Just got back from diving in Siaton. The surveys didn’t go 100% to plan… we had to scrap one site as there was nothing but sand, and another was near a river outflow so was kind of silty… BUT I saw a shark! Note: this is almost unheard of in the Philippines, there are no sharks left. Right at the start of the dive on our last morning, I was dropping down over the reef crest and right in front of me was a big blacktip reef shark. I think he was as surprised to se me as I was him, and shot off pronto. A thrilling start to the dive!
We stayed at a place called Kookoo’s nest - apparently kookoo’s, unlike cuckoo’s, have nests. We had a fab little hut with a balcony overlooking the beach, and the food was to die for. Every night Nikki puts on a buffet with barbequed fish, curry, stir fried noodles, salad, fresh fruit and all sorts of goodies. There was a really great atmosphere, unlike most of the resorts around here which tend to be full of sleazy old men propping up the bar, or being propped up by their underage Filipina girlfriends. It’s only a couple of hours ride from Dumaguete, so I think I’ll be tempted to come back for a weekend’s R&R and fattening up!
Oh, and one night there was an earthquake! I think this might be my first proper earthquake, simulated ones in some science centre in Iceland on a geography field trip don’t count I don’t think.
Becks is a marine ecology PhD student, living in Queensland (Australia), Dumaguete (Philippines) and London (UK). Marinegirl is her online alter-ego. She dreamt her up as as super-gorgeous superhero saving the underwater world (if you've seen Captain Planet, you get the idea). She is not, and never will be, in the marines.