Tony treks the Chocolate Hills and Panglao
Taking a break from the diving, Tony and the group visit Panglao, a hilly islands in the Central Visayas area. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and well worth a day’s exploring.
Day 6
“Christophe our host had heard of some caves up in the hills, so we set off crack of dawn inland on a dilapidated truck for and interesting if rather hairy journey into the interior of Southern Leyte. In places the truck had to reverse up and take a run at the steeper inclines but eventually we arrived at a small village and met with our guide.
We were supplied with hard hats and then set of on foot for quite a hike into the forest. Then we scrambled down a hole in the ground and squeezed into the cave. As we entered the underground world we discovered fantastic limestone formations. We trekked further and further into the bowels of the earth, past huge chambers, lakes and streams. A real adventure!
In central Bohol we visited the famous Chocolate Hills, a curious landscape of brown rounded conical hills, looking as is some giant mole had been at work. A bit touristy but worth a visit.
Further on our way to Panglao we visited a sanctuary for Tarsius Monkeys or Philippine Tarsiers. These tiny rare primates are really intriguing, resembling a cross between a bush baby and ET, and can be approached closely with care. Their numbers have been severely depleted, but the sanctuary is working to increase the population and release more back into the wild. Tomorrow we are diving the famous sites around Panglao. Cannot wait!”
Take a look at what Scuba Travl’s guests have spied
Egypt: the reefs of the northern Red Sea are teeming and guests on Hurricane saw a huge range of beasties including the harder to find ocotopus and spanish dancers. Dolphins at the Ulysses topped off a wonderful wrecky reef dive (you can do both at this site and both are awesome). Over in Hurgada, a whaleshark was the surprise of the day for divers right by the Oxygene Emperor dive centre. And down south the spring is hotting up with the shark and manta sightings rolling in making Grand Sea Serpent the boat to be on in the coming weeks if you like big fish!
The Maldives: Orion’s dive guides rarely disappoints… hardly a surprise when you consider that an average day clocks manta and grey reef sightings with a healthy number of whalesharks to boot. This week has been no exception. Gaaf Alifu was filled with white tips and baracuda. Over at Laaruu Atoll eagle rays swooped into view to compliment the grey reef sharks.
Philippines: Those on our Magellan tour have seen just about everything from the biggest to the smallest marine life. Starting with thresher sharks in Malapascua to a whaleshark in Leyte there has been no end to the top spots. Pygmy seahorses have been amongst the favourite small critters. Read Tony’s blog here!
Big fish or small critters, Scuba Travel can make your diving dream become reality – call today!
Southern Leyte reveals whalesharks and seahorses
As Tony’s tour of the Philippines travels to Southern Leyte a day of contrasts is enjoyed by all….
Day 5
“Thirty minutes on the Bangka gets us to Limasawa Island. The dive on Gunters Wall has everything, huge fans at depth, and the most amazing colour and variety in the shallows, every conceivable shape and size of hard and soft coral’s, a green turtle, teeming reef fish an endless variety of huge multicoloured nudibranches.
On the other side of the island we go to look for whalesharks, which apparently can be found here. Sure enough the boat crew spot one in the shallows right outside the main village and we are soon snorkelling with it and clicking away with our cameras. Nearly didn’t make the afternoon dive as the giant just kept coming back for more, hanging around for a couple of hours.
We have been in the area for a few days now and not repeated a dive site. Bruce and Vincent are amazing at finding Pygmy Seahorses in the fans, so small I struggle to see them even with a magnifying glass! Some great night dives too with Seahorses, Spanish Dancers and ghost pipe fish to name but a few. Yesterday we came across Philippine Siren, went aboard and were greeted by Susie and Thomas who used to be on Whirlwind. A lovely boat in traditional style. We are slipping into a wonderful routine here, two or three great dives, back for a swim in the pool and mango shakes then another wonderful meal looking out over the sea.”
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Sorry for the delay, slight technical hitch with the internet in the Philippines but safe to say that Tony is still writing and this is the latest from his Philippines adventure.
Having said our farewells to Josaphine and thanked her for her hospitality, we joined Katawa, (our Bangka) and set of for Leyte. Again we are treated to spectacular views of forest clad mountainous islands, as the Bangka skimmed over the flat seas. One of the dives en route, Nunez, was a submerged reef with the most amazing visibility, sheer walls festooned with red, yellow and white soft corals.
We stopped for lunch at Calamgaman, a white sand paradise island reminiscent of those in the Maldives, and the on to spend the night at the small town of Bay Bay in central Leyte. This bustling town seemed to have no tourists and we were greeted with friendly “hello’s” everywhere, and regarded with amused curiosity at the local restaurant. In the morning I visited the Spanish church and the market, a feast of colour and activity.
And then on South again, diving on the way. One dive in particular offered a most remarkable variety of hard corals, as well as teeming fish life. As the sun went down we arrived at our new home, Manaya resort near a small village called San Roque In Southern Leyte. We are the only guests and have the grounds, restaurant and pool all to ourselves.
Tomorrow we are looking forward to diving a small island out to sea in front of the resort.
You can find out more about our Philippines Diving Safaris here.
