We
set out way early in the morning as it takes about an hour drive away from the
Legaspi city. Because it’s so early, we didn’t have proper breakfast. L Lucky we were smart
and bought some bread the night before during our 1 hour journey.
The
guide drove us for the full hour and the sea came into view! Yea! I actually
love the ride, because they came to pick us with a Mitsubishi SUV and it was so
big and comfy! Reaching the place refresh, we went to the Bicol Dive Center
shop to try our fins and goggles. Afterwhich, they brought us to the tourist
center to fill up a form and watch a mandatory video for all snorkelers on
rules and guidelines.
To
be honest, it was my first time snorkeling. Although I knew that it was nothing
much, but for someone with a fear of water, it was quite a lot for me to take
in. Furthermore, I was reading online prior to the trip and heard many comments
about how beginners should try snorkeling in calm waters for the first time. But
since we are going to search for whale sharks, calm water just don’t seemed to
fit into the picture.
And so
we head out!
Me
and my partner was quite paiseh (Singapore dialect for embarrassed) because our
BIO was actually lunging a huge bag full of our towels, goggles and snacks.
Although our boat caters for 6, I guessed only we took up a full package
(consisting of lunch and snacks, oh and towels and water as well).
We headed
quite far out into the open sea, and we were given an option whether or not to
wear a life vests. It was actually quite contradicting because the life vest
keeps you safe, but you can only float on water. Since I’m not a strong
swimmer, of course I wore the life vest at the first chance I’ve got.
We
were actually quite worried because they said there was little to no sightings
for the past few days but I insist on trying. As you may have read my previous
posts, I have been secretly praying that this trip of ours wouldn’t come to
vain.
It was
just anxious waiting and keeping a lookout for I don’t know what, since it’s my
first time, and I have no idea what to look out for in the waters.
 |
| Our eyes for the day |
And suddenly
the BIO just started screaming, “GET READY! GET READY!” – it was a que for us
to wear our fins and goggles. And I just went YES! in my heart. At that point
of time, it was just pure excitement and anxiety in my heart, since like I said,
I have no prior experience to snorkeling, let alone in this choppy waters.
We sat
by the edge of the boat and next thing we knew, “GET IN NOW!” and we JUMPED!
“LOOK
DOWN! LOOK DOWN!” The BIO was screaming at the top of his head and when we peer
through the waters, it can only be the most magnificent thing I have seen in my
whole damn life. The whale shark was just gracing through the waters. And it
was HUGE, although the word huge doesn’t seem suffice.
And as
silly as I am, with my first encounter, I let out a little scream of excitement,
in the water. Yes, in the water, and you can only imagine what happened next. I
drank a whole lot of sea water, and I was coughing and struggling and feel like
I was going to die. And yes, although I have my life vest on me.
Afterwhich
we board the boat when the gentle giant was out of view. One funny thing about
boarding the ship is that we have to remove our fins. So each of us just clung
on to the boat and comically struggles to remove the fins. I was really really
bad at doing so.
What
amazed me was a pair of Iranian guys who did not wear a life vest and dives (equipped
with only snorkel goggles and fins) with the shark. One of them swam a long
distance away before mounting the boat. I was so so so envy of him
because I know that that is something I can only dream in this lifetime.
In the
midst of our trip, while we were all freezing and hungry, the BIO started
handing us (only me and my partner) water, cupcakes and towels. We were once
again DAMN PAISEH! But since we had enough, we shared water and the cupcakes
with all on board. And luckily there were 6 cupcakes. Phew.
So this
continued for another 4 times until we were all tired and fatigue and we went
back on shore. When we step ashore, another mini surprise came up. I know this
might sound childish but the sand was indeed soft and black and they SHIMMER! I
was really amazed.
As
mentioned earlier, our full package includes lunch! WHeeeeee!! We even have a
place to shower and relax before we take our 1 hour ride back to our hotel at
Legaspi. Talk about hospitality. Phew! Seeing that we already dirtied our
previous towel and only brought a small one along, they hurried to bring us new
towels.
To
be honest, the package we have paid was rather expensive. However, in view of
the great customer service that they are giving, I would at least rate them 8/10
even with the amount we paid.
And then
we were back!
To be
honest, some heartfelt opinions about this snorkel trip is that,
With
that, I end my amazing journey with memory I will never forget.
- It’s great since the whale sharks are not being
kept in captive, nor are they being fed (like those in Oslob Cebu) to attract
them around. I think this is extremely important because feeding them disrupt
their natural cycle. SO PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE support whale shark snorkeling at Donsol
over Oslob Cebu to support the eco tourism.
- Although many warnings were given to the
fishermen that only 6 swimmers are allow to be near any one shark; and that we
were to be at least 3m away, these advises are more than often ignored because
sometimes there are just so few whale sharks in the vicinity. I can only say
that it is lucky that these gentle giants can swim away fast enough.
- I have also recently watched a documentary named
“Blackfish” regarding the hunting of the very intelligent creature also more
commonly known as Killer Whales, or also known as Willy from the movie Free
Willy. I have always been an environmental advocate; I believe that we should
cherish the environment and what’s within in as much as we cherish any other
material items. So people, please try to visit them in their natural habitat,
you will not regret it!!
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