Dauin, Philippines 6-13Feb, Aivy Maes Dive Center

After the short ride on the ferry from Bohol I arrived around noon in Philippines, at Aivy Maes Dive Resort, the place where I first became addicted to muck diving. I spent three weeks here last year, there wasn’t anywhere else I wanted to go. So I return in 2024. Kim and Anamae welcomed me like family. I got set up in my bungalow that I have always been in since 2019. 

 

Romel, who was my dive, guide and eyes last year, is there, but has been certified as a Dive Instructor. That is good for him, better money, but does have a downside for him. Now he is instructing and certifying new Divers, but does not get to spend as much time diving. And a big downside for me in that he was not able to be my guide and eyes exclusively like last year.  I met many new guides and eyes while I was there, five to be exact.  They were good, but not the same level of attention that I got from Romel, who always called me 'Grandmother'.    I guess you can say I was spoiled. He and I went for one dive right in front of the resort on the House reef .   And we managed to see this JellyFish, but not just any JellyFish, he had a 'hitchhiker'.    Romel said that is not a fish from anywhere around there, but came in on that JellyFish from out in the Ocean.  I don't know it's 'fate'  

Ornate Ghost PipeFish, that looks very similar to the coral it hangs out around.

these are also Ghost PipeFish, that look just like a dead leaf swaying in the water.

 

this is another PipeFish ... very different from the others

and this Elegant Crinoid Squat Lobster, again mimicking it's host... can you see it ? 

it looks like this

 

The next couple of days, I was with other guides and several other divers. What that means is I had to share. But we did manage to see many interesting critters. 

But we did manage to see many interesting critters.   Above are Flamboyant CuttleFish eggs, laid in an old coconut shell.   Everyone is excited to see when they will hatch

 

and the Flamboyant Cuddle Fish itself. It’s still amazes me that the guides are able to find these tiny critters running along the sand in a vast ocean. It is literally like finding a needle in a haystack. But somehow it happens.

we also saw one that was VERY tiny .. my finger for comparison

 

 

Check out the video  .... and watch the one on the right, at about 7sec.    He sticks his 'tongue' out slowly, and quickly snatches some food.

This is another CuttleFish .. a BroadClub CuttleFish .. that loves to change it's colors before your very eyes.

We saw several FrogFish ... this one not so pretty

but the most exciting was that i actually saw a FrogFish 'fishing'.   That is the lure on the left, and is mouth wide open.   They are capable of 'sucking in' prey that is larger than themselves ... somehow ?

another FrogFish

 

I spent a lot of time watching this 'family' of Skeleton Shrimp.  

I call them a 'family' because as you can see in this video ... it looks like they are 'fighting'

The rest of our 'group' arrived in a few days, and they understood the charm of Aivy Maes and why i like it so much.    Shari, Butch, and Sylvia. and they understood the charm of Aivy Maes and why I like it so much.   Shari, Butch, and Sylvia ...

 

 

It is very relaxing and calm. Most of the other Dive Resort have lots of people, are very busy, and noisy. Aivy Maes is small and relaxing.   It was really very very busy time of year because of Chinese new year.  All of the resorts were fully booked and there were not enough dive guides to go around.  Kim really had to work hard to find someone to take us all on a Muck Dive. But she was successful, and the next day she was able to find a boat, Captain, and crew, and Romel was even able to join us.  I don’t think I converted any of my friends into Muck Diving Addicts, but they did get to experience it, and saw a lot of critters that they enjoyed seeing and photographing.

It is very relaxing and calm... Most of the other Dive Resorts have lots of people, and are very busy and noisy.   Aivy Maes is small and relaxing.

It was really very very busy time of the year because of Chinese New Year.   All the resorts were fully booked and there were not enough Dive Guides to go around.   Kim really had to work hard to find someone to take us all on a Muck Dive.   But she was successful, and the next day she was able to find a boat, Captain, and crew, and Romel was even able to join us.   I don't think I converted any of my friends of Muck Diving Addicts, but they did get to experience it and saw a lot of critters that they enjoyed seeing and photographing.

We saw several SeaHorses

and almost all of them had a pregnant belly

in so many different colors

There were many Nemo's around, and i was able to photograph these eggs...  you can see their eyes.  Sylvia and Shari were trying to photograph the eggs and were both bitten by Nemo.   They were attacking my camera, but missed my fingers.   They were just protecting their eggs.

I love the Bubble Coral Squat Lobsters

a close-up of their face

This is another Spotted Porcelain Crab, with different arrangement of spots than others i've seen... probably a brother from a different mother.

I AM improving on my 'spotting' skills.   I am now able to identify 'where' they might live.  I saw this Xena Crab, on a Whip Coral .. not very pretty, but difficult to see.. and difficult to photograph

 

AND, at the end of the dive as we were 'going up' .. i saw something that i've only seen a photo of ... it is a Mushroom Coral Shrimp .. or some call it a Popcorn Shrimp.   It was hiding deep in the coral and the coral was swaying back and forth in front of it, and i knew they were waiting for me... but, i got this one.  He was only 4mm ... cute, don't you think ?

I know where Shaun the Sheep live and can find them ... the love-able little critters

This one of my favorite Sea Hares, Elysia

I've seen many many Anemone Shrimp in my travels, and saw one this year with eggs (in the tail) .. these had their eggs ... on their head ?    at least that's what it looks like to me  ?   weird !

a close-up shows they are definitely eggs  ...

We did go out to dinner and found a 'favorite' restaurant ... actually MY favorite restaurant, The Dive Cafe, and i was happy that they liked it too.   They had GREAT food: everything anyone tried was awesome. 

They left for Manila a day ahead of me.    I stayed behind for one more day of diving.   I was hoping with Romel, but again he had to teach.   The Guide they sent me with was good, but not really a spotter.   I was also with two girls, one of whom 'sucked' a lot of air.   That meant that it was a very short dive.   The next dive had an incredibly strong current.   I am not a fan of currents.  It is exhausting to move and impossible to photograph, since all of the elements are moving.   I was disappointed that this was my last day of diving, and did not end on a 'perfect' note.   However, every day of diving underwater with critters is better than any day above the water.   So i was thankful for one last day before I rejoined the group and we started the land portion of our adventure.  

and we did see a new Nudi, Nembrotha sp?   Unfortunately, I didn't have an assistant to move that piece of grass from my photo. 

And, it did end on a GREAT note.   As i said, i am getting better at 'spotting' ... and I, me, Donna, found a Hairy FrogFish, which is quite elusive.   Whoop Whoop
 

And, it did end on a GREAT note.   As i said, i am getting better at 'spotting' ... I, me, Donna, found a Hairy FrogFish, which is quite elusive.  Whoop Whoop

                                     

A short flight to Manila the next morning.   I spent another night at my friendly Innsite Room Rentals.   The women here are so friendly and helpful and the room is all that i need.  This is the 'entrance' area.  

 

I went out on the streets again, this time making sure that i knew how to get back to my 'home'   You might understand how a 'tourist' might get lost ... 11th Street and the cross street is 12th Street ???  ...notice the sign ...

 

This time I took a video of the streets of this old US airbase community where I have spent 3 nights.  Narrow streets full of children, dogs, cats, chickens, birds ... etc.

 

And a few streets over where you will find everything you could possibly need.   You just may have to look awhile before you find it.    

I have used the same taxi driver, Resty Morales 4 times, and I was confident that he would pick me up at 2AM to take me to the airport to join my friends for a 5AM flight to Hanoi, VietNam.   At the beginning of this Blog I promised you something 'different'.   So stay tuned for a totally new adventure for me.   I have no idea what to expect for the next 2 months.    That is a true adventure.

I have used the same taxi. Resty Morales, driver four times, and I was confident that he would pick me up at 2 AM to take me to the airport to join my friends for a 5 AM flight to Hanoi.   Stay tuned for a totally new adventure for me.  I have no idea what to expect for the next two months.  That is a true adventure.  

 

 

30 Jan - 4 Feb Paradise 3day 2night Tour

We left Coron the next morning for our 3day 2night Paradise Adventure Snorkeling Tour.    We went through hundreds of islands and beaches, and we will end up in El Nido.   The other alternative was flying, and this sounded like much more fun.

I do believe those are my feet and legs  :)   Photo by Shari.

I'm not good at this... but you get the idea ..

This was posted ... and more accurate

It was a GREAT trip.  We were a bit concerned that there were going to be 30 people on the boat; but it was fine.   This was our ‘home’ for 3 days.   (Photo by Shari, or Sylvia, actually many of these out of water photos are theirs)

The Tour Director, Joel, was amazing.   Lots of energy, knowledgeable, and had a great crew what worked together like a well-oiled machine.   I would highly recommend this trip with him.    We had many stops along the way, for snorkeling, beautiful scenery, PERFECT weather.  By the way, you have not heard me say anything about the weather so far….. NO RAIN.   i hate to jinx myself; but its’ been great!

Back to the tour.  The food, buffet style, was amazing.   How our ‘very attractive young’ chef was able to prepare those meals in that tiny ‘kitchen’ on the boat is a mystery to everyone.

 

even going the extra distance to carve beautiful fruit displays.

The scenery was beautiful ... everything we hoped for.

We had 2 nights on 2 different ‘deserted’ islands.   The first trip to shore was a bit unexpected, however.   It’s the one thing i suggested in my review:  we needed better communication on this part.  The boat slowed and dropped anchor by a small white beach island, and Joel announced the it was time to go ashore……. and we saw the kayaks launched in the water…..    We knew we were going to spend the night, and had ‘appropriate necessary stuff’ packed and ready to go … but in kayaks … tippy plastic kayaks ?   I had stuff in zip-locks and dry bags…but in kayaks…    They were loading 2 people AND their heavy bags, plus the ‘paddler’ into a kayak and taking off.    Many were just above water level.    I had 3 heavy bags, and i considered running back up the stairs and re-organizing, but there wasn’t time for me to think before it was my turn.  

OK, back up …. I forgot to mention that there was UNLIMITED rum on the boat.   Dennis, a rather large guy had been taking advantage of the free rum, and was drunk the entire day.   On one of the snorkel stops, he had to be ‘rescued’, not seriously; but they picked him up, and eventually dumped him back in the water.   We enjoyed watching that  :)  
Back to the kayak story.   I reluctantly carefully got into the kayak, they handed me my bags, piled in front and on top of me … then the next person (young cute thankfully-small Ben) got on with his small bags.    And with a prayer we were off, balancing, and doing ok.    We were given the option of swimming to the island, and some opted to do that, … including Dennis.   But part way out, he saw our kayak and decided to grab on to the rope and let our paddler DRAG him behind our kayak.   I was LIVID!    I continued to yell at him to let go; but he held on.   We were barely moving through the water.   I felt sorry for the paddler, plus i was sure we were going to dump.  But we did not.   Those kayaks are amazingly stable and can hold a lot of weight, in addition to a big drunk guy on the drag line.

We eventually beached on the shore and Ben graciously helped me with my bags and carried them to our ‘huts'

Sylvia and I at our 'hut' for the night

 

The evening meal was as amazing as the other meals, with lots of choices and lots of food .. and of course .. rum.   Beautiful sunsets.    Our boat and kayaks

We had 2 great ‘fire dancers’ … the kind that have fire at the ends of chains and they swing them around and up and over and in between.   They were both good.   And then a bon-fire.   Again, lots of rum.
Sylvia and I retired to our hut, with twin 4” foam mattress, sheets, pillow, and a bug net.   It was perfect.   

It was a great evening and i loved the way they 'lit the way' for us ... magical

In the morning we packed up, kayaked back to the boat, and we were off again.    I was the only one in my kayak this time  :)    But notice how many bags i had !!!!!!!

Touring through the most beautiful islands and beaches, …that you could ONLY see/experience on a trip like this.   It would be impossible to get to these locations on a Day Trip.   This was a good idea.

Snorkeling was always offered.  There were lots and lots of clams:  beautiful vibrant blue, turquoise, gold, and all colors in between. 

 I only snorkeled once, the rest of the times i just stayed on the boat and relaxed. 

 

Day 2 we went ashore a small inhabited island for an education by Joel.  First we helped the kids clean up the beach, trying to encourage their future care.   There were probably 5 kids per family.   There were lots of kids, one just as sweet as the next.  They had an elementary school on the island, but if they wanted further education, had to go to another island, quite a distance away.  The staple was fishing, for squid.   They cleaned them, dried them, and sold them to the main islands.

 

 

Joel also showed us a DYI ‘canoe’ … made from whatever they could find:   styrofoam, wood, and cord.   The canoeo is his feet !   So they straddle the 'canoe', and have make-shift short fins (boards) on their feet.   They have a mask, and bend over the look in the water, and then when they see something, they prepare to catch it.

And also 2 of the DIY ‘lures’ that they use for fishing, again from ‘stuff’ they found on the beach.    This one is for catching small squid

 

and this one for the BIG guy ... all out of 'trash' picked up from the beach.   Very smart and the essence of 'recycling' .... and survival !     I can't imagine living like that, ... of course i can't  :(

the kids had prepared a little song and dance for us.    Joel said many tours like ours come through here each day; so they knew the routine.   But what was so endearing to me, was the Joel was right in there with them.  Getting a kick out of it.  i loved that!

 

I was prepared for the kayak ride to the island on the second night.   Toothbrush, paste, pjs, water bottle, and ry pants/top in the dry bag.   Some of you may remember George Carlin's skit on 'stuff' that you need.   If not, YouTube it; and you'll understand my dilemma, and how true it is.   Me in a bathing suit, b/c your butt gets wet in the kayak.    Check out our one SMALL bag!

 

This night Joel organized several tug-o-wars.   One with the tour guys against all the other guys on the boat.   The tour guys are strong (i watch them pull that thick heavy rope with anchor, it takes at least 4 of them).    Joel said they usually win, but they were WAY out numbered.   A defeat for the tour guys  :(

 
He also organized a fun competition.  Two teams, each person had to put a small lime-like fruit (called a calamansi) on a spoon, which they held in their mouth.   Carefully walk a distance to a pole and return without dropping it.  I was impressed at how well they all did.   Fun to watch and maybe a good idea for your next party.

Another amazing dinner,  breathtaking sunset ...

another fire show, and bonfire

And i retired.   

After about an hour, my tummy was feeling strange.  Around 1am it was necessary to head to the ‘bathroom’.    So, the bathroom has broken concrete floors, a toilet, with no seat, and a 50gal drum filled with water, and a scoop.   You use the scoop to pour water in the toilet to flush it, the old fashioned way.  And no light in the ‘ladies’ room, and at that point of the night…. no toilet paper either.   I always have a small amount of paper with me… but it was obvious i was going to need more.   I found a whole roll of TP, THANKFULLY !    I needed it.   The men’s room had a light, again thankfully; so i used theirs.   I don’t think i need to go into detail, but it was ‘both ends’ for the rest of the night.   Some of you may know, that i REALLY don’t like throwing up; but sometimes you have no choice, and this was one of them.   By the way, i only had 1 run and coke.   Thankfully Sylvia and i had separate huts that night !    Ok, so maybe that was too much 'sharing'   :)

Everyone was really nice to me in the morning, one girl even gave me one of her electrolyte tablets.   I still was not feeling well, but the worst of it was over, again, thankful.    Back on the boat, quite a few other people were also sick … i think something in the food … but it’s hard to tell … most of them had more than one drink the night before.   Everyone else in my group was fine.   I really missed the ceviche they had for lunch…. i love ceviche  :(

 

The rest of the day we cruised and stopped at several more islands for snorkeling/swimming.   I laid low, certainly not feeling great, but ok.   
Ahhhh, i used to be one of these girls …

We arrived on land and they put us all in vans and drove to El Nido. town.   We had a place reserved.   South Anchorage Suites, yes we were still in the Philippines, not Alaska.

El Nido is far nicer than Coron.   They had nicely paved streets, their food and store options were much better.  It was quite festive on the streets, blocked off to traffic.    I thought i was in New Orleans  :)    Sylvia and I stayed in the first night, I was still recovering.  We really liked our room… this is the view from our room.     A gigantic stone 'mountain',  you probably can't see them... but there were coconut trees growing out the very top, on the right side.

 

Much better than in Coron, where our room had NO windows!    We got out the next day and i was great from then on:  walked the streets, shopped, ate.   

Saw this sweet patient pup, waiting for someone to say 'ok'.

 

We ran into Joel and visited for a bit.   By the way, Dennis, the guy who drank too much the first day, turned out to be a really nice guy the rest of the trip... that damn alcohol !      He was in El Nido also and took this photo of us visiting with Joel.

 

After 3 nights in ElNido, we got on an Air Swift plane and flew to Panglao.   I stayed with Kevin, Nadia, and Viana.  Unfortunately it was only 2 nights, and i felt bad about that; but my ‘normal’ trip was compressed, and i had to cut things out that i usually do, and shorten others.   It was great to see them again, they always welcome me like the Prodigal Son !    Kevin shocked me again with all the work they had accomplished since last year.  Including 2 apartments, and i got to christen one.   Very nice, small kitchen, bedroom, big closet and bathroom.   Everything was brand new… all shiny, bright, and clean.    They also had a new Master Suite, and a new nice large kitchen.   Nadia loves to cook, so she was very happy.   They are doing well.   Their gardens are really producing now.   So many banana trees ... huge ones.

Kevin picked a papaya,

 

and Nadia made a Green Papaya Salad for dinner, along with Fried Chicken.   It was amazingly yummy !!  Kevin's business partner, Bengt, from Sweden was also visiting.

 

The rest of my group stayed in Panglao, to do some diving, and site seeing.  Unfortunately, they took turns being sick, and didn’t do much.    

After 2 nights, i got on Ocean Jet Ferry and headed for Dauin.

... for Muck Diving .... next up