Siquijor Island, 27 Jan - 3 Feb

I made a reservation (on line) for the first ferry to Siquijor.   It's a short 1.40hr ride.

Ocean Jet is very efficient, even get an assigned seat, and usually leaves on time.  When I arrived in Siquijor Port, there were many tricycle drivers asking for my business.  Most of the tricycles are rusted, and patched together, and are usually slow.   I got the same price quote from all of them.   Then I noticed this 'Cadillac' of a tricycle.   I picked him.   New and shiny, check out the interior.   I was riding with Class!

   

I took the 7:30a ferry so I knew my room would not be ready, so I sat by the pool on the sea.

My room is very 'roomy'.   I stayed here, but only for 3 nights last year, so I knew what to expect, and booked a week.

 

I walked to the Bahura Dive Shop and re-introduced myself, and got set up with Rocky for my Guide and Eyes.  I had GREAT recommendations about him and I was excited.  He did NOT disappoint !

 

He was very helpful before even getting IN the water!    Carrying my heavy tank and gear into the water, and helping me get it on, waiting while I adjusted my mask, put on my fins, then handing me my camera before we descended.    I am very slow at this, so it takes patience!    The first 2 days we did Boat Dives, which I am not fond of, because I am so slow and fear holding everyone else up.   I had lots of help on the boat from other Dive Masters and Dive Master Trainees.  On the boat, they even put my fins on for me.  Everyone is so helpful.    The rest of the dives, we just walked into the water, just the 2 of us, much more relaxing for me.    It is difficult walking into the water because there are rocks everywhere, and it's difficult to see where they are, and where to put one foot, before releasing the other foot.   Go Slowly and hold on to an arm, like an 'old' person.   I seem to be 'playing the old card' more often this year.   

We saw so much.   I guess I lose a bit of reality from one year to the next, but they all seem so TINY, so challenging.   Using my make-shift glasses helped, but they definitely are not strong enough !    

I've never seen this one before, but what great colors, green and blue-purple.  It is an Oxynoe Green Viridis Nudi.  It was about 1" long so I could actually see it.

 

This Trinchesia was very tiny

Another one, with eggs.  And no that is not a smile, but Oral Tentacles which are used to feel it's way and test possible food sources.

This is Shaun the Sheep Nudi, (Costasiella) in vibrant colors.

This is another Shaun the Sheep, but different.   Which one do you like best ?

Or, maybe you prefer this one ...  which really looks more like Shaun the Sheep than the other two.

 Honestly, I'd never heard/seen Shaun the Sheep until I started this 'Muck Diving'

 

  

A cute little FrogFish, I need to find out what those white 'tear drops' are.  I see them on a lot of FrogFish.  

 

Equipment Problems:

I don't think I mentioned in the last Blog, that the Dive Light that I ordered to be delivered to Kevin's did arrive before I left.   I unpacked, read the directions, charged the battery ... and NOTHING !    It was defective!    I am having a hard time with my Dive Light Karma.    Kevin returned it, and ordered another one to be shipped to Dauin, where I will be after here.    So I knew when I arrived at Siquijor, that I was going to have to rent/borrow a Dive Light.    Ironically, last year when I was here, I also had to borrow a light, since the new one, they sent me to replace the first one that died, ... had died while I was in Indonesia after just 2 weeks.    I felt like such an unprepared idiot.. with incredible BAD LUCK !  So they fixed me up with a light.   Things were looking up.

After the first day, and on the second dive, there was a 'bit' of water in my camera housing, which is supposed to keep the water out.   Even a small amount of water will fog up the lens and make focusing almost impossible.    At that point, the dive is basically over.   It happened the last day on Camiguin.   But I was prepared and had an extra O Ring, ...put it on and thought that would solve the problem.  Obviously not!     I had the owner, Russ and several other people look at it, check it, and said it shouldn't leak.   But it did !   They think one/some of the O Rings around the buttons must be failing and need replacing.  Probably not a big deal, but not something that I was going to be able to 'fix' while here.   This is NOT good, no camera housing, no photos.    Rachel, owner, offered to let me use her housing so I could take photos.   But that did not solve the problem of having no camera for the next 2+ months!   I thought about buying another one on line, and hoping it would be delivered to my next destination...big risk.    So, I offered to buy them a new housing, which would arrive at the Dive Shop, and I would trade them for their used one.   They agreed....good deal for them, but fair, and I was happy.    The day before I left I talked to one of the Dive Masters, Rog, and she said she was going to Cebu (big city) to buy a housing.   What?  She hadn't said anything to anyone and wasn't aware of my problem.    I asked her if she would buy one for me, and then deliver it to my next destination.   In the meantime I would use Rachel's and then swap back when mine came in.   Rog was buying it directly so she said she would carry it, no delivery to rely on.  GREAT !   So I continued to use Rachel's housing while I was there, and also while I'm in Dauin... to get photos.    That worked great.   I was happy as could be with the situation.    Although with all the problems i've been having, my 'track record' was not promising.   Fingers crossed my luck has changed. Enough of my drama.

On to my critter finding on my Blog....

This is an unusual LionFish called Blue-Fin, Black-Foot, Parapterois heterura.  I've never seen one before.   It reminded me of a Flying Gurnard that Kathy D and I saw on Grand Cayman.  We thought it was a LionFish.... turns out, we weren't that far off !   This one was about 5" long and I found it myself  :)

 

 

An Orangutan Crab, for obvious reasons.  Looks like he's in a bowl of spaghetti.   There is no Coral called Spaghetti Coral, but I think there should be.

 

Rocky pointed to a white long stem broccoli-looking coral.    It took me a long while before I could see he was pointing at a tiny tiny 'spot'.    The 'stem' is smaller than my little finger.    Try as I might, I could not get a close up photo.   I asked him if he could find me a bigger one sometime.  haha

 

Ask and thou shalt receive.  He found me one on a Night Dive.  It was still very tiny, but it was large enough for me to see it, so I could focus.    It is a Tritonia

 

 

This is a Bubble Coral Anemone Shrimp.  Rather common, but very tiny.

 

 

I saw a Cryptic Sponge Shrimp last year, but I could hardly tell what it was, since it looked just like the Sponge Coral it lived on.  Do you see it ? 

 

When I saw this photo on my computer, I was so surprised to see that it has eyes, and legs with little green slippers.   Duh, of course it has eyes and legs !!!!!!   I just never could see them before.

And, we saw another one, a side view, with even more detail of the legs. 

 

A Brown FrogFish

 

And a grumpy mean-looking Black FrogFish 

 

 

This Phyllodesium biareu has a lot of arms ... reminds me of Methuselah ...   Large enough for me to see.

 

This was a very tiny white thing ... and rather rare around here.     It is a Stilger sp5, the sp means they haven't identified it properly yet, so no name.

 

In this photo, I think it looks like a Hummingbird,....kind of ...

 

This is a Psychodelic BatWing Nudi.  Love that name.  I saw one before years ago, but didn't get a good photo.   So at least I knew what I was looking at this time, but could not get a good photo.  Again, I asked Rocky if he could find me another one, and a few days later, he came through for me again.   I'm not always happy with my photos, but I think I nailed it this time   :)

 

This is a rather common one, a Goniobranchus coi, ?    Great colors 

 

 

I've never seen this one before either, very striking.  Lots of first for me here.  A Dark-Dots Eubranchus.... notice the circular mass of eggs in the bottom left corner.

 

We saw quite a lot of Hairy Shrimp, which are nothing but a yellow furry fuzz ball, all so very tiny.   Some with eggs

 

Some without ... this is the first time I've seen their little legs ... of course they have legs!    The orange ones are easier to see.

 

Usually you only see one eye ...but obviously they have two ...

 

 

This next one is a Melibe.   They are also very tiny, moving, and transparent, so really difficult to get a photo.   Rocky was so patient with me on this one.   We saw several of them through the week and each time he wanted me to continue.   I easily took over 100 photos.    This Nudi has a 'net' that it throws out in front, and drags it slowly back of the sand, collecting his food, which it then eats.   You can see the 'net' in this one, left side.

 

I did take a video, and you get a better idea of what is going on.

 

Rocky pointed to this, about 1" ... it was big enough for me to see what it was, and he saw what I was doing.

 

No, he pointed to a tiny brown thing off to the side, which turned out to be a Pygmy Squid, very tiny.

 

 A close up

 

We went a short distance and he wanted to show me another one.   I couldn't see it at the time, but I see it in the photo.   The tiny Pygmy Squid just caught a Shrimp!  He was so excited.   You can see the Shrimp's head is down and the tail coming out the top of it's mouth !

 

Munch munch ... gulp !      Nature is so beautiful... well not for the Shrimp today  

 

This is a juvenile CuttleFish,  about the size the first knuckle of your thumb

 

This is a Nemo carrying for the eggs.    The male is responsible for guarding and providing oxygen, by agitating the water with his fins.

 

This close-up of the egg mass shows lots of eyes, and some baby Nemos almost completely formed.    I've never seen the eggs this far along before. 

 

You usually see a Blue Ring Octopus on a night dive.   But there it was during the day.    They are highly venomous, carrying tetrodotoxin—1,000 times stronger than cyanide—capable of causing paralysis or death within minutes.    About 3".    We are careful not to piss it off ! 

 

 

We did a Night Dive and saw 2 WonderPus Octopus, a large and then smaller one.   They are a bit larger than the Blue Ring, with longer and 'fuller' arm, but they are not toxic

 

I actually spotted this Golden Mantis Shrimp.  It is mostly in the ground, that is it's head and those brown oblong spheres are it's eyes 

 

Another Nudi you usually only see at night, and I just love them.   A Donald Duck Nudi, Google says 2".   Can you see the resemblance... kind of like a duck bill.  Love the vibrant colors !

Then there was his little brother .... way smaller, and lighter in color...

 

This is another one that is usually only seen at night, but it was out during the day .... a BobTail Squid.  They are about the size of your fingernail, and flying FAST !    As soon as they land, they immediately dig themself into the sand, butt first, with only their eyes showing... for awhile, then they're gone!    Happy to get even this photo.

 

This is the weirdest Nudi.   I don't know why it is all scrunched up like that.   They are very pretty, and one of my favorites, an Elysia pusilla.   It is hard to tell what is what.   You can see the eyes, and the white fuzz rhinopores, below the eyes.

 

 

This is a Gymnodoris, maybe citrina?    I like the 'smile' and frilly 'petti coat', with the yellow highlights.

 

 

This is the first 'red/orange' PipeFish I've ever seen.   

 

Much nicer than the beige, cream colored ones, like this.

 

 

I had a bit of drama, on what turned out to be my last day.   I don't usually dive the day I leave b/c too rushed and packing wet clothes.  So I did 2 dives in the 'morning', on Tues, which gets me back around 2pm.  I was in the shower, and I heard someone open my door, and say, 'you leaving today mam'.    I said, no, i am leaving tomorrow.    He repeated and so did I.    I asked if he would give me a minute to get out of the shower.   We 'discussed', but it was clear I was not spending another night there.   The next guest was waiting (probably by the pool), it was after 2pm check in time ... and WAY past my 11am check out time, and they needed to clean my room.    I did find her and explained and apologized, I didn't want her to 'dis' Lazi Beach.  Obviously a miscommunication, but I was leaving.    Everything is everywhere in that big room, and I just tossed stuff into my bags, wet clothes and all, ...and got out of their way.    They are really nice people and felt bad, so they booked me a room at Siquijor Summit, and also provided free transport there.   I had not paid my bill there, nor at the Dive Shop, nor said bye to anyone.    I was frazzled!     Finally got everyone paid, and tips given, and left about 5pm.   Siquijor Summit is in the Jungle!  Interesting place, predominately catering to large groups, receptions.   Certainly not a place I could stay.     The owner Joyce Summit took me to the Ferry the next morning and we had a very nice conversation.   She is from the Philippines, but lived in the USA, and owns several businesses there.   So she is back and forth.   Very nice interesting woman.

That sums up my amazing underwater adventure with Bahura Dive Shop on the Island of Siquijor, and staying at Lazi Beach Club.

Taking Ocean Jet Ferry to Dauin, and another one of my 'second homes', Aivy Maes.  Follow me there ! 

  

 

2026 Winter Adventure Begins on 9 January to the Philippines - Bohol Island (with my 2nd Family), and Camiguin Island

Every year is different, not only in life...but especially in traveling.  There were mechanical problems getting out of Kalamazoo, 1hr delay.    This caused a long line up at the airlines counter, but luckily not for me.   I had a 10hr lay-over in Chicago.   On the surface that sounds horrible, but honestly, i'm happy to be there long before my flight departs, especially Intl flights.    And, the last couple of years, I have paid for the privilege of using American Airlines Admiral Club.   Much quieter, free food, free drinks, lounge chairs for sleeping.  Well worth the  money spent!    

I am a procrastinator, everyone that knows me, will testify to that.   But this year I booked my ticket in July.   Remarkably there was a Business Class Ticket available, and I jumped on it.   Really looking forward to those flights.   Unfortunately not so lucky on my return, but I'll keep checking.   Because I had Business Class, the Lounge was included!   The Lounge clerk gave me a ticket that said Flagship Lounge.  I didn't know what that meant, but go in the elevator.   Another passenger asked me what floor, and I showed them my ticket.  Oh, she said, 'good for you'.   I asked all the questions and found out that the Flagship Lounge is the 'special' one.   This is getting better every minute!

It was definitely different.   The food was picture-perfect, but I resisted.   Still buffet style, but much higher quality and presentation.    And the alcohol was right out in the open, take whatever you want, whenever you want, as much as you want ... and NO Guilt  :)    The other lounge has bartenders.  It was morning and they had a special set up for fix your own Bloody Marys, complete with instructions.    I need to buy some of this spice for the rim of the glass, mixed with salt. 

 

I ate, drank, took a nice long nap, ate more and had another drink.   On to loading the Airplane.  American Airlines partners with other airlines (One World) for international flights, and this was Japan Airlines.   I flew with them last year and was really impressed.  I don't know how they pulled off the loading, but it was fast and easy.  i was 'escorted' to my seat, and introduced to the attendant who would be 'taking care of me.'   I was impressed, but it wasn't really 'her'.   My 'room' was amazing, you really do get to lay all the way down:  foot rest goes up, back goes down.   Of course they give you 'stuff'...but in a really cute bag :)

 

I took a video of my 'room', but it was not very descriptive.  It looked like I'd seen in envy, as I've pass down the isle to the 'cattle section'.   But was overwhelming, there is just so much more room !   The 'blue' is the nice soft lighting.

I also noted that our departure time was 5:40p .... we pulled away from the gate at 5:39p.   Japanese precision! 

So, that's my review of my flight.   I took a Xanax after dinner and slept soundly (flat) for 7 HOURS !  Business Class is the BEST, and I am totally spoiled.

My layover was at Narita Airport in Japan ... check out the 'offerings' in the toilet !!!!!!!!      I've seen these before, but never this EXTRAVAGANT !    ..and with instructions, in English.    I felt so clean and dry !  

 

Another nice 'room' on the short 4hr flight from Narita to Manila, Philippines.   5am arrival in Manila Terminal 1, transferred to Terminal 3 and up to the 3rd floor to get my Immigration extended for 59 days.  Over to the ticket counter and changed my ticket to Kevin's for a 9:30a departure, 11a arrival there.  Whew ... that was a lot to do in a short amount of time, but I made it !    

 

And of course, the minute I got into Kevin's car ... it started raining.   Since my very first visit to Kevin's in 2017, it always rains.   Kevin jokes that I bring it, and they are usually happy about it.   But other than that bit of rain, the weather has been very HOT.   Hard to imagine when I look at the weather in Kalamazoo.

The room I usually stay in at Kevin's is now their 'gym', so I stayed in one of their 2 apartments.  Very nice!    Kevin's former business partner, Bengt from Sweden, is here also, as he was last year.   It was good to see him again.

One night we went to a Japanese restaurant.  After dinner, Nadia wanted a massage.   Kevin dropped she, Viana and I off to a place by the beach for a massage.   I'm not really a big massage person...but this was awesome.  She was very good.  I'm ready to go again! 

Nadia had plans one night, and we didn't want to cook.    So I had a date with these 2 handsome fellas, Bengt and Kevin.   

 

After 5 days at Kevin's, was scheduled to go to my first diving island, Camiguin Island.  I was there 3 years ago, and the Muck Diving was great, with a great Dive Guide, Don-don.  The one with the eyes for the critters.  All packed up the night before and ready to leave in the morning, when I got an email saying the Ferry was cancelled for high winds and waves.  Unpack, and hope for tomorrow.   Gotta stay flexible.  Cyclone ADA was in the area, so I didn't think I would go for a couple days.  But the next morning I got an email saying the Ferry was leaving.  So now I'm scrambling around to be ready for my Driver to pick me up at 11am.   At 11am, I am standing in the driveway when Kevin gets a call that the Driver was in an accident and could not take me.   At that point Kevin suggested I take the bus, which takes 2+hrs.  I really didn't want to take the bus.   But there wasn't time to find another Driver at that point.   So he rushed me to the bus station and we found a Mini-Van that would take 1.5hrs.     They packed us in there like sardines.  Knees up to my chest and 4 people where 3 should sit.  The bus would have been more comfortable, at least I would have had my own seat... i think ?   But I got there in time to stop at McDonalds, yes McDonalds, I was hungry, had a quick chicken sandwich, and chocolate sundae, before boarding the Ferry for a 4hr ride at 2:30.  At 3:30 we were still sitting at the dock, and finally 3 official Coast Guard guys boarded.   Lots of paperwork, and finally we left.  I don't know what the deal was.  There was an announcement, but the speakers were impossible to hear what they said.   I looked around, everyone looked clueless.    

 

We arrived without incident at 7pm.   I talked to a woman whose trip was 6hr since they lost one engine! The dog was especially interested in the corner of my bag, but his owner pulled him away.

When I exited the gate, my TukTuk driver proudly stood with a sign with my name on it.  That always makes me feel special.  And he drove me 20min to my home for the next 5 days.

I stayed at Bahandi Beach, recommended by Don-don at the Dive Shop, since it is right next door.  Very convenient.   They only have 4 rooms, small, but the people are very nice.  

Hot water, A/C, and WiFi, only in kitchen area, altho I could get weak signal off and on in my room.   The best part, that only someone who travels in 3rd world countries would appreciate.   A wonderful shower head!!!!!!!!  It wasn't even corroded !

 

 

They have a gazabo, and a kitchen area where they will fix you a simple egg/fruit breakfast for 150php, about $3

                                   

The rooms are set back from the BLACK beach, with just a short walk under the coconut trees.   

 

 

I mentioned a BLACK Beach.  Camiguin is an Island Born of Fire.  There are 7 volcanos on this small island.   Which is why the beach is black, .. it is also why the cute tiny critters that I seek are here.  That's where they like to live.  They also have lush rainforests, pristine waterfalls, hot/cold springs, and a sunken cemetary that submerged into the water during the 1871 Mt Vulcan volcanic eruption, and you can snorkel among the tombstones.  There is also a beautiful sandy White Island that you can take a boat out to when the tide is low.   Absolutely nothing to do there.  I went one year, for about 10min, then got back on the boat.  You can ride a motorcycle around the island, stopping along the way, in just a day.  I did that my first year so don't need to do it again.  Many 'young' people come here to hike up the volcano(s).   The island is 14miles x  9miles, 40miles around the island, 5,000ft highest elevation, 2020 population at 93,000, predominately Roman Catholic.   That about does it :)

 

I went for a short walk the first day, short, because it was so hot.... sorry to say that, knowing how you all were suffering in the Polar Vortex.    This is everywhere in 3rd world countries, and it always amazes me.   So so many electric wires !!!!!!!!!!   Makes me nervous just walking by it.

 

Diving:   I have really bad Karma with dive lights.   I bought one several years ago, I checked it out at home before I left, but when I turned it on for my FIRST dive, it would not light.   I spent 3 months borrowing a light and returned the broken one it when I got home.   They sent me a new/fixed one.  The next year, it worked for 2 weeks and then quit, I again borrowed, and also used an old hand-held light I brought for Night Diving.  This year I find out that the company went out of business, ...i guess we know why.    Another company has a similar one and I ordered it this Fall.  Unfortunately, they were all sitting in customs, (I'm blaming Trump's tariffs), and it didn't get delivered before I left.  So I got out my little hand-held Night Diving light.  Before I left, I charged and checked it, and ordered some equipment to actually secure it to my camera.  I was excited to try it.  Before I left, a Dive Buddy mentioned a light that he had used successfully for years.   He said I could order it from a Philippine 'Amazon-type' and have it shipped to Kevin's.   So I did that, or had Kevin do it for me, to make sure it got delivered.    I knew it wouldn't arrive at Kevin's before I left for Camiguin, but would be there before I left for my next island.    

So, now I am on Camiguin and preparing my equipment: checked the charge on my Night Dive light, turned it on ... and NOTHING !!!!!!!   As I said, I have really bad Karma with Dive Lights.... so frustrated.   I took it to the Dive Shop and he tried a new battery, and still nothing.  It's done!    He let me borrow one of his lights while I was there.  Hopefully the light I ordered will arrive as promised.

I did 3 days of diving, 2 dives each day.  Which is 'normal' for me, and I'm usually tired afterwards.   But this first day totally wiped me out.   I had to actually sit on a boat on shore for 10min with my head between my knees after walking from the boat up the beach.   I couldn't even make it to the Dive Shop.  Damn Pathetic !   I felt fine in the water, no stress.   You wouldn't think that floating around in the water could be so exhausting, but it was.  After talking with other 'older' divers, they say this is not unusual.  Just getting used to the whole process for the first time again, ... lots of energy goes into 'concentrating' and 'being present'.   It took me several hours to recover!    The second and third days were much much better.  Thankfully... I was concerned!  

The very first thing we saw was a very special Nudibranch:  a Cycerce Nudibranch.   There are several different species of Cycerce, and Dondon told me we saw 2 different ones, but I couldn't tell them apart.    In the water they just look like TINY light yellow fuzz balls... but Wow, take a photo and you are amazed.    They are also called the Butterfly Cycerce .. for obvious reasons !

This was the first one we saw.  

 

And we saw 2 or 3

each day

 

Last year I continued to have trouble seeing what I am supposed to be photographing.   So I took my 'Sally Jessy Raffael' red glasses to an Optotmetrist and had him put in +4 lenses.  They look pretty silly, but it works.  When I see something tiny, I just slide the glasses over my mask.  This was NOT my great idea, I'd seen 2 other women doing it.   

 

I was still having difficulty on this one, there are actually 2 there, but I didn't see that.   I'm going back and getting +6 this year.

 

But while I was working on those 2, something kept 'waving' in the background.   I drew back and looked to the left.   HA  It was a Skeleton Shrimp !   Possibly he was drawn to my light.  So I captured this one.  I asked Don-don if he saw it, he said 'no'.   So I can add that one to the list of things I found myself !

 

Don-don found several cute little FrogFish.  In case you don't recall, they are about the size of your little fingernail.   This one was on the move and wasn't interested in having their photo taken.   But I caught this one.

 

There were a lot of Blue Dragons crawing around, really big ones.   In spite of their name, I see very few of them that are actually 'blue'.   I usually ignore them, but I'm practicing with my light.

 

We saw several SeaHorses.   They are not willing subjects either.   I think you need 2 photographers... across from each other, so when they turn, someone will get a shot.  I'll try a couple shots, but after awhile I feel like I am harassing them, and quit.

 

This is a Sea Moth, about the size of a quarter, not very colorful, but it has a nice pattern 

 

I love this FrogFish.   Don-don showed it to me last year, but I could not figure out what it was.   Such bright colors, this year was a little better, (at least I knew what it was)  but he was on the move too.   You don't see this one very often.   He remains on my list of 'I hope I get to see that one again'

 

Don-don found some coral with lots of Anemone Shrimp.    I got to spend a lot of time with them while he looked for something else.    Their eyes are red/white, their bodies are clear, you can see through them.  You might be able to see the eggs in the abdomen.

 

These are Trapenia miltabrancha and very frustrating.    They were very tiny, on the side of a coral, I couldn't get the camera nor the light on them.   Don-don said there were 5 of them.   They were crawling all over each other, so I couldn't tell head from tail.    More specifically, I couldn't find their rhinopores.  I feel a little better, I just googled them and Wikipedia's photo isn't much better than mine !  :)

 

I was practicing on this Sea Pen, they get their name from resemblance to a quill pen.  They are actually animals and eat plankton.   They are closely related to Coral and JellyFish.   They are anchored with a foot, and it is possible for them to retreat into that bulbous foot.

 

 

Also practiced on this Feather Star, which has withdrawn.   They usually have their feathery arms stretched out, catching plankton, and are like Sea Stars and Urchins.   

 

This is Shaun the Sheep, named after the character in the movie, that looks similar.    These guys are the size of a grain of rice, but I now know where they live, and can find them myself.   They live on this little leaf about the size of a quarter.

It is a 'solar powered nudi', one of the few nudis that can perform photosynthesis. They live on and eat the algae, sucking up the chloroplasts, storing them within the tissues of their cerata on their backs. The chloroplasts provide more than just nutrition, they also provide a chemical defense against predators.  And they are so damn cute.   Hopefully you'll see a lot of these this year.  It's scientific name is Costasiella kuroshimae.

 

These 2 Emperor Shrimp were just hanging out moving their 'arms' around in the sand looking for food.

Bonus, a rather agreeable SeaHorse.

 

We also saw 2 Wonderpus Octopus, which doesn't look like Octopus you've probably seen.   They have a very small body, with eyes that stick out, and long slender arms

 

Ok, I can't resist another photo of the ButterFly Nudi.   They are so beautiful !

All in all, a very successful visit with Don-don at Scuba Spuds, on Camiguin Island.  These are the guys that took great care of me.    Getting me 'dressed', cleaning my mask, getting my fins on, getting off the boat, and back on the boat.   They work hard.  Don-don is on the right and his brother, Richard, (the Captain) is on the left.   Rex is the guy that hauls the anchor, jumps in the water, holding the anchor, and getting back in again.     All the while, ...I just sit  :)

 

Several nice sunsets on Camiguin's Black Beach.

 

I was supposed to leave Camiguin on the 23rd.  Packed and hired a tricycle to take me to the Balbagon Port.   When we arrived, the Ferry had been cancelled... again.   Back to Bahandi Beach and thankfully they still had my room unrented!  The next day their FaceBook page did not say they would resume service.   So I started to relax when the Night Guard told me that his friend works right by there, and they were running :)    Switch-aroo again, back to the Port, and Yes, they were running.  FaceBook finally updated their page :)  This was a much nicer and bigger and faster Ferry (by about 1/2 hr).  Using a FaceBook page, I had found a driver to take me to Kevin's.     Gotta love FaceBook!

I stayed with Kevin/family another 3 nights.  Our last night together we went to dinner at the Bee Farm.    A very environmentally-friendly restaurant that grows a lot of their own food and has programs for people to learn how to do it.  Food was very good... I had Ribs if you can believe that, in a Mango glaze, excellent!  Here's our group:  Kevin, Nadia, Bengt and Me.

 

I booked the Ocean Jet Ferry (much more sophisticated and reliable than Super Shuttle Ferry), on line. My Ferry left at 7:30am, bound for the Island of Siquijor, my next diving destination.

Follow me there in the next Blog.