Coron Dive Blog: Part 2, Barracuda Lake

Sunday, January 25
Barracuda Lake: Limestone is Pretty But Dangerous

After diving Alcatraz (which I am saving for the next post), we pulled into a cove for lunch, right in front of the entrance to Barracuda Lake. The view was breathtaking: pristine water, white sand, limestone cliffs. Stunning. I'd been itching to take off my wetsuit and go for a good old fashioned swim since Alcatraz, and this was my chance. Within seconds after docking, I jumped into the water like it was nobody's business. And oh, did it feel good. I'm actually surprised nobody else jumped in after me... baka ganon lang sila kagutom. After we ate, snorkeled, and let the food settle, it was time to dive.


Going into this dive, I knew a 10-15 minute trek was involved. So in my head, I could imagine us hiking up a trail - oh, you know - on soil, with maybe a little grass. But this was not to be. The trek in question is actually a climb through limestone rocks, with only dos por dos handrails to keep you from plunging to a death by impalement. FUN! Only a week ago, I had slipped and tumbled down our stairs at home (about 10 steps) and wound up in the ER with bruises on my back, thighs, knees, and shins. So you can imagine how positively THRILLED I was at the prospect of falling down THESE "steps." Blessedly, we had the option of having our BCDs and tanks carried for us. There was just no way I would've made it otherwise.

I'd never been more grateful for the little rock-climbing skills I have. It's been yearsss since I last hit Power Up, but I hadn't forgotten the basics. Plus, Eugene was right behind me, so kung nahulog man ako at least may karamay ako :D The distance we had to climb wasn't that great, but the trek is time consuming because you have to be really, really careful and of course, pose for the occasional photo op ;)


We got to the lake as projected, after 10-15 minutes of climbing. The view, again, was amazing. The lake isn't just a good dive spot-other tourists were there just to swim and take in the scenery. We went down once our party of 13 was complete, and it was like nothing I had ever seen.

The highlights of this dive for me were 1) the limestone walls, 2) experiencing thermoclines for the first time, and 3) getting up close and personal with cleaner shrimps. It was also my deepest dive yet, at 99 feet. Had I realized I was already that low, I would've dangled my dive comp a foot below me.

The water on the surface was normal at about 30C (86F), but at 12ft the temperature was as hot as 38C (according to Marcel's dive comp) or 100F. Pwede nang mag-Bikram (hot) yoga sa tubig. Swimming through it made me wonder if it's possible to sweat underwater (a quick Google search reveals that it is). Even though the "cold" section was warmer than the ocean, the sudden contrast made it seem so much chillier. Eugene actually saw the line where hot meets cold, but I missed it. Will remember to watch out for it next time.

For some reason this dive felt a little more laid back than the open water dives. Maybe it's because we were in a relatively confined space, or because it felt like we were in a sauna. At some point, Qubry and Malvin did an underwater version of the swing, to music only they could hear. Nagsayawan pa talaga sa tubig :)

We all took turns getting our fingers nipped at by efficient cleaner shrimps. Bryan Kim and Kuya Bob even had their teeth cleaned, and from what I understand, ayaw tumigil ng hipon! Baka na-OC sila! Hehehe. There aren't many dive sites where you can experience that, so it was pretty cool we got to do it.

"Mela and the Cleaner Shrimp"

After a few more photo ops, I started to run low on air (500psi) and switched over to Marcel - he-who-dives-with-two-tanks. The advanced group stayed an extra 5-10 minutes and took some really great pics among the rock formations. Was sorry to have missed that, but oh well.


By the time we got back to the boat (going through the perilous limestone path once again), we were famished. So we ate and rested in preparation for our *sniff* last dive of the trip...

(Photos from Tita Doris, Ate Sha, and my own camera)

Part 3: Reefs and Sundry Musings

D-logging Coron

Tangat Wreck: Initiation

Lessons learned: 1) Don't go four months without diving, and 2) If you are going to wait that long between dives, you should at least physically, psychologically, and mentally prepare yourself for what lies ahead - or in this case, beneath.

So our first dive was definitely memorable, and I'm still vacillating between loving and hating it :) For starters, it took me what felt like two million years to equalize. I wasn't checking my air but I bet I used a lot of it up just trying to get down the line. As I attempted to make my ears pop, I was simultaneously praying (I think I did one rosary decade), cussing myself out for not bugging Kuya Bobby for pooltime, and questioning my decision to take up diving in the first place. It was THAT bad! To compound that, I felt really, really guilty about slowing Kuya Bob down. But being the "special child" of diving, I needed utmost attention, so the poor guy was stuck with me. His patience is nothing short of heroic.

5-15 (I really have no idea) miserable minutes later, we finally closed in on the Tangat wreck. We were probably somewhere between 40-50 feet deep, and the rest of our group was nowhere in sight. But if you're going to be alone on a dive with someone, you can bet your butt you want it to be Bobby, so I wasn't worried. So about that boat, I honestly don't remember seeing any interesting marine life on or around it, even though the write-ups say there's an enormous amount of fish life there. I guess I was kinda oblivious, having focused more on the beginner stuff - buoyancy, breathing, not panicking. I vaguely remember seeing orange soft corals.

We eventually came across the advanced divers in our group, who were already on their way back. A couple of twists and turns later, Kuya Bob was a few meters ahead of me and swimming towards what pretty much looked like an abyss. It was a grey square of water amidst the blue. I hovered over it, shook my head, and thought to myself, "Oh, HELL no." Come to think of it, I actually SAID that to myself, regulator in mouth. Thinking I had no other choice but to follow him, well, I did. Into the grey I swam and into an opening maybe 3x3 meters wide, nearly scared out of my wits and with my buddy nowhere in sight. I was pretty pissed when Bobby showed up, tapping me from behind. So pissed I couldn't even look at him. But of course, in hindsight, I should've known he'd had my back all along. As he later put it, he was just stretching my capabilities and toadally knew what he was doing.

Apparently, we then explored the whole length of the wreck. I was so out of it that everything looked the same and I thought we were circling just one section of it. The rest of the new divers, led by Bryan Kim, were already at the line by the time we got there. I got to borrow a glove, a little belatedly though, as I could feel my hands stinging as soon as we hit the surface. Note to self: buy gloves, anyway mura lang naman.

I survived Tangat Wreck, and even though the first dive bordered on harrowing, I can claim bragging rights to having penetrated it and having reached a max depth of 82 feet, while the other new divers swam around the surface and bottomed out in the 60s or 70s. Worth it naman.

Olympia Maru: Gloria Gets Her Groove Back

Now THIS is what I signed up for! Having refreshed my skills at the Tangat Wreck, I was a little more confident I could handle this next one. That bit of confidence made loads of difference, as I got through the freighter with relative ease. All of us got to penetrate the wreck, often times one after the other, as some of the openings were only narrow enough for one. It was dark and twisty, and I surprisingly loved every minute of it! I'd never gotten such an adrenalin rush out of diving. I think we spent roughly the same amount of time underwater for both dives, but this one felt so much shorter. Kahit takot akong makakita ng mumu o bungo (siguro naman, walang na-preserve), gusto ko siyang balikan.

East Tangat Gunboat: ANUVAH!!!

After diving two large cargo boats, our DMs decided to wind down with a small gunboat located near a reef. The boat is just 40 meters long and starts at 3 meters, so it's visible from the surface. This last dive was a super easy one, so imagine my frustration at not having been able to equalize past 10 feet! FEET! Hindi man lang METERS! &!^@!*&@^!!#*(!#^%!@!&^!&*!&!!!

I had to abort. Gave Bobby the thumbs-up sign, which in diving means... I'm done. Fortunately, good snorkeling was to be had. Not exactly inclined to play BlockBreaker on my cellphone for 50 minutes (walang signal ang Globe), I ditched my BCD and tank (at 2600psi) and kept the wetsuit, fins, mask, and .... snorkel. The reef was extensive enough and had a good variety of small fish, so I didn't get bored. It was actually pretty relaxing, so I wasn't too bummed about missing the wreck (which I could see from above anyway).

Marcel, our Swiss DM, surfaced a bit after I did. I expressed my frustration at not being underwater with everyone else, not fully understanding what had just happened to me. I didn't have the sniffles, didn't feel any congestion. He, as did Gunter later, said that sometimes these things just happen and when they do, it's best not to force it.

Liveblogging HISTORY

0955 EST Whitehouse. The Obamas just shook hands with the Bushes. Coffee for 45 minutes. The Bidens arrived earlier.
0959 Crowd somewhere between 2-3 million! Amazing... It'd be great to be there.
1003 Wow Obama's approval rating is at 73%
1015 VIP watch: Muhammad Ali and Dustin Hoffman. Not much else going on to report...
1018 Theme: Renewing America's Promise
1019 VIP watch: Steven Spielberg
1028 Sure, let's listen to the band!
1029 Members of Congress start streaming in...
1030 There's a huge billboard somewhere saying "The Whole World Supports Barack Obama" It may be hyperbolic but there still is truth to that statement.
1031 CAJUN STYLE!!!
1032 Conservative commentators agree that it's a great day for America.
1038 VIP watch: Governator.
1041 VIP watch: Ted Kennedy
1043 Jill Biden leaves the White House, Barbara Bush arrives at the Capitol
1044 United State Senators stream in, Michelle Obama and Laura Bush leave the Whitehouse
1046 Dick Cheney being wheeled out of the Whitehouse, Joe Biden right behind him. Must be interesting to be in their limo! You can just bet the latenight comedians are going to goof on what's going on in there.
1048 Obama and Bush leave the Whitehouse. Lots of cheering... are they happier that Bush is leaving or that Obama's about to start?
1049 The "Beast" is kinda ugly, but as long as it's super safe, right?
1050 The Presidential Motorcade is on the road! EXCITING!!!
1053 Motorcade is on Pennsylvania Avenue. Swearing in in just a few minutes!
1057 Yesss no more commercial breaks!
1101 This is really happening!!!
1102 Announcing the Chief Justice and Associated Justices of the Supreme Court... so close!
1104 Where's Tina Fey?
1104 Inaugural Committee enters.
1106 They're anticipating this is the most widely watched American event EVER. I can believe that.
1110 Ah, yes, that sun IS shining. :)
1111 Al and Tipper Gore arrive
1112 Ladies and gents are being asked to take their seats. Yes, THIS IS REALLY HAPPENING!!!
1113 George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush arrive, in matching purple scarves.
1114 Jimmy and Roselyn Carter moving along
1115 Billary! Hoping Hillary gets confirmed as Secretary of State.
1116 RAHM EMANUEL AHLUVYOUUU
1118 Reaction to aerial shot of crowd: HOLY MOLY!!! That's what two million looks like...
1122 Bush twins behind the Clintons. I love that SNL skit with Amy Poehler and TF, with the secret batwin balanguage!
1124 Malia and Sasha!
1128 Mrs. Bush and Mrs. Cheney come in.
1129 The crowd chants: "O-BA-MA! O-BA-MA!"
1130 Hmm, where's Oprah?
1133 Michelle Obama and Jill Biden arrive. Michelle looks great!
1135 POTUS for only a few more minutes (oops the commentator tripped) enters to the strains of "Hail to the Chief" for the LAST time. Oh, blessed day! :)
1138 Barack Obama's coming up!
1139 OBAMAAAAAAA!!!! Obamania! Obamattack!!!
1142 Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid et al...
1143 BARCAK H. OBAMA!!!!
1145 Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California welcomes everyone
1148 Dr. Rick Warren gives the invocation
1149 "Dr. Martin Luther King... is shouting in heaven." Amen to that.
1153 Aretha!
1156 Here it comes... the Oath of Office...
1157 Joe Biden's, that is.
1158 And with that, America has a new Vice President
1200 Itzhak Perlman, Anthony McGill, and Yo-Yo Ma perform a John Williams composition.
BARACK OBAMA JUST BECAME PRESIDENT. *bliss* :)
1204 CHILLS!!!!! THIS IS HAPPENING!!! Hahahaha someone threw his/her hat in the air, like graduation. HAIL TO THE (NEW) CHIEF!!!
1213 "Today we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and begin the work of remaking America."
1214 Ah yes, there's that commitment to the environment I love so much!
1216 Ahahahaha... as he talks about upholding the rule of law and the rights of men, they cut to Dubya, who btw, looks super bored. LOL!
1220 When he said "We are Christians and Muslims...." you just know millions of rednecks winced.
1226 Amazing. Ok, bedtime :)

66th Annual Golden Globe Awards

I love me some award shows. If guys have the Superbowl and NBA/MLB championships, and some of my gay friends have their beauty pageants, I have my film and television award ceremonies. I wouldn't go so far as to say that I live for the Golden Globes, SAGs, Oscars, and Emmys, but I do eagerly anticipate these every year, from the moment the nominees are announced. I participate in online polls and try to see as many of the nominated films/shows/performances as I can so as to make informed decisions (I take this seriously, yes), and when the time comes, I gleefully vote on which gowns are hits/misses or glam/sham.

Sooo the Globes were this morning, and while I couldn't for the replay this evening to find out the winners, I will still blog even though I know the results. (Is it still considered "live-blogging" if it's done to a delayed telecast?)

RED CARPET SPECIAL
8pm First up, the Hanson, er, Jonas brothers. The one with straight her and thick eyebrows is cute. Dang em old.
8:05 Now I've always expressed my befuddlement with Miley Cyrus's celebrity. In the first place, I don't think she's all that cute. But she does look pretty great tonight - Marchesa dress, long flowing locks, and all. I don't think she looks too old.
8:08 Love America Ferrera but not so much the dress. She did a similar bubble-skirt thingee a couple of award shows ago.
8:13 I have a dress sorta like Amanda Seyfried's. Ugh, don't you just hate it when these hosts ask celebrities stupid questions like "[Steve Carrell], can you say something wacky right now?"
8:15 Eva Mendes looks fabulous waist-up.
8:20 The years have been kind to Blair Underwood, yes they have. Cat sound!
8:21 S!!! Where's B?!
8:23 Is Rachel Griffiths preggo?
8:24 Why did Nancy interview Sigourney Weaver and Beyonce together?
8:28 Maggie Gyllenhaal's interviewed went on about a minute too long. Or maybe my attention span is just much too short.
8:30 Vanessa Hudgens representing!
8:31 Drew Barrymore wants to work with Anne Hathaway, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, and Slumdog Millionaire.
8:32 ARI!!!
8:33 Dustin Hoffman just kills. And I don't think he's even trying.
8:39 SPIELBERG! FEY! POEHLER! ARNETT! Weeeeeeeee!!! Will people ever get tired of asking Tina about Sarah Palin?
8:41 Kate and Leo, BFFs. She looks gorgeous, as always.
8:46 These big group interviews just aren't a good idea.
8:49 Not a fan of Marisa Tomei's outfit tonight but she's just too adorable anyway. Oooo there's Dempsey waving to fans! I may have quit Grey's Anatomy, but I still think he's one of the hottest men on the planet.

Got kinda bored back there. Then momentarily hypnotized by Salma Hayek's cleavage (second time in three days) And at last, the show begins....

9:01 J.Lo: Glam or Sham? Sham.
9:03 Kate Winslet says she has a habit of not winning. But since she won to Kate Winslet is amazing. I really think she's destined to be the greatest actress of my generation.
9:06 Ahhh, Gordon Sumner. One of the most amazing beings in the UNIVERSE. Okay, so maybe Miley really is talented.
9:13 I'm actually relieved to see Eva Longoria not look like a nutjob at an award show. She is smokin' tonight.
9:14 ARI AGAIN!
9:18 Ya know, I don't think I've seen anything of Laura Dern's since Jurassic Park... First semi-political speech of the night.
9:24 Don Cheadle, he be funny!
9:27 Damn that Jon Hamm just sizzles.
9:31 Props to Anna Paquin for dodging the Oscar Best Supporting Actress curse with the success of True Blood.
9:35 Ricky Gervais is freaking HILARIOUS!
9:40 Working with Pixar will forever be among my dream jobs.
9:42 I can only imagine how completely overwhelming it must be to beat Meryl Streep, Emma Thomson, and Frances McDormand.

*taking a break from blogging to do some real work*

10:18 Two of my television faves, Patrick Dempsey and Amy Poehler, present the award to yet another: BALDWIN! Ok so I know this is too obvious to 30 Rock fans, but Baldwin's real-life mother is also recovering from hip surgery? I guess it's safe to assume he didn't accidentally run her over...

10:25 Holy SHET!!! Why oh why is Renee Zellwegger channeling Morticia?!?!
10:26 Megan Fox was at her hottest in Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen.
10:30 30 Rock's award is coming up! WOOT! Ooo great clip! Tracyyyy!!! I hope Jeff Zucker ("JZ") isn't one to hold a grudge. Same goes for Ben Silverman, although he seemed happy enough. I LOVE YOU 30 ROCK!

*back to work*

10:41 TINA TIME!!! Btw, Jane Krakowski looks beautiful in her asymmetric dress. Cute how she can't suppress her excitement. TINAFEY30ROCK!!! Seriously has ANY entertainer ever had a year as incredible as Tina has?!?!?! I think I'm gonna create a Tina-bashing online persona just so she'll notice me =P

Actually, I can stop watching now. Or at least blogging. I was really just in it for 30 Rock anyway (most of the nominated movies have yet to be released here). So while I'm really excited to see Slumdog Millionaire, Benjamin Button, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Doubt, and Revolutionary Road... I just don't have anything invested in any of these films tonight. Signing off!

Sorry I'm back... just a couple of bullets from Steven Spielberg (not Spielburger), who will no doubt go down in history as one of the most important filmmakers of our time:

• He never makes a movie that doesn't give him the anxiety of thinking "Can I get away with this?"
• Because of the tough economic times, the temptation will be to make movies for a broader audience. But he reminds us that we are an audience of individuals and that we cannot afford to lose the type of movies that were honored that evening.

11:29 And I'm back again.... Kate Winslet's reaction to her second win is making me tear up! Awww and now Leo's teary-eyed, too. One of the evening's highlights, hands down.