~WHAT YOU DON'T SEE ON THE SURFACE~

I had wanted to do and try so many fun things, but risky, so I had to put it on hold because of the risk that comes with doing it.  If something happens to me, what would my family do?  As I  was helping with my mother's medication.   So yeah, being a responsible person that I am, I had to think and consider the possible consequence/s of doing things before plunging into it.

But now that I have nothing to worry about, except my self, I think it is time to explore things on a more challenging level.  So, yehey!!! I went Scuba Diving.  Yes!  I have wanted to take the Open Water Course a long time ago but I did not have the liberty to do it.  Finally, I did it, 3 months back as of this post.  July-2016. 

First and foremost, doing things as risky as Scuba Diving, you have to PLAN and RESEEEEEARCH for the PROS and CONS, SAFETY and VALUE, the BEST dive site locations, the BEST rated dive shop/training centers, etc etc.  Brace your self, you will find out a lot of discouraging words in doing it.  But bear in mind that you could be anywhere and could be doing anything, if it's your time, it is your time.  What I am saying is, if you would like to enjoy this journey called LIFE, be ready to anything and don't be discourage with what other people say because if you are going to do that, then you will miss the chance of seeing what a beautiful world we have, that God created for us to see and enjoy.

I went home to the Philippines in July, for 15 days.  I decided to do my dive in Puerto Galera.  Why there?  The place is one of the beautiful dive sites in the Philippines.  Aside from that I won't have to spend a penny on hotel accommodation because my BFF owns a house there, okay I am in a way stingy like that (lol).  On a serious note, I chose Puerta Galera because it's my comfort zone.  My BFF's relatives are there and they would look after me.  It's one of the primary reasons why i chose Puerto Galera, aside from the good dive spots the place has to offer.  There are several dive shops in the island, now the problem is which one to go and take the OW course.  Research!  So I checked for the PADI 5 star rated shops and with the most positive reviews, and based on google search result, it's Action Divers.  Of course I needed validation on this.  So I ask my BFF to get the names of the best dive shops in Puerto Galera.  True enough Action Divers is one of it, actually, pioneer in the business.  So it was decided I will do the course with Action Divers.  And I did not regret it.

Just a short word about Action Divers.  It is one of the first Dive shops in the Philippines who, up to date, has maintained the high standards of service and professionalism.  I could attest that their dive gears and equipments are new during the time.  Instructors are very friendly and professional.  I felt safe and comfortable with them and without a doubt I would dive with them again. Hopefully, soon!

For those who are not familiar where Puerto Galera is, it is 2 hours bus ride from Manila to Batangas Port.  Then an hour or two boat ride from Batangas port to Puerto Galera.  It depends on the condition of the current/wave and the boat (fast craft or the big but slow boat that takes like 2-3 hours to get to PG)    

Going back to my Open Water Course. It was a four day training consist of Video/Visual lesson, pool activity, seashore and boat dives.  I will not go into details as to how the training was conducted.  What I will be sharing is the experience of the actual dive.  And as what the title of this post says, I will share "what you don't see on the surface", through my video, and I hope you too will have the chance to personally see and experience this.

My first dive during the training was the seashore dive, 30feet deep.  It was my first time to go underwater deeper than 10 feet.  Second dive was the boat dive, around 60feet deep.  Just imagine my reaction when the realization of how deep we were, I almost panicked, I had to calm my self or else I'd be in a big trouble.  Relax and enjoy, I silently told my self.  I had to rid from my head the thought of the activity I had to perform underwater (like clear my mask, inflate bcd, hover, etc) as part of the training, otherwise I won't be able to enjoy how beautiful it was around me.  My dive instructor was very nice and patient, he let me do things at my pace, comfort and convenience.  My dive was well documented in a video and highlighted parts of it I will be sharing here.  My 3rd dive was a boat dive in a wreck site around 60feet deep as well.  This time I was able to take video on my own, however I realized that I should have not as I am still under training and improving my bouyancy.  My instructor has advise me not to take my cam so I could focus on my underwater activity, and I should have listened to him, he knows best.  Lesson learned.  My dive experience was one for the book.  I'm glad I did it.  I am lost for words to describe how it felt being able to swim around different kind of fishes, being able to swim as deep as 60feet, and being able to see and be amazed at what God has made underneath the surface of the sea.  

Here's my video.  Hope you will like it.  Enjoy!!

Fresh from the sea, me with my dive instructor Huw