mactan resorts and hotels"mactan resorts and hotels" hi! can you recommend a nice resort/hotel in mactan that has reasonable and friendly rates.?
pls exclude shang, plantation, maribago and the likes
Please try PORTOFINO Resort in Angasil, Mactan. It's a few minutes drive from the airport and has nice accommodations and not to mention the gentle sloping beach. You pay there per room, not per person. Cheapest room is P2,600 and the most expensive is P3,500. I was there yesterday. Try calling their Operations Manager at +639176257294.
Shangri-la hotel, Mactan Island, Cebu
mactan resorts and hotels mactan resorts and hotels
Palawan - One of the Top Destinations in the Philippines
Everyone has an enchanting experience with their Palawan tours with all the beautiful marine and wild life found in Palawan. Anyone seeking for both water and land adventures will find it when they take a Palawan tour. A Palawan tour is Philippines pride that helps the country's tourism industry flourish.
Palawan is known to be the last ecological frontier of the Philippines. The natural beauty of Palawan is an inviting sight which attracts thousands of visiting tourists annually. Because of the flourishing tourism industry in Palawan, hotels and restaurants are blooming businesses here where Palawan tour packages are available at a reasonable price.
Most Palawan tours include packages inclusive of several activities such as mountain trekking, cliff climbing, diving, kayaking and a tour to the Subterranean Underground River. Palawan Island is rich with ecological attractions where many kinds of fauna and flora are seen. You may choose to start your Palawan tours from the southern or northern part of the Palawan Island.
Northward Palawan tour destination will give you unlimited choices of activities to do. If you crave for wreck diving, then Coron Palawan you should go. Many Japanese shipwrecks during the World War II sunk in this northern coast of Coron Palawan. Many tourist and wreck divers prefer their Palawan tour directed on the northern part of Palawan Island because of the rich and abundant coral and reef life here. The different and colorful marine life is loveable underwater sights and many photographers take advantage of the natural beauty of Palawan's marine life.
Snorkeling activities are an all time favorite among island hoppers. Island hopping is one of the common inclusions for a Palawan tour packages. A trip to Barracuda Island is a thrilling experience where barracuda of about 40 ft long were often sighted. Snorkeling above shallow water where many reef and corals grow on top of a sunken ship is also a favorite among tourists.
Palawan tour on the southern part of Palawan will show you many ecological sites. Trekking the cliffs and mountain peaks will give you an absolutely stunning view of the beach and the southern coasts of Palawan. The ecological park is considered to be a sanctuary to endangered species such as the Palawan mousedeer, the famous Palawan peacock pheasant and cockatoos. The conservation park is also a good place to visit.
One of the famous scenic spots visited by tourist with their Palawan tour is a ride to a banca through an underground river. The calm river water of the St. Paul Subterranean Underground River is cool and relaxing. Prepare yourself as you begin your banca ride into the underground river to the breathtaking sights of the stalactites and stalagmites that are formed around the cave. Some of these awesome formations are of religious-like shapes.
Because of the unlimited beautiful places to visit in Palawan, this Island considerably gives the Philippines a pride of recognition to be one of the most visited places by tourists.
About the Author
Peter Garant is writing Philippines travel articles for both his Puerto Princesa site and his Palawan Island tourist guide.
boracay island_2"boracay island" What is the best time to go to Boracay island & how do you compare it with Bali?
Boracay is one place on earth where both locals and tourists alike would want to enjoy as compared to Bali where only the tourists would want to go. I enjoyed the hospitality of the people in Boracay and especially it's beautiful white sands - it's a paradise to me.
Boracay Island The Best Tropical Beach By www.ozonetv.net
island resort philippines_2"island resort philippines" What does the Philippines need ... to be a world class destination?
(the saudis are in the desert but they have the 7 star hotel and a ski resort complete with snow and they even have man made palm islands) I mean, couldn't any Pinoy think of something to put up to make the Philippines a place where foreigners consider us different in a nice way? Edit:
ooops sorry my bad .. Emiratis not Saudis. TY battgirl =)
Maybe this 7-star complex? http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AlMLHjWxcbQwX7OvUztRMyrsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20080104212214AA9hH8C
First of all, stability of peace should be there because that is the foremost thing that scares tourist away despite the beauty of our natural wonders. My Arab friends travel around SouthEast Asia but some have deliberately avoided Philippines after a friend had packed his bags after spending one night in a Palawan resort and hearing a gun shot. It may be an isolated case but the idea of running into danger scares most of our potential tourists. Once we have established that our country is not dangerous, we have practically much to offer. Shopping and nature trips =)
EDIT: BGy, the Saudi's don't have the 7star hotel and indoor ski, it's the Emiratis, don't get confused =)
Family Day @ Costa Aguada Island Resort,Guimaras
island resort philippines island resort philippines
mactan island resorts_2"mactan island resorts" what is the best affordable (cheap but with class) resort in mactan island, cebu?
affordable resort in mactan island
I once went to HADSAN Resort. It is cheap, although I wouldn't call it classy (that is an oxymoron). At most I will say it is comfortable and clean. If you are the finicky type, bring your own linen and pillow cases, just as I do, so that I won't bother with the cleanliness standards when I want to save on travel and accommodation funds.
But Hadsan is ok.
Maribago 3-Bedroom Bungalow near the White Beach and Resorts in Maribago Mactan Island Cebu
Philippine is an island country situated in Southeast Asia along the Philippine Sea, Sulu Sea, Celebes Sea and South China Sea. The language spoken by the people is known as Tagalog. The islands were a Spanish colony from the early 1500s. The US controlled the islands in the early 20th century. Philippines is the 11th most populated country of the world.
The Philippine islands have a rich oral history of legends, poetry and tales which is common with other aboriginal societies. Unfortunately, a lot is not known among urban inhabitants and the older generations have retained them in most cases who are the subject of an anxious project by universities and cultural awareness groups.
Legends were brought with the Taiwanese settlers, it was the first homeland from the Austronesian people. The old stories of heroes and gods are shared in many parts with the stories that are familiar for the people of Indonesia, Pacific islands, Madagascar and New Zealand. However, Philippines have been settled for a mot longer time that allowed home grown versions to develop. The story of monkey and turtle is a favorite tale with the Philippine children. The moral of the story was that one should always share everything with friends. This is a defining nature of Filipinos.
Written literature existed prior to the start of Spanish colonial period. Spain was however gripped by inquisition and the church passed a decree that the existing Philippines records should be destroyed including unique Philippine alphabets. They were all to be replaced by Catholic teachings in Spanish only.
Baybayin was the only surviving documents written in tagalong alphabets. The written form literature in Philippines is only known from times of the colonial period. Most of the works written in those periods were religious praising the Christianity to the population that was previously following polytheism.
Poems were energetically encouraged that could be read or used in church or local festivals. A poem written by Fernando Bagonbanta in 1605 contained many lyrics that could be sung. In 1705, Gaspar Aquino de Belen wrote quintillas in succession that were more serious as compared to Bagonbanta. Philippines still use them today.
Since the first half of 20th century, many poetry and literature of Philippines was written in Spanish. Tagalog was frowned as the base language not capable of great works. Francisco Balagtas was one of the greatest writers of Philippines. He was a man compared with William Shakespeare for his deep nature of works. Florante at Laura was his greatest work written in Tagalog. It is about a man and woman during the times of Greek Empire.
José Rizal was the Philippine national hero and is considered the father of native Philippine literature. His works were also published in Spanish language. José Rizal was not only revolutionary but he was also very intelligent. For him, Philippine independence was very important for survival of Tagalog language.
Jozé Rizal was a source of inspiration for many Filipinos. He was also a model for civilized living. He had also studied Philosophy and Medicine and he was awarded many degrees from several European universities. Rizal also spoke 22 languages. Unfortunately, his works on literature were limited to only two novels. The second one was a sequel owing to his execution by firing squad in 1896 at the age of 35 after being convicted of up roaring revolutionary ideas. Philippines came under US control after Rizal's death. It was later associated with the US as a Commonwealth. The chosen language of the early 20th century was Spanish.
English became the preferred language of literature by the start of World War II. There was a brief flirtation with writing Tagalog during the Japanese occupation as Japanese forces were suspicious that Philippine spies would use English for passing secret messages to US forces.
On the contrary, writing in English allowed Philippine authors to successfully expand their horizons having their writing published globally. Several awards are offered annually that recognize the excellence.
Pergola: Bulacan's Favorite Restobar, Events Venue & Entertainment Center
Families who want to feast on delicious international cuisine, friends and colleagues who need to unwind and sing or listen to live music, couples who wish to have a memorable date--all flock to Plaza Pergola Restobar & Coffee Shop, which has emerged to become Bulacan's favorite dining destination, events venue and entertainment center.
Food Lover's Paradise
Located in Pulilan, Bulacan, Pergola, as the place is popularly known, provides a wide variety of food and entertainment options for those who want to enjoy and celebrate. To begin with, the restaurant's mouth-watering menu features Japanese, Chinese, Italian and Filipino cuisine--a food lover's paradise where every craving is satisfied.
For starters, guests can nibble on Gambas, California Maki, Tuna Kilawin, and other scrumptious appetizers. Delectable main courses at Pergola are plenty, including Beef Salpicao, Crispy Pata, T-bone Steak, Prawn Thermidor, among many others. The restaurant also serves fantastic noodles and pasta, such as its house specialty Seafood Pasta ala Gracia, Crab Linguini and Fettucini Alfredo. Pizza fans will be delighted by Pergola's unique fusion pizzas—Teriyaki Pizza, Sisig Pizza, Menudo Pizza, as well as its traditional flavors such as Pepperoni Pizza, Supreme Delight Pizza, Pepperoni Pizza, Ham Bacon & Cheese Pizza and many more. Pergola is truly the ideal dining destination for lunch, snacks and dinner.
Exciting Entertainment Options
More than luscious food, Pergola also offers exciting entertainment options for people who want to groove to the music and have fun. This month, Pergola presents its featured band Cueshé, performing hit songs on March 15 and 31 at Bulacan's favorite venue for concerts and shows. Cueshé's #1 songs include "Stay", "Sorry", "Ulan" and "Can't Let You Go", and they have remained very popular as an alternative and pop-rock group in the country.
Aside from Cueshé, stellar bands and artists such as Calla Lily, Brownman Revival and Duncan Ramos have headlined shows and gigs at Pergola. For those who want to laugh out loud, comedians Wally and Jose, Kim Idol and Ate Gay have tickled the funny bone of Pergola's audience. Acoustic bands also perform every night, regaling guests with a mix of upbeat and mellow melodies. For groups who want to party and display their vocal prowess, Pergola has three modern KTV rooms, each with a high-definition LCD TV and digital sound system. Those who want to enjoy and have a good time with family and friends will really find everything in Pergola!
Venue for Special Events
In addition to its wide array of food and entertainment options, Pergola has also become a preferred venue for weddings, baptisms, reunions and other special events. With its large capacity and resort ambience, it is the perfect setting for any special occasion, as well as corporate meetings, seminars and workshops.
Pergola offers packages for catering and banquet services. Its central location in Pulilan is easy for guests to find, with prominent landmarks such as Robinson's Supermarket nearby. Indeed, Pergola is Bulacan's favourite spot in every aspect, fulfilling the Filipino passion for eating, celebrating and having a great time.
Plaza Pergola Restobar & Coffee Shop is located at the Pulilan Junction, D.R.T. Highway, Pulilan Bulacan. For inquiries and reservations, please call (044) 676.0307 or 0923.702.5663.
About the Author
About Pergola: Plaza Pergola Restobar & Coffee Shop has emerged to become Bulacan's favorite dining destination, events venue and entertainment center. Pergola is located at the Pulilan Junction, D.R.T. Highway, Pulilan Bulacan. For inquiries and reservations, please call (044) 676.0307 or 0923.702.5663.
News to Go - Bulacan resorts offer nearby summer vacation spot for Manila residents 4/18/11
resorts mactan"resorts mactan" Has anyone out there in Cebu stayed at Bahia resort in Mactan?
I know its a long shot but when me and my asawa stayed there we had a very strange experience...... Just wondering if anyone in Cebu knows of anything strange or wrong that happened there in the past. Trust me its a spooky place!!!! I have an interest in the supernatural now so if anyone knows about this place or any other spooky places in Cebu plz contact me
I've stayed there but not where you just said.
I was on holiday in there when my family said that the bridge of chief Marcello Fernan was my uncle
philippines island_2"philippines island" I am looking for Mario Garcia. He is from Biliran Island, Philippines. He used to fly with Alaska AIrlines?
He is former classmate in St. Joseph College in Maasin, Southern Leyte, Philippines. We did not hear from him again after graduating from college
What year did you attend St. Joseph College? My relatives are from Maasin. And my partner attended the same school. Maybe you can provide more details so I can help you.
MALAPASCUA ISLAND, THRESHER SHARKS! CEBU, PHILIPPINES
Exploring Cebu Island – From the Birthplace of Catholicism to the Stunning Coastal Escapes
In the centre and a bit towards the south of Philippines sprawls a long strip of island called Cebu Island, the capital of Cebu Province set in the Central Visayas Region. Cebu City, the capital of the Cebu Island, is a commercial hub and houses a bustling international port. The Cebu Island is packed with scores of tourist attractions including great beach resorts, historical sites and diving spots.
The earliest Spanish settlement in Philippines is recorded in the Cebu City, which is also considered the oldest city of the country. Cebu City is also called the Queen City of the South, as it used to be a prosperous commercial and trade hub even in the past. A sightseeing tour in Cebu is certain to take you back to the 16th century, the time when Spanish seafarers first settled here.
Cebu City nestles many colonial buildings and religious venues influenced by the Spanish. One of the most famous religious and historical attractions here is the Magellan’s Cross. It was installed under the direction of Ferdinand Magellan, following his advent to Cebu Island. Presently a new cross is exhibited at the chapel called the Kiosk, in the vicinity of the Basilica Minore del Santo Nino. The original cross is secured within another wooden cross and rests on a concrete pedestal in the heart of the Kiosk. The interior of the Kiosk’s conical dome display some striking murals depicting stories of the baptism.
The next door Basilica of Santo Nino, also called Basilica Minore del Santo Nino, is considered as the oldest church in the country, with a baroque facade built in the 16th century. The Santo Nino, a statue of the Child Jesus, is enshrined here. The basilica houses a fine museum displaying antiques, statues, large rosary, Santo Nino’s cloak, gifts and vestments. Cebu boasts of one of the oldest and smallest Spanish ports known as Fort San Pedro. The city is also home to Asia’s birthplace of Catholicism, the Cebu Cathedral.
Mactan Island sits only a few kilometres from Cebu Island and serves as a great tourist attraction in Philippines. In Mactan you will come across a lifelike statue of Datu Lapu-Lapu holding a tribal shield and a sword. He was a daring chieftain of Mactan Island who fought with his fellowmen against the Magellan’s army and suppressed them during the Battle of Mactan. The monuments Magellan Shrine and Lapu-Lapu Shrine in Mactan were built to commemorate this battle.
Mactan Aquarium in the Lapu-Lapu City in Mactan Island is an excellent place to explore a wide variety of fish and learn more about them. You will see sharks, star fish, corals, jelly fish, urchins and numerous exotic fish representing marine life from the Filipino portion of the Coral Triangle. This triangle is a territory in the Pacific Ocean and is recognized as a global hub for marine diversity.
Mactan hosts more than 70 diving spots to view thriving coral reefs. You can take a glass boat ride, scuba dive or snorkel to explore the vibrant corals, the home of myriads of elusive beings. Mactan and many islands near Cebu Island provide great beaches to sunbathe and simply relax.
Things to see and do in Cebu Island are countless, and range from sightseeing historical sites with Spanish influences to exploring the rich underwater habitats. You can easily find accommodation at an exclusive Cebu resort spa like Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa Cebu. Enjoy this resort’s sumptuous comforts while indulging in the warm tropical sun, turquoise sea and the dazzling white beaches in Cebu.
About the Author
Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.
boracay island"boracay island" What is the best way to get to Boracay Island in the Philippines from Canada??
I am planing on going to the Philippines sometime after October. I live close to the City of Winnipeg in Canada but it does not matter where I fly out of. I wanna know the cheapest and best way to go from Canada to Boracay Island. Can anyone help me???
There are many ways to do it. Your circumstances will be different from mine but this is how I would do it: I would plan to spend 2 weeks on Boracay. That means leaving Winnipeg on Sunday October 5 and getting back to Winnipeg on Tuesday October 21.
First I would fly Westjet from Winnipeg to Vancouver. Flight 395 Departs 07:15 AM from Winnipeg,MB,CA(YWG) and Arrives 09:23 AM at Vancouver,BC,CA(YVR) The special Sabre fare costs $730 return (all taxes and fees included)
I would spend the day at the Vancouver airport, leaving at 6 PM on Oasis Hong Kong airlines flight 08901, arriving in Hong Kong at 10:15 PM on MONDAY. The return airfare for this leg costs $810 with all taxes and fees.
Transferring planes in Hong Kong, I would fly Cebu Pacific Air to Cebu, change planes, then on to Boracay, arriving in Boracay on Tuesday at noon. Two weeks later, on Tuesday October 21, I would fly Boracay to Manila and then Manila to Hong Kong. The return airfare for this segment costs about $200. from there I would take the Oasis and West Jet flights in reverse
So the total cost of the flight is about $1700. Note that it takes 2 days to get there but you get back the same day you leave. Thats the beauty of the International date line.
philippine island resort"philippine island resort" i purchase a land by the beach in the philippine island. i would like to start a resort is this a good idea?
the land is about an hour away from the airport but 30 minutes away from the city.
There are many factors that would make a beach resort attractive to foreign and domestic tourist.
One is accessability - are the roads leading to the beach in good condition.
Another is the beach itself - is it clean ? is the sand white ?
Tell us the location so that we tell you our opinion.
Happy Holidays !
Beach resort in Palompon, on the Philippine Island of Leyte
boracay island philippines_2"boracay island philippines" House rentals Boracay Island Philippines..?
Can anyone recommend a real nice romantic beach resort on Boracay island..for me and the fiance. or a nice house rental for a month on Boracay..or a real estate agent??
I stayed at the Alta Vista in Boracay a couple months ago. This is a 4 star hotel almost brand new, with a private access to Puka beach. Both the good and bad is that this resort is quite separate from the busy tourist area along the main beach. However, the hotel provides a shuttle there for free- it's about a 20 or so minute drive to get to where the "action" is. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful, I don't think I've had better service anywhere.
I stayed here for around a week, as a reg hotel guest. However, I'm pretty sure they have both timeshares and also the option to buy a condo outright. I vaguely remember prices to own a condo around $150,000 USD, but that's just a ballpark figure.
No matter where you stay, I guarantee you'll be spending all your time on the beach. Simply one of the most beautiful islands in the world, and the nightlife is alot of fun if you're younger and into that.
TURN DOWN THE WORLD TONIGHT by JOURNEY featuring BORACAY ISLAND, PHILIPPINES
boracay island philippines boracay island philippines
Komodo island is an original habitat of the biggest lizard in the earth. Komodo island offers visitors with the beautiful landscape, quite and calm, bring you close with a touch of Nature and beautiful under water scene. The island located between eastern Sumbawa and western Flores lie three tiny grass-covered islands Komodo, Padar and Rinca.
Each islands together form the Komodo National Park, a protected wildlife reserve. This is the home of the giants lizard known as the "Komodo Dragon" it was thought to be a myth until the turn of the century.
Not just amazing while look the giant Komodo Dragon, explore the Komodo's under water and ecosystems which has well known as the best diving site in the world. Beautiful corals, reefs, thousands sort of fishes to the crystal water and beautiful beach are await to visit. Bali Sea Safari cruises offer luxury sailing program to adventures, exploration and expedition to enjoy the beautiful of the tropical islands a long the Lesser. Sailing with Indonesia traditional Boat, Phinisi Cruises, your journey will be unforgettable moment.
Started this year off with two things: a shiny new engineering degree, and an overwhelming desire to remove myself from the heart of another ridiculous Canadian winter. Having lived on a student budget for the past 4 years, I wasn't in a financial situation that would allow me to fulfill my desire. Fortunately, I knew my daily sacrifice of a roll of film and relentless praying to the photo contest gods were heard when I received an email from Jason Heller. Apparently, I had been awarded an 11 day trip aboard the Archipelago Adventurer II as a prize from thie 2008 Wetpixel & DivePhotoGuide underwater photo contest at Our World Underwater. In the following few weeks, I also found out about a few more prize trips coming my way from other contests. All of a sudden I had myself the ultimate graduation present - a two month Indonesia/PNG voyage!
After convincing my brother, Kris, to join me, I secured a pair of spots aboard one of Archipelago Fleet's Komodo itineraries near the end of May. Andy Shorten and Gede Sartana made this process a breeze by doing something important that other liveaboard staff sometimes don't.....that is, efficiently responding to emails.
In addition to being prompt, they made sure to accommodate my ‘economic' lifestyle by setting me up with an affordable hotel and cheap domestic flights. The next few months were a bit of a blur. I was busy trying to pay off my new (large) credit card debts, going to scuba shows, and spending quality time with my girlfriend before I abandoned her for the summer. As quickly as the trip was booked, it was time to pack and leave.
After about a month of diving Raja Ampat and a few parts of PNG, the time came to make our way to Labuan Bajo (western tip of Flores). The short flight from Bali to Flores gave a nice view of the ocean peppered with small islands.
We were greeted in Labuan Bajo by the talented photographer and Scuba Diver Australasia field editor, Simon Buxton, who would be our cruise director for the trip. We made our way to the massive Archipelago Adventurer II (second largest liveaboard operating in Indonesia), and within 2 hours we geared up and got in for a check-out dive just off of Tebolon island at a site called "Coral Garden".
Somewhat typical for a ‘check-out' dive, it was rather uneventful, but still yielded some interesting nudibranchs and gobies. My uncharged strobe batteries didn't help my frustration. I came out of the water a bit disappointed, but very quickly my spirits changed drastically.
I wrapped a towel around my waist, pulled off the old trunks, and was planning to take a nice warm shower, when I noticed something tiny skip a few feet across the surface beside the boat. After walking down the side steps to water level, I realized what it was... a juvenile flyingfish (about an inch long), drifting by in the current. I'd only seen a juvenile one other time in 13 years of diving, so I decided that I wouldn't let the opportunity pass. I jumped into the current bare-assed sans mask to stay with the little guy, knowing someone eventually would come to help me.
Sure enough, Kris jumped in and made his way over with my housed D300 and mask in hand, and was followed soon after by one of the crew in a support boat. I'm glad I took that naked leap of faith, since a few nice images resulted, including this one. Those are clouds in the background, shot from below.
Still in the harbor of Labuan Bajo, we had a night dive at the same site, before a much needed gourmet dinner. The night dive was very productive, and so was dinner... my stomach hadn't been stuffed like that in recent memory. Overnight, we ‘sailed' west toward Komodo, stopping midway in the Tatawa Besar region for a pair of frustrating, but beautiful, morning dives.
I say they were frustrating because I had my macro setup when the 2 eagle rays, giant trevally, and school of sweetlips decided to make an appearance in the crystal clear water! Nonetheless, typical for most Indonesian waters, there were still plenty of macro subjects to keep me happy and busy. After surfacing, we continued the trek from Tatawa Besar to Komodo, arriving in time for a late afternoon and night dive at "Pink Beach" and "Sodo Lia", respectively. On the night dive, one of my strobes "went Caribbean" on me (i.e. worked when it wanted to), so I had to do some ‘macgyvering' to get it back in proper working order.
I have to commend Archipelago Fleet designers for designating such a large area of the boat for underwater photo gear...the camera area is larger than most liveaboard dining areas, iit's on the main level of the ship, and is a controlled indoor environment perfect for taking care of your expensive gear. An overnight steam brought us to one of the holy grails of diving, Rinca Island, where we would remain for the next few days.
Visibility was not the best and the water was cold (77 C), but the green nutrient-rich water brought with it a reason for the reef to come alive. Someone even likened the experience to swimming in a tropical fish tank on steroids. In spite of the poor visibility, I couldn't help but take a stab at shooting wide-angle in such a beautiful area. I gave it my best shot, but came out with somewhat mediocre images, so I opted for the trusty 105mm macro to maximize my productivity while still stationed at this gold mine. As fascinating as the creatures were in the waters around Rinca, the ones on land got very much attention as well.
Monkeys, deer, and boars occasionally made an appearance on shore, but the main attraction was the giant monitor lizards (aka Komodo dragons). Each morning, a few dragons would come to the beach to catch some rays....some from the sun and some from our flashes. In hindsight, it was probably foolish to get as close as we did, but Simon and I found ourselves sprawled out in the sand only a few feet (in some cases inches) from the reptiles. The time came to pull anchor and start heading toward northern Komodo.
We stopped for a pair of manta dives along the way at a site called "Toro Lenkoy", and had varying success. Our first attempt was uneventful, having only one show up at the end of the dive. However, the second attempt was much more exciting. The current was powerful so our group decided to go with the flow and cross our fingers. My brother and I stopped for a moment for a few quick photos, and were immediately separated from the rest of the group. We drifted on and on, figuring we'd catch up to the group at some point, but came to a split in the current so stopped to decide which path to take.
Before we knew it, there were three large mantas swooping only feet from our heads. We remained at the base of a large coral head as they circled, but they suddenly got spooked and bolted away with the flick of a fin. Confused, my brother and I looked at each other with ‘what the hell?!?' faces, but immediately realized what had happened...a flock of divers had just poured into the water above us and turned on their hyper-jets toward the mantas to get a closer look.
The sight of this new group scaring off the mantas was quite disturbing, so we called it a dive and started surfacing. After doing our safety stop, and briefly encountering another pair of mantas, we popped up to find ourselves dangerously far away from the ship. Without the sea floor as a reference, the strength of the current was impossible to detect. Safety sausages were inflated and after a few tense minutes, we were spotted and retrieved by one of the two sharp-eyed tenders. We continued the journey north, stopping at Tatawa Besar again.
The current was strong when we entered, making photography difficult. After momentarily being distracted by a beautiful scene of soft corals, Kris and I once again found ourselves separated from the rest of the group. As if the manta dives we just did weren't enough to complete the trip, a few eagle rays and white-tips came by, and then out of the blue, a 12-foot Minke whale graced us with its presence. Sadly, I was only able to get ‘proof-shots' of it. Kris and I surfaced expecting others to have had a similar experience, but were surprised to find an empty support boat. Apparently, the current where we stayed had died down, while the rest of the group was whisked away in a torrent, ending up on a beach more than a kilometer down the coast. This is Komodo diving. We stayed overnight near a small island (Gili Lawa Darat) just off the northern tip of Komodo, and did two morning dives close by.
These sites, "Hard to Find Rock" and "Easy to Find Rock", were stunning underwater pinnacles. Current was minimal since we entered during slack-tide, and had encounters with a small group of pygmy seahorses, large schools of jacks and sweetlips, and a platoon of nearly 100 mobula rays. In the afternoon we moved to Banta, our final dive destination. We dropped anchor in an idyllic bay and got in the water. Not expecting any large animals, everyone setup for a macro dive...then Murphy's law presented itself in the form of mantas, mobula rays, and eagles rays coming at us from all directions.
That's the way it goes sometimes, I guess. Again, as frustrating as that was, the macro life in this area made up for it within a few minutes. Before the night dive, a few of us chose to go for a little hike up the hills of Banta, since we'd heard that the view was incredible. What an understatement. The final night dive of the trip did not disappoint. Ghost pipefish, shortfin lionfish, napoleon snake-eels, and several bobtail squid were all waiting for us, allowing for loads of macro photography. After the night dive, we had our final dinner on board, accompanied by the crew playing, singing, and dancing to traditional Indonesian music.
The following morning everyone was eerily quiet, since we all knew the trip was two dives away from being finished. Thankfully, we ended on a high note, since "Tanjung Tanduk Rasa" and "GPS Point!" impressed us all with reefs teeming with life. Eagle rays, cuttlefish, a colony of pygmy seahorses (barbiganti), large schools of various species, and more anthias than you could shake a stick at were the highlights of these dives. By the time I dried off and showered after the last dive, the crew had already washed all of my gear and hung it in the sun to dry, which was a very pleasant surprise. I should note that the level of pampering in general on Archipelago Adventurer II was a few notches above most other liveaboards that I've experienced.
Simon Buxton (cruise director), the dive guides, and the whole crew were knowledgeable and well prepared for any issues that needed addressing, including the safe transport of a couple's bulky rebreather equipment to and from a support boat on each dive, which isn't often encountered. Thanks to you all, you did a wonderful job. By the early afternoon, we had already made it west to Bali, and were promptly transported by a pre-arranged taxi back to the airport where we all went our separate ways. That marked the end of my first ‘Archipelago Adventure', but I'm sure it won't be the last. A big thanks goes out to staff Archipelago Fleet for continuing to sponsor underwater photography competitions and making my trip possible!
About the Author
I'm 28 years old, webmaster in cruises company and manage Diving Sea Safari and Sea Safari Cruises I live in Bali, the paradise island in Indonesia.
Your travelling nit complete before you go to Bali and Indonesia archipelago. Explore all in my sites for more dive and cruise informations.
The Philippines - Tips for Where to Go in Southern Luzon
With over 7000 islands the Philippines is a great adventure. Still a country overlooked by a lot of backpackers because of its distance away from the mainland. With its tropical white sand beaches and turquoise sea it truly is paradise.
Manila is a vibrant city and very western. You have shopping malls seemingly on every other street with all the American fast food chains. Malate is the tourist area with all the bars and restaurants. This may not be to some peoples taste as a lot of the bars in this area are targeted to the single middle aged male.
Not far from Malate is Intramuros which was built by the Spanish in the 16th century, is essentially a town within itself. It is a walled city with a moat that surrounds it (now a golf course). There is many a sight to see within Intramuros with amazing buildings on every corner and great cathedrals and forts. One was to see all the sites is to hire yourself a guide and tour the city with a horse and carriage so you can get to see everything in one day and also get all the information on what you are actually looking at.
South of Manila you have Pansagan, where Pansagan River is located. The banks of this river is where the final scenes of Apocalypse Now was filmed. There is not much in this little town apart from the trip up the river which is great fun. You hire a boat with two boat men who will pull you up river against the rapids to a waterfall where you can get a “waterfall massage” which is essentially where you lay down on your front on a bamboo raft and they pass you underneath the water so that the water falls hard upon your back. It does slightly hurt but is also much fun. After you will then make your way back down the river with the rapids which can be quite frilling depending on what time of year you are there.
On the southern tip of Luzon is Donsol. This is a must trip for anyone who visits the Philippines, from this little town you can get a boat out for the day to go whale shark spotting in which when one is spotted you get in the water with them in all your snorkel gear and swim with them for as long as they wish, in other words until they dive to deep water. Whale sharks are the largest fish in the sea measuring up to 10 metres in length.
