Philippines CCR Wreck Diving October 2008

Gilles · 10th February 2008, 01:37

Appreciate if you can keep me in the loop

.

I was there just a couple months ago. Viz wasn't great but was enjoyable
nonetheless. I expect the prices to be relatively cheap. Your/our greatest danger will be arriving at the airport and the drive to/from Manila. I recommend booking one of the established hotels so they can greet you straight out the arrivals. When car travelling, coach your chauffeur into believing that their is no race to your destination. Expect a long boring drive, and traffic jams.

I'm travelling much between EU and Asia, so difficult to make commitments at this time. Appreciate any deadline dates, etc, to enable the chances of making a commitment, if any.

Good luck.

Lancer4545 · 10th February 2008, 04:48

Quote: (Originally Posted by Gilles)

Appreciate if you can keep me in the loop

.

I was there just a couple months ago. Viz wasn't great but was enjoyable
nonetheless. I expect the prices to be relatively cheap. Your/our greatest danger will be arriving at the airport and the drive to/from Manila. I recommend booking one of the established hotels so they can greet you straight out the arrivals. When car travelling, coach your chauffeur into believing that their is no race to your destination. Expect a long boring drive, and traffic jams.

I'm travelling much between EU and Asia, so difficult to make commitments at this time. Appreciate any deadline dates, etc, to enable the chances of making a commitment, if any.

Good luck.

Hey Gilles,

You are right about the vis. Vheng told me the vis used to be crystal clear when diving there as a kid before they put in all the Pearl Farms so he should know. None the less I found the vis quite good inside the wrecks and I have to admit that's where I spent the majority of my dives.

My last trip there was an "organised" one and we had a bus arranged for all our transfers. That is going to be hard to arrange considering just about everyone is arriving from a different place at a different time but once we all meet up at the Hotel we will travel as a group by bus.

The traffic and driving is like nowhere else on earth.......

I'll be putting any news up on this forum for all to see as it becomes available.

The more the merrier......Hope to have you along!!

Regards,

Lance

betti154 · 10th February 2008, 11:52

I'd be keen to find out more info, but cannot commit at this stage.

Lancer4545 · 10th February 2008, 11:58

Quote: (Originally Posted by betti154)

I'd be keen to find out more info, but cannot commit at this stage.

What would you like to know?

Lance

betti154 · 10th February 2008, 12:09

Prices mainly. I'll also have to look into other diving in the area that is not just wreck. I'd like to combine it with a photography trip but I've no idea what the general diving is like in the area.

If the vis isn't great there I don't know how keen I'd be from a photography perspective.

Lancer4545 · 11th February 2008, 03:04

Now the bit we have all been waiting for......The cost!!

I have made the following arrangements for the trip and are included in the price.

Arrive in Manilla 11-10-08 and stay overnight in a Hotel, breckfast included if time permitting. Hotel TBA
Bus transfer to Manilla Airport 12-10-08.
Flight from Manilla to Busuanga.
Transfer to Coron and boat to Sangat Is.
Twin share acommodation including 3 meals per day at resort.
Diving included, O2 and sorb extra, price TBA.
Transfer back to Coron and to Busuanga Airport 17-10-08.
Flight from Busuanga to Manilla.
Bus transfer from Airport back to Hotel.
Overnight stay at Hotel (check out 18-10-08).

The price $800.00USD

The price is based on having 10 divers if we get more coming we will get a discount which will be passed on to everyone. I am not getting a freebe, I am paying the same as everyone else. (just so we all know)

The only other costs I can see likely will be an excess baggage charge when we fly to and from Busuanga. Last time I was there we put all the baggage together and averaged the excess baggage out which came to around $20.00USD each, so it wasn't too much of a shock!

And like I have already indicated, sorb and O2 will be extra, which I will start making enquiries about soon.

I think it's a pretty attaractive package and is well priced for what you're getting.

So....If you're interested in coming along now is the time to put your hand up and let me know so I can get better idea of numbers. The other thing I need is to get a deposit. I will make an enquiry about refunds and put it up when I know.

I will write up an application form which I will post here soon and if you can fill it out and email it back to me that should get us on the way.

Any questions??

Regards,

Lance

Drmike · 11th February 2008, 04:52

Quote: (Originally Posted by Lancer4545)

Any questions??

no questions - but a small suggestion;

In the past whenever Ive taken the Manila Busuanga flight theres been fun and games with luggage weights. the planes only a small turboprop and a few times Ive ended up 'buying' a second seat (when available) to get more weight. (at times plane is full weight wise and this is not possible and luggage has to go on next days flight) 10 divers +10 rbs would be pushing your luck I suspect........

may want to check ahead of time....and pack light

wrecks are good, easy, relaxed, stress free diving. little to zero current flat water. Only minnor critisism is vis is not great. Wrecks are well dived and most were commercially salvaged - but still worth a visit and a nice relaxing way to spend a few days...but bring a book as Coron town is DEAD DEAD DEAD

The best wreck imo is the Seaplane tender Akitsushima (IIRC the only ship to survive attack in Truk Lagoon and the only Military vessel sunk in Coron IIRC, rest are Marus)

hmmm tempted to go myself.....

Another good Phil trip is:

Private Mini-bus hire from Manila airport, 2-3hr drive to Subic bay (Johans place) and dive the many wrecks there (more variety and some nice deep ones too) Drmike : photos : Subic bay, Philippines - Jan 2006- powered by SmugMug

On last night stop off at Angeles city for a different type of diving

.

me over F4 phantom wreck subic bay

Lancer4545 · 11th February 2008, 05:14

Quote: (Originally Posted by Drmike)

no questions - but a small suggestion;

In the past whenever Ive taken the Manila Busuanga flight theres been fun and games with luggage weights. the planes only a small turboprop and a few times Ive ended up 'buying' a second seat (when available) to get more weight. (at times plane is full weight wise and this is not possible and luggage has to go on next days flight) 10 divers +10 rbs would be pushing your luck I suspect........

may want to check ahead of time....and pack light

wrecks are good, easy, relaxed, stress free diving. little to zero current flat water. Only minnor critisism is vis is not great. Wrecks are well dived and most were commercially salvaged - but still worth a visit and a nice relaxing way to spend a few days...but bring a book as Coron town is DEAD DEAD DEAD

The best wreck imo is the Seaplane tender Akitsushima (IIRC the only ship to survive attack in Truk Lagoon)

hmmm tempted to go myself.....

Hey Mike,

Thanks for the input.

I agree the Akitsushima is the best wreck of them all!! I only dived it once and am going to make sure we get a few on it this time.

Amazingly enough when the wrecks were salvaged in the mid 60s they not only took the propellers but the shafts too. This makes a nice entry for the engine room with most of the reduction gears and turbine blades clearly visible...except the Akitsushima which was diesel.

akit.jpg

Coron is an interesting place...fortunately we didn't stop there for too long but had enough time to have a bit of a look around the markets and then got going on our way.

Be happy to have you along.......

Regards,

Lance

tecdivertraining · 11th February 2008, 06:20

Quote: (Originally Posted by Drmike)

hmmm tempted to go myself.....

Hi Buddy
Im going, should be fun,

lance is cool guy and as he is happy to pay for all those logistics for me ( such a good freind )I cannot say no.

nothing to do In PI, we will find somthing I'm sure, just so long as we get back in time for the first dive all should be cool.

Lancer4545 · 11th February 2008, 11:04

I am getting all the paperwork together now and I have typed up a "Personal Details" form I need everyone interested in coming to fill out and either email or fax back to me before March 01/08 along with your deposit so I can have Andy keep our spots available for us.

Even if you are thinking of coming along please fill out the form and get it back to me ASAP so I can get a good idea of numbers.

Personal Detail Form Sangat Trip 2008.doc

Regards,

Lance

10th February 2008, 01:37	#11 (permalink)
Gilles Worship the feminine Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Den Haag (Netherlands) Posts: 762	Re: Philippines CCR Wreck Diving October 2008 Appreciate if you can keep me in the loop. I was there just a couple months ago. Viz wasn't great but was enjoyable nonetheless. I expect the prices to be relatively cheap. Your/our greatest danger will be arriving at the airport and the drive to/from Manila. I recommend booking one of the established hotels so they can greet you straight out the arrivals. When car travelling, coach your chauffeur into believing that their is no race to your destination. Expect a long boring drive, and traffic jams. I'm travelling much between EU and Asia, so difficult to make commitments at this time. Appreciate any deadline dates, etc, to enable the chances of making a commitment, if any. Good luck. __________________ Gilles http://www.dirrebreather.com
(Offline)

10th February 2008, 04:48	#12 (permalink)
Lancer4545 RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Cairns QLD Australia Posts: 741	Re: Philippines CCR Wreck Diving October 2008 Quote: (Originally Posted by Gilles) Appreciate if you can keep me in the loop. I was there just a couple months ago. Viz wasn't great but was enjoyable nonetheless. I expect the prices to be relatively cheap. Your/our greatest danger will be arriving at the airport and the drive to/from Manila. I recommend booking one of the established hotels so they can greet you straight out the arrivals. When car travelling, coach your chauffeur into believing that their is no race to your destination. Expect a long boring drive, and traffic jams. I'm travelling much between EU and Asia, so difficult to make commitments at this time. Appreciate any deadline dates, etc, to enable the chances of making a commitment, if any. Good luck. Hey Gilles, You are right about the vis. Vheng told me the vis used to be crystal clear when diving there as a kid before they put in all the Pearl Farms so he should know. None the less I found the vis quite good inside the wrecks and I have to admit that's where I spent the majority of my dives. My last trip there was an "organised" one and we had a bus arranged for all our transfers. That is going to be hard to arrange considering just about everyone is arriving from a different place at a different time but once we all meet up at the Hotel we will travel as a group by bus. The traffic and driving is like nowhere else on earth....... I'll be putting any news up on this forum for all to see as it becomes available. The more the merrier......Hope to have you along!! Regards, Lance __________________ You can run but you can't hide! ISC Appointed Megalodon Dealer for East Australia http://www.closedcircuitdivers.com.au info@closedcircuitdivers.com.au
(Offline)

10th February 2008, 11:52	#13 (permalink)
betti154 New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney Posts: 67	Re: Philippines CCR Wreck Diving October 2008 I'd be keen to find out more info, but cannot commit at this stage. __________________ Damien Siviero http://damiensivero.com
(Offline)

10th February 2008, 11:58	#14 (permalink)
Lancer4545 RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Cairns QLD Australia Posts: 741	Re: Philippines CCR Wreck Diving October 2008 Quote: (Originally Posted by betti154) I'd be keen to find out more info, but cannot commit at this stage. What would you like to know? Lance __________________ You can run but you can't hide! ISC Appointed Megalodon Dealer for East Australia http://www.closedcircuitdivers.com.au info@closedcircuitdivers.com.au
(Offline)

10th February 2008, 12:09	#15 (permalink)
betti154 New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney Posts: 67	Re: Philippines CCR Wreck Diving October 2008 Prices mainly. I'll also have to look into other diving in the area that is not just wreck. I'd like to combine it with a photography trip but I've no idea what the general diving is like in the area. If the vis isn't great there I don't know how keen I'd be from a photography perspective. __________________ Damien Siviero http://damiensivero.com
(Offline)

11th February 2008, 03:04	#16 (permalink)
Lancer4545 RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Cairns QLD Australia Posts: 741	Re: Philippines CCR Wreck Diving October 2008 Now the bit we have all been waiting for......The cost!! I have made the following arrangements for the trip and are included in the price. Arrive in Manilla 11-10-08 and stay overnight in a Hotel, breckfast included if time permitting. Hotel TBA Bus transfer to Manilla Airport 12-10-08. Flight from Manilla to Busuanga. Transfer to Coron and boat to Sangat Is. Twin share acommodation including 3 meals per day at resort. Diving included, O2 and sorb extra, price TBA. Transfer back to Coron and to Busuanga Airport 17-10-08. Flight from Busuanga to Manilla. Bus transfer from Airport back to Hotel. Overnight stay at Hotel (check out 18-10-08). The price $800.00USD The price is based on having 10 divers if we get more coming we will get a discount which will be passed on to everyone. I am not getting a freebe, I am paying the same as everyone else. (just so we all know) The only other costs I can see likely will be an excess baggage charge when we fly to and from Busuanga. Last time I was there we put all the baggage together and averaged the excess baggage out which came to around $20.00USD each, so it wasn't too much of a shock! And like I have already indicated, sorb and O2 will be extra, which I will start making enquiries about soon. I think it's a pretty attaractive package and is well priced for what you're getting. So....If you're interested in coming along now is the time to put your hand up and let me know so I can get better idea of numbers. The other thing I need is to get a deposit. I will make an enquiry about refunds and put it up when I know. I will write up an application form which I will post here soon and if you can fill it out and email it back to me that should get us on the way. Any questions?? Regards, Lance __________________ You can run but you can't hide! ISC Appointed Megalodon Dealer for East Australia http://www.closedcircuitdivers.com.au info@closedcircuitdivers.com.au
(Offline)

11th February 2008, 05:14	#18 (permalink)
Lancer4545 RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Cairns QLD Australia Posts: 741	Re: Philippines CCR Wreck Diving October 2008 Quote: (Originally Posted by Drmike) no questions - but a small suggestion; In the past whenever Ive taken the Manila Busuanga flight theres been fun and games with luggage weights. the planes only a small turboprop and a few times Ive ended up 'buying' a second seat (when available) to get more weight. (at times plane is full weight wise and this is not possible and luggage has to go on next days flight) 10 divers +10 rbs would be pushing your luck I suspect........ may want to check ahead of time....and pack light wrecks are good, easy, relaxed, stress free diving. little to zero current flat water. Only minnor critisism is vis is not great. Wrecks are well dived and most were commercially salvaged - but still worth a visit and a nice relaxing way to spend a few days...but bring a book as Coron town is DEAD DEAD DEAD The best wreck imo is the Seaplane tender Akitsushima (IIRC the only ship to survive attack in Truk Lagoon) hmmm tempted to go myself..... Hey Mike, Thanks for the input. I agree the Akitsushima is the best wreck of them all!! I only dived it once and am going to make sure we get a few on it this time. Amazingly enough when the wrecks were salvaged in the mid 60s they not only took the propellers but the shafts too. This makes a nice entry for the engine room with most of the reduction gears and turbine blades clearly visible...except the Akitsushima which was diesel. akit.jpg Coron is an interesting place...fortunately we didn't stop there for too long but had enough time to have a bit of a look around the markets and then got going on our way. Be happy to have you along....... Regards, Lance __________________ You can run but you can't hide! ISC Appointed Megalodon Dealer for East Australia http://www.closedcircuitdivers.com.au info@closedcircuitdivers.com.au
(Offline)

11th February 2008, 06:20	#19 (permalink)
tecdivertraining EXPLORER Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Evolution Megalodon Ouroboros Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Dolphin Join Date: May 2005 Location: Phuket, Thailand Posts: 530	Re: Philippines CCR Wreck Diving October 2008 Quote: (Originally Posted by Drmike) hmmm tempted to go myself..... Hi Buddy Im going, should be fun, lance is cool guy and as he is happy to pay for all those logistics for me ( such a good freind )I cannot say no. nothing to do In PI, we will find somthing I'm sure, just so long as we get back in time for the first dive all should be cool. __________________ Mathew Partridge Technical Director Pro-Tech Dive College www.protechdivers.com www.tech-ccr.com
(Offline)

11th February 2008, 11:04	#20 (permalink)
Lancer4545 RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Cairns QLD Australia Posts: 741	Re: Philippines CCR Wreck Diving October 2008 I am getting all the paperwork together now and I have typed up a "Personal Details" form I need everyone interested in coming to fill out and either email or fax back to me before March 01/08 along with your deposit so I can have Andy keep our spots available for us. Even if you are thinking of coming along please fill out the form and get it back to me ASAP so I can get a good idea of numbers. Personal Detail Form Sangat Trip 2008.doc Regards, Lance __________________ You can run but you can't hide! ISC Appointed Megalodon Dealer for East Australia http://www.closedcircuitdivers.com.au info@closedcircuitdivers.com.au
(Offline)

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