It was my first time to visit Anilao in Batangas, one of the country’s famous diving sites. Since mom’s friend, Ate Mary, was going to attend her scuba-diving class, she invited me to come with her in this all-expense paid 2-day getaway. At the same time, it was a treat to celebrate my new-found job and get relaxed. I was also allowed to tag along a friend to accompany me while she’s out taking her lessons somewhere in the deep. So I plucked Nitay out of her usual Saturday Bible study schedule.
A good morning view of Anilao.
We left Manila as early as 6AM. With Ate Mary on the steering wheel and Scubaworld.com’s dive master Roger keeping her awake, we arrived in Outrigger Resort in less than three hours considering the entire length of SLEX being constructed. If you haven’t been through hell, I suggest you take SLEX on a Friday.
The air was crisp and everything else around the resort was calm and peaceful. Outrigger Resort was perched below the rocky hills of Mabini, Batangas. It was a typical diver’s zone – scuba gear rental booths, boatmen waiting, and divers checking their equipment, wind and water conditions. I was told that a complete diver’s equipment would cost around P50,000. Expenses paid for diving courses and trips to diving sites are excluded. Divers even have to undergo certification. This is quite an expensive and serious hobby.
Preparing for the deep plunge
Nitay and I were the only non-divers in the company of sea lovers. And since there wasn’t any form of entertainment that would entice us out of land, we stayed in the pool chattering away or watched from the deck Russian tourists either snorkeling on the shores or paddling their way out of the shallow reefs and stones on their colorful kayaks and paddleboats. The resort charges P140 per hour for the rental of a snorkeling gear or kayak. From the distance, we spotted a group of windsurfers.
Colorful kayaks.
Food was good. Outrigger cooks knew how to please their guests with a variety of dishes. Accomodations were average compared to some resorts I have been to and quite expensive at P2,800 to P3,000 per head.
Pork cordon bleu, steamed vegetables, rice and tuna.
If you’re really in for a new but serious adventure, go try diving. There are better diving sites scattered all over the country like those in Bohol and Palawan. Anilao is the nearest if you just want to escape the congested atmosphere in Manila. There are also other resorts around Anilao you can check out.
Outrigger Resort
Don’t go into the deeps without a water-proof digital or video camera and miss the fun down under. I was amazed to see on video several varieties of fishes, colorful marine plants and other species thriving in our already endangered seas. There is a vast world out there waiting to be discovered.
PS. I would like to thank Ate Mary for this wonderful treat. God be with you on your trip to Afghanistan.
can u tell me how to get there?