On May 2nd at 11.57am off we go to catch our first mode of transportation, jeepney on Pasay Road to Libertad. We were rocking out to American Music playing R.E.M. and Green Day. Get on the JAM air-con bus to Batangas Pier. Easy way to travel and relax for 166 PHP. Take the Father 'n Sons banca to Sabang for 320 pesos including the pier fee and environmental charge. Got off the boat at Sabang pier and headed to the Castle on the hill overlooking Sabang city looking toward the pier and Sabang Beach. We started with a really nice room with four poster bed, large marble tiled bathroom. You could use the tub since they did not have water for the size of the tub. Then Keith came back and we changed rooms to #58 on the 3rd floor with sea view. Another nice room with double bed, large marble tiled bathroom. The whole place looks like a European Castle. The owner is from Austria and has his native flag flying proudly overhead. We spent another 2 days in Puerto Galera before continuing south on Ocidental Mondoro by public transportation to Apo Reef Club for 2 days of sailing but before that we got onto a jeepney to PG and tricycle to White Beach. While on the jeepney we met Ricky Ryley and his two companions (girlie boys). The one organized and negotiating getting the jeepney to take 7 of us right through to White Beach, and proceeded to tell Wayne, her/his friend liked him. WHAT the hell? Made for an interesting experience in the Philippines. Once we got to White Beach, Keith and I found a place on the other end of the beach with shade. Went swimming and just relaxed. Walked back down the beach to find the girlie boy looking for us.
Jeepney ride to JAM bus starts our journey to Apo Reef
From Battangas we take a banca to Mindoro Oriental
Sunsetting over Sabang Beach, we had dinner at Tamarind
Diving in Apo Reef on a live aboard was an experience of amazing gratification. Wayne did 8 full dives and Keith 6, the sea life is vast and the amount of shark was incredible. Two days of really great diving.
Live aboard ready for our trip to the reef, beached at Apo Reef club
David Caldwell and Keith on the live aboard
Wayne diving on the second day
The owner's son joined us on board and wore diving gear but basically snorkeled on the surface with his own tanks and equipment. Very cute to watch him in the water and on the boat.
David Caldwell, Keith and Wayne in the water alongside the live aboard
Dive master Fiona taking in the coral and sea life.
Keith at the ship wreck dive the last dive of the trip
