Fun isn’t important, purpose is, and actions that have some real meaning…
Silence… My own breathing… Bubbles. Holding on to a rope, descending, slowly. Nothing in sight, just waters and the sound of my breathing. There was only stillness as I went unto depths. Just few minutes back, there was turmoil on the surface and I was out of breath as I swam for the line. I was gasping, my mind racing just wanting to cancel my dive. But my dive guide was firm and with controlled voice plainly told me to hold the line.
Banaug Shoal is 22 meters depth, in between was all waters with no sign of life – there was only pure silence. Slowly descending to this underwater hill is like stepping into the unknown hoping to land on a paradise. Indeed it is, a self-contained spot with so much life. The damsels swarmed us, the couple red snapper followed not wanting to be left behind. There was a display of resident species – angels, seargents, anthias, lionfish and more. The reef is colourful as it was, we found a leaf fish which is something new to me, I thought for awhile it was a scorpiofish! There were nudis too –
black/white combi was new. The resident scorpionfish still sitting on the coral top – just waiting for a prey. But I missed the big moray eel, he didn’t show up from his hole. I was wondering if he was just watching us from under the rocks. Lingered for more basking in the presence of the shoal’s residents but when my NDL got at four minutes, I signalled to the dive guide for the ascent after 51 minutes with air still at 80 bars. Speeding back to the resort, I was left alone by the staff after we agreed for the 1 pm second descent. The good thing was there was no other guests for the day, the place was all to myself totally.
Silence… Sitting by the waterfront reading my book, the withered talisay leaves collected my feet as the noon winds blew under the trees.
The waters became fiercer so the next descent as explained by the guide is at Lapinig Island instead of Talisayan Shoal, to take refuge from the raging waves of the open sea. Speeding off, I was hoping the current would be manageable. Again, this lowly island never disappointed me, we descend on a sandy slope and slowly swam taking my time observing the rich colourful secrets of its depths. We got to a coral area hosting Christmas tree worms creating a miniature holiday scene. Many of them quickly hid in their holes as I drew near but few of them was generous enough, stood their ground as I took photos. There were colourful nudis, cleaner shrimp on anemones, clownfishes, anthias and more. The highlight of which was an encounter with a cuttlefish. Most often, they would just quickly disappear from sight, but this one
choose to stay nearby in a way observing us too. I was inching my way nearer but he was backing off inch by inch too maintaining its distance! Such magnificent animal. For awhile we float face to face, its fins wiggling around him as it swam backwards. I gathered a handful of trash as we went around, as every descent is a clean-up one. I needed keen eyes for this. The current has gotten stronger as we went shallower, I have to hold on to the coral rocks to maintain my depth during my safety stop – I was swept away up. We surface after 61 minutes with my air at 80 bars, the waves surging on and the waters fiercer. The cold sea air sweeping us and the salt water spraying us, as we sped off for the shores, watching the horizons in silence. It felt good.
Coming home to MADRI and spending time in its nearby depths in silence is one best way to revive my sagging spirits and to brace me for the daunting year-end tasks. Just pure and natural silence.
NB. Both dives were in EAN 30%.
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- Return to Mantangale (www.cbartazo.wordpress.com)
- New Lessons, New Adventures (www.cbartazo.wordpress.com)
- Talisayan: More than the Usual (www.cbartazo.wordpress.com)
Life in the Great Beyond 
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