The scuba diving adventure took place when my husband and I got married in my country, the Philippines, and the tropical ocean beaches are only about one hundred miles away from where I used to live. For our honeymoon, we decided to stay on one of the beaches. Soon after our wedding, we headed off to a famous tropical beach resort known for its authentic delicacies, fresh seafood specialties, pristine white sandy beaches, and clear coral-rich seawater. When we arrived at the secluded island resort, we went to our bungalow-style cabin with decorative details and a mixture of patterns reflecting the island’s vibrant culture as inspired by the region's rich tribal ancestry. After a bit of settling inside the cabin, we went to bed to take in a good night sleep.
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Paradise Island Park & Beach Resort, Samal Island Philippines
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It was on our third day at the resort when we decided to try scuba diving. I had never been scuba diving before, so at that moment I was explicitly excited and fidgety over what might happen to me under the ocean water. So, after signing up, we went to an hour of scuba diving orientation, a requirement for first time scuba divers. In the orientation, I became
agitatedly nervous with the idea of being under the ocean, but yet I felt so excited and interested, especially when they showed us the basic understanding of scuba diving equipment and gear, everything from the mask to the fins, each part having a basic necessary function. After orientation, scuba diving instructors worked with both of us for about an hour in an outdoor swimming pool for open water training to master specific skills on how to breathe through the mouthpiece properly under the water, and to understand the air consumption required to achieve the correct breathing. The instructors also taught us about proper buoyancy. Because calm breathing is essential while diving, we needed to pass a basic swim test, too, by swimming for 200 yards non-stop. Then we learned basic sign language, which is used in scuba diving so divers can communicate under water, just in case we had something to say.
Consequently, the much awaited moment had come. Finally, we were sent out into the sea and all the way out to the deep level of the seawater. We began to see all different kinds of fish crossing in front of us, differing in color and size, which was quite astonishing and extremely beautiful. Then, I saw a bright, white ivory pinkish little jelly fish sitting on a basketball-sized stone on the sea bottom, seemingly waiting for something to pass by. I was overwhelmed by how real the jellyfish was so close up. I wanted to touch it, but I knew I couldn’t because its long tentacles were dangerous. So, I had to forget about it, and together with our diving guide continued to swim to our designated destination – way out to the sunken vessel.
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| Pearl Farm Beach Resort in the southern part of the Philippines where the Samal group of Islands is |
Finally, it was the moment we had been waiting for, which earlier we had only read about in the resort pamphlet. It was an unforgettable meeting with two sunken World War II Japanese vessels that were awaiting our discovery. They were so magnificent, beautiful and stunning. I could not wait to touch the corroded iron of the vessels. It totally took my breath away and made me speechless. After thirty minutes of exploration and discovery at the Japanese ships, we finally swam back to shore. I thought, if only I had been allowed to take pictures, but unfortunately it is not authorized. Describing our scuba diving adventure makes me want to do it all over again, and I can’t wait for that to happen.
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