Part 1. Fish Do Not Complain About Monday
I squinted uncomfortably as I try to battle whatever is paining my eyes. I took a deep breathe, and spit. I tightened my grip onto the rope, and smacked my face back into the water.
"Incoming!"
I let go of my right hand and glided to the side. I was returning to my position, when suddenly, two wild jellyfishes appear! I was already too late to make any move so I closed my eyes, and braved the stung.
Dzzzcchhtt. dzzztttt. dzzzt. dzzt.
Hahaha, well there werent really any sounds like that, but if there were, it would probably be like that.
"On your left! On your left!"
I was ready to evade as I look to my left, but I saw large schools of fishes instead, and just above it are hundreds if not thousands of tiny fishes. I looked at my friend and nodded.
It was beautiful.
I can feel the stung and itch on my face, neck, hands, and legs, but I didnt dare put any effort in avoiding any more jellyfishes.
I was mesmerized. The underwater world is truly amazing.
It was a busy street, but of colorful fishes in variant sizes, and with corals for buildings. There was organized traffic among them, as if there were invisible roads where the fishes swim and fly to. It was rush hour! Fishes going on their own ways - big executives in suits, kids in uniforms, couples strolling, and soloists doing a morning swim!
This is my most notable Monday ever! The hustle is real, and the fishes ain't complaining!
On my right was the open ocean, with corals getting deeper and deeper, and the ocean bluer and bluer, with the deepest part pitch black. Staring at it, I was both excited and scared.
The boat turned gently. The water changed from warm to freezing. Water was trapped in my snorkel and mask, I could not breathe. But I caught a glimpse of a sea turtle and was immediately captivated. Must. Hold. My. Breathe. And. Stare. At. This. Magical. Sea. Turtle.
Part 2. The Retired Turtle and The Giant Clams
Apung wouldn't look her way, so she shouted and shouted. Apung turned around and jumped towards her. He was huge yet agile. Likha was startled and swam violently to the side.
Likha was furious so she went to the giant clams to complain.
"Apung is sooo rude! Why doesn't he tell me the secrets of the world!"
Mmm... the giant clams echoed in disinterest.
Likha looked at the clams and wondered why they were called giant, when she was obviously larger than them.
"Say giant clams, why are you called giants when you are not even bigger than I am?"
The giant clams closed their shells.
"Apung and the clams are rude!!! Why are all the creatures here rude?," complained Likha to the universe.
Part 3. Michael, the Human Guide
"You're one of the humans that Apung trusts, I need your help", said Likha to Michael.
Michael was busy carrying trashes left by humans in the island. Michael dropped a small plastic bag so Likha picked it up and followed him. Likha put the plastic on the table, and the boat started sailing.
"Oh no!" Gasped Likha in defeat, as the wind blew the plastic on the table to the ocean bed.
Swiftly, Michael changed the boat's direction to where the plastic bag has fallen. He picked the plastic bag from the ocean's surface, and tucked it safely among all his other collected trashes.
Likha was surprised. She loves the environment too, but would never change course just to pick up a tiny litter.
"You want to know the secrets of the universe, but you cannot keep a tiny plastic in check. You shall know the secrets, only when you can keep and protect it." Michael told Likha.
Travel Notes
Guys, Apo reef is beautiful. I was initially hesitant to go because it was pricey, but it's worth it. I promise.
Actually, even right now, I look forward to going back already. But I plan to learn freediving first, and have spare battery for my camera, and maybe wear graded contact lens by then.
In apo reef, you can ask the boatmen to do guided snorkeling wherein you hold onto a rope while the boat go around the island. You can also check out the lighthouse, mangrove park, and lagoon in the island. Just pls dont go to the restricted area where the sea turtles lay eggs.
Pls get kuya michael (+63 935 499 3319) as your guide, seriously. He is reliable, responsible, and trustworthy.
Expenses.
It was a busy street, but of colorful fishes in variant sizes, and with corals for buildings. There was organized traffic among them, as if there were invisible roads where the fishes swim and fly to. It was rush hour! Fishes going on their own ways - big executives in suits, kids in uniforms, couples strolling, and soloists doing a morning swim!
This is my most notable Monday ever! The hustle is real, and the fishes ain't complaining!
On my right was the open ocean, with corals getting deeper and deeper, and the ocean bluer and bluer, with the deepest part pitch black. Staring at it, I was both excited and scared.
The boat turned gently. The water changed from warm to freezing. Water was trapped in my snorkel and mask, I could not breathe. But I caught a glimpse of a sea turtle and was immediately captivated. Must. Hold. My. Breathe. And. Stare. At. This. Magical. Sea. Turtle.
Part 2. The Retired Turtle and The Giant Clams
Apung wouldn't look her way, so she shouted and shouted. Apung turned around and jumped towards her. He was huge yet agile. Likha was startled and swam violently to the side.
Likha was furious so she went to the giant clams to complain.
"Apung is sooo rude! Why doesn't he tell me the secrets of the world!"
Mmm... the giant clams echoed in disinterest.
Likha looked at the clams and wondered why they were called giant, when she was obviously larger than them.
"Say giant clams, why are you called giants when you are not even bigger than I am?"
The giant clams closed their shells.
"Apung and the clams are rude!!! Why are all the creatures here rude?," complained Likha to the universe.
Part 3. Michael, the Human Guide
"You're one of the humans that Apung trusts, I need your help", said Likha to Michael.
Michael was busy carrying trashes left by humans in the island. Michael dropped a small plastic bag so Likha picked it up and followed him. Likha put the plastic on the table, and the boat started sailing.
"Oh no!" Gasped Likha in defeat, as the wind blew the plastic on the table to the ocean bed.
Swiftly, Michael changed the boat's direction to where the plastic bag has fallen. He picked the plastic bag from the ocean's surface, and tucked it safely among all his other collected trashes.
Likha was surprised. She loves the environment too, but would never change course just to pick up a tiny litter.
"You want to know the secrets of the universe, but you cannot keep a tiny plastic in check. You shall know the secrets, only when you can keep and protect it." Michael told Likha.
Travel Notes
Guys, Apo reef is beautiful. I was initially hesitant to go because it was pricey, but it's worth it. I promise.
Actually, even right now, I look forward to going back already. But I plan to learn freediving first, and have spare battery for my camera, and maybe wear graded contact lens by then.
In apo reef, you can ask the boatmen to do guided snorkeling wherein you hold onto a rope while the boat go around the island. You can also check out the lighthouse, mangrove park, and lagoon in the island. Just pls dont go to the restricted area where the sea turtles lay eggs.
Pls get kuya michael (+63 935 499 3319) as your guide, seriously. He is reliable, responsible, and trustworthy.
Expenses.
I was only a joiner for this trip so I'm not sure with the breakdown of expenses but I spent 5700 total from manila and back from Friday night until Monday night. Permits, transpo (van - roro - boat), guide, and food was taken cared of by the organizer. I brought my own tent and snorkel set tho.
Because accommodation and food in Pandan is expensive, we stayed in apo reef island instead. There is no fresh water source so you have to bring your own. Bring food too as the island is secluded and there are no stores within.
Because accommodation and food in Pandan is expensive, we stayed in apo reef island instead. There is no fresh water source so you have to bring your own. Bring food too as the island is secluded and there are no stores within.
