lacey makes: The Philippine Islands

It's been almost a month, and I haven't posted, which is too bad because I have a few different things I've been working on lately that I'd like to share. We've been so busy - mostly because this husband of mine can't sit still.

August 23 - 29 we visited the Philippines with some friends. It was my first "real" dive trip since getting certified here in Korea. (My first dive was in Mexico with Clay in 2007 and I was terrified and hated it the whole time!)

It's such a weird feeling when you're first getting used to diving - your body just doesn't understand how you're breathing underwater and it can be pretty confining and scary. But since I met Clay, I've done so many adventurous things I don't think I would have ever done without him.

We started our trip out by arriving at Malapascua Island. (Did you know there are over 7,000 islands in the Philippines? I didn't.) We took a plane, then a van, then a boat all the way out to this little guy. When we arrived late at night there was staff there to great us and help us get some dinner and get all settled in. It was a big change from showing up at a resort in America.

Our friends Erik and Angela.

Our package included all of our meals at the dive shop restaurant (delicious!), our rooms and 6 dives (of course the boys added on more).

From the top of the dive shop restaurant.

Our "bungalow".

The beautiful Malapascua sunset.

We don't have an underwater camera, so we obviously didn't get to take many photos during this part of our trip. The first day we dove at "Gato Island". The island basically dropped off to make an enormous coral wall below the surface. The first dive was the most nerve-wrecking for me, but by the end of it I was ready to go again! We also did another dive on the other side of the island.

Gato Island to the left.

Day 2 we woke up at 4:30 am to get out early to try and spot some Thresher sharks (what this island is known for). We didn't see any and we were so disappointed. We did an afternoon dive this day too and.... wait for it.... a night dive. I said I would never do a night dive - but I did. And it really wasn't that bad. We jumped in at dusk so it wasn't like jumping in to the black abyss. Since a night dive is so different than a day dive they required that Angela and I go down with a dive instructor and complete some tasks - like turning off our flashlights and swimming in the dark. But from this point out I will be able to night dive without an instructor! Yippee!

Getting ready for the night dive.

Day 3 we woke up at 4:30 am again (so much for "vacation") and went out to see the Threshers and we saw 6! I was so intrigued and excited that I honestly wasn't even scared. The Threshers are pretty big - their tail is the size of their body - and peaceful. They live down in the darkness but come up during certain hours to get cleaned by the cleaner fish ( I don't know their real name). This is when we saw them. They just swim in circles alone above your head. It was truly and experience. Later that day we went back to Gato Island because our other planned trip got cancelled. We were down at the bottom and were circled by 3 white tipped Reef sharks. THIS is when I got nervous. I tried to swim closer to Clay, but movement underwater is awkward and it made me more nervous, so I just sat and planned my defense. Luckily, they laid low and we swam away.

I've already babbled enough, so I'll keep the next part short.

We left Malapascua and went to Boracay for the last 2 days of our trip. Boracay is more of a tourist area. The first night we went to the seafood market where you pick out your meal while it's still alive and kicking. We picked out a lobster, squid and some crab. Then, you take it over to a little kitchen and they cook it up for you however you'd like. It was so good and quite an experience! I think I prefer my food already dead.

Our last day we went on an excursion to Ariel's Point. The trip included bottomless rumcoke (as the locals called rum and coke), a lunch buffet and endless cliff diving. It was the perfect way to end our vacation!