive.   Never to be disappointed, thanks to Romel.

This little shrimp was fun to see ... actually i didn't really see it until i saw it on my computer.    Love the red eyes... and how it looks like he's just 'hanging out' ....

All the very small Nudibranchs that we've seen ... and this one seemed enormous... actually only about 3" ... but so much larger than the others.   Even as large as it as, Romel needed to point to it twice.    I guess i was expecting to see something tiny.   It's a Jorunna Nudibranchs

Another Nudi that was not tiny, but long and skinny, ... and moving fast !

I saw this large Goat Fish .... named because of his 'whiskers' like a goat.   They root around in the sand, and stir up quite a 'mess'.

Romel pointed out, several times, this very very tiny .... something.   I could not get it in focus, so he finally took my camera and got the shot.    It had us stumped for awhile, but we've determined it's a Fingered Dragonet, or Sailfin Dragonet      Beautifully marked ... my God it was tiny !   The adults are pretty drab looking, this was an awesome find.    They can quickly bury themselves in the sand with only their eyes showing, so we were lucky !

I still enjoy taking photos of fish ... especially when they have such expressions on their faces.   This one is blowing me a kiss

and this Nemo ... what a face

 

I took the next day off, and took a walk in the neighborhood.     These are mangos, being organically grown.   They protect the emerging fruit from bugs this way, so they do not have to spray.    What a job!     All the fruit is wrapped in newspaper wrappers !      At first I thought it was left over from Christmas   :)

I also had a nice chat with one of the Tourist Police Officers before their morning inspection.    Many more women than men in this group.     So professional.     The 'commanding officer' was also a woman, and i was impressed at how 'relaxed' she was ... not 'bullying' ... everyone was happy.   Nice new uniforms with lots of patches, and shiny shoes !

More diving and photos to continue, as i have extended my stay in Dauin.