We set off the end of September for that long hard flight from Manila-LA-Miami, then down to Quito, Ecuador. Arriving in Quito was a pleasure, not so much as the flight was finally over, but to see a new and improved airport from the one I remember some five/six years before. It was a brief visit to the immigration and to my surprise; AA had in deed managed to, not loose my bags!
After a pleasant day and two memorable nights in Quito, eating Tapas and drinking some great reds, it was off to the Galapagos Islands. We soon arrived in San Cristobal and was quickly picked up and sent aboard the Galapagos Aggressor 1. A truly great welcome and orientation was given before we set off for our first checkout dive.
The dive was excellent, with sea lions and many sea stars littering the sea floor. This was a great time to put on that 7ml semi dry, hooded vest, gloves and all that you don’t use here in the Philippines, and work with getting your buoyancy right for the great dives that were to follow.
The first day was spent diving around St Cristobal and Bultra, great action with schools of fish, sea lions, eagle rays and a large school of hammerheads. The trip then took us up to Wolf and Darwin (where the big stuff is) an overnight trip that put us on our first dive mid morning. The fun began when we dropped in and seen our schools of Hammerheads. The dives we did around Wolf all consisted of Hammerheads, Mantas, Galapagos sharks, and a school of Eagle rays that seem to be following us on every dive. On one dive we had the pleasure of dolphins. The
Dolphins spent a good 10min. with us, playing and showing off in front of us, quite a spectacle.
Darwin was of course our favorite with all the whale sharks we seen. They say whale sharks only grow to 15m; I’m sure whoever has said that, they have never been to Darwin! I still say this whale shark is at least 18m, it has to be! The most memorable dive at Darwin (this trip) for me was the first dive when this enormous whale shark came from behind us and hovered over us for a few minuets. This fellow was not concerned about us at all.
Above
(Large whale sharks)
(Large whale sharks)
The Galapagos is well known for its wild life. The number of Hammerheads, Galapagos and black tip sharks,
Eagle rays, whale sharks, Penguins and so much more is some times mind-boggling.
On land the sea lions, seals and marine and land iguanas are just going about their business as if you were not there. The land tours we did were excellent, with all kinds of wild life from Blue Footed Boobies, Frigate’s to sea lions backing in the sun to iguanas lounging around with some fighting and others who obviously just did not care.
Above
(Blue Footed Boobies)
The Landscape was something special and one or two places really got your attention with the harshness and barren volcanic planes.
Above
(Pinnacle rock located on east side of James (Isla Santiago) Island in Sullivan bay)
The island landscape changed, with some islands covered with larva and others with cactus and colorful vegetation.
Above
(Sea Iguanas)
It was a sad moment climbing aboard the plain to take us back to Quito. Back in Quito was a quiet night of reflection, wine and good friends, and then there was that terribly long flight back home.
We had a great time in the Galapagos and I’m very lucky to have made my second trip but, I can assure you, it will not be my last. Special thanks to the Galapagos Aggressor 1 crew and to Alison Pocket, Kenneth Svennerlind, Johan and Maria Lyrevik, Bob Andrews, Kevin Ella, Kevin and Debbie Painter, Larry Bird, , Suzi Denton, Brian King and our trusty organizer Peter Eaton.
And then there was the Maldives!
It was March/April this year we did a trip to the Maldives. We had such a good time and were looked after so well we decided on another trip. Moosa our trusting guide and new friend suggested August to October as the Manta Aggregation happened during these months. After checking with Manthiri bookings office we only had one chance, October 19 to 28, we immediately said book it, were on!
After a week to the day I arrived back from the Galapagos, I was off to the Maldives aboard Singapore airlines best. It restored my faith and interest in flying again after my friends from over yonder. Arriving in Male we took a hotel for the night and headed to the boat at 8am.
We reuniting with Moosa and the crew of the Manthiri, a quick introduction to our new friends onboard and it was off for our first dive, Manta Point. We had a great introduction with eight Mantas, this is what we came for!
Above
(Me with 5 Mantas, less than 9m for 76min)
The first two to three days of our nine-day trip was spent in the South Male area. The first few dives we did were everything we could have expected. Good visibility, Whale sharks and lots of life. Mantas occasionally, but great colours and formations. By the third day however, the weather started to turn and rain was upon us. We had to take shelter from the weather on the eve of the third day before crossing from South to North Male.
On day four we arrived in North Male, a place where the Manta aggregation has been seen on regular occasions. Our first dive was with nine Mantas, not as many as we had hoped for but still an excellent dive. This dive was done in a maximum of 9 meters and we stayed for 76min. Everyone was excited about the dives we did that day, even if the numbers of Mantas did not reach more than 12 at any one time.
The following days we traveled further north and visited an island where Moosa our guide is now building a house. We were received warmly by the people and felt a real sense of being.
The diving kept on getting better (not the weather) with some very good pinnacle formations and of course more Mantas. There were a couple of sites where the Mantas literally came to you. They made it obvious they had no fear of you and in some incidences you felt they were playing with you. What a great trip, another great time and one I’d be happy to repeat over and over again. We had a few days and nights at different resorts for a break from the boat.
Nine days and the only real complaint, well the menu could have been a little more varied, but all in all it was fine.
Above
(On the way for another great lunch and an afternoon slumming it. A seaplane, great way to see the Maldives!)
(Rene and Sharon having a nice moment)
Back home and I have to say, I feel I’ve been a very lucky person to do so much in just one month. Two great trips, great friends on both trips, and so much looking forward to my next dive holiday, who wants to come?
