Last weekend we drove just over two hours south from our home in Manila to take our three house guests from Canada snorkeling in Mother Nature's colorful fish bowl.
On a small peninsula called Anilao that juts out from the mainland of the province of Batangas there is a strip of popular diving resorts. Our favorite is a small, but cozy family-run resort at the very end of the strip.
After a long wet season, the weather was perfect for us: soft, sunny, warm with a hint of a cooling breeze. I am happy to be able to share these skies for SkyWatch Friday.
The first four were captured from our banca ride to and from a spectacular snorkeling spot next to the aptly named Sombrero Island. You can see it in the distance in this first photo and up close in the second.
The first four were captured from our banca ride to and from a spectacular snorkeling spot next to the aptly named Sombrero Island. You can see it in the distance in this first photo and up close in the second.
Batangas, 2011
The water was perfectly clear on this day and tropical fish of all shapes, sizes and colors swam peacefully among the diverse and plentiful corals. Our presence did not appear to disturb them in the slightest. (Why is it so very hard for humans, the so-called "intelligent" species, to co-exist in peace?)
Notice the faint hint of a rainbow over the hill here as we near our resort, as well as the clouds reflected in the calm surface of the sea.
This last one with the sun going down was the serene view from our resort. I especially like the shapes formed on the water by the gentle ripples and the sun's reflection on the tiny waves lapping the shore.
I am also linking this post with James' Weekend Reflections.
29 comments:
I love the shape of that island!! In the last photo, I like the silhouette of the tree, and the bit of sunlight reflected in those waves closest to the shore!!
these are stunning photos, I especially like the last. it looks to be a joyful time. happy SWF Francisca!
Really nice photos! I especially love the one with the beautiful clouds and person in red sittin on the front of the boat. I also always enjoy the narrative that always accompanies your photos.
Thanks for that!
Now how did you adjust the size of photos on here?
Great series, but I love the last one!
It looks idyllic, especially when it is cold and wet in the UK.
Fabulous, Francisca. I'll be there next week! LOL
Snorkeling, however, is one of the few tourist activities I can enjoy because swimming doesn't cause me a lot of pain.
Thanks for the beautiful boat ride today.
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel
Oh, what a great tour you've taken us on, Cisca! How beautiful it is! Gorgeous skies, rainbows and beautiful water and your photos are superb! Looks like such a wonderful place! Would love to visit there! Your photos are always the next best thing! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Sylvia
As always, your photo's are breathtaking! I love coming to visit and seeing sights I'd not see otherwise. Thanks again my friend:) Oh, can I 'borrow' this new NO Verification sign..again? Thanks:)
Beautiful views! That Sombrero Island is gorgeous.
gosh, how lovely ~ awesome tree silohouette
Welcome back. The last time you wrote about you crossing the Great Wall. You are such a world traveler.
You are more Filipino than me, LOL! I have not even visited a lot of places in Luzon. But thankful for you to share the beautiful coast and skies and the glowing sunset.
Hehehe, I laughed about your "superstition" comment.
Hi Francisca, you know I like not only your photos but also the way you write. I feel nostalgic to see someone describing our place so well, and appreciating it too. Even if i also have some shares of travels, I've been to Maricaban Islands (include Sombrero Island) only once, to the insistence of some friends that they be brought there. I would say I envy also the divers who were able to see the marine biodiversity of the area, which i fail to see because i'm afraid of heights and depths! You were there more than I did, but i promise to be back sometime. You should try to go to Mt Gulugod Baboy via Malimatoc, where you will hike only for 15-25 min.
Some of my posts Anilao and GB:
http://abagillon.blogspot.com/2011/05/little-escapade-in-my-neighborhood.html
http://abagillon.blogspot.com/2011/05/more-dry-season-scenes.html
http://abagillon.blogspot.com/2010/11/love-grass.html
http://abagillon.blogspot.com/2010/06/mountain-in-my-backyard.html
These are just beautiful pictures of Batangas I love going there and I always bring home a lot of beautiful pictures. Thanks for sharing.
The islands look quite magical and the sky so big.
Wow! Lucky guests! Beautiful spot, beautiful skies.
I'm so glad that you are linking this wonderful post to Weekend Reflections! These photos are excellent! The bottom one is amazing!
I've only been snorkeling once but it was about two hours Northwest of Manila. I think it was called Grande Island.
Love your photos Francisca. Haven't been to this place ^_^ Happy Friday!
Bridge and Sky
Wow - what amazing shots. Such a lovely place to be.
Number two and the last one are brilliant ;-)
It must have been a real treat for your visitors! The weather looks fantastic. I love the sky and reflections in your last shot.
i can't remember the last time i was in anilao--it seems like a lifetime ago. i have a standing invitation from a friend who teaches diving there, the trip seems to get postponed every time. these are beautiful shots...the sunset is magnificent!
The silhouette is lovely and I was attracted to the reflection of the sun by the shore. Great photos!
Beautiful photos and a stunning sunset!
We used to get a lot of giant shells and corals from Philipines. I think it is banned now.
Magnifique...you could frame and hang every one of these photos. I'd love to snorkel there! We've done a bit of it here in Florida but this is a whole new snorkeling world! What great fun!
And a Happy Halloween to you, too!
Boo!
How beautiful and gorgeous. Im going to philippines one day, looks like a dreamy place :0)
Wonderful shots and this sure is a exciting trip.
Your last shot is drop dead gorgeous filled with the beauty of nature. I also really like the one of the huge rock formation in the water. That one reminds me of Canon Beach in Oregon. This is one special series of oh, so pretty shots. Thanks for sharing. genie
As you know I've never been to the Philippines but the sight of this basic boat in the water brings back so many wonderful memories of Thailand and Myanmar...
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