Exhilarating waters of Apo Island in Dumaguete

-

The slight gush of wind,
 the lush greeneries,
 the white pebbles,
the brownish rocks,
 the bluish green shoreline
and the blue waters.
And my blue dress, picture perfect of me.
Only in Apo Island, Dumaguete.
From Dumaguete City, it is still a 30-minute ride going to another Dumaguete town called Zamboangita where the famed Malatapay market is located. Not far ahead from this market is the tourism office where one can rent boats to bring everyone to Apo Island. Crossing Apo Island is just a 10-minute boatride. 

From shoreline to shoreline, the waters are at its best blue hue. To see is to believe, so here are the photos of the island waters. 
This is not a watercolor painting.
This is the waters ahead of us...

Just one more shot of me. Thanks Anne.

Free....... body and soul free.

Anne, with the boatman.
 The prime feature of Apo Island is its Coral Reefs Sanctuary where one can snorkel. I experienced that in 1999 and it was exhilarating. However, the said site is presently closed for rehabilitation because it was affected by the Bagyo Sendong and will be open late this year according to the cooperative head of the Island. 


The island also features the pawikan and other turtles in the waters where one can snorkel and swim with.


The beauty...

Enjoying the cool waters.

And the beauty once more.

The close up photo of the turtle we saw. Taken by Anne, of course.

ocean floor, taken by anne while swimming. The best.

On our way to the deck...

My diver friend, Anne.



After swimming, one can trek going to the view deck, a hut perched on the rock. We did that as it is nearer compared to the lighthouse. The next place to go is the lighthouse, which according to our guide, is located in higher grounds. From Apo Island, one can see the province of Siquijor, the third smallest province in the Philippines next to Batanes and Camarines. Also, a part of Mindanao can also be seen from there.

In Apo Island, one can only dream of the blue hue of the waters. No need to painstakingly wait for the sunset to get a beautiful shot. :)


Taken at the viewdeck...

Having a good time posing with Apo Island's natural landscape.

Friends, travelling together, at last.




Here are the photos of Island's offerings from Diving to Homestay.





a big boat good for 8 persons costs P3,000
while the medium boat good for 4 costs P2,000.

RJ Autor, our guide. A no swimmer I am, he assisted me in snorkeling so I can see the turtle in its natural habitat.
He also trekked with us going to the viewdeck.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Do you still remember how Sarali or Sirali taste?

-
Image
This "Sarali" is a childhood fruit for everyone who grew up in the Visayan area of the Philippines. Also known as  Flacourtia jangomas or Indian Plum or coffee plum, Sarali is best enjoyed by pressing one fruit between one's palm, move it in circular motion until tender, and pop the soft flesh quickly in one's mouth save the seeds. Just like apple, this fruit oxidizes quickly and thus, gets dark brown easily. It can give one's teeth a nasty brown shade. Sour with a hint of sweet, this is a must-try fruit. I believe, the fruit has an economic value just like sarguellas and lanzones. *** *** *** ***  Related readings:  Possible Treatment of Diabetes http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2959214/ Anti bacterial property:  http://www.ijplsjournal.com/issues%20PDF%20files/july2011/1.pdf
Read more

Linabog nga Bisaya nga Manok

-
Image
When I searched for Linabog in th web, I can see entries on Linabog but using a different souring agent and usually the fish called "pagi" is used. Also, they attribute Linabog to the Cebuanos and there is one video which explained that the word means "throw away" because the parts used in the dish are parts which are usually to be thrown away, like the bony "pagi." Meanwhile, there is also a "kinunot" way of cooking which means "hinimay" or flaked for the Luzon. The name was also coined for leftover parts of fish or chicken. In Hiligaynon, the word "labog" means forcefully thrown away.  This surprised me because when I was small, I heard from my father and his friends about this linabog and they used the leaves of labog plant. So I grew up having some idea of what linabog cooking means and definitely, the Cebuanos' definition of Linabog dish is far from my Ilonggo definition. And yes, Ilonggos ...
Read more

TIKUM KADLUM (The Enchanted Dog, The First of the Ten Epics of Panay Bukidnon)

-
Image
At the house. One day, Bulawanon engaged the help of Tikum Kadlum, a hunting dog with the gift of sensing the spirits, in cooking rice for his husband Paiburong and his brother Dumaraog who will be going hunting. When the rice was cooked, the brothers ate fast. Then, while Bulawanon packed the betel nut for her husband, Paiburong and Dumaraog dressed themselves, with Dumaraog suggesting they match their sashes and belts, since he is his brother's loyal protector. To complete their hunting preparations, the two brought out their long-bladed sharp knives, shields, spears, and lances from their gold chest and wall hanger. When everything is set, Paiburong bade goodbye to his wife, Bulawanon, who reminded her husband to be careful as he might meet in the forest one named Makabagting, who is accompanied by a man-eating woman called Muwa. Makabagting is a nobleman and a warrior who is widely known as having tasted human flesh. Paiburong went out of his house, and he heard a sound. It...
Read more