Descend Downunder

Our luxurious accommodation

Fabulous Philippines..

Tropical Paradise..

What a trip … Des has just returned from a fabulous trip to Sangat Island in the Philippines, and sums it up as a great trip with great company, great dives and lots of fun. See his article and pictures at the following links

http://www.descend.com.au/training/gallery/PhotoGallery.asp?whichcategory=Philippines%20-%20Sangat%20Island%202007&AreaID=17

http://www.descend.com.au/training/gallery/PhotoGallery.asp?whichcategory=%20Philippines%20Sangat%20Island%20-%202007%20(2)&AreaID=17

Philippines Adventure – Des Walters

What do you mean I have to get up at four oh bloody clock in the morning to catch the plane? I whinge. Thought it was supposed to be a holiday but despite the fact the motel forgot my wake up call we all manage to get on the flight.

Lloyd had smuggled in four bottles of his good red wine and purchased a bottle of Baileys duty free. We are looking good until the plane stops in Sydney and we are all off loaded and pushed through security again and they confiscate Lloyd’s bottle of Baileys. That sucks. Now we are not so happy. The entertainment system on the plane is the old banger projection in the roof a one poor quality screen up the front. From row 179 you need binoculars to see it so I put on my ipod and immerse myself in a good book, one of the real pleasures of holiday for me is I get to read real books, not just technical stuff. The plane food is unexpectantly good and by the time we arrive in Manilla I have finished my first book. We transfer to the Soffatel, get a San Miguel under our belt at the bar and decide to try the local smorgasbord meal. The restaurant is full so they seat us in the private dining room with our own waiter. Everyone thinks I have arranged it especially for them so am looking pretty good about now. The meal is simply spectacular right through to the Peeking Duck and Fred’s 27 desserts.

Up early again next morning and we transfer to the domestic airport, I am nervous about this flight we have been advised that they have baggage limits on the small plane. They weigh all the luggage then take one look at Glenda and decide to weigh all the passengers. “Very big people” the check in girl mutters as she talks incessantly with the ground staff. Then the crunch comes “I’m sorry sir you are overweight”. Why pick on me? I say, look at the rest of this tubby lot. But it makes no difference. I negotiate to convert Mark’s seat to a cargo seat. Mark was admitted to hospital just before the trip so I had an extra ticket. Not as easy as that, I still have to pay. I part with 1800 pasos, I think that is about three shillings and sixpence and it’s all settled. Now I am looking really good. Just as well they have this little black duck as tour guide.

We move to the departure lounge to find its actually doubled as a church and a full blown service is underway. About 100 passengers most of which are singing hymns and praying under the guidance of a fully cloaked minister. Do they know something we don’t? Yes they do, it turns out that you only get to go somewhere on this airline by the grace of God. The check in girl has found us again and it turns out that now we have converted two tickets to cargo and paid and although there are only 12 passengers of a possible 19 no luggage will go on the flight. My hard won brownie points disappear and the troops see me for what I really am, a mere mortal. We take an otherwise uneventful flight to Corron where we transfer to the very quaint (another word for dilapidated) Jeepney. They are very common in Manilla and looks a bit like an oversized troop carrier but with a low back made from scrap and decorated with neat stuff like bullocks horns, 1953 movie posters, bulb style air horns and ships bells. Very cool. I particularly liked the corrugated iron guttering on the inside of the front loy flat window screen. Three quarters of an hour later we arrive at the boat, which takes us to Sangat Island. By now the troops are decidedly nervous. “What have you got us into this time Desmond” mutters Lloyd. I know I am in trouble. Only my mother called me Desmond when I had done something really bad.

About an hour later we arrive at Sangat Island and it is picture perfect. “Oh yee of little faith”. The spirits of the group are raised and some of my brownie points are given back. White sand, green lawn, palm and coconut trees and a dozen or so thatched bungalows only 10 metres from the water. A very good operation with great food and service. We spend the afternoon exploring. Glenda is particularly excited to find monkeys so I go with her to see them. “Aren’t they cute!” she cries, “ Look at the little baby one”. The alpha male decides that Glenda is a threat so he challenges her by snarling, baring his teeth then charging. Glenda squeals and runs, of course I think it is hilariously funny. But what goes around comes around and as we get into the boat the next day for our first dive Glenda gets her own back. The boat is stuck on an outgoing tide, so being the gentleman that I am I move to the narrow stern to lift the bow. Glenda seizes the opportunity and shifts her (considerable) weight to the opposite side and I go overboard. The tears run down Glenda’s cheeks for about 10 minutes then she relents and asks “are you ok?”

Ok, one all.

The water is a fabulous 30 degrees C. A lycra is plenty, there are eleven wrecks close by plus a cave and volcanic fresh water lake which is 36 degrees C. The visibility is not spectacular however quite adequate for wreck diving and when we travel to the outer islands it is a respectable 20 or so metres.

I find a new book to read ‘A short history of tractors in the Ukrainian’. I can’t pass that up. Donna asks me to pinch her to make sure its all real. I oblige. She smacks my face. Women! I tee up the guide to ask her for her wreck divers card. That should fix her. He does, she goes quiet and heads for her room. We let her know that as an open water diver she must not dive deeper than 18m, is not allowed on wrecks and if she wants to watch fish she will need to do the underwater naturalist course. Donna is devastated; she was really enjoying the trip. She thought only film stars got to do this sort of stuff.

Welcome to the A list Donna.

I never realised that the humble tractor was so fascinating. The first tractor was invented by a Quaker named John Fowler. It was not strictly speaking a tractor but rather two traction engines positioned at opposite ends of the field and connected by a looped cable that was fixed to plough blade.

Phil immerses himself in a nitrox course; Ross and Lloyd supervise the building of a new donga by the local carpenters, Fred minds Donna, a full time job, and Robbo takes up residence in the cathedral cave. After a while, (2 or 3 days) we miss him and send the guide back for him. Leena drinks the island dry of rum and coke.

The days pass all too steadily. Eat, sleep, dive, read. And if you don’t get it right you can do it again tomorrow. Ross has organised the wine club to have a bottle of red wine every night.

I discover that the Khanku Locomotive factory produced 1000 tractors a week. The factory was relocated to Chelyabinsk during the Second World War and converted to produce tanks. Boy if I ever get that question in a trivia quiz I’m in.

Donna has doubled her previous diving experience. She has dived wreck and caves and become an accomplished marine biologist. She is now leading Fred and one dive she let go of his hand. Donna of course argues (and argues) that Fred holds her hand because he likes it so she indulges him.

I’ve got to say that this trip is just what I needed. A beautiful exotic location, good dives, good food, good company and a chance to switch off. Thanks guys, see you in Truk next year. 

Course Congratulations..

Kylie and Phil work together

Congratulations to the following who completed their DAN course on Saturday… Ross Hall, Mark Padmore, Kylie Clarkson, Naomi Gay, Phil Butler and Wayne Delpiano. Check out the details below for some more great courses coming soon..

For photos select the link below...

http://www.descend.com.au/training/gallery/PhotoGallery.asp?whichcategory=DAN%20Course%20September%202007&AreaID=17

Open Water Courses...

If you have friends and family looking at getting in the water we have courses commencing on the following dates -11th October & 21st November - Book Now

Select the link below for further details

http://www.descend.com.au/training/sports/courses/20035221352.htm

Deep/Wreck Course..

We’re giving you the opportunity to complete the deep diver course as well as the wreck diver course combined in the one sea weekend. The deep course consists of three nights of theory while the wreck course is covered in two nights followed by a combined weekend at the coast.

Course dates and details at the following link

http://www.descend.com.au/training/sports/courses/20035161042.htm 

Commencing 6th November—Book Now...

Descend Xmas Party..

Adamshurst

You don’t want to miss the social event of the jolly season.

When: Saturday 8th December

Where: Adamshurst Convention Centre

Time: From 6:00pm for drinks followed by a two course meal

Cost: $45/head includes 2 course meal. Bookings Essential..

New Arrivals..

Congratulations to Andrew and Andrea Weppner on the safe arrival of their new little girl Caitlin Andrea who arrived on the 16th August.

Also a big congratulations to Narelle and Corey Jones on the arrival of Ella Jane who arrived on 13th August.

Stay tuned for another new exciting arrival coming soon….

Truk Lagoon 2008..

Clowns in Micronesia

News Flash…. Details just released for next years overseas trip… To the amazing destination of Truk Lagoon, Micronesia. Departing 4th August with an optional extension of a few days diving in Guam. Cost: $3185/diver — $2485/non diver - Extension an extra $500/diver. Register your interest now!