Rolling in the Deep. Like Literally.

March 02, 2013

Anilao, Mabini, Batangas

I was once afraid of open waters. deep blue waters make me cringe. But like most of my fears, i just have to get it over with. 
My first fun dive, or my "intro dive" came unplanned. I actually am looking forward to a weekend of sleeping and much rest after our epic Bulusan summit fail last weekend, but i've been really waiting for an open dive so i gave in. 
Here are some info Lora Milan of Couch Surfing Manila shared with us prior to the dive. Again, credits to Lora Milan and Jeroen Elout Diving Manila for these pointers. 

THINGS TO REMEMBER:
• NEVER swim, snorkel, or dive alone. Always have a buddy when in the water.
• Water temperature could go down to 26oC so make sure you can handle it. The sea also gets a bit choppy in the afternoon.

THINGS TO DO:
• For first time divers:
o Make sure you are physically fit to dive (PADI/ Dive Manila provides a checklist for this forthe health specifics)
o To give you an idea about the intro dive, watch the video using the following links. This is a MUST. (Trust me, it’ll make life easier for you and your instructor.)
Module 1 section 1 http://youtu.be/YSPxC9O_nb8
Module 1 section 2 http://youtu.be/to4oP8kYdIU
Module 1 section 3 http://youtu.be/PYTOK_4hN14
Module 1 section 4 http://youtu.be/gKIi37_7tYA
o Snorkel prior to the dive. This will give you a good warm-up and a glimpse of the undersea you’re about to explore.

I'll share my "rolling in the deep" experience soon. I'm just too busy with life at the moment. 

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Hey i'm on twitter - @rome_john

Haler? Baler!

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Hey i'm on twitter - @rome_john

The Enchanting Beauty of Pandin Lake

One of the most mystically serene place i've been is the Pandin Lake in San Pablo Laguna. Here are the top ten things i love about that place.

1. It is practically 300 pesos away from Manila. Of course people have been to this place spending much more so the "barat" blood in you has to be really strong. I tell you, the beauty of this place is priceless. 

JAC Liner (with Wifi) to San Pablo - PhP120

Jeep - Medical to San Pablo Proper - Php8

Jeep - San Pablo to Ilog - PhP8

The bus ride will roughly be 1hr and a half making San Pablo one of my top favorite day trip destinations.

2. The locals are  fantastic. I've been to this place quite a few times because of my friends who live in San Pablo. With their love and hospitality, i can say i am an adopted son of Laguna.

3. This is one of those really photogenic places. Walang pinipiling anggulo. Every corner of this place is made for PhotoOp. 

4. Hikers can take this ridge as a jump-off to Mt. Mabilog, crossing Lake Pandin and Lake Yambo. Once in the summit, you can take the Sta.Catalina or the Nagcarlan traverse. Check out Pinoy Mountaineer fro more info about this minor climb.

5. One thing that makes this tourist spot unique is the Lady Paddler's Club. The local's organization of women who paddle the rafts for a tour around the Lake. One can take the raft for PhP180/head. That includes life vests but not the food. 

6. Lake Stories. San Pablo City is known to be the City of Seven Lakes. They say the depth of the Lakes has not been measured. They say the Lakes are connected by a tunnel with suctions underneath all Lakes. I've heard of a story about a drowned man in Pandin and the  body was found in the other Lake, 5 km away from Pandin. There's a thin line between truth and folklore in the provinces and the mysteries of these Lakes are captivating.

7. Food. Aside from paddling, the Women of Pandin also offers lunch when you rent their raft. They offer a variety of cuisines of tilapiya and native cakes. 

8. Unlike  the other Lakes in San Pablo, Pandin's water is clean for dipping. If you opted not to rent the raft, you can rent a life vest for PhP20 and swim. The vest had been mandated by the local officials following a drowning incident years ago. Given the Lake's folklore, i did not dare argue with that rule. 

9. The raft will take you to the other end of the Lake where the grotto is located. The water from the rock springs is just refreshing.

10. Side trips. San Pablo and Laguna in general had been my favorite place because it offers a lot of nice places to go to. Few steps away from Pandin is a view of the Yambo Lake. You can always check out falls, brooks and Mountains of  neighboring towns of Rizal, Nagcarlan and Liliw. Tiaong, Lucban and Majayjay are also possibilities. 

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Hey i'm on twitter - @rome_john