Philippines - Donsol, Sorgoson Island: Snorkeling with Whale Sharks!

 The next morning, the rain ceases just in time for our walk to the Tourism Center. But we have to wait an hour before leaving as the tide is very low. As we set off it's slightly overcast and actually a little chilly!

About an hour passes, and we're all a little despondant when our BIO (Butanding Interaction Officer) intructs us to get ready! We don our masks, snorkels and fins and line up on a large bamboo on the bow of the boat, ready to drop in one by one when instructed. I'm so excited I forget to put my snorkel in my mouth and just take as many photos as I can as we are right above a whale shark of about 6 meters.

No. 1

Nadine & Mike

Barbara & Martin

Urban & Anja

Ready!

The second time, we see the fin and the tail from the boat but it's too deep by the time we jump in - this one'ss a big one, about 10m!

No. 2 (10m)

The third one disappears pretty quickly too - I mostly see it's tail swimming away.

No. 3

We're about to set course for home when our spotter signals a 4th sighting! This one is the best - we drop in right by the head of the Whale Shark and swim with it for a while - even though it seems to glide forward effortlessly, we have to swim hard to keep up with it! We're all very excited when we get back onboard back onboard :)

No 4

No. 4

No. 4

That night, we join Martin & Barbara for dinner at the cheap place right behind both our hotels, then go to Villa Bianca for the big Friday night show... which turns out to be an odd hybrid... the waiter/waitress/ladyboy singing a mulitude of songs, karaoke style (reading from a sheet), with outfit changes between innumerable sets (we sneaked out after the 3rd set) ;)