Dive-Monster Rhoody

Mikes Beach Resort in Dumaguete or better in Dauin is soon to open its gates. The Beach and Dive Resort had a tough head to head fight with Robinsons Dumaguete but finally made it and opens earlier.

Everybody who knows Mike from the Adventure Dive Shop in Dumaguete knows that his Beach and Dive Resort in Dauin was a big dream which finally comes true. As I am working as a freelancing dive instructor for the Adventure Dive Shop, I saw the growth and progress of the Dive Resort construction site in Dauin and know some of the troubles Mike went through.

Sometimes I still wonder how he can keep his great attitude with all that crap. Well I guess seeing the dream grow helps a lot.

Mikes Dauin Beach Resort will be a great place for guys who want to relax and having a great  time in a family atmosphere. With only 8 rooms and the huge pool it is designed very spacious and won’t get crowded.

The rooms of Mikes Beach and Dive Resort in Dauin have 2 categories and are priced with 2000 and 2500 peso. With that prices he will cover a market for guests and travelers which don’t or can’t stay in other Beach and Dive resorts in Dauin which charge over 100$ and more than 100 peso for a local beer.

But relaxing and Diving is not all Mike offers in his new Beach Resort 15 kilometer south of Dumaguete. He will tailor you a customized program for your non diving days whether you want some adventures or just a city trip to buy some souvenirs.

The kitchen of Mikes Beach Resort will have extended menu of his Waterfront Café in Dumaguete which is well known for its Mexican delights and burger. Well my favorite is still the breakfast until closing time.

So from my side all the best to Mike, Joan and his team of the Dumaguete Beach Resort in Dauin.

Cheers

Rhoody

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On Sunday the 6th of January we scheduled a side-trip to Subic with some friends to have a great time and do some diving on the famous wrecks of the Subic Bay. I was there some 5 years ago and was pretty much exited about the trip. So at 7 in the morning there was a nice crowd of people standing around the van, wondering how everybody should fit into that. 5 guys, 6 girls, 4 sets of dive-gear, 2 driver, 11 back-bags, several notebook and camera-cases, 3 pillows and 2 monster stuff-toys squeezed somehow into the van and a rental car and headed towards Subic Bay.

With the new highway open, it was just an hour drive to the diveshop of the Camayan Beach Resort. After the typical paperwork we set up the gear and got our briefing for the El Capitan. I had a look at the rental gear and it seemed to me in good and well maintained conditions. The tanks were full with 200+ bars and the Banka big and spacious.

We had a five minute ride and tight the boat up on the mooring buoy of El Capitan. I could see from the boat that the visibility was not really good and after entering the water first I could barely see the end of my fins. I thought right away: That dive will be for some of our group a big challenge. Descending down the mooring line did not change anything in terms of visibility and my body and I were the first after the divemaster exploring the wreck.

To be honest, it could have been anything down there as there was nothing to see other than light green, dark green and black after we penetrated the wreck through one of the cargo-holes. Occasionally I saw the shade of the Dive-master and felt the hands of my buddy. I was not sure if he wanted to grasp my big Lubud or just keep in contact with me.

Finally towards the end of the dive I saw shades of schooling Bat-fish in the green and I think there was a Ray sliding of the subject we were diving on. What I am 100% sure is that there were some clown-fish…

After surfacing everybody had really sore eyes, so we decided to skip the second dive. We still can go back to Subic another day and the Ocean Adventure-Park is in the neighborhood so we can watch some dolphin and sealion-shows.

Cheers

Rhoody

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Thalatta Garden and cottages

The large Pool-Area is the center of Thalatta. Well designed with a shallow entry part and a deep end, ideal for Scuba-Diving courses. The Beachresort has some separate small pools for Kids and a Open Air-Jacuzzi. The whole area is surrounded with tropical plants in all colors and shapes. The chef of the Restaurant is a french guy who really knows how to serve you local and international delights.

The diveshop in Thalatta is managed by “Raffi” and Easy-Diving from Sipalay. All equipment is brand new and the staff very professional. Easy Diving offers Scuba courses from Beginner up to professional level. Daytrips to the nearby Apo Island are scheduled a few times weekly. At present a big Bangka is under construction to give the guests the chance for some dive-safaris through-out the Visayas and northern Mindanao. 

There is a consumable entrance fee of some hundred peso if you don’t stay in the Resort and big groups might be rejected, so better call or mail the management before you go there.

cheers

Rhoody

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