Negros: Dumaguete & Apo Island

Scuba do Peter and scuba don't Funonha!
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Today the sea water is a little more salty and the sea levels higher for the tears I have shed... directly into it. Yes, once again, the two dives weren't as requested and as a result I'm not sure I will ever dive again. We asked for a shallow dive because of previous dramas but ended up going to 23m into a cave mouth on a wall dive over an abyss just to see some tiny eel thing. The attending panic attack and overbreathing led to going up to the level we asked for anyway and a girly blart at 6 metres. But trust iss-yues now remain. And a lack of confidence in the so-called 'fun' dive. It's a shame. Sorry Hidden Diving. I did try!

Looking for shade on a tilting overcrowded ferry after a night on the razz
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There were moments of loveliness, however. This was Apo Island, one of the number one dive spots in the Philippines and a pristine marine sanctuary full of amazing corals and cute fishies. Saw two sea turtles, one having a kip so we were able to get within a few feet of it. Also, yet another sea snake, which the dive master picked up for an impromptu swim. Oh and the damn blue-ribbon eel.

The rise and fall of a novice diver

Tonight, both me and Peter are in the afterglow... of major sunburn. We are sporting newly crimson faces (and in my case hands, arms, feet and a random spot on one leg where there was a hole in the wet suit). All thanks to the lack of shade on the ricketty bamboo dive boat. My eyebrows are practically white and I look like an alien. Now, a word from my sponsor (Peter):

"Feeling like a fried fish. Now I know how they feel. I'll never eat fish and rice again. But I do like a bit of turtle soup..."

Tomorrow we are aiming for a tour that is totally in the shade, followed by a double manicure and a Hollywood movie in the air-con cinema.