OCEAN – one of the most beautiful and fascinating wonders of nature. Three quarters of the earth’s surface is covered with water which provides foods to millions of not just people but other animals as well. It provides satisfaction and pleasure for almost all beings here on earth. Captivating coral reefs and underwater rock formations appear as if engineered by extra-terrestrial beings. Diverse marine species with their vibrant physique create a dazzling effect in the waterworld. But behind the sea’s beauty and wonder, lies another world with billions of creatures interacting in ways we cannot comprehend. Deep within the vast blue open space, there remains a mystery. There dwells some sort of danger. The sea has been a keeper of some events in our history. Sunken ships, crashed planes into the waters and disasters that had occurred seem to be recorded in the ocean’s history.
Now I’m going to share with you my scuba diving experience into the sunken outrigger boat and plane wreck.
But first, here’s the story of how this scuba diving engagement started.
OPEN WATER COURSE DIVING INSTRUCTOR: Yes, that was the reason why I came here again to dive. I was invited by my brother, Rain, an aspiring diving instructor. He was with his friend, Alfred, another aspiring diving instructor. As I observed, scuba diving instructors had to take a practical test on how to deal and handle their guests. That was why I was invited because I would be one of their practicing guests. Lol. And I readily accepted the invitation. It would be truly awesome to dive and this would be a different experience for me.
So here are the two sites where they would undertake their practical exam.
Talima Dive Site : Exploring and Searching for Treasures in the Ruins of The Sunken Boat
Starting off from Mactan Port, we took a boat to Talima Dive Site. I was in absolute bliss because we were embraced by fine and sunny weather and welcomed by gentle waves giving us a smooth sailing ride. Talima Dive Site is located in Olango Island. We spent about 30-45 minutes riding towards Talima.
This is my brother, Rain, one of the two aspiring scuba diving instructors. As you can see he’s really serious and dedicated to what he’s doing. Is he going to make it? Read on and find out the result of his endeavor.
The guy in red is Alfred, the other aspirant. This picture shows one of the many tasks they did. Aside from acquiring a lot of skills underwater they must know how to deal and handle their clients/guests. On this dive they were assigned to discuss and orient us about what to expect down there and to remind us of the proper etiquette, the dos and don’ts in scuba diving.
It’s now time to DIVE.
Down here, we were to expect to see the ruins of the sunken boat. I felt like I was a pirate exploring the underwater blues looking for treasures in the sunken boat.
So upon descending, I saw this pile of wood. At first, I wondered what these pieces of wood were doing down here. Later, I realized they were ruins of the sunken boat. The original structure of the boat could not be seen anymore. The remnants were already inhabited by some algae and some coral reefs. These served as an artificial reef which benefited thousands of living organisms in the ocean.
My companions and I continued to swim and explore the depths… until I saw the real treasures here in Talima.
I saw some patches of corals and when there are coral reefs we are to see a lot of fishes. I was saddened at first because I saw only a few fishes. But in a few seconds and to my great surprise, I saw a lot of fishes and many of them were big… as in big fishes… and other marine creatures. I was mesmerized by what I saw. It was an incredible sight!
Just take a look at my picture below.
This fish is huge. It’s the size of a basin.
I am not a marine biologist, so don’t expect that I know the names of some creatures I met during diving. I didn’t know what this fish was but I called him Stalker Fish. 😛
It is a stalker fish because it liked to stalk and follow humans. Haha! At first I was frightened because it might bite me but it was a harmless fella. Maybe it wanted to make bubbles that was why it followed and looked at us with its keen eyes. 😀
These fishes are relatives of Dory, (Finding Nemo) a surgeon fish. (Nope, they are not doctors, they just have a scalpel-like thing in their tails, that’s why.) They look like drawings because of their black color and minimal features. During my elementary days, this was how I drew my fish. HAHA! I thought my drawings were unrealistic, but viola they were real! They are proven here!
What do you see? It’s a stone fish! One of the reasons the underwater world is not just for fun, is because you have to heed the much needed precautionary measures. In this case, it’s is really advisable that when you go scuba diving never, ever touch any living creature or any non-living thing under the sea. Once you touch this stone fish, you might get poisoned by the venom in its body.
1…2…3… how many clown fish do you see?
Here’s a family portrait of Nemo. They are so cute…right? You would like to squish them and fishnap them and put them in the aquarium….Oooops… please don’t!!!.. Let them live in this awesome sea world and not in captivity.
Oh, my Sweet Lips! They are actually called sweet lips because they do have adorable lips that you would want to give them a kiss ha-ha! I had no close-up photo with them because every time I went near them, they would swim away from me. I just couldn’t give them a smack, lol. Anyway these were the big fishes I saw in this diving feat.
I was using an action camera but if only I had a high end underwater camera, for sure this pic would be clearer than crystal. The fishes are far in this pic but let me point out that these fishes are really huge!!!
Here in Talima, I noticed that the corals were not as plentiful as one might think. That was when I saw one I was truly delighted.
Just like the pic below.
I’m glad to know that the fishes here just survive without the aid of many corals. Good thing, Talima has sea grasses where some fishes can feed on and hide, too.
This is one of my fave shots here in Talima. I captured this when the divers were near the corals.
I find delight seeing beautiful corals. They look like sea decorations, making the underwater world full of color and life.
Tambuli Dive Site : Exploring Around The Plane Wreckage
Before the start of our second dive, it was essential to rest for a while. So, we ate our lunch, then sailed back to Mactan where Tambuli Dive site was located and again before the diving feat started the two aspirant-instructors did what they had to do before everyone enters into the liquid blues of Tambuli.
Then the scuba diving started.
Due to poor visibility, we took longer time in finding the plane wreck. We even thought we had followed the wrong direction. But thankfully as we kept on searching we finally found it.
This is Sir Rod, pointing to the plane wreck.
Look how neat the plane is! It was a two-seater single-engine plane. It was actually put there to be an artificial reef and at the same to be a tourist attraction.
Look at those divers so eager to go inside the plane wreck. Of course, I, too, can’t wait for my turn to explore, discover and feel what it’s like to be a pilot underwater. Haha!
As you can see the plane has a large opening for the divers. Free divers can easily go inside the plane with ease and safety.
It was now time for me to go inside the plane wreck. At first I was nervous because I feared getting a scratch from the rusty metal and have omg! … tetanus!!! so I carefully controlled my buoyancy and movement.
Even if it was just a speck of a moment, I felt like I was a pilot already. haha!!! I felt awesome inside the plane with Ate Jai!
After that we continued exploring outside of the plane wreck. Though there were more corals here, the fishes were fewer and smaller compared with those at Talima.
Here are odd looking soft corals. If you have a phobia of holes you better not look at this pic. 😀
My brother, Rain, signaled me how much air I had left. After knowing I had less air, he signaled that I have to ascend. And my diving into the wreckage had taken its final bow.
Finally, I was done with my wrecking dive. This is one of my memorable dives ever. Never would I have thought I could experience something cool like this. As the day came to its end too, the blazing colors of sunset made the day as beautiful as it was in the morning. 😀
At this time, the aspirant-instructors were waiting for the outcome of their practice exam whether they passed or failed. I noted that they discussed something about physics of scuba diving. Basically, to be a scuba diving instructor is not easy. He must study the science and everything about scuba diving.
There was also a question and answer portion. Listening to those people who asked questions was kind of nerve wracking. Good thing the two of them answered the questions well. The course directors were impressed and with that they passed.
We ended the day with a mini celebration, a toast of wine. Cheers for everyone! I’m sorry for the blurry pic; it was due to my excitement, too.
Thanks for visiting.
How about you , what is the most memorable trip you ever had? Share your thoughts below 🙂