Hello from Alona Beach

[Jimbo]

Today I finally get a chance to post because I get the morning off to renew my visa in Tagbilaran.  It's been three weeks now without a day off.  One more week to go.  The divemaster course is tougher than I thought.  Every day it's more diving along with study for exams (6 exams so far).  There's skill work in the pool, rescue scenarios, stress scenarios, underwater mapping and navigation, assisting the instructor and students, and escorting certified divers, rusty divers, beginning divers.

Pilo is the captain of the big boat.  I have a great time with him on the day trips to Balicasag or other spots.  The sea is often rough and he looks like an Abu Sayyaf when he pulls his t-shirt up over his head, ties the arms behind and peers out the neck hole -ROFL!  Ugoy is the other captain.  He's good but he tends to daydream at the helm, bumping a coral head or leaving a diver behind now and then LOL.

Sally joined me after one week here.  She's feeling a bit neglected because I'm so busy.  But some of her family joined us before Christmas - her mother, sister, brother-in-law, and their two kids, 3 and 5.  The kids love the digital camera; I take a shot and show them right away, zooming in and out, and they squeal with joy.

Lots of rain so far but it doesn't matter much to me - I'm wet all day anyway.  The Alona Tropical had a great Christmas beach party with native dances; 14 of them including the tinikling.  Fireworks, buffet with lechon, and a live band with dancing.  We're not staying there, that's where the Sea Explorers dive shop is.  We're up across the road in the low-rent district :-)

We eat for less than P400 a day, mostly.  I got a Honda CRX 200 for P300 a day, 24 hrs, but I hardly get to drive it - my instructors make sure of that.  I'll sneak off to take a nap now before they find me.  My back aches from lifting a 'victim' out of the surf with the fireman's carry.  I got coral cuts and strange rashes but overall I've been lucky - no headcolds or ear problems.

This afternoon my instructor will no doubt conjure up his next project for me, the execution of it being certain to bring him much glee.  At least he hasn't figured out Dave's G-String negative reinforcement trick :-O

Happy New Year to All,

Jim and Sally

[joemc]

... in response to Hello from Alona Beach, posted by Jimbo on Dec 28, 2003

Hey Jimbo,
        I see it now, that every guy in Beantown just
        envy you, just living the high life.
       I want to say happy new year to you and Sally.

                                             joemc

[Jimbo]

... in response to Re: Hello from Alona Beach, posted by joemc on Dec 31, 2003

Yes, it's a great life here, but man I'm beat from this course.  At least now I have a backup profession when they get around to shipping my job overseas and I get laid off.

Happy New Year to you and your family,

Jim

[Febtember]

... in response to Hello from Alona Beach, posted by Jimbo on Dec 28, 2003

Hello Jimbo and Sally,
Reading your post make me feel more homesick.You see lot's of sea orchin there Jimbo and seashells?Wow what a great vacation.I miss diving and swimming in the ocean.I grow up in Bohol.My folks from  Pangangan island,Calape   close to Cabilao island.Cabilao is nice place to dive too.I hear they have hammerhead shark there.Say hello to my folks there Jimbo.Bring peanut kisses when you come home.Raquel

[Jimbo]

... in response to Re: Hello from Alona Beach, posted by Febtember on Dec 29, 2003

Hi Raquel,

Yes, lots of sea urchins, black ones, black and white ones, red ones too.  Many shells and clams also but mostly fish.  We saw one huge school of jackfish, so big it darkened the sunlight overhead.  And some good sized bluefin tuna, very pretty.  Tons of clown fish too, of course - those guys are agressive.  A girl from Manila was diving with us and a black clown fish charged her and bit her on the lip.

At night the little bancas go out fishing with lights.  It's so dark and quiet.  I watch the lights move and dance over the water while we eat dinner.

Tomorrow will be my first time to go to Cabilao.  The big banca leaves early, 7 am.  It's an hour and a half trip.  I hope it's not raining like today.  Sally won't come because she'll probably get seasick on a long trip like that.  Maybe I'll get lucky and see a hammerhead.  I'll be looking - thanks Raquel.

Jim

[Stephen]

... in response to Hello from Alona Beach, posted by Jimbo on Dec 28, 2003

Great to hear from you.  Thanks for the report.

Keep us posted.

Stephen & Tess

[Jimbo]

... in response to Re: Hello from Alona Beach, posted by Stephen on Dec 28, 2003

nt