Underwater Love: Photos from the Best Snorkeling Spot in Batangas, Philippines

At least once every year for nearly a decade now, my family stays overnight at Dive and Trek in Batangas - although it might as well be called "Snorkel and Eat", if I was being accurate about our main activities there.

The best thing for me about Dive and Trek is how accessible the rich marine life of the area is to a non-diver - even a non-swimmer, at that. You can easily jump off the resort's dock - with or without a life vest - and already view schools of fish and colorful reefs!

Jump in and read more about the world beneath the surface at Dive and Trek resort after the cut!

Snapshots: Bogart Watching The Sunset

 

The unofficial mascot of Dive N Trek resort. :)

My Easter Holiday 2012, Told Entirely On Instagram

Bade farewell to the city for a couple of days. Excited to head to the beach!


Our backyard! And the parents' little project. That umbrella was from our previous home, and has finally found its place in our new one. Beaumont seems to like that a path has been cleared up amidst all the trees and grass. He has even more space to wander now.

Street food from my childhood! Fish ball, kikiam and scramble. And we bought it from the same guy we would buy from when I was a kid.

Off to the beach the next day. This was our mode of transportation.

Off we go!


Left all my worries behind for the next two days.

Finally made it!

So many places to lounge around...

...but this one was my favorite by far.

Bahay kubo for accommodation.

Read a book and listened to music after lunch...

...and dozed off under the summer sunshine.

Woke up from my afternoon nap to this...

...and this...

...and this!

Found the parents having coffee while waiting for the sunset.

Early morning the next day, same spot.

The parents further off in the dock.

Had a sumptuous breakfast before heading out to swim

We took the raft to get further out into the sea! Saw a massive clam and lots of fish (wish I still had my underwater camera).

This means there's so much marine life under those waters because they've been protected for so long.

Had to leave after lunch.

Until next time!

P.S. Instagram is now on Android! I went a little Instagram-crazy over the long weekend and barely used my real camera. The photos turned out okay I think.

Also, I've finally found the time to create a board on Pinterest! The first batch of pictures I pinned are mostly from this post, but more to come soon, because "pinning" is a lot of geeky fun! Check out my Pinterest boards here.

Snapshots: Off To The Beach, Batangas, Philippines

I miss the beach already! I miss the water and the sunsets. And the thought of coming back to work tomorrow is not exactly enticing. I foresee a lot of hours spent watching surf videos in the coming week to curb this longing. I'm happy to be back in the city though, and there's much to be done today, including dance class and maybe a food trip or two! I'm also already working on the post about the uber long weekend that was, which will be up later in the day.

Last day of the long holiday, let's make it count!

Snapshots: Sunset Alert! Dive n Trek, Batangas

Had our annual family trip to Dive n Trek yesterday. Was blessed with this spectacular sunset. I'll tell you more about our trip, via Instagram (it's on Android now, yey!), tomorrow. :)

Snapshots: Another Photogenic Fish, Dive N Trek, Batangas

More photogenic fish. No more work tomorrow until Monday! Where are you all going?

Snapshots: I Don't Think You're Ready For This Jelly, Dive N Trek, Batangas

I got stung by jellyfish over the weekend. :( I had just gotten in the water, and it wrapped itself around my right arm. It stung like crazy! Although my bigger concern was if it was gonna leave scars. It turned out okay, but my right arm is still red and slightly swollen.

I read in "The Beach" about a lake in Palawan where there were jellyfish that did not sting people when they came in contact with them. Because they had survived in that lake for ages without intruders and other potential threats, they had evolved and lost their ability to sting. Fascinating, yes?

Snapshots: Sunset in Batangas, Philippines

I've always loved the orange tint that the sunset brings to a place, especially if that place is by the beach. Here's the view of the sunset from our cottage in Dive N Trek in Batangas. You can find another one here.

This week's daily travel photos will be all about life in the water - a bit of an encore of Staying Afloat because I really love these pictures, with a few new ones.

Snapshots: Dive N Trek, Batangas

Fish photos! I'm so glad I invested on an underwater camera.

Snapshots: Sunset At Dive N Trek, Batangas (Plus an underwater picture!)

My first sunset of the summer! And one I took from the province where I grew up - Batangas, Philippines. For holy week, I went with my family on our annual beach trip to Dive N Trek resort, and was rewarded with this!

I've so much to post but not the time to do it, but I'll try to squeeze it in as soon as I can. For instance, I really want to write a post about my first beach trip of the year with family at Dive N Trek, a resort in Bauan, Batangas (thank you Ms. Medz for the correction!). Dive N Trek is known for its easily accessible snorkeling locations - you literally just jump off the dock and BAM! Underwater Paradise fit for a National Geographic documentary - and on our trip this year I got to take some pictures with my underwater camera. Here's a preview:

I got stung by jellyfish (and probably other tiny sea creatures as well) and have all these creepy marks on my arms (I think it's about time I invest on a rash guard) but it was totally worth it. I just love being in the water and being able to swim freely. I'm the kind of person who rarely stays still (again, blame it on my Type 7 personality) and my mind is always working, thinking, asking questions, getting ideas, but when I'm in the water swimming freely, without a life vest and armed with just a pair of goggles, wading in deep waters and seeing the seabed meters away from my feet as I explore a wide expanse of coral and marine life, I feel calm and experience a certain kind of peace I don't often experience. I think nothing relaxes me more than being in the water.

I'll post more pictures and share more stories soon, I promise!