tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55889150642564637762024-02-07T10:50:29.605-08:00Not only one story in Malapascua Exotic... Get in! Follow along and you will find stories, pictures and all kind of treasures hidden around Exotic. Malapascua Island has plenty to offer both above and below the water!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10826600426509060530noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5588915064256463776.post-15601401077658117522016-09-21T17:47:00.000-07:002016-09-21T17:47:46.988-07:00The Exotic Blog is back...... again!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkbcPLNFCFQQHC1pwdY_WraE-C5CqkZM2bcMMG2aOERgPECWK7OuZqXetFlSSW1mo3ankjM_kcBdgFJq_yHerXSn9_Ud7Q_z9XoTUDLVdy5Yuv3luI3_hdtlSouIKTVIgS5lCGEYfxR0WA/s1600/Sidemount+smiles.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="sidemount diving malapascua, sidemount diving philippinmes, tec diving malapscua, tec diving philippines" border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkbcPLNFCFQQHC1pwdY_WraE-C5CqkZM2bcMMG2aOERgPECWK7OuZqXetFlSSW1mo3ankjM_kcBdgFJq_yHerXSn9_Ud7Q_z9XoTUDLVdy5Yuv3luI3_hdtlSouIKTVIgS5lCGEYfxR0WA/s320/Sidemount+smiles.JPG" title="looking good" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All the gear... and every idea</td></tr>
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Sidemount diving has grown drastically in terms of popularity over recent years. In fact, it's flying off<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjet-NsYonZkDU3035hNreXUgRO9yjos_ZPa2cF-CyZb5hWIwdLEwK4jfvLmFLtXqWnKc56LFjlbR5W4QT_SS8ucPB9oFg5n3ruoj2cMZPP_m1m5wjPWmCyDONmWUxRqzEzP5bTzSFx1Cjs/s1600/Happy+Birthday+Eric.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="sidemount diving malapascua, scuba diving malapascua, philippines scuba diving" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjet-NsYonZkDU3035hNreXUgRO9yjos_ZPa2cF-CyZb5hWIwdLEwK4jfvLmFLtXqWnKc56LFjlbR5W4QT_SS8ucPB9oFg5n3ruoj2cMZPP_m1m5wjPWmCyDONmWUxRqzEzP5bTzSFx1Cjs/s200/Happy+Birthday+Eric.JPG" title="birthday boy" width="177" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Many happy returns</td></tr>
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the shelves here at malapascua's premier dive resort. This week, long time friends of Exotic Eric, Monique and Ray all strapped on a harness and took on two tanks each for the first time. Great fun ensued as they sidemounted Monad Shoal to visit our famous Thresher sharks as well as a trip to the Donna Maralyn wreck which is another popular dive around these parts.<br />
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Upon conclusion of the sidemount course a birthday cake was prepared by the Exotic restaurant and presented to Eric who was visibly emotional and claimed he had not been expecting it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8glV7TIGPF1RfZYIDD5KA5PVz-tsvRlE49qWNZeP1ZpcG0LW9OUtHVDtoPohp7QQEu6h3uO3O-23pq4Ri3da51I2gLNnDKc_151yRvvf4_zkoYuI_1OkdzaME1IXNu7hD6Sm2UBL1_Qg0/s1600/IDC+DSD+briefing.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IDC malapascua, IDC philippines, Gopro philippines, Scuba diving philippines" border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8glV7TIGPF1RfZYIDD5KA5PVz-tsvRlE49qWNZeP1ZpcG0LW9OUtHVDtoPohp7QQEu6h3uO3O-23pq4Ri3da51I2gLNnDKc_151yRvvf4_zkoYuI_1OkdzaME1IXNu7hD6Sm2UBL1_Qg0/s320/IDC+DSD+briefing.JPG" title="IDC candidate Richard practices his DSD briefing" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Once upon a time</td></tr>
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September IDC time and our candidate Richard has been making great strides in his quest to become a PADI instructor. The Blog can exclusively reveal that Richard has already passed all aspects of the IDC and is now fine tuning his skills with the Instructor Examination just a few days away. Pictured here, we see him delivering a Discover Scuba Diving briefing to his Course Director, Becca Johannson, just the other day during a DSD workshop.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA00jGqJdgLptENQlmeUnmytl5fBdljDwmglxT1BSE0-wl6M8hVsosjTx9TcrcnyCF-jUBwAjBYi-Cuq7rdbuYImjTiw11zhqTj8dQqzbL_HORkdQzNJOYYf5SZUYpmGC6sLw8BVYa6Dt_/s1600/Bacon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Malapascua ghost pipe fish bacon, malapascua scuba diving, philippines diving" border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA00jGqJdgLptENQlmeUnmytl5fBdljDwmglxT1BSE0-wl6M8hVsosjTx9TcrcnyCF-jUBwAjBYi-Cuq7rdbuYImjTiw11zhqTj8dQqzbL_HORkdQzNJOYYf5SZUYpmGC6sLw8BVYa6Dt_/s200/Bacon.JPG" style="cursor: move;" title="Oh no it's not" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robust Ghost Pipe fish</td></tr>
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At first glance what you see here may look like two pictures of brown Ornate Ghost Pipe fish. But don't be fooled, only one picture features one of the aforementioned creatures, for the other is actually a piece of bacon. Take a closer look and you may see the difference. Catering industry insiders among our readership might actually believe they are seeing two slices of bacon but again you'd be mistaken.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA1QBXkO7wzW63s7lM4WNaN9451FEo88lgEaaKeo2OtYYhKQlYNg-FZpFrDUdGYFyaoSH3ppQTPccV6MGktswfKG1hgLtq3r9EEbsB0lRITchbRawPiINv6_M246eudYyxYbUvQSjtKx4Y/s1600/Bacon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="robust ghost pipe fish, malapascua scuba diving, philippines scuba diving" border="0" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA1QBXkO7wzW63s7lM4WNaN9451FEo88lgEaaKeo2OtYYhKQlYNg-FZpFrDUdGYFyaoSH3ppQTPccV6MGktswfKG1hgLtq3r9EEbsB0lRITchbRawPiINv6_M246eudYyxYbUvQSjtKx4Y/s200/Bacon.jpg" title="the genuine article" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bacon</td></tr>
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For those of you who believe you've just wasted ten seconds of your lives on utter rubbish, you're not mistaken and you'll never get those ten seconds back. It's the return of 'Hake (as in the fish) or Fake'.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10826600426509060530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5588915064256463776.post-72798088113582025912016-06-21T02:15:00.000-07:002016-06-21T02:20:30.550-07:00End of High Season Party!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWchxOKJvkByXDjtyThbEsZjDOuH3fw2QNv9Rr8KWp6v7XfRf0c_2ufrsW-40UvZseZiRZfNrH6GDATbrfEiYBpIZOrnmaj3fpBHDtTyXpADScKipuU3CyR054J2e5F0-pLIeRZ24O_ZRG/s1600/End+of+season+party.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Malapascua scuba diving, philippines scuba diving, malapascua party " border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWchxOKJvkByXDjtyThbEsZjDOuH3fw2QNv9Rr8KWp6v7XfRf0c_2ufrsW-40UvZseZiRZfNrH6GDATbrfEiYBpIZOrnmaj3fpBHDtTyXpADScKipuU3CyR054J2e5F0-pLIeRZ24O_ZRG/s320/End+of+season+party.JPG" title="All smiles on Malapascua unless working early next morning!" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A happy dive shop crew</td></tr>
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After a long and successful high season, the dive shop staff at Exotic Island Dive Resort were treated to a night of fun and games on the beach outside the resort. This season has been one of the most productive in the company's history so it was time to give something back to the staff who have worked tirelessly to make it all possible.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_RARVLRYN-qIahaB15Jk49jGS5C7LSTYbcieCwOLwS1fcTIlSteYdpPCOtPMMFoS2eDCNHSuBMtWYwO-qTc6gPWCr1A1kEntZNPHDyDLtLPbWOoZ5U5vnKvSujo5_GB4e8uao_QiVPRkC/s1600/lechon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="malapascua scuba diving, philippines scuba diving, scuba diving malapascua" border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_RARVLRYN-qIahaB15Jk49jGS5C7LSTYbcieCwOLwS1fcTIlSteYdpPCOtPMMFoS2eDCNHSuBMtWYwO-qTc6gPWCr1A1kEntZNPHDyDLtLPbWOoZ5U5vnKvSujo5_GB4e8uao_QiVPRkC/s320/lechon.JPG" title="It's lechon time as the drinks start to flow" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyone enjoying themselves except the pig</td></tr>
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As is traditional in Malapascua and the Philippines a pig is often guest of honour at any celebration or significant gathering. Unfortunately for the pig, this normally involves being skewered by a long stick and roasted over a fire for a couple of hours before anyone turns up. Despite the inequality, spirits were high and getting higher by the glass as the night kicked off with a much welcomed feast and a wide range of beverages. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXRqtePM4CANvzkS_IYF7VubgYSlpYPkKZDY0YHngeKNcH_L0rzANcjlwQy3BQ0ZilS1GflRThy8vVvVsSYzJCU0fxYvJc_H43MoFnprW76hT8AqTUVryxXSUCBVDGqzo-5qp5ZzBXqzkO/s1600/three+legged+race.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="party malapascua, philippines party" border="0" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXRqtePM4CANvzkS_IYF7VubgYSlpYPkKZDY0YHngeKNcH_L0rzANcjlwQy3BQ0ZilS1GflRThy8vVvVsSYzJCU0fxYvJc_H43MoFnprW76hT8AqTUVryxXSUCBVDGqzo-5qp5ZzBXqzkO/s320/three+legged+race.JPG" title="fun and games at Exotic Island Dive Resort" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matching leg lengths clearly not an issue</td></tr>
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After eating it was time for the games to start! There were five teams in total drawn randomly from a hat who commenced battle over some of the most rediculous games imaginable. These games included a sack race and a three legged race which brought many a school sports day memory flooding back to the Blog. Some kind of drinking race followed before a game which involved two people running fast towards each other in an attempt to burst a balloon which was tied around the waist of one of them. Utter madness but everyone survived. Sport was the winner.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijhWTEJws41qB4v6JMsPEhllVKO5TXwRJaHzyZVRqS6SVMCbxWp9Lxaj5jkdlAT1JVOaYCrgxeTFcJSojqF1pUTw5NSYFRCL3YJpaYvOyxKDf-AuvngJ2SLhGEEhntkZPu0CQ-yuOeXmPU/s1600/bingo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="malapascua party, bingo philippines, scuba diving philippines" border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijhWTEJws41qB4v6JMsPEhllVKO5TXwRJaHzyZVRqS6SVMCbxWp9Lxaj5jkdlAT1JVOaYCrgxeTFcJSojqF1pUTw5NSYFRCL3YJpaYvOyxKDf-AuvngJ2SLhGEEhntkZPu0CQ-yuOeXmPU/s320/bingo.JPG" title="but how come he won all the prizes?" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ted calls the numbers</td></tr>
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To finish the night there was a hotly contested game of bingo which saw many prizes distributed among the staff. PADI Open Water manuals and PADI back packs were among the items won during an entertaining session which ended with everyone taking something valued away. From here the party moved on to and finished at Malapascua's premier Karaoke venue where many a famous song was both bettered and at times completely butchered! All in all, a great night!!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10826600426509060530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5588915064256463776.post-34069646478331780852016-06-09T21:04:00.002-07:002016-06-12T00:43:22.290-07:00Environmental issues are close to our hearts at Exotic Island Dive Resort<div class="MsoNormal">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmhCn2jUuCpW8V93_gWd1QERNaRfL5XdylYUjmimUDBoCbJSiTSby8p_XwLBUwLi6Chlp2xeyQl8ZGHqOxW_4cQEcRqDZpa_-LH3kkkb_ZapB2RmLi5FobTBpPI_pnLINur_24IOr8FXYc/s1600/Miri+City+Council+Rep.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="malapascua, diving philippines, scuba diving malapascua" border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmhCn2jUuCpW8V93_gWd1QERNaRfL5XdylYUjmimUDBoCbJSiTSby8p_XwLBUwLi6Chlp2xeyQl8ZGHqOxW_4cQEcRqDZpa_-LH3kkkb_ZapB2RmLi5FobTBpPI_pnLINur_24IOr8FXYc/s320/Miri+City+Council+Rep.JPG" title="'I wish this really was gin and tonic'" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'There's grass in my gin and tonic'</td></tr>
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This week Exotic welcomed acclaimed academic from Miri City
council, John Paul Mouton who is on a region wide evidence gathering tour. John Paul or JP as he likes to be known can be
seen here (left) visually inspecting a sample of Malapascuan water. After
asking him exactly what he was looking and testing for, the blog received a
detailed answer, developed a migrane and retreated to the sanctity of the bar.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-mIlzblGKHpl3mrFk1WR-eZZXD8wn4o4miYG3vYsebXQUAblb7BIZLQId9YFGtwfGc38h4p_j7z8vUNCBS7O8mf99TrwC5rmbzQkIDqgyyS2ippw_647p0knRbojhjdr2zkTm92yVIXu4/s1600/Shark+aware.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="malapascua diving, sharks malapascua, philippines diving" border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-mIlzblGKHpl3mrFk1WR-eZZXD8wn4o4miYG3vYsebXQUAblb7BIZLQId9YFGtwfGc38h4p_j7z8vUNCBS7O8mf99TrwC5rmbzQkIDqgyyS2ippw_647p0knRbojhjdr2zkTm92yVIXu4/s320/Shark+aware.JPG" title="shark aware presentation on Malapascua" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We love sharks</td></tr>
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As has been well documented on the Blog in the past, Exotic
Island Dive Resort is passionate about the plight of sharks and has hosted many
presentations from various charitable organisations who share this passion. This
week, two of our latest Instructor graduates delivered a Shark Aware
presentation which both informed and caught the imagination of our packed
restaurant. Plates of food went untouched for long periods as our guests from
all over the world found themselves captivated by Andy and Erika. Hopefully, nights
like these can raise awareness and turn the tide in favour of these amazing
creatures so that they are not driven to extinction.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHMjkuJ0YSbq7dSwaXBj_VlSmsZoWIfxzJQTVLObNCjazFjRVQihpCO4ASI6OiTnguSAHD_Uj6k6lzdK-rJ5VC-AsnXjLmESJX6pNSW3gL5ish7aV0DbAlDv8hO6I0OFNwm3S58lD9o5wk/s1600/Phoebe+and+Frank+RDP.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="PADI Open Water philippines, PADI malapascua, learn to dive philippines" border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHMjkuJ0YSbq7dSwaXBj_VlSmsZoWIfxzJQTVLObNCjazFjRVQihpCO4ASI6OiTnguSAHD_Uj6k6lzdK-rJ5VC-AsnXjLmESJX6pNSW3gL5ish7aV0DbAlDv8hO6I0OFNwm3S58lD9o5wk/s320/Phoebe+and+Frank+RDP.JPG" title="only joking, it bores us to tears" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We love the Recreational Dive Planner</td></tr>
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PADI Instructor Mr. Andy Threapleton isn’t just adept at delivering
inspirational talks regarding the challenges faced by the aquatic world. The
following day in fact, Andy embarked upon a PADI Open Water Course with Phoebe
and Frank. As part of the course our enthusiastic Chinese couple learned much
about the theory of diving. Here we see them looking at a large version of the
Recreational Dive Planner and learning why computers are such a god send! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz_XVTjA7dtJepSuj_oHg9f8lOj_0S-E8U2K44G9LqYaiRVzK2AawFVhToGUu2LBsHEjWrw6-51Cl9Ch-BWUwsEy6_HDDScDJbXbaFI69_QfBdhi0s11dPmTQl3zHaq5JUrC-rhQZtQr1F/s1600/Grass+Wray.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="philippines diving, malapascua scuba diving, Devil Wrayphilippines" border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz_XVTjA7dtJepSuj_oHg9f8lOj_0S-E8U2K44G9LqYaiRVzK2AawFVhToGUu2LBsHEjWrw6-51Cl9Ch-BWUwsEy6_HDDScDJbXbaFI69_QfBdhi0s11dPmTQl3zHaq5JUrC-rhQZtQr1F/s320/Grass+Wray.JPG" title="no it's not stupid!" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A real Devil Wray</td></tr>
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And back by popular demand it’s the game that has taken the
diving world by storm! After going viral last month, Hake or Fake returns this
week with two pictures of a particular aquatic species. Your job is to study
both specimens and work out which is the real one and which is the fraud. This week’s
species is the Devil Ray.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4GLJUQEuLmie4LhUaYPWYFbGi2tjJ1trD0aff-KO0TupuZ8LmnljSctO5P9dlk_uoM4Em6Psgg9SXq7OdJEhJVDCZCT6pn1InAYgUd7F8TMR2hozKDZqPQmdMFccKE8FrxYlRjpj3fnxM/s1600/mobula+wray.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="malapascua diving, philippines diving, scuba diving malapascua" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4GLJUQEuLmie4LhUaYPWYFbGi2tjJ1trD0aff-KO0TupuZ8LmnljSctO5P9dlk_uoM4Em6Psgg9SXq7OdJEhJVDCZCT6pn1InAYgUd7F8TMR2hozKDZqPQmdMFccKE8FrxYlRjpj3fnxM/s1600/mobula+wray.jpeg" title="you really think this is grass" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A grass Devil Wray</td></tr>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Let’s be honest, this game is complete and
utter rubbish so please don’t contact the Blog with your answer or complaint, it’s just for
fun!<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10826600426509060530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5588915064256463776.post-48029861914487503752016-05-05T20:43:00.002-07:002016-05-05T20:43:55.867-07:00Sambawan Island Uncovered<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTgykRGXjepXoDJ8FxHnnkq3Ez5FdXzWzJvwfQHJwtwZjs5NV3jgE-bYYPMM6z4qPCXkwdEywGq4ebJWGSdJMdUFBN-L4ldZs2WBnaCD7Z7mdmeovEk0goRxm1tA1OvTFEi_e0ZcvqX3NO/s1600/Sambawan+view.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTgykRGXjepXoDJ8FxHnnkq3Ez5FdXzWzJvwfQHJwtwZjs5NV3jgE-bYYPMM6z4qPCXkwdEywGq4ebJWGSdJMdUFBN-L4ldZs2WBnaCD7Z7mdmeovEk0goRxm1tA1OvTFEi_e0ZcvqX3NO/s320/Sambawan+view.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view from the top of sambawan</td></tr>
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A day trip to Sambawan Island is one of the little known pleasures that Exotic Island Dive Resort offers to its guests as an alternative to Malapascua, our world renowned host island. With beautiful scenery and thriving marine life, it's no wonder this stunning island paradise is becoming more popular with divers. Just check out this view from the easily accessible peak of the island.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-1eUiEX5k4he4zdBbHyzCK9h0pQjgUBPBHZ0qNVUQmbbBv7p7Lk2S1HETW6CCIXp3fqurdTGMva0hGnPUrAKLV7kTfHkrWEE2kleTruHYX2EzKyS2FYePTPVWJLiZLIkIF0uG2Yc59Uan/s1600/Sambawan+lunch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-1eUiEX5k4he4zdBbHyzCK9h0pQjgUBPBHZ0qNVUQmbbBv7p7Lk2S1HETW6CCIXp3fqurdTGMva0hGnPUrAKLV7kTfHkrWEE2kleTruHYX2EzKyS2FYePTPVWJLiZLIkIF0uG2Yc59Uan/s320/Sambawan+lunch.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view from the lunch table</td></tr>
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As with all of Exotic's day trips, one of our very own chefs joins the expedition to cook and serve up a delicious barbecue for lunch. Here we see some of our guests making their way through the assortment of skewers on offer to them with one of our fine vessels, Exotic 2 in the background.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8e8akWIAOY9PzB4EOhUFgsGZGIzGiPZyUyDA-Rr_TLdWIzLOQFdp8ERiG59w4lFxC2YoZUQOcodVnDBtCcZRS18lwx0FfRGjRsMzgiYC2zB_jVqqMC1bnNw7IJ-8-27cW3JX5_3ey8PSC/s1600/Sambawan+coral.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8e8akWIAOY9PzB4EOhUFgsGZGIzGiPZyUyDA-Rr_TLdWIzLOQFdp8ERiG59w4lFxC2YoZUQOcodVnDBtCcZRS18lwx0FfRGjRsMzgiYC2zB_jVqqMC1bnNw7IJ-8-27cW3JX5_3ey8PSC/s320/Sambawan+coral.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view of the diversity of corals</td></tr>
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Sambawan island is a marine sanctuary and no wonder. The island boasts a wide range of marine life which includes many types of hard and soft corals. Check out these bad boys. Reef sharks, turtles and sea snakes are often seen as well as many species of reef fish.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbpN_6UKa3tvSPE7K_7eZiyX9YUB34vjVGkynkhOduc1rEBmFQutwNFo61ZsO5fVhFPasx6x7WbNFAkbURnzHRgEOKaTrxGi4CScJx2C3_n3TP4r_2kz_whJ8ielbKX3vf4po101-JrKWl/s1600/Sambawan+snorkel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbpN_6UKa3tvSPE7K_7eZiyX9YUB34vjVGkynkhOduc1rEBmFQutwNFo61ZsO5fVhFPasx6x7WbNFAkbURnzHRgEOKaTrxGi4CScJx2C3_n3TP4r_2kz_whJ8ielbKX3vf4po101-JrKWl/s320/Sambawan+snorkel.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
However, it's not only divers who can enjoy Sambawan. With areas sheltered from any current, snorkelers too can take advantage of all the interesting goings on in the more shallow regions of the island. All in all a great day out and just one of the many options that Exotic offers its guests. Highly recommended too.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10826600426509060530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5588915064256463776.post-86867082487999510912016-04-09T18:38:00.001-07:002016-04-24T20:16:28.183-07:00It's Competition Crazy at Exotic! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1V1o4mopLwyGeyHfQx_tuk49L1l0V-yPTAxe8WMo4e9jWr1Xbm3nDKTHO_tXGQsIFJIM9R2b8pn0R2c1x12av5HjTm6IyMPCdPSbkiyA5MGctKEYqnF9kN0hB29Q8IgdMMdk4SxekL-Nm/s1600/eclipse+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1V1o4mopLwyGeyHfQx_tuk49L1l0V-yPTAxe8WMo4e9jWr1Xbm3nDKTHO_tXGQsIFJIM9R2b8pn0R2c1x12av5HjTm6IyMPCdPSbkiyA5MGctKEYqnF9kN0hB29Q8IgdMMdk4SxekL-Nm/s320/eclipse+2.jpg" width="293" /></a></div>
There was excitement throughout the resort recently as a partial eclipse of the sun peaked at about 0858 on Wednesday morning. One of our vastly intelligent instructors, Daniel Richardson, rigged up a very simple pin hole projector, allowing people to stop damaging their eyes by looking at the real thing and instead view a well formed projection instead. Science can be fun. Staring directly at the sun can be stupid.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHzvljQdCr7RfpxsFjnXgTZfpB31QeLrOeKHO91uZ4kYGWjJ7ynZ3byHpuC7o3fKM3yQRVwepzOPjuDPCJr3REk1muImx9-tKWxBXzrynvTlzKWSPBAIzM1BIO42WsgJbwMo2zJxQkeJtF/s1600/Grass+Turtle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHzvljQdCr7RfpxsFjnXgTZfpB31QeLrOeKHO91uZ4kYGWjJ7ynZ3byHpuC7o3fKM3yQRVwepzOPjuDPCJr3REk1muImx9-tKWxBXzrynvTlzKWSPBAIzM1BIO42WsgJbwMo2zJxQkeJtF/s320/Grass+Turtle.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A real turtle</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3J-9KtrXQCqIB0rOQLnylPe316EuDh8X94KZrZ738fQ91G5yQlbjU_5RpacwdwmSO_7uo5ULuWuHOieQ5MfHyXJBd_kwJGijbj2sU8TF9yOjBQTwUauRN5RHkc9Vb_eKm9BuR75JEavT5/s1600/turtle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3J-9KtrXQCqIB0rOQLnylPe316EuDh8X94KZrZ738fQ91G5yQlbjU_5RpacwdwmSO_7uo5ULuWuHOieQ5MfHyXJBd_kwJGijbj2sU8TF9yOjBQTwUauRN5RHkc9Vb_eKm9BuR75JEavT5/s320/turtle.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A grass turtle</td></tr>
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A few weeks back the Blog published a picture of a shark crafted from a clump of grass by Exotics groundsmen, our green fingered experts known as the 'Green Team'. The resulting mail we received can only be described as an avalanche although split into two camps. Firstly, those that thought the aquatic sculptures were a sensation. Secondly, those who thought the sculptures were a sensation and yet so lifelike that they could perhaps be real and not made from grass after all.<br />
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So just for the second group of conspiracy theorists we start a new feature this week titled,<br />
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'Hake(as in the fish) or Fake?'<br />
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Please don't write or call Exotic with your answer as this feature is just for fun only. Which one is real?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqAtFGjp49xHaOwul-ved3TbofEBkQRtSOY5EkaCXwS9j7o9D1I9GLTPd3ICdNjjt1jbih4f9ZR22e4Zlr23xsMuM-_vCqptDUT8kcqpWWdvzLUjM3IUm9TRJY23op4R7TwspogDwLxxaq/s1600/cat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="malapascua diving, philippines scuba diving, malapascua competition" border="0" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqAtFGjp49xHaOwul-ved3TbofEBkQRtSOY5EkaCXwS9j7o9D1I9GLTPd3ICdNjjt1jbih4f9ZR22e4Zlr23xsMuM-_vCqptDUT8kcqpWWdvzLUjM3IUm9TRJY23op4R7TwspogDwLxxaq/s320/cat.JPG" title="Smile of 2016 and no wonder" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lucky the cat</td></tr>
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Introducing, on the left being held by the happy lady is a new addition to the Exotic team called 'Lucky Cat'. On the right the happy Lady holding Lucky Cat is Liesbeth from the Netherlands. And Liesbeth has every right to feel like she's won the lottery. By finding Lucky on Exotic's very own House Reef recently she was able to claim an Exotic t-shirt as a well deserved prize and doesn't she look thrilled. Lucky will be hiding all over House Reef this year allowing all our guests the chance of winning a whole host of goodies.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyoM0GcWwX4oqZ6eIJ4NmREhXMSrhR_XlWsvr3JcHvboAbing_kDHix-gAk-O-Mdf_v8ZeT86MQa4auAHxR5mG2MVTcN7J1UGS-BlH3PxcInlIUYP97S2prCDfS_J_x2Zpy4Yo90W6maWw/s1600/easter+egg+hunter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Malapascua scuba diving, Philippines scuba diving" border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyoM0GcWwX4oqZ6eIJ4NmREhXMSrhR_XlWsvr3JcHvboAbing_kDHix-gAk-O-Mdf_v8ZeT86MQa4auAHxR5mG2MVTcN7J1UGS-BlH3PxcInlIUYP97S2prCDfS_J_x2Zpy4Yo90W6maWw/s320/easter+egg+hunter.jpg" title="show me the money" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another winner</td></tr>
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Slightly old news to report here but a couple of weeks ago on Easter Sunday Exotic's annual Easter egg hunt was held and again the venue was House Reef. It seems we're overdosing on competitions and prize giveaways here right now. It's totally crazy to be honest. All eggs were recovered safely and prizes ranging from complimentary dives to free meals in our restaurant were handed out to delirious guests. Here's one of our guests looking overjoyed to have found his egg.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10826600426509060530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5588915064256463776.post-26084093889360668132016-03-23T16:53:00.001-07:002016-03-24T03:26:20.773-07:00Blog March Round Up featuring a Poser in a Wet Suit and a Grass Shark<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFLgQwSiYhUCtU3z4K7IIGDVkDh4qEZoK26jR5zNHeTF_PVKArWdbAZxW_LO2l2UlViZXR-H6cgGcU2eUn1IYiIoD7SesF1I8WhYmLN8CcIOT5Y3oMb4KJ5iiTOq9-DsNfc5xCuM5pte7f/s1600/March+IDC+Beach+pose.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IDC philippines, IDC malapascua, Instructor development course philippiones, instructor development course malapascua, " border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFLgQwSiYhUCtU3z4K7IIGDVkDh4qEZoK26jR5zNHeTF_PVKArWdbAZxW_LO2l2UlViZXR-H6cgGcU2eUn1IYiIoD7SesF1I8WhYmLN8CcIOT5Y3oMb4KJ5iiTOq9-DsNfc5xCuM5pte7f/s320/March+IDC+Beach+pose.JPG" title="It's all about the wooden shark" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New instructors and Staff Instructor in good spirits</td></tr>
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Congratulations to Calle, Charlene, Mark, Mathias and Max to whom we doff our caps. After three weeks of hard work during the IDC and a successful Instructor Examination, we pronounce you PADI Instructors. Also a big shout out to Maciek, (far right) who assisted as a Staff Instructor on the course to great effect by passing knowledge from his his years of experience to the candidates.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFF0aPx5CiHpPpugPhnog1Exvh_v3z2M8T6GUgkc9B0P4AvX2z4qybk9OecjkBT4ljXzIbN6UZcooY2q_t9CoY14MknjZV9Ry7MwXDQRSaRbzOBRikJ-ZNifLOCDvT2tQlM_ZHymENINfF/s1600/Robin+wetsuits.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="New aqualung exotic malapascua, diving malapascua, diving philippines, malapascua scuba, philippines scuba" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFF0aPx5CiHpPpugPhnog1Exvh_v3z2M8T6GUgkc9B0P4AvX2z4qybk9OecjkBT4ljXzIbN6UZcooY2q_t9CoY14MknjZV9Ry7MwXDQRSaRbzOBRikJ-ZNifLOCDvT2tQlM_ZHymENINfF/s320/Robin+wetsuits.JPG" title="lazy boy" width="313" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robin hard at work</td></tr>
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If dressing up in a synthetic suit is your thing then be warned there are no dodgy night clubs on Malapascua. There is however, world class diving and world class facilities here at Exotic Island Dive Resort. This week we received our annual shipment of brand new dive equipment which included a range of Aqualung wetsuits for the exclusive use of our guests. Great thanks to our work experience intern and 18yr old Swedish pretty boy Robin for modelling part of our new range. The Blog was desperate. Apologies.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A shark made from grass</td></tr>
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At Exotic we're lucky to have the finest team of groundsmen on the island. The 'Green Team' as they're fondly known, spend hours making the surroundings here beautiful and peaceful for the relaxation of our guests. And what a fine job these craftsmen do.<br />
Hey look out! It's a shark! Relax, it's not really. It's actually a section of grass cunningly moulded into the likeness of one by one of the Green team. A White tip perhaps.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXEOSsMV36Qhp9T2GK21h9RfiIrsQx3WY9ElZTZPFVdcqtJqKL2t81UMe35PjZfEJslCCpRNjZz0MY279alMKpgHNNJnnf37wCU0ahAbcrW2c2QfD3piCY46TLi3S4bFIBi3gUyxwjdwmh/s1600/Sun+down+exotic+beach.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="philippines diving, malapascua diving, scuba malapascua, malapascua scuba, sunset philipines" border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXEOSsMV36Qhp9T2GK21h9RfiIrsQx3WY9ElZTZPFVdcqtJqKL2t81UMe35PjZfEJslCCpRNjZz0MY279alMKpgHNNJnnf37wCU0ahAbcrW2c2QfD3piCY46TLi3S4bFIBi3gUyxwjdwmh/s320/Sun+down+exotic+beach.JPG" title="peace and tranquility" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset without the sunset but nice anyway</td></tr>
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And finally, we end with a picture captured yesterday just as the sun was taking it's final bow for the day. No words needed. We're blessed here.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10826600426509060530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5588915064256463776.post-4537088782430058392016-03-12T16:39:00.000-08:002016-03-12T20:47:25.431-08:00IDC Lunchtime ScoopThis week the Blog pulled out its camera and chased the ongoing PADI Instructor Development Course as the candidates participated in a Discover Scuba Diving workshop during which they learned various techniques to handle non certified divers.<br />
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After the session we thought we'd ambush the candidates over lunch and ask them a few incredibly non testing questions about the course. Introducing from left to right, Calle, Max, Charlene, Mark and Mathias.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPTHJ4bJDJRN2swCJDQiwRzCrq4VGmeX8KN5xoPAovGwqw2v8ZYp7doJ4Izv7KI0ozdKCRD5-CldzQC7Q5iOAojH7g0AwCoxdtl5wSdI3rEYp1PkQ5H9zxWDNEFUo06DCraGMOBCtWZE-1/s1600/IDC+lunch+interview.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IDC malapascua, IDC philippines" border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPTHJ4bJDJRN2swCJDQiwRzCrq4VGmeX8KN5xoPAovGwqw2v8ZYp7doJ4Izv7KI0ozdKCRD5-CldzQC7Q5iOAojH7g0AwCoxdtl5wSdI3rEYp1PkQ5H9zxWDNEFUo06DCraGMOBCtWZE-1/s320/IDC+lunch+interview.JPG" title="All smiles at the IDC lunch" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A happy and confident group of PADI instructor candidates</td></tr>
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Blog: Good Afternoon guys.<br />
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Candidates: (no reply, but then they were eating at the time)<br />
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The Blog continues with some disarming small talk: So how's the IDC going so far?<br />
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Candidates: Good (and slight variations of)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1M2RnbZeQXNIqcb1OtcnE6IF-AIij2kq2K-uta2sXezQ2NAkVZGJSy0XRzZeGu21_23auYuniIKheL2rZ1kFoee-1jlPhKHckk7c18qlwfzFtIUsodOz-pSvZIQBy7L-rG3jr4nScwKvv/s1600/IDC+dsd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Phillipines diving, malapascua diving, Malapascua IDC, Philippines IDC, DSD workshop" border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1M2RnbZeQXNIqcb1OtcnE6IF-AIij2kq2K-uta2sXezQ2NAkVZGJSy0XRzZeGu21_23auYuniIKheL2rZ1kFoee-1jlPhKHckk7c18qlwfzFtIUsodOz-pSvZIQBy7L-rG3jr4nScwKvv/s320/IDC+dsd.jpg" title="Nice pink mask" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charlene handles two acting novices</td></tr>
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Sensing them off guard the Blog moves in for the kill: What made you choose to do your IDC in Malapscua and the Philippines with Exotic?<br />
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Max: A friend of mine called Adam became an instructor with Exotic in 2014 and highly recommended the place in terms of the location and the course itself.<br />
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Blog: Malapascua is certainly an idyllic location but can you expand on what you mean by the course itself?<br />
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Max: Most IDC's appear to be ten days in length where as Exotic run a course that lasts almost three weeks. I didn't want to be rushed.<br />
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Calle: Nor me. I like the extended course especially seeing as English isn't my first language so we have more time to adapt and it's easier to adjust.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieYAv0A1jePG-TGc2eEiCuKe6JAaRxfxRG4MDvzbeUNp1pm8mob_3ABXZcFBGLP11BJ3bE2vieUuHkihrv3zCJ4iyY5hL5eFiauJlwM4XC3a5M3_S6mlc9-mbptY7wnZgxMY3cYc0NKVGO/s1600/dsd+IDC.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Philippines Instructor development course, Malapascua Instructor development course, IDC malapascua, IDC Philipines " border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieYAv0A1jePG-TGc2eEiCuKe6JAaRxfxRG4MDvzbeUNp1pm8mob_3ABXZcFBGLP11BJ3bE2vieUuHkihrv3zCJ4iyY5hL5eFiauJlwM4XC3a5M3_S6mlc9-mbptY7wnZgxMY3cYc0NKVGO/s320/dsd+IDC.png" title="stop dragging me through the sand please" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Under control via the tank valve technique</td></tr>
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Blog: Interesting. Mathias, we've become quite familiar with you at Exotic, you've been here ten times? What made you come back here yet again?<br />
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Mathias: (false laughing) Well not quite, this is my fourth visit to malapascua. I first came in 2013 mainly to fun dive although I did a nitrox course. The following year I did my Rescue course and on my previous visit I dipped my toe into the world of tech diving. This time I undertook the Divemaster programme and now the Instructor Development Course.<br />
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Blog: Thanks Mathias (for the life story) but why Exotic?<br />
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Mathias: I just think this place has everything. The scenery is beautiful, the diving is superb and the facilities at Exotic are second to none. And the senior management team are great. No but seriously, in terms of boats, safety equipment and all other facilities I don't think anywhere else on the island comes close. Also, previous candidates I've spoken to have rated the Course Directors here quite highly which I found important too.<br />
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Blog: You Creep. Yet true, and high recommendation if ever i heard it. Mark and Charlene, you two did your Divemaster courses in Australia I believe. What brought you both over here?<br />
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Charlene: Same as Max, the Exotic IDC was recommended to us by other divers we met from our time in Australia.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiQ2HWuGHLEsWpX7HzGWaQ-ubsLOKVn4KK5n4_kEqc3Vd6BWpVwRFKkZ8hCUKrDp30_Ac8jnx4joR6Ca0eMP03zbhH8NNa93gmQpJNxhRZ5PQdETmgUhyphenhyphenUvH7PzWPhTtzvR5AK8SbvScxr/s1600/IDC+circle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IDC candidates philippines, philippines IDC, Malapascua IDC, " border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiQ2HWuGHLEsWpX7HzGWaQ-ubsLOKVn4KK5n4_kEqc3Vd6BWpVwRFKkZ8hCUKrDp30_Ac8jnx4joR6Ca0eMP03zbhH8NNa93gmQpJNxhRZ5PQdETmgUhyphenhyphenUvH7PzWPhTtzvR5AK8SbvScxr/s320/IDC+circle.jpg" title="But really, who is wearing that pathetic pink mask?" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice circle guys</td></tr>
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Blog: Recommendations seem to be going a long way. So the exam starts tomorrow. How have you enjoyed the course?<br />
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Mark: The course is challenging and great fun at the same time. Thankfully, we've been able to go dive with the Thresher sharks on a few occasions as unlimited diving is part of the IDC here. Woop Woop!<br />
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Blog: Easy now Mark.<br />
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So there you have it. Some lunchtime views from our almost but not quite new PADI Instructors. In a few days we'll welcome the arrival to the island of a PADI examiner who will give these guys a rigorous examination minus the rubber gloves. Hopefully we'll all be celebrating at the conclusion.........Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10826600426509060530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5588915064256463776.post-25696027828015235842016-03-05T22:28:00.000-08:002016-03-08T17:55:53.116-08:00Calanggaman Day Trip ExposeBusiness as usual here at Exotic Island Dive Resort as we help bring joy and happiness to the lives of all our treasured guests that visit us in Malapascua, Philippines.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_4n127MCydc7Wk343YXkXAOoBPLNZWdz9GLMxT2xuINQS6MP7CmxUpU0I7we4RAafhYLytUzYGPSd9fgS6DBOfITs0PomD8kiIVlMo2fkFMZkl_1TozHbRzMBeTelJcAbsxVYe3SnB_O_/s1600/ful+calangaman+view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="philippines scuba diving, malapascua scuba diving, calanggaman island diving" border="0" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_4n127MCydc7Wk343YXkXAOoBPLNZWdz9GLMxT2xuINQS6MP7CmxUpU0I7we4RAafhYLytUzYGPSd9fgS6DBOfITs0PomD8kiIVlMo2fkFMZkl_1TozHbRzMBeTelJcAbsxVYe3SnB_O_/s320/ful+calangaman+view.jpg" title="Dig that sand bar" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Approaching Calanggaman Island </td></tr>
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Every few days we run a day trip to the beautiful island of Calanggaman and yesterday was one of these days. The Blog asked one of Exotic's longest term inmates, Katie, if she'd take a few pictures to document her day there. Well she did, and here we see the amazing view as the boat draws near to the island. Just look at that sand bar stretching towards the camera. Super camera work.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz9ZUbfVj0TINJBBu35Kwa2nsl46nyeXepBU3zBJ4Ykv59XxScGtOZwvyFmup12PwCMbt93xIkFyY44Cp0rNMvGv9HZgLqWFHd_mPJjMcenU0pxYzuVlm6zZmDpU36ACPAFCB3vEwFwHNJ/s1600/Calangaman+beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Malapascua scuba diving, philippines scuba diving, diving philippines" border="0" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz9ZUbfVj0TINJBBu35Kwa2nsl46nyeXepBU3zBJ4Ykv59XxScGtOZwvyFmup12PwCMbt93xIkFyY44Cp0rNMvGv9HZgLqWFHd_mPJjMcenU0pxYzuVlm6zZmDpU36ACPAFCB3vEwFwHNJ/s320/Calangaman+beach.jpg" title="who stole the sun loungers?" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On Calanggaman Island</td></tr>
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All of Exotic's Calanggaman trips allow for lunch to be taken on the island itself. Here we see Katie's boat for the day, Exotic 8, on the beach while all the guests enjoyed a barbeque under the shade of the palm trees. A barbeque prepared by no less than one of the resorts chefs. Does it get better than this?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCV14V1eGDZk0_TOkdbtHZFEY6QehIml1tO056Z_vAZGIH0LzGQBzOKZ0tuspG08fY3pUflZCBatOLnCFZNv1AjuoKcR-m9qiB-EjJqcaDfIcHpoZv2rZ-WeTBFZU_qd5iZff1BbpQi0OC/s1600/Callangaman+frog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="philippines diving, malapascua diving, scuba philippines, " border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCV14V1eGDZk0_TOkdbtHZFEY6QehIml1tO056Z_vAZGIH0LzGQBzOKZ0tuspG08fY3pUflZCBatOLnCFZNv1AjuoKcR-m9qiB-EjJqcaDfIcHpoZv2rZ-WeTBFZU_qd5iZff1BbpQi0OC/s320/Callangaman+frog.jpg" title="Frog fish looking conspicuous " width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beside Calanggaman Island</td></tr>
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Well the answer is yes. The diving just off Calanggaman island is wall diving of the highest class featuring numerous schools of fish of a wide variety. That said, the Blog's editorial meeting was quite feisty when Katie returned with close up shots only! Anyway, who doesn't love a frog fish like this fine specimen.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi__13WiyFDhAXFF5FEs3It0HfBsF_MerZtUvtcawjMlCzCBpE9Wlz4tnA2t2-doEXsV7W6saRHhElJhMf2MpQGzUo3wiJk1bUeUNdV0Q4itpiK37JCfk3Y3fsX9R332lYR2jmdzcRUIAfo/s1600/callangaman+crab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="philippines diving, scuba philippines, diving malapascua, scuba malapascua" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi__13WiyFDhAXFF5FEs3It0HfBsF_MerZtUvtcawjMlCzCBpE9Wlz4tnA2t2-doEXsV7W6saRHhElJhMf2MpQGzUo3wiJk1bUeUNdV0Q4itpiK37JCfk3Y3fsX9R332lYR2jmdzcRUIAfo/s320/callangaman+crab.jpg" title="Go away!" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orangutan Crab</td></tr>
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As everywhere around Malapascua, the macro is sublime and the colourful walls of Calanggaman island are no exception to this rule. Just admire this Orangutan crab peeping out from its home within the bubble coral.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaoOuFVoZO_7u5nSpq3gZQ96fk3K3qK1DUrHwf53w7ByS1AmmFkQvQnx36icwUXOcaGiE9MiUaxn3N8B6R-6RdmuDfUDyH0azSp53UEA5a-34RgqLeCId6Q5-9vE4osIveF3Rq506zMQl/s1600/nemo+callangaman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="philippines diving, malapascua diving, scuba malapascua, scuba philipines" border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaoOuFVoZO_7u5nSpq3gZQ96fk3K3qK1DUrHwf53w7ByS1AmmFkQvQnx36icwUXOcaGiE9MiUaxn3N8B6R-6RdmuDfUDyH0azSp53UEA5a-34RgqLeCId6Q5-9vE4osIveF3Rq506zMQl/s320/nemo+callangaman.jpg" title="Go away or I'll maul you" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If looks could kill</td></tr>
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And despite the fact they're absolutely everywhere out here in the Philippines, who doesn't like Nemo! Aggressive little bugger too and film didn't show that did it?<br />
Pictured below is Katie herself. She arrived four months ago for a stay of just a couple of days and just never left! Thanks for the pictures Katie...<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhECDuet7Hbap0eMuZPJV-nDeDJXlN8oiMnVVYv-kkZa6yBGetil7mnReWQunq78MeV7FlI2Xd-OnQyB9mvJwVVtPuIr24ei7O7LbFNsPWbpZt5RCMKyhtEXnViJPOZFt0iffoWCpZTIxdb/s1600/Katie+callangaman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Calanggaman Island philippines, philippiones diving, malapascua diving" border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhECDuet7Hbap0eMuZPJV-nDeDJXlN8oiMnVVYv-kkZa6yBGetil7mnReWQunq78MeV7FlI2Xd-OnQyB9mvJwVVtPuIr24ei7O7LbFNsPWbpZt5RCMKyhtEXnViJPOZFt0iffoWCpZTIxdb/s200/Katie+callangaman.jpg" title="She'll never bloody leave this place" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katie</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10826600426509060530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5588915064256463776.post-7279282348822880832016-01-27T00:02:00.003-08:002016-01-27T00:02:59.302-08:00Malapascua is the Place to be in 2016<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZHPU8b5SeNyflU8we3WHOP5CITvzLvKs3B4JhISIaASf4zWScOCig3Zto63TPIlbht4rvpJSZY9XjhRiv6NrfJXqAmM3Gs9bD1E7la2j9AZvK4wjgP3RgwhIQq3kqGCaPOQkb19zHcO1u/s1600/Exotic+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Malapascua diving, Philippines diving, scuba diving philippines, thresher sharks diving" border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZHPU8b5SeNyflU8we3WHOP5CITvzLvKs3B4JhISIaASf4zWScOCig3Zto63TPIlbht4rvpJSZY9XjhRiv6NrfJXqAmM3Gs9bD1E7la2j9AZvK4wjgP3RgwhIQq3kqGCaPOQkb19zHcO1u/s320/Exotic+sign.JPG" title="A perfect beach setting in the Philippines" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Perfect Location</td></tr>
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2016 at Exotic has begun and the diving is up to its usual world class standards. It's no wonder Philippines scuba diving and Malapascua diving especially finds itself on the bucket list of most dive enthusiasts and just to top things off the weather has been idyllic for months now. There really is hardly a drawback to this place... other than finding it hard to leave!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg89h9tZT3W_zvy2pPVI-0LAjfjr7bUx-vXdEVx4-AOe42j-EK1xj05WmNq1AdtRWuqA9TNlt-twZEseVI56XokTajnhP4iwNdfV6_-6RvVH_1whiPrAamkyz_BpORC5UHm8d2VWI80iqwD/s1600/IDC+lunch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Great food malapascua, IDC malapascua, IDC Philippines" border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg89h9tZT3W_zvy2pPVI-0LAjfjr7bUx-vXdEVx4-AOe42j-EK1xj05WmNq1AdtRWuqA9TNlt-twZEseVI56XokTajnhP4iwNdfV6_-6RvVH_1whiPrAamkyz_BpORC5UHm8d2VWI80iqwD/s320/IDC+lunch.JPG" title="Great food in Exotics restaurant" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's always one who won't smile</td></tr>
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The first Malapascua Instructor Development Course of the year is well under way with four hopefuls throwing heart and soul into achieving their dream of becoming PADI scuba diving instructors. Here they are with their own instructors enjoying the complimentary IDC lunch that comes with every such course here at Exotic.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcNldAXlM9b3icuFP8Wj5yYcRdIKSp1EI9uIBIP59fprZXSQ2Dr09TRZ3Jg64Ms37x4o5FTEifKBNpzso9Bq-INNsN9ymLaOblTb74goFulQ7YBvcEw1aLkogMajF7XxJ0rJWsRvWrFn9X/s1600/IMG_1304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IDC Malapascua, IDC Philippines, Malapascua diving" border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcNldAXlM9b3icuFP8Wj5yYcRdIKSp1EI9uIBIP59fprZXSQ2Dr09TRZ3Jg64Ms37x4o5FTEifKBNpzso9Bq-INNsN9ymLaOblTb74goFulQ7YBvcEw1aLkogMajF7XxJ0rJWsRvWrFn9X/s320/IMG_1304.JPG" title="The IDC hits the pool for a confined session" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Incredibly organised looking pool sesision</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
While not enjoying world class cuisine from our renowned restaurant, the candidates have spent time preparing their confined water skills in the comfort of a large pool. To have Exotic as the starting point on their CV will be a huge advantage as we really are an unrivaled center of excellence in this region. That said, they've not passed the two day PADI Instructor Examination yet so we'll check back in next week to find out how it went.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGwAUHNB_lTSApikG1bV3EfEPhxRzgmriq8IAOy5HRjE5URyH2ZXUpHO-LH3hdHjfbit0126W8pxS3_fJFJoRY8Z__HtcYBxXUR-IK43YGUEdgaZllyqVuWrIe0ZnQoS7ENObLFRwnWkfB/s1600/Snorkel+Test.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Divemaster malapascua, divemaster philippines, snorkel test philippines" border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGwAUHNB_lTSApikG1bV3EfEPhxRzgmriq8IAOy5HRjE5URyH2ZXUpHO-LH3hdHjfbit0126W8pxS3_fJFJoRY8Z__HtcYBxXUR-IK43YGUEdgaZllyqVuWrIe0ZnQoS7ENObLFRwnWkfB/s320/Snorkel+Test.JPG" title="Snorkel test for Exotics new Divemasters" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice striped shirt! Kept the receipt?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And finally, slightly old news but as featured on Exotics facebook page a couple of weeks back, congratulations to Mathias and Jason on completing their Divemaster internships. After several weeks of hard work, much laughter and the odd tear here on Malapascua, the lads were able to enjoy the traditional snorkel test which featured far less alcohol than they were led to believe!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10826600426509060530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5588915064256463776.post-3769971502923134482015-12-14T23:14:00.001-08:002015-12-14T23:14:56.376-08:00Exotics Thresher Shark speciality<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGesg-2YoHk5-_704f9forOWV5h50kk4qEK_kPy6Jb1Napw_8363L20mcObV6UZqAFRJkKHV1IEZEfGW6E_ukqXFreSmTUnbF2OnRRId3Pr0fSGlCAZdC303S64rN1JVKfk01WvB4LdMiu/s1600/Thresher+Shark+Presentation.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Thresher Sharks, Malapascua diving, Philippines diving, Cebu diving" border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGesg-2YoHk5-_704f9forOWV5h50kk4qEK_kPy6Jb1Napw_8363L20mcObV6UZqAFRJkKHV1IEZEfGW6E_ukqXFreSmTUnbF2OnRRId3Pr0fSGlCAZdC303S64rN1JVKfk01WvB4LdMiu/s320/Thresher+Shark+Presentation.JPG" title="Thresher Shark speciality presentation" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Course Director Johanssen presents</td></tr>
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No visit to Exotic and Malapascua is complete without a visit to Monad Shoal in search of our famous Thresher Sharks. This week we welcomed two guests, Kim and Marielle, who undertook our exclusive Thresher Shark specialty with Course Director Becca Johansen. The Blog sat in on what was a very informative presentation.<br />
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Did you know?<br />
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Each female Thresher shark has not one Uterus but two. Wow.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijTh_U72UAwHdGx3pLeZbhNhsxXkpU5xTQWq7D4JYFt5zQ_ch1bykBrAoEv2QiyGA3k808yD6Ii-aqZJbqsFNrIhZS2DGyINK8VO9R_m-m4oeoT_4I5GxFEYlLWQnojluicvsc9BaDQ43F/s1600/sunrise+monad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Malapascua diving sunrise, Philippines diving, scuba diving philippines, thresher shark diving" border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijTh_U72UAwHdGx3pLeZbhNhsxXkpU5xTQWq7D4JYFt5zQ_ch1bykBrAoEv2QiyGA3k808yD6Ii-aqZJbqsFNrIhZS2DGyINK8VO9R_m-m4oeoT_4I5GxFEYlLWQnojluicvsc9BaDQ43F/s320/sunrise+monad.jpg" title="Malapascua sunrise " width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise at Monad Shoal</td></tr>
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As part of the specialty comes two dives to Monad Shoal and with that comes an impressive sun rise every morning.<br />
Our guests who take the Thresher Shark specialty have all found that the background information they learn on this species really adds relevance to the dives themselves.<br />
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Did you know?<br />
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The Thresher shark is classed as vulnerable. This means it's just one stage away from becoming an endangered species.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn5wGVxYHssiqzrnIYgdOqlJiZqkKluseU7K31Vlv7jXm6PJjpEn5FhsSvkT0vmp3_ot7mWKQ8byyzgMsZ48FsjFVBSHL0JtJ8v-y1m3tQZyM0jxKieRZbnHBcNstZESouatO3TfP7zR5a/s1600/shark+guardian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sharks, Thresher sharks, Malapascua, Philippines scuba diving" border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn5wGVxYHssiqzrnIYgdOqlJiZqkKluseU7K31Vlv7jXm6PJjpEn5FhsSvkT0vmp3_ot7mWKQ8byyzgMsZ48FsjFVBSHL0JtJ8v-y1m3tQZyM0jxKieRZbnHBcNstZESouatO3TfP7zR5a/s320/shark+guardian.jpg" title="The return of Shark Guardian" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shark Guardian Presentation</td></tr>
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Coincidentally, Exotic were proud to host our friends at 'Shark Guardian' yet again just a few days later. These crusaders fighting for the rights of sharks worldwide set up camp in our restaurant and led by the impressive Camille Lemmens, delivered another informative presentation to a captivated audience.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg65z33yNEUcrS1-OgG0BZP838K7KQtCUobin_LWVG7Gq5EQRp79_zDFGZMCjtUS2qAShgN1AUEIacqNpZF3ZlO_POvFHuK5E7Ck5iOMyjdxEATNROKrkKKYhxj7UhMLGDmcrNOjQakqkTn/s1600/Monad+Thresher.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Philippines diving, thresher sharks, malapascua scuba diving" border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg65z33yNEUcrS1-OgG0BZP838K7KQtCUobin_LWVG7Gq5EQRp79_zDFGZMCjtUS2qAShgN1AUEIacqNpZF3ZlO_POvFHuK5E7Ck5iOMyjdxEATNROKrkKKYhxj7UhMLGDmcrNOjQakqkTn/s320/Monad+Thresher.JPG" title="A Thresher Shark at Monad Shoal" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thresher Shark </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Did you know?<br />
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8000 sharks are slaughtered every hour....<br />
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This is destruction at an alarming and unsustainable rate.<br />
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The following morning we were able to picture the shark seen here. But for how many more years will we be lucky enough to do so without changes to our own behavior.....<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10826600426509060530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5588915064256463776.post-23933376729509844652015-11-18T21:03:00.000-08:002015-11-18T21:03:46.555-08:00Blog Round Up<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZjUjUtCdgoDnV7njv3-oTSETYfrScjlQAGqSv9zbQJPENeTu8m03leCZVKJpJWw1kNJnLWyTUce8GWALjbLnJgoXPWH_SsflPaE8eHSxFqVMaXP-jsOM_ds1G-zS-_2Ow-vzaBUlc0kk0/s1600/IMG_1262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Malapascua diving, philippines diving, scuba diving philippines diving" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZjUjUtCdgoDnV7njv3-oTSETYfrScjlQAGqSv9zbQJPENeTu8m03leCZVKJpJWw1kNJnLWyTUce8GWALjbLnJgoXPWH_SsflPaE8eHSxFqVMaXP-jsOM_ds1G-zS-_2Ow-vzaBUlc0kk0/s320/IMG_1262.JPG" title="preparing for a deep dive" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tank assembling</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This week the Blog decided to just pick up a camera and see what was happening around the resort. First on our travels was Caroline who was putting together a stage tank in preparation for dive three of her Deep dive course with Master Instructor Joa. If conditions permitted they might go as deep as fourty meters!<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMofcspskU5ASKXCJ9xX8wwbuEu00f3JaRLRmpcYFsPdl2tTaEdSYDWU4RRm1cBtIaAx2OaXkvDKb_SbdF8JdkgCb5DFUazHoi5fWvzXUBu5G4USTrtntfiIFmKouvoAeItqMzrvKmYWha/s1600/IMG_1268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="philippines diving, malapascua diving, divemaster philippines" border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMofcspskU5ASKXCJ9xX8wwbuEu00f3JaRLRmpcYFsPdl2tTaEdSYDWU4RRm1cBtIaAx2OaXkvDKb_SbdF8JdkgCb5DFUazHoi5fWvzXUBu5G4USTrtntfiIFmKouvoAeItqMzrvKmYWha/s320/IMG_1268.JPG" title="sleeping on the job but not really" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">assembling the emergency Oxygen</td></tr>
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Ask a Divemaster trainee to assemble an emergency Oxygen unit and then leave the room for a few minutes and what do you return to? Answer, A DMT taking the p***. Feet off the chair Jason please. Oh, and stop using all the Oxygen.<br />
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Disclaimer: This picture was completely staged and no Oxygen was wasted in its making. All Divemasters produced at Exotic are of the highest professional standard.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUPlKiVK4AL6D6Qnttg5nXF13rDrDznK3Fm-bfmEOUzGdCv46GArebJYnbP-OeOK2-F208H9HYt1_B4uJ92SSiCIJiFCy9FljHtuNQHfpsQbGIL-SccMxciDerY6kHVU17vV5FQOrLFkIM/s1600/IMG_1273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="guard dogs malapascua, diving malapascua, scuba philipines" border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUPlKiVK4AL6D6Qnttg5nXF13rDrDznK3Fm-bfmEOUzGdCv46GArebJYnbP-OeOK2-F208H9HYt1_B4uJ92SSiCIJiFCy9FljHtuNQHfpsQbGIL-SccMxciDerY6kHVU17vV5FQOrLFkIM/s320/IMG_1273.JPG" title="undercover operation" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">asleep on the job</td></tr>
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To the untrained eye this looks like an old knackered dog sleeping in the restaurant under a table. To those familiar with Exotic Resort this is the imaginatively named Brownie. Brownie and his colleague Blackie work as part of Exotic's elite security team which make the resort safe for all our guests. It must be said that dogs are not allowed in the restaurant and that Brownie was working undercover at the time.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDmoK1yhFhNGnyKJ59v_9uFj9VDALMRBXLcFYnCqf34ma2WJuIq8e6pm9-xlPX0OQBBynfCcDDWlpPWh1XoROEMTYEABHm_mKGZexiwjd8k97llVC4u6v3MEahJcWkCmUVfpJPRPSYowai/s1600/Hilda+and+Judith.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="diving malapascua, philippines diving, malapascua diving" border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDmoK1yhFhNGnyKJ59v_9uFj9VDALMRBXLcFYnCqf34ma2WJuIq8e6pm9-xlPX0OQBBynfCcDDWlpPWh1XoROEMTYEABHm_mKGZexiwjd8k97llVC4u6v3MEahJcWkCmUVfpJPRPSYowai/s320/Hilda+and+Judith.JPG" title="happy reunion" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dive shop team</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
They've made the Blog before but seeing as they're so special we again introduce our fantastic dive shop receptionists, Hilda (left) and Judith. This week saw Judith return after maternity leave and no one was more pleased than Hilda. No more double shifts!<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10826600426509060530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5588915064256463776.post-68903804559347650132015-10-19T19:47:00.000-07:002015-10-19T19:47:54.335-07:00Why Sidemount Diving? A Instructor's point of view<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Open Sans, HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 21.45px;">For anyone who has been following our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/goproidcphilippines" target="_blank">GoPro page exotic</a> on Facebook page its pretty obvious that we like sidemount diving. Why is this? Why change gear, add another first stage to the mix and then learn a bunch of new skills? You can't go neither deeper, or further into wrecks.... So why? Actually there are many other good reasons that Sidemount diving has and can add to your diving experience, here is my personal point of view. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Open Sans', HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 21.45px;">Sidemount is a great primer for more advanced diving such as Technical or cave diving. If you are interested in technical diving it will be pretty clear why sidemount will be beneficial to you, as a recreational diver it might be harder to see these benefits.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Open Sans, HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 21.45px;"><br /></span></span></span>
Added Safety - Longer Dives<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqD_uzjDSBa4dvm8c1GPtVYCcoohFN6vakUShWx6pKWdqqOpv6hcUFVijDm4G1hNm5rN8pUVkvSJfnhRFyAqt7N062IwrKlyuSIpDgB99QDx_j7AFAozt1lUuKXUrVcqYJYURkfHeobx5j/s1600/IMG_20151012_092359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Apeks Sidemount Regulator setup" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqD_uzjDSBa4dvm8c1GPtVYCcoohFN6vakUShWx6pKWdqqOpv6hcUFVijDm4G1hNm5rN8pUVkvSJfnhRFyAqt7N062IwrKlyuSIpDgB99QDx_j7AFAozt1lUuKXUrVcqYJYURkfHeobx5j/s320/IMG_20151012_092359.jpg" title="Apeks Sidemount Regulator setup" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apeks Sidemount regulator</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Open Sans', HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 21.45px;">Why am i saying that a sidemount configuration is safer? - There is the redundancy. Equipment malfunction is very rare today but it still happens. During my dives i have had hoses breaking underwater as well as o rings popping, free flowing inflators and so on. Considering the amount of dives this has happened on i have to say its still very rare that things break. When you have a popped tank o ring you have 1 minute (if your lucky) to make it to the surface or your buddy in recreational gear. Doing this in a big cloud of bubbles under stress is not fun. In sidemount its very different. As you have 2 redundant regulators on 2 tanks it doesnt matter if one breaks, you could cut all the hoses on one reg completely and still make it up to the surface by yourself (you should of course go up with your buddy) with a proper safety stop and surface swim if necessary. Lets say that both your regs fail at the same time (Extremely unlikely) a sidemount diving buddy can share air with you on a long hose, this is much more comfortable then doing so on a regular alternate air source were the hose is much shorter and pulling in your mouth unless your pretty much glued to your buddy.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Open Sans', HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 21.45px;">. And longer dives is also another great reason. Pretty simply, you got 2 bottles so even if you use a lot of air you will be able to stay down and enjoy the dive site for longer. If you make the dives on Nitrox then you can really see the added value. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Open Sans', HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 21.45px;">Sidemount diving all started originally from Cave Exploring were a very simple but very reliable way of diving is necessary. To me all diving should be as safe and gear as simple to use as possible. </span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxAhSpHc7YuKEk9SzFMkA-y5Auddv8L6OoIVWPyVA73DnqWLyyWsgnLq5am-mn_dCvghaaFM1UYVK-g19k1uzR7J6YYqk8tKS4TlXnCUhPd2qbyF5L1HcWGueG-bfAjYxQSs1mQpjlKxrN/s1600/IMG_20151019_084130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="PADI Sidemount instructor Specialty course" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxAhSpHc7YuKEk9SzFMkA-y5Auddv8L6OoIVWPyVA73DnqWLyyWsgnLq5am-mn_dCvghaaFM1UYVK-g19k1uzR7J6YYqk8tKS4TlXnCUhPd2qbyF5L1HcWGueG-bfAjYxQSs1mQpjlKxrN/s320/IMG_20151019_084130.jpg" title="Carlos Sidemount" width="237" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PADI Sidemount instructor Specialty course</td></tr>
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Why do I personally love Sidemount?<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Open Sans', HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 21.45px;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Open Sans', HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 21.45px;"></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Open Sans, HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 21.45px;">Let me explaining why I love it so much. I have logged plenty of dives, both in cold and warm water in icy lakes and on tropical reefs, before trying sidemount. I now live since 5 years in Asia and one of the reasons is because i much prefer the tropical diving, including the temperature and the reduced hassle with gear - No dry suits or thick gloves which makes getting around trickier. Same goes for me in sidemount, my chest is clean and free from clutter, my back is free from restrictions and tanks. I can bend and flex as much as i like with out having the gear holding back. This makes for a truly "free" experience underwater. Sure i am actually towing around 2 tanks but they are tucked in under my shoulders and out of the way and streamlined. </span></span></span><br />
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Add even more time to you dive<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Open Sans', HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 21.45px;">Quite often divers come to Exotic asking for 15 liter tanks, they use more air then their buddies and want to be able to stay down as long as their friends. Sure we have 15 liter tanks and sure they hold more air then a standard 12 liter tank. However 2 x 12 liter tanks, now that's allot of air! This is great for a couple of different reasons. You can make really long dives as well as having a bigger reserve in case anything goes wrong. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Open Sans', HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 21.45px;">If something goes wrong underwater, your most valuable resource is time, underwater time is directly linked to the amount of gas you have to breath, the more the better!</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Open Sans, HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 21.45px;"></span></span></span><br /><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Open Sans, HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 21.45px;"></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Open Sans, HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 21.45px;">Of course</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 21.45px;"> there is downsides as well, after all, I can say that sidemount is not for everyone even though i do believe it can benefit most divers. One downside is simple, the cost. You need to either invest or rent at least one more first stage and long hose and an additional SPG. Walking with 2 bottles on land is obviously trickier, however you can just as easy don both cylinders in the water. Of course you have to learn additional skills and procedures to safely dive with sidemount. With this being said the many benefits outweighs the costs, which can be kept small depending on the gear that you choose.</span></span></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit9mg4FoECqTIgE7CEdFdc9B8ziSAlzTjeMWc1owUjcT43CjYiEEXVGg_rTxsfzY3KN9wLOdAp9606SxYFlmt0DNvEwJdASc16J2AuBFqPluryMg5NyHA9XNQHocRWw0WRThjGDGiui_Oy/s1600/ACT_2080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Even Rebreathers can be sidemount configured" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit9mg4FoECqTIgE7CEdFdc9B8ziSAlzTjeMWc1owUjcT43CjYiEEXVGg_rTxsfzY3KN9wLOdAp9606SxYFlmt0DNvEwJdASc16J2AuBFqPluryMg5NyHA9XNQHocRWw0WRThjGDGiui_Oy/s320/ACT_2080.jpg" title="Sidemount rebreather" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even rebreathers can be sidemounted</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Open Sans, HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 21.45px;"></span></span></span><br /><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Open Sans, HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 21.45px;"></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Open Sans, HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 21.45px;"></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Open Sans, HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 21.45px;">To me diving equipment is a tool needed to go and see or do something. Some dives requires more and some less. Shallow reef dives only requires a single tank and BCD while a deep cave dive might require multiple re breathers. Sidemount is in my book not the only way of diving but the most versatile way of diving!</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Open Sans, HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 21.45px;">If you have questions about the sidemount course, equipment configurations or want advice in general, just pop me an email at joa@malapascua.net</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Open Sans, HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 21.45px;"></span></span></span><br /><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Open Sans, HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 21.45px;"></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Open Sans, HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 21.45px;">Joa Löfström</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Open Sans, HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 21.45px;">PADI Master instructor</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Open Sans, HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 21.45px;">Tec sidemount instructor</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Open Sans', HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 21.45px;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Open Sans', HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 21.45px;"></span>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10826600426509060530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5588915064256463776.post-10969831624805812132015-08-20T18:25:00.000-07:002015-08-20T18:25:40.559-07:00Something Exotic<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Written by guest blogger Scott Lindsay:</span></h4>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDQpQYyvhLFmSRvzZCcHlSWHX-QXerGHOQ2LriO73enuw7ua7LckFCZ2LfHmR85m3-DA5-QjUpjYOzTE8950wGbxuhqIIL8C5-yDETM3Xle_8bI6XppUjBT4eJPPtUzZpbCOzxVDxZsVN6/s1600/417125_923003671452_1388297735_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Guest Blogger and PADI instructor Scott Lindsay" border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDQpQYyvhLFmSRvzZCcHlSWHX-QXerGHOQ2LriO73enuw7ua7LckFCZ2LfHmR85m3-DA5-QjUpjYOzTE8950wGbxuhqIIL8C5-yDETM3Xle_8bI6XppUjBT4eJPPtUzZpbCOzxVDxZsVN6/s320/417125_923003671452_1388297735_n.jpg" title="Guest Blogger and PADI instructor Scott Lindsay" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guest Blogger and PADI instructor Scott Lindsay</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>When</b>
I first arrived on Malapascua, I was probably the same as everyone else. Tired
from the journey from Cebu city, and full of anticipation of what I would find
on this small tropical island paradise. Like many who visit Malapascua, I came
to the island for diving. This is probably the islands number one draw, but add
to this the fact it has some beautiful beaches, awesome local residents and
amazing food, what more could you ask from paradise?</span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There
are many resorts large and small, and many restaurants offering all kinds of
culinary fair. Prices range across the board, and I believe there is something
for everyone. One resort in particular stands out from the crowd. That is
Exotic Dive resort. Situated a little further away than the main bulk of the
islands resorts and restaurants, it really is worth the walk (which is probably
no more than 10 minutes from anywhere, as it isn’t a large island). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxNEotoVSJ9D-bur7Xe_nCVMCtRmSLbrai6sbEDc5fmDvuA_H0CAx2WtP2vibcDU0_q2DKp1o73SkoJS-SGH_a6GYQRUHVlmL4lul1cKaPxI_CXg8lytepZralR3zPyyelSoOxau90tYcI/s1600/1_malapascua_exotic_threshershark_014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Thresher shark (Alopias pelagicus) at monad shoal, Malapascau." border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxNEotoVSJ9D-bur7Xe_nCVMCtRmSLbrai6sbEDc5fmDvuA_H0CAx2WtP2vibcDU0_q2DKp1o73SkoJS-SGH_a6GYQRUHVlmL4lul1cKaPxI_CXg8lytepZralR3zPyyelSoOxau90tYcI/s320/1_malapascua_exotic_threshershark_014.jpg" title="Thresher shark (Alopias pelagicus) at monad shoal, Malapascau." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thresher shark (Alopias pelagicus) at monad shoal, Malapascau.</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you decide to stay in the Exotic resort,
than you will have almost every need catered for. First they offer the islands
original dive centre, and pioneers of the Thresher shark experience. Friendly,
professional and incredibly eagle eyed dive guides will take you around many of
the surrounding dive sites, pointing out the Thresher sharks, occasional other pelagic
life, colourful nudibranchs, different sized frogfish, and mesmerizing
flamboyant cuttlefish to name but a few.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rooms
vary in size, price and luxury, and all are well maintained and looked after by
the friendly housekeeping staff. The
resort also boasts one of the best restaurants on the island. It takes the
whole of about a minute to walk from the ocean to a seat, so after a hard days
relaxation on the beach, or after a day of diving, you don’t have far to travel
to satisfy the appetite you have worked up.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNc3BNA9-QDnEaehEHdxuRp4ZUlFqLnwipwzcdi0RTic2_SaOHUr8VhGwUSNwxuxnTkNMEwPWSFkpYODPuPiegAz-3tmtIGRUxlAefyGVsN4o22wn7eAWzoHLNLURpNCeuwhAeJ4IDXLEN/s1600/Resturant++4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Exotics beac front restaurant" border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNc3BNA9-QDnEaehEHdxuRp4ZUlFqLnwipwzcdi0RTic2_SaOHUr8VhGwUSNwxuxnTkNMEwPWSFkpYODPuPiegAz-3tmtIGRUxlAefyGVsN4o22wn7eAWzoHLNLURpNCeuwhAeJ4IDXLEN/s320/Resturant++4.jpg" title="Exotics beac front restaurant" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exotics beachfront restaurant </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">Firstly,
let’s start with the staff. All are super friendly, smiling and joking, and
always happy to help you. Even at its busiest times (there is a reason it can
get busy) they are able to help you with anything you need. Next, let’s look at
the menu. Well if choice is something you want, then there is no lack of it
here. An Asian/ European fusion with of course some mouth watering Local Filipino
dishes and surprising Dutch snacks,</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #222222; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="line-height: 115%;">with many other favourites thrown in, the only word I can
find to describe it is epic. Epically large in choice, epically large in
variety, and portion size is never an issue (bring an appetite). They offer 267 Dishes, which can be easily
navigated through the Exotic resort app (</span><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">currently</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> available for android and soon available in the App store). </span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.co.eigo.exoticresort&hl=en" target="_blank">Exotic resort app in google play store</a></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZcO4y1cRcOK4X945mpQgZA9NNJhJ1rSghmYLw3eUP3Ef0Rx7zGWyeoPQAkgJsvTL2RaSe329J66d1z0TYSAAU4759yvmP1V66g5v0IRLzvTKf91VFhTbscBph9QkD7mnHXMbAvR-LM8kr/s1600/resort+app.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Exotics android app" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZcO4y1cRcOK4X945mpQgZA9NNJhJ1rSghmYLw3eUP3Ef0Rx7zGWyeoPQAkgJsvTL2RaSe329J66d1z0TYSAAU4759yvmP1V66g5v0IRLzvTKf91VFhTbscBph9QkD7mnHXMbAvR-LM8kr/s320/resort+app.jpg" title="Exotics android app" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exotics app</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="line-height: 115%;">And if you are after something to wash down these amazing dishes,
then happy hour is between 5pm and 7pm (they aren’t shy with the measures) for
cocktails, or shakes and juices are available all day. There is also draft beer
and quality coffee from the coffee shop style real coffee machine. If you have
a sweet tooth, then one of the many deserts will entice you (if you have left
room for one). The cheesecake is a particular </span><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">favorite</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> of mine. Maybe not the
best in the world, but considering the location, it really does impress and
satisfy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Breakfast
varies from a full buffet at busy times, to just a cup of good coffee for those
in a rush (I am not sure where you would be rushing to though). As a diving day
can start early here, as with many dive centres (around 4.30am), there is
nothing quite like being able to return to a hearty breakfast to fuel you for
the rest of the day. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">So
all in all, Exotic dive resort ticks many boxes. If you don</span><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;">’</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">t believe me, come and
find out for yourself. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">www.malapascua.net<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10826600426509060530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5588915064256463776.post-32843182880106717082015-08-01T23:40:00.000-07:002015-08-01T23:40:29.247-07:00Underwater Transformation<h2 style="text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_QCSh1pyPHd5b5Jpqf_9ikVyt-2jOspdRNLh_vu68PrTOs_RSODXNUT8OcfXetbvjw-ORimMItltSxGRXMmbA6xddFYU-3XqPoxNuXa79pfc3S520eXUW-ayxXnaZjIO3WI07FtVhzxXb/s1600/ACT_0215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="Happy PADI Discover scuba diving participants, Malapascua Exotic Island Dive resort" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_QCSh1pyPHd5b5Jpqf_9ikVyt-2jOspdRNLh_vu68PrTOs_RSODXNUT8OcfXetbvjw-ORimMItltSxGRXMmbA6xddFYU-3XqPoxNuXa79pfc3S520eXUW-ayxXnaZjIO3WI07FtVhzxXb/s1600/ACT_0215.jpg" title="Happy PADI Discover scuba diving participants, Malapascua Exotic Island Dive resort" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy PADI Discover scuba diving participants</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> It’s probably one of those things
Instructors get used to, as the number of students they work with increases the
smaller details may tend to lose their sharpness. So it is with a Divemaster at
the start of an internship, and commencing a professional career these details can
be most apparent.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">PADI Discover Scuba Diving is a gateway for
accessing scuba diving in the shortest possible time while remaining safe. It’s
a straightforward ½ day course which can include an open water dive, if the
student is capable and up for it.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I’m assisting a DSD course, which
means I get to meet the guests, ensure all the paperwork is together, sort out
their equipment and keep everything running smoothly for my instructor Joa.</span></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf1Tp5TQD5Bx9bZ_8V8E4w-mHEA2_aiTCQ_xvCUcQ5vpsjT0z79mR0dvP__Z3MIgNK4sqKyYBKv0t1IZ6CcJC2k4YT6e7fVzs8-6AGJqlnMnXQl2Gft5H0fY1seA6Wblb48PVewlHjDjGL/s1600/IMG_3140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="Taing your first breaths underwater, PADI Discover Scuba Diving, Malapascua Exotic Island Dive resort" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf1Tp5TQD5Bx9bZ_8V8E4w-mHEA2_aiTCQ_xvCUcQ5vpsjT0z79mR0dvP__Z3MIgNK4sqKyYBKv0t1IZ6CcJC2k4YT6e7fVzs8-6AGJqlnMnXQl2Gft5H0fY1seA6Wblb48PVewlHjDjGL/s320/IMG_3140.JPG" title="Taing your first breaths underwater, PADI Discover Scuba Diving, Malapascua Exotic Island Dive resort" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The joy of breathing underwater!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The key thing to remember is that typical
DSD students have never taken a breathe underwater before, they may well be a
proficient skin diver but the idea of strapping a tank to their back and diving
for longer than 30 seconds has only just become a desire for them. For me I
originally got into diving because I wanted to see things closer up, and
experience the freedom I often observed in Scuba divers while I was trapped at
the surface snorkelling.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Todays student Leo, is no exception, I
sense his excitement the minute we meet, he tells me he loves snorkelling, but
he’s never taken the next step into Scuba, but today is the day. There is a
determination I recall from my open water course, even before my confined
sessions, knowing the equipment would be on my back and I’d be breathing
underwater without having to rush back up to the surface for another breathe.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Joa takes us through the briefing, a few
pointers on process and what the in water experience will be like and Leo is
head down for his multiple choice quiz. I’m impressed the key safety standards
are still maintained, even in this slimmed down course. There is no official
accreditation at the end, but the DSD booklet includes a mini log book, a
certificate of completion and everything a budding diver needs to know about
this course and the potential future courses available.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finally we are getting on the boat and
setting up the kit, the boot is finally on the other foot, I’m setting up a
guests’ equipment for them. Leo is ready, we are in the shallow water in-front
of the dive shop and ready to get under the water with a regulator for the
first time. I’m sure every student is different, but I’m sure they all take
that first breathe with the same amazement we all once did. Eyes widen, second
breathe, okay brain time to tune in, we’ve just turned into a fish.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwzFTQuMn1cIzyu4xrdnCCqjZV0PhjtRwiO-SfXnetr1QFmD8U08xrtm8qroBxLQwt0d6wlpP4D55DiANAtCgiUJjfxrOcWtaQzjsg8FZgyRZCrhEMecf6YuRujUMEUnmPoBMWa8zrlxtm/s1600/IMG_3109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="PADI Discover Scuba Diving, Try dive, Malapascua Exotic" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwzFTQuMn1cIzyu4xrdnCCqjZV0PhjtRwiO-SfXnetr1QFmD8U08xrtm8qroBxLQwt0d6wlpP4D55DiANAtCgiUJjfxrOcWtaQzjsg8FZgyRZCrhEMecf6YuRujUMEUnmPoBMWa8zrlxtm/s320/IMG_3109.JPG" title="PADI Discover Scuba Diving, Try dive, Malapascua Exotic" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The more you dive the more you smile :)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The skills requirements and practicing are
just the essential safety requirements, we are in the water to do as much as
possible for them when we make it onto the dive so it’s a case of clearing
mask, recovering regulator and BCD inflation, deflation. Along with the
presentation, Leo now has all the elements he needs for the dive. The mask
clearance is always difficult, you’ve just worked out you can breathe
underwater, now you’ve got to tell your brain to breathe in through your mouth
and out through your nose. I can see the frustration in the mask clearance, you
can never be sure if the skills will be too much and the student will run out
of the water. Leo is sticking with it, tells himself to stop breathing in
through his nose, sea water doesn’t taste so good. Then we spot a little baby
puffer fish. Joa points to it, Leo looks, points himself and before he’s
realised his breathing is calm, he looks at home. We’ve cracked it. </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We check with Leo he’s feeling okay, take a
short break to all get ready and jump in the flat boat for the short ride to
house reef. A brief look over the side and Leo is checking the depth with Joa.
6m, I’ve put a decent line over the side of the boat and Joa and Leo will go
down bit by bit with me following along. Plenty of equalisation, we arrive at
the bottom, Leo is absolutely loving it and we’ve only done the decent, “Just
wait till we start moving” I thought to myself.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiev6s1pK7YApYuPH1eWaF4K_TyO845JKeLRvEkrUbbybMAkIfMycX-p7YQBJp8HnLuftYFPyt0YoDJQgkdcbsUrLsYBXyj6EoC_4fBgzIhlBE1dr6SatE3nX3W_YXGlaXPVkM_JFjVaEu6/s1600/IMG_2187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="Banded sea snake, one of the things you can see at Exotics house reef" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiev6s1pK7YApYuPH1eWaF4K_TyO845JKeLRvEkrUbbybMAkIfMycX-p7YQBJp8HnLuftYFPyt0YoDJQgkdcbsUrLsYBXyj6EoC_4fBgzIhlBE1dr6SatE3nX3W_YXGlaXPVkM_JFjVaEu6/s320/IMG_2187.JPG" title="Banded sea snake, one of the things you can see at Exotics house reef" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This friendly sea snake can be spotted at the house reef</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The house reef has plenty to see, though
experienced divers definitely forget how little it takes to raise the breathing
rate of new divers and DSD students. As we swam around, I had a firm grip on
Leo’s tank valve to help him keep balance and buoyancy level, frankly we are
both experiencing something new. I’m working with my first DSD student,
assisting Joa, with real customers. The sense of responsibility is massive, I
know Joa has everything under control and if anything was wrong he’d be ontop
of it before I even realised. But I’m still there with Leo, experiencing his
first ever dive.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">25 minutes in, Leo signals that his ears
are no longer enjoying the experience, we aim back to the decent line and do a
safety stop. Everything remains calm, and before we know it, we are on the surface,
relieving Leo of his equipment and getting him back on board.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s now, this very moment that brings it
all home to me, Why diving? Why Divemaster? Why IDC and teaching ? Just look at
Leo, he’s the happiest diver in the world, a matter of hours ago, he was a
snorkeler, dreaming of escaping the surface to dive underwater and experience
the freedom. He’s transformed and he’s not the only one. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We do a de-brief back in resort, his smile
is even wider now, he can’t wait to get back in the water again, the experience
has opened his eyes to so many possibilities and the sights underwater, I doubt
it will be long before his PADI open water course is booked and he is back in
the water again.</span></span></div>
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</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For me, it’s just the start of my
Divemaster course, I’m seeing these actual transformations for myself 1<sup>st</sup>
hand and I want more too. You read about it, in the PADI books, we are in
transformation industry, just words, but when you witness it first hand, it
truly is emotional.<a href="https://draft.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuI_gf5jn4tfkrQYXxWh9ZeHi_HXRH09rf2Y4JM8EnW-kWm7Gsd5Nv-1qyQGx4fQnV1IeBklzU4wZii6bIfmrQCMYe6GN4QtpRXVh1qslTs8TlAVZJNyg4asPZHPuPQIxQ8l3f5CdX46MH/s1600/IMG_3966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuI_gf5jn4tfkrQYXxWh9ZeHi_HXRH09rf2Y4JM8EnW-kWm7Gsd5Nv-1qyQGx4fQnV1IeBklzU4wZii6bIfmrQCMYe6GN4QtpRXVh1qslTs8TlAVZJNyg4asPZHPuPQIxQ8l3f5CdX46MH/s1600/IMG_3966.JPG" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ryan started his diving with a DSD and is here doing his Nitrox course, its easy to get addicted to diving!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10826600426509060530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5588915064256463776.post-65647846893684303652015-07-28T00:43:00.000-07:002015-07-28T00:43:47.454-07:00Training, Tec and Teambuilding.Hi all of you out there!<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ag7I7KZNYJ5v7WINl6HgShlHSxs21lOc631BgF0pREj8BCuSjmDIt8IidpIOzaVBW-0EfrqcHtE8e0xz9OSzVKVao6eP7CiqDMuNjmL1NFho0FIipzZCF_xgYXKeebxiZFx5uCu0At_0/s1600/11703176_10153041049640665_6461480160343555994_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="White Arrow NT3 diving on Malapascua Philippines" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ag7I7KZNYJ5v7WINl6HgShlHSxs21lOc631BgF0pREj8BCuSjmDIt8IidpIOzaVBW-0EfrqcHtE8e0xz9OSzVKVao6eP7CiqDMuNjmL1NFho0FIipzZCF_xgYXKeebxiZFx5uCu0At_0/s400/11703176_10153041049640665_6461480160343555994_n.jpg" title="White Arrow NT3 diving on Malapascua Philippines" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The White Arrow NT3 Sidemount in action!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It is time for a quick update, This month has been great fun for all of us here at Exotic, here are some of the highlights!<br />
<br />
Our good friend Jason Lim has been back to Malapascua, this time teaching Technical diving both in back mounted twin tanks and Rebreather. Of course on the White arrow NT3 which looks absolutely brilliant underwater. Jason will be back soon for some more diving and we are looking forward to some more deep deep adventures!<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXmXsJouRuqssRLi6H56K2uM9vkm_hCQ1mK0wCyDAPclXm7z3_JjNJ3IB1ixqUYrDHwZpHgGCMdZrfHpptzZbfw_KYSnIvGk2dGZ8TijEGVnYcom98z8WSW0rJZw1qZDTBPTFFp-5gz0jl/s1600/11745530_10153034268442058_4838980189811959534_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Setting up the White Arrow NT3 at Exotic" border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXmXsJouRuqssRLi6H56K2uM9vkm_hCQ1mK0wCyDAPclXm7z3_JjNJ3IB1ixqUYrDHwZpHgGCMdZrfHpptzZbfw_KYSnIvGk2dGZ8TijEGVnYcom98z8WSW0rJZw1qZDTBPTFFp-5gz0jl/s400/11745530_10153034268442058_4838980189811959534_n.jpg" title="Setting up the White Arrow NT3 at Exotic" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jason teaching set up of the White Arrow NT3 at Exotic in sidemount configuration</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPwtx3XUBYULN1w9mtR9WPHBbA2RdwhyLsoHjOvVFmLE08f0X8e0PgZF-p4IbYHSb9tZQ7c212UdZcBmyU-w_ZsL1DvIZLUJQLU_vTN30YiPx1QakutFYAXot_QgtU3lFFasXbSP6Pm_cF/s1600/ACT_1102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="PADI Rescue exercise 7 Malapascua IDC" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPwtx3XUBYULN1w9mtR9WPHBbA2RdwhyLsoHjOvVFmLE08f0X8e0PgZF-p4IbYHSb9tZQ7c212UdZcBmyU-w_ZsL1DvIZLUJQLU_vTN30YiPx1QakutFYAXot_QgtU3lFFasXbSP6Pm_cF/s320/ACT_1102.jpg" title="PADI Rescue exercise 7 Malapascua IDC" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scott practicing rescue exercise 7</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
PADI GoPro is in full effect with our IDC going on. In house PADI Course director Rebecca Johanson is doing a great job getting Jerome and Scott ready for upcoming PADI IE in a matter pf days, we wish them all the best. Our instructor Rey is also joining in doing his IDC staff instructor course! There has been some absolutely stunning weather lately with seas flat as a mirror and they have for sure been taking full advantage of it!<br />
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Finally some even more exiting news if that is even possible, The EXOTIC SPORTS FEST! The entire exotic crew and believe me its a big crew was split in 4 teams and enjoyed 5 days of challenges, sports, games and fun. There was plenty of different sports and games with some of the highlights being basketball, volleyball, swimming and Palusebo. For all of you who don't know what Palusebo is the winner of the game is the one who can climb the highest/fastest on a bamboo pole covered in oil! Believe me when I'm saying that it is very very hard!<br />
Below you can see a few of the pictures from the event that was a huge success! We cant wait until next years sports fest!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigs0OKyJz1eQYxyDcPGHqh4NAW6YHbbPY0u7uIGIONZTVvGSMDqotzsSfZufnAY7o5WNtJE8pPPCmRTOxaZyg8kn92Ko8e9k5RtEoshM60HBY0h9Ej5RXYLIPyhpOeddFyTl_y7em2TCB1/s1600/DSC_1055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Malapascua Exotic team, Sport fest 2015" border="0" height="369" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigs0OKyJz1eQYxyDcPGHqh4NAW6YHbbPY0u7uIGIONZTVvGSMDqotzsSfZufnAY7o5WNtJE8pPPCmRTOxaZyg8kn92Ko8e9k5RtEoshM60HBY0h9Ej5RXYLIPyhpOeddFyTl_y7em2TCB1/s640/DSC_1055.jpg" title="Malapascua Exotic team, Sport fest 2015" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The whole Exotic Crew!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLBfuVbEYoTn6Vp6KlPKIBE7yelX36IiOy-AoqQm2Rdlhyphenhyphen3DUN8HdRVvdZAIMm4ZiSigW22FZupY5nQ2FqqSKFwtJ0GlBVbt9UHuDgL-ev2XjO3qifNov3Xi7NhdTU-W1eYm90aRC2_2BA/s1600/DSC_1130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Volleyball at Malapascua Exotic island dive resort" border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLBfuVbEYoTn6Vp6KlPKIBE7yelX36IiOy-AoqQm2Rdlhyphenhyphen3DUN8HdRVvdZAIMm4ZiSigW22FZupY5nQ2FqqSKFwtJ0GlBVbt9UHuDgL-ev2XjO3qifNov3Xi7NhdTU-W1eYm90aRC2_2BA/s400/DSC_1130.jpg" title="Volleyball at Malapascua Exotic island dive resort" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Volleyball, blue vs white</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9h9P4-Uh8kFWY0oi7jTudHSu-nsRW2i3-2cIKf9wNbUKE4BYgurcJ5yEgHtXfyUb9HEld2L2z0us1p6zQGohmSKhwaCvzYeKi04blm9nu4UKj0eMciqXfb-kgWg1EW_MdleN-zy406PYz/s1600/DSC_0098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sport fest parade, Malapascua Exotic island dive resort" border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9h9P4-Uh8kFWY0oi7jTudHSu-nsRW2i3-2cIKf9wNbUKE4BYgurcJ5yEgHtXfyUb9HEld2L2z0us1p6zQGohmSKhwaCvzYeKi04blm9nu4UKj0eMciqXfb-kgWg1EW_MdleN-zy406PYz/s400/DSC_0098.jpg" title="Sport fest parade, Malapascua Exotic island dive resort" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The opening Parade, here its the Red team going strong!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2XLlhiYJri-5Q5iPT95FxgZux9-HRqB0r49ds78N5YWy1BkLfC26n9CgX3Fd1bIckJV2FLY0KJYZ2Et3RI348OTYp2oOlDiqN_Z6iBdLC8Jt4rvd2lKDwY26ffwYs6tD5fxbVyF8WJOjQ/s1600/DSC_1196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Badminton at Malapascua Exotic island dive resort, Sports fest 2015" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2XLlhiYJri-5Q5iPT95FxgZux9-HRqB0r49ds78N5YWy1BkLfC26n9CgX3Fd1bIckJV2FLY0KJYZ2Et3RI348OTYp2oOlDiqN_Z6iBdLC8Jt4rvd2lKDwY26ffwYs6tD5fxbVyF8WJOjQ/s400/DSC_1196.jpg" title="Badminton at Malapascua Exotic island dive resort, Sports fest 2015" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Badminton was great fun!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0oSHDNLvAVE4bQLFFeubLHScOMs9_kbEebXFDpqd2uPN0uuLQ6sZsMDXsNySKmD2o__5e4sdFhWtQMNeqKWQOoGpYHWJmuPLL17DLekUpAe9ahEbBttT3N6BeMeWUwttgMU9Ob0fTkBP0/s1600/DSC_1279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Palusebo, Malapascua Exotic island dive resort, Sports fest 2015" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0oSHDNLvAVE4bQLFFeubLHScOMs9_kbEebXFDpqd2uPN0uuLQ6sZsMDXsNySKmD2o__5e4sdFhWtQMNeqKWQOoGpYHWJmuPLL17DLekUpAe9ahEbBttT3N6BeMeWUwttgMU9Ob0fTkBP0/s400/DSC_1279.jpg" title="Palusebo, Malapascua Exotic island dive resort, Sports fest 2015" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Palusebo, Ryan giving it a go, there was a lot of oil on the bamboo pole!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwnX3CKJEyc0w9COaZWLhS2drvn-JLbvEL5uQ1ZZUa8ygzd_JQsx8YGmrV9MDRjgP42Mt6CFVexksLY63Kg5B5rAViPVARTH_tV4EAEtyrz_vapXZ5cncQSxlOhwsrCrX0qG2ww18khdy/s1600/DSC_1345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Chess, Malapascua Exotic island dive resort, Sports fest 2015" border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwnX3CKJEyc0w9COaZWLhS2drvn-JLbvEL5uQ1ZZUa8ygzd_JQsx8YGmrV9MDRjgP42Mt6CFVexksLY63Kg5B5rAViPVARTH_tV4EAEtyrz_vapXZ5cncQSxlOhwsrCrX0qG2ww18khdy/s400/DSC_1345.jpg" title="Chess, Malapascua Exotic island dive resort, Sports fest 2015" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Of course we had to have Chess as well, a welcome calm sport in the mid day heat!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibeDR_Z9H-UaaERqeE_zqbbc6XBVfn_zf94995OPJmIOd7yowgP3285EG74nIGmj7vYfwQzFHcP-7uvY1OcPbwXy4gIFkiYUiq_qyxacn49S8OUQ5Uvb4DIMgttGaHrFNj9P0Y2lPRmkXQ/s1600/DSC_1436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Swimming, Malapascua Exotic island dive resort, Sports fest 2015" border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibeDR_Z9H-UaaERqeE_zqbbc6XBVfn_zf94995OPJmIOd7yowgP3285EG74nIGmj7vYfwQzFHcP-7uvY1OcPbwXy4gIFkiYUiq_qyxacn49S8OUQ5Uvb4DIMgttGaHrFNj9P0Y2lPRmkXQ/s400/DSC_1436.jpg" title="Swimming, Malapascua Exotic island dive resort, Sports fest 2015" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swimming was an easy pick for all our boat crew and Dms!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZDeCwHXuy7e-0J8-ZsQRsPntSBuocbA5JoEl1aGf2POyXdtjd6vyWQlldPO0EN9YDE6LZF9cyeUmaiwGCIzIegLvix3ULFuMG6Q9yF1L1yEiB00vf3ulTf65wqSSLCDAYAmNo7FOWPbX/s1600/DSC_1593.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Tug of war, Malapascua Exotic island dive resort, Sports fest 2015" border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZDeCwHXuy7e-0J8-ZsQRsPntSBuocbA5JoEl1aGf2POyXdtjd6vyWQlldPO0EN9YDE6LZF9cyeUmaiwGCIzIegLvix3ULFuMG6Q9yF1L1yEiB00vf3ulTf65wqSSLCDAYAmNo7FOWPbX/s400/DSC_1593.jpg" title="Tug of war, Malapascua Exotic island dive resort, Sports fest 2015" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tug of war</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi88k_t-9GaTqbJ1pA-XNKxGDTVGrSv9BeldROHcdfT8qLh7qbTVGSgqsbBiFII9ggPIAluANnQ5KfzN4fVdASsW7W6WGqNYFcw2E9u0P6SFdC3QPiZ-4NMF4KnwKYKIE1f4lvs-ShJzjKN/s1600/DSC_1832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Palusebo, Malapascua Exotic island dive resort, Sports fest 2015" border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi88k_t-9GaTqbJ1pA-XNKxGDTVGrSv9BeldROHcdfT8qLh7qbTVGSgqsbBiFII9ggPIAluANnQ5KfzN4fVdASsW7W6WGqNYFcw2E9u0P6SFdC3QPiZ-4NMF4KnwKYKIE1f4lvs-ShJzjKN/s400/DSC_1832.jpg" title="Palusebo, Malapascua Exotic island dive resort, Sports fest 2015" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Palusebo revisited, this time with a little less oil.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6lowOMoirBfFuRa_2DbK3hmjb6O7KbVyZxOEY3wyecblc67cNVLE4oi1-RzlH5z8nw4ROKK6LxBL7JJKdFrN-9et6uOs_VEfETxpC4mVNBUrkq3pIQPiuopdnscHTY5jyUvqTBi0IMwZF/s1600/DSC_1936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="A little balancing act, here is Janet and Barry with small but significant calamansi fruit" border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6lowOMoirBfFuRa_2DbK3hmjb6O7KbVyZxOEY3wyecblc67cNVLE4oi1-RzlH5z8nw4ROKK6LxBL7JJKdFrN-9et6uOs_VEfETxpC4mVNBUrkq3pIQPiuopdnscHTY5jyUvqTBi0IMwZF/s400/DSC_1936.jpg" title="A little balancing act, here is Janet and Barry with small but significant calamansi fruit" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little balancing act, here is Janet and Barry with small but significant calamansi fruit</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhQMo33WUpae4xd8WhgtOQbyRGMOdMsNS8OCOffvehxNekDi75GoZeGkl7lN0tnrav0jWWLp0OIM3N5UPyuyXyI_s6fSSQKTPilCPRkVkJXM35IGN9Nea79jUcLa2B58k1f8a2CX7OuNU4/s1600/DSC_2137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Basketball champions, Malapascua Exotic sports fest 2015" border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhQMo33WUpae4xd8WhgtOQbyRGMOdMsNS8OCOffvehxNekDi75GoZeGkl7lN0tnrav0jWWLp0OIM3N5UPyuyXyI_s6fSSQKTPilCPRkVkJXM35IGN9Nea79jUcLa2B58k1f8a2CX7OuNU4/s400/DSC_2137.jpg" title="Basketball champions, Malapascua Exotic sports fest 2015" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red team were the basketball champions! </td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10826600426509060530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5588915064256463776.post-88151254782743363902015-06-25T10:35:00.000-07:002015-06-25T10:35:23.539-07:00Kerikite Exclusive Part 1<div style="text-align: left;">
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For months now the Blog has been dropping hint after hint to try and blag a visit to Exotic's new resort on Kerikite island. This week all the hard work paid off with the offer of an almost all expenses paid trip. An offer too good to refuse!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP4Vzm1Q7vaf-P4nGBPvxqGs6kDUZzgo-CqoXdzoJV5g5YUk1eXBc48eGVUAzTqtb8aNPYLihAomQpXIXwfZQF_jD8279tehwzWs-ZGJGbATxINzaCykTE4271w3KemCsI7agzH4v-61dG/s1600/IMG_1126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The private beach of Exotic resort, Kerikite" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP4Vzm1Q7vaf-P4nGBPvxqGs6kDUZzgo-CqoXdzoJV5g5YUk1eXBc48eGVUAzTqtb8aNPYLihAomQpXIXwfZQF_jD8279tehwzWs-ZGJGbATxINzaCykTE4271w3KemCsI7agzH4v-61dG/s1600/IMG_1126.JPG" title="Exotic beach, Kerikite" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exotic beach, Kerikite</td></tr>
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Here is a shot of the scene as we arrived at Exotics private beach which fronts this idyllic location. Sensational. The faces of all the assembled journalists and photographers on board were of pure amazement and wonderment. And no wonder they're only human after all.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9qozqPjeszPI4H837e_oLf6hz6-0th9URM9LgXDcshb9_fFD0RBo2AUv71cHO11zP3kE3_NJ9EMem6sa2dTd3wTYYAbdEz61sPg-kFjYSn2uXN38FDgsfK0AR3l_hRtDye5OEq181jUGx/s1600/IMG_1121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="World class philippines scuba diving below Exotic 2" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9qozqPjeszPI4H837e_oLf6hz6-0th9URM9LgXDcshb9_fFD0RBo2AUv71cHO11zP3kE3_NJ9EMem6sa2dTd3wTYYAbdEz61sPg-kFjYSn2uXN38FDgsfK0AR3l_hRtDye5OEq181jUGx/s1600/IMG_1121.JPG" title="A great scene featuring Exotic 2" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exotic 2 parked above House Reef</td></tr>
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As soon as we arrived the Blog set about making a detailed inspection of the newly completed bar and restaurant area as food and drink is never far from mind. Christopher, one of the resorts resident chefs was hard at work preparing lunch so the Blog admired the view from the restaurant into the bay which featured our ride over from Malapascu, Exotic 2. It's hard to put into words just how beautiful Kerikite island and its surroundings are. Keen for an even better view the Blog headed off to check out the accommodation.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrVy37Y5ozivu5Dskbgf239-3gT2vRPsB5I-tfcbbGnwQ1guYYowZhBKoSPD9j5dvhB3O5Xt15cpO_Eo8KoHnkahr-S04SBT5JQqvp6QW2OvI1d2aV-l6hxYDpMRBp32f26KsQz9IStMmB/s1600/IMG_1150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4hb9XlKzoCPBaRsSAWqqf-gp8nOzZckAJeX0obcYL7cDvDn68hhJ0a3-hUTJuIaPHqr7RIE71KosTL1FicTJVIqbuCrkY5sPNqbsiZhqKoKNlqgYKsgOubOyj8LwGioIqA4ulgrO-vs1q/s1600/IMG_1156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4hb9XlKzoCPBaRsSAWqqf-gp8nOzZckAJeX0obcYL7cDvDn68hhJ0a3-hUTJuIaPHqr7RIE71KosTL1FicTJVIqbuCrkY5sPNqbsiZhqKoKNlqgYKsgOubOyj8LwGioIqA4ulgrO-vs1q/s1600/IMG_1156.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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OMG. Firstly, the sheer quality of the premium rooms was something quite special. Beautifully finished with such attention to detail and who doesn't want a four poster bed?! No expense would appear to have been spared here.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrVy37Y5ozivu5Dskbgf239-3gT2vRPsB5I-tfcbbGnwQ1guYYowZhBKoSPD9j5dvhB3O5Xt15cpO_Eo8KoHnkahr-S04SBT5JQqvp6QW2OvI1d2aV-l6hxYDpMRBp32f26KsQz9IStMmB/s1600/IMG_1150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrVy37Y5ozivu5Dskbgf239-3gT2vRPsB5I-tfcbbGnwQ1guYYowZhBKoSPD9j5dvhB3O5Xt15cpO_Eo8KoHnkahr-S04SBT5JQqvp6QW2OvI1d2aV-l6hxYDpMRBp32f26KsQz9IStMmB/s1600/IMG_1150.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's a four poster bed</td></tr>
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Then a swagger out onto the balcony was met with yet another view of jaw dropping quality.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0wEQOKqX16j_0wlgrhSw_XJbkHPnAAyX51EkbrpIx_9n7ARmgj2Obw6vREJ7apKie91TZIrFZADzhRbvRbAn6BYFO14e-qQrDg1RBhXN1Mjh4smRpANHWUyP0xTyDMbEovresmF5Dlvpo/s1600/IMG_1157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="budget rooms at exotic resort kerikite malapascua" border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0wEQOKqX16j_0wlgrhSw_XJbkHPnAAyX51EkbrpIx_9n7ARmgj2Obw6vREJ7apKie91TZIrFZADzhRbvRbAn6BYFO14e-qQrDg1RBhXN1Mjh4smRpANHWUyP0xTyDMbEovresmF5Dlvpo/s1600/IMG_1157.JPG" title="Comfortable accommodation " width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jungle hideout</td></tr>
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After sizing up the four poster bed the Blog was ushered out and down toward a row of newly erected wooden bungalows, one of which would become a comfortable home for the next couple of nights. One of the many striking aspects of this resort and island is the lushness of the surrounding greenery.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi30GjzXHj0-AKTS0FCeDYm5tNWubRrDvcf2PIEfsat-nWkB7C1XDqUL5d1p7cVX86cH2We0-kLV8-Pmmx05udkKYkp6r-6YbYvrTAuMWYlS-DK6ZgV7Y2tbCj8X-OeMn4nOXJupKBbx29t/s1600/IMG_1250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="sunset on exotic resort kerikite malapascua" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi30GjzXHj0-AKTS0FCeDYm5tNWubRrDvcf2PIEfsat-nWkB7C1XDqUL5d1p7cVX86cH2We0-kLV8-Pmmx05udkKYkp6r-6YbYvrTAuMWYlS-DK6ZgV7Y2tbCj8X-OeMn4nOXJupKBbx29t/s1600/IMG_1250.JPG" title="Mutant feet ruin the sunset" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset on Kerikite island</td></tr>
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So, the facilities were of high quality to say the least. The Blog sat on it's balcony to watch the sun go down, ice cold beer in hand, to contemplate the following day of diving. Oh, did I mention Kerikite is also host to some of the finest scuba diving in the Philippines? We'll look into that during part 2 of our exclusive.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This week there has been lots of different things going on at Exotic, much more are still in the
planning, which I can assure you that you will find out about soon enough. At the moment we are now in what people like to call "low season" or in other names" lean/green/rain season" - Sure we had a quick rain shower the other day, but that was pretty much it, weather has been great, plus we also have great visibility and lots of shark
sightings....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For us "low season" is a great time to catch up on all our projects and ideas. Right now all our dive
shop staff are getting a first aid and oxygen refresher course. It is lots of fun and
everybody gets to have a go at Annie ( the CPR doll) with both CPR, rescue breathing and providing
oxygen. Our PADI instructor Rey, together with our PADI Course Director Becca Johansson are in charge of the training and performance requirements</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> for the guys. For keeping the correct pace for the chest compressions they are all practicing to the tune "Staying Alive" by Bee Gees </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">plus we also have time for
some scenario practice. Keep checking in for more Low season fun!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwkRqV9KBG8xZ3N1BRu4Exhm134AemKw7dAKauDJZ2mGETU6FtPfj56mmuDmfMO9vKXu6mcxF3SiNXnDsNsWToHxoXJZGq6e9FklmL8WzUymVJj6Wmo0iSwWzEzhWvLjRjOeo33uQj_ntU/s1600/Rey+oxygen+staff+training.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="PADI Instructor Rey teaching oxygen use" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwkRqV9KBG8xZ3N1BRu4Exhm134AemKw7dAKauDJZ2mGETU6FtPfj56mmuDmfMO9vKXu6mcxF3SiNXnDsNsWToHxoXJZGq6e9FklmL8WzUymVJj6Wmo0iSwWzEzhWvLjRjOeo33uQj_ntU/s320/Rey+oxygen+staff+training.jpg" title="PADI Instructor Rey teaching oxygen use" width="215" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rey teaching how to use a pocket mask.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.....This might actually be the best time to travel to Malapascua.... Why you ask? Just consider this; there are less divers here during low season which means plenty of space on the boats and dive sites. You will also find better deals on dives and enjoy a nice afternoon on a quiet beach. Not saying that it's not nice when its busy but if you are the kind of traveler who likes to avoid the crowds this is the time to come and see us and enjoy a nice diving or snorkeling holiday in the sun. We can never guarantee that it wont rain of course, but this has never really bothered us as we all get wet during dives anyway.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_OXy7Nv27mHM5IXfCqdBO4rYiNzQiQW1mFy5hupxtvE3z9hMmqphVkk2B91JzvjIVfoSZY_1JUTO3oHNXopwWxQgeSoQ7bl-s-s6mCBe6WbCvVa6Sae2mfEU0HiUXGGesyvpg97DPt2vD/s1600/Judith+Setting+up+the+Oxygen+system.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Setting up the oxygen system" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_OXy7Nv27mHM5IXfCqdBO4rYiNzQiQW1mFy5hupxtvE3z9hMmqphVkk2B91JzvjIVfoSZY_1JUTO3oHNXopwWxQgeSoQ7bl-s-s6mCBe6WbCvVa6Sae2mfEU0HiUXGGesyvpg97DPt2vD/s400/Judith+Setting+up+the+Oxygen+system.jpg" title="Setting up the oxygen system" width="261" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Diveshop secretary Judith setting up the Oxygen system</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some photos from our last training sessions. Judith is busy setting up the Oxygen Kit to aid a diver. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaroozuGDi9-usSIkyXtaznWgV6q-DG2fbLJzUYwwd0AQQ8g9RLvqVz5Mnb_YxAl9N3qTolpMf0YR6vszZJ38WPM0RGI8iY0B_kVwVadsdtY-MZW3DyiB-Jubr4pagzhAXz8dyi3nIUBFA/s1600/Ervin+providing+Oxygen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Providing Oxygen to a unresponsive diver" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaroozuGDi9-usSIkyXtaznWgV6q-DG2fbLJzUYwwd0AQQ8g9RLvqVz5Mnb_YxAl9N3qTolpMf0YR6vszZJ38WPM0RGI8iY0B_kVwVadsdtY-MZW3DyiB-Jubr4pagzhAXz8dyi3nIUBFA/s400/Ervin+providing+Oxygen.jpg" title="Providing Oxygen to a unresponsive diver" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PADI Divemaster Ervin providing oxygen to Feman.</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And we almost
forgot! - <b>Nudi branch of the week</b> is back again! </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This week the winner is a Chromodoris Coi. The picture below was taken at Chocolate island, a dive site located 30 min away from Malapascua and was recently one of our guests said that Chocolate Island is much better for Nudibranchs spotting than Lembe in Indonesia!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you want to enter a picture to our Blog Nudibranch Wall of Fame, please email your picture to diving@malapascua.net, together with name, date, and dive site name.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have a lovely weekend everyone! </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10826600426509060530noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5588915064256463776.post-3945660359802848542015-04-29T03:32:00.000-07:002015-04-29T03:46:51.218-07:00Exclusive and Rare Footage of a Breaching Thresher Shark at Monad Shoal. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="text-align: start;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiepE-5VCQmfAL62cnTlP9HGleQp9ipRqxYelj8CMyHUFIVo8zUhqJ4Jw9TKLr8ftfyEoZRORpkSPc9Ulf54djeArI16vDzKeOT_dQB97Y_Y6xxebed596UblndayoqqOh4MTF4mMq0qbPn/s1600/Hammerhead+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Hammerhead sharks swimming in the sea" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiepE-5VCQmfAL62cnTlP9HGleQp9ipRqxYelj8CMyHUFIVo8zUhqJ4Jw9TKLr8ftfyEoZRORpkSPc9Ulf54djeArI16vDzKeOT_dQB97Y_Y6xxebed596UblndayoqqOh4MTF4mMq0qbPn/s1600/Hammerhead+pic.jpg" title="Hammerheads aplenty" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">After leading last time with a feature on Hammerheads and picturing a Whale shark, the Blog was quite simply slaughtered from all quarters. So to make things right and rectify this editorial catastrophe we open with a picture of Hammerheads! Diving in the Philippines is so diverse and Malapascua diving is just the epitome of this. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwcf3TaWQEhrKihLKHb20CyBVheytXaK9vzYnIEdeS8Unu0cCDWmheZhddolYuwWMIWz6qfjxl3dg2xlAU1mW7hUuo3gOOac8Wf6uayw7yxKZWOzRZ13uM-22G0QHfHM7I6PtqcrnWJjD9/s1600/IMG_1063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The free throw that took the Exotic junior team into extra time" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwcf3TaWQEhrKihLKHb20CyBVheytXaK9vzYnIEdeS8Unu0cCDWmheZhddolYuwWMIWz6qfjxl3dg2xlAU1mW7hUuo3gOOac8Wf6uayw7yxKZWOzRZ13uM-22G0QHfHM7I6PtqcrnWJjD9/s1600/IMG_1063.JPG" height="400" title="Extra time agony for the Exotic junior side" width="338" /></a></span></div>
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Not only is it Hammerhead season but it's also time for Malapascua's annual basketball tournament. Every year Exotic enters two teams and here we see the resorts junior under 21 side, in green, going down to a hard fought extra time defeat. It was a highly competitive game and despite the loss we're confident the lads can progress to the later stages. The senior side would appear to have less ambition of glory judging by the amount of training time being spent in the bar as opposed to the gym. The Blog concludes that it's the taking part that counts! </div>
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And finally, we finish with very rare video footage. No, it's not a recording of the Blog getting a round of drinks in but a recording from Malapascus's most famous diving location, Monad Shoal. Last week Exotic received a visit from a representative from one of our much valued agents, Ultimate Diving. Hats off to Mr. David Churchman for recording this magical moment a Thresher Shark decided to leap from the water above Exotic's very own cleaning station. Occasionally seen leaping by our guests who are not yet in the water, we know of no other instance where this phenomenon has been recorded from under the water. You can't top this so until next week....<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10826600426509060530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5588915064256463776.post-36454111619491736402015-04-22T19:24:00.000-07:002015-04-22T22:21:54.410-07:00It's a PADI Rescue diver special<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ow1uMH3ebh4ZQ-CwCMA93doGIcYaIC0P1TyRBU5ckFeG5QqjTD_P_cmPRrcQseLF8JUCoRo5SGrlg2n69Fuo4bLaN1sP68zKPWQKyrzOPhSxHCHluLXJjE11GL8VfEfUZDMl3uzExptN/s1600/IMG_1066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="PADI instructors simulating panicking divers on an Exotic Rescue course in Malapascua, Philippines" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ow1uMH3ebh4ZQ-CwCMA93doGIcYaIC0P1TyRBU5ckFeG5QqjTD_P_cmPRrcQseLF8JUCoRo5SGrlg2n69Fuo4bLaN1sP68zKPWQKyrzOPhSxHCHluLXJjE11GL8VfEfUZDMl3uzExptN/s1600/IMG_1066.JPG" height="240" title="Lunatics pretending to be Lunatics" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exotic dancing competition</td></tr>
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When asked to assist on a PADI Rescue course a few days ago, the Blog was as usual overcome by excitement. After turning up and being confronted by people standing on wash basins waving their arms around, the Blog was slightly scared and confused. However, there was no need to be. It was just Master Instructor Joa Lofstrom conducting dry practice of rescue excersise 2, diver falling into a wash basin from height..... only joking, the panicked diver exercise which would later be acted out in the water.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAso00upGAS8hvvhBLjJ2WVsPy6IU8L1oPhyLPUNxabklEF9eO1nVwdDfvlXaq1dGofeiwb-TfEp9UjC2LDMY7MFSHln5S6PB150xUCdPYLuBIWUnU7eQTBEkFR5gB38IxQpZQgp_ESF_a/s1600/IMG_1087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="PADI Rescue students practising in water mouth to mouth resucitation in Malapascua, Philippines. " border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAso00upGAS8hvvhBLjJ2WVsPy6IU8L1oPhyLPUNxabklEF9eO1nVwdDfvlXaq1dGofeiwb-TfEp9UjC2LDMY7MFSHln5S6PB150xUCdPYLuBIWUnU7eQTBEkFR5gB38IxQpZQgp_ESF_a/s1600/IMG_1087.JPG" height="208" title="Patrick and Manfred reviving the simulated victims, take ten." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rescue breathing</td></tr>
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Later in the day saw our two budding Rescue divers, Patrick and Manfred practising their mouth to mouth rescue breathing skills. Assistants, Kathy and Scott played their unresponsive diver roles admirably as the lads repeated this complex skill until it was virtually perfect. The PADI Rescue diver course is a fun and challenging couple of days and doing it somewhere as perfect as the Philippines and Malapascua certainly adds to the experience.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUx-LiPKtj_GmrdFqD6TQpDw7ZGv3MSml89iLEAy-zcVlQ_TD2kYlS2FSsUT1Zz2p-SKXjYFv9uNLzcJHU44vu4Twt1VV_597pvbqKV9sUgc5HqK7o9wEov6elpuPXsSkooHZzDEkxjcwd/s1600/IMG_1098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Padi Rescue diver student Patrick lifts unresponsive diver, Kathy from the water in Malapascua, Philippines" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUx-LiPKtj_GmrdFqD6TQpDw7ZGv3MSml89iLEAy-zcVlQ_TD2kYlS2FSsUT1Zz2p-SKXjYFv9uNLzcJHU44vu4Twt1VV_597pvbqKV9sUgc5HqK7o9wEov6elpuPXsSkooHZzDEkxjcwd/s1600/IMG_1098.JPG" height="276" title="No funny business going on here" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's all innocent</td></tr>
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Malapascua can at times have a romantic feel about it but don't be fooled, it's not what it look like! This was only Patrick practising the removal of an unresponive diver from the water and onto the boat. Again please note Kathy's sublime acting as she manages to keep a straight face throughout despite much provocation.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiuXAa1XUFdrRlCSbaa6gZwumV6yVZaWhClZ75rL5QBO4IO2opT_QtkK97q5O3BCIb-3sSuoocULNX0F4-bhpjNMe8lcfqDLtEJ-QNScI9cnxb4CpgGJF7sXUYJzJELQShsskVP5LIf0vW/s1600/IMG_1106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Manfred, PADI rescue diver student carries victim from the water in Malapascua Philippines" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiuXAa1XUFdrRlCSbaa6gZwumV6yVZaWhClZ75rL5QBO4IO2opT_QtkK97q5O3BCIb-3sSuoocULNX0F4-bhpjNMe8lcfqDLtEJ-QNScI9cnxb4CpgGJF7sXUYJzJELQShsskVP5LIf0vW/s1600/IMG_1106.JPG" height="251" title="Step aside Hasselhof, Manfred is in town" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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At the beginning, this Blog was intended to be about Patrick and Manfred visiting Malapascu to undertake their PADI Rescue course. But it seems to have turned into the Kathy show. Anyway, move over Hasselhof, here's Manfred practising the fireman's carry using Oscar nominated you know who. In truth, she'd been dropped and knocked about so much by this point I'm not sure if she was acting or not. The bottom line is, come to Exotic and do your PADI Rescue course.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10826600426509060530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5588915064256463776.post-62290308063830674082015-04-06T03:11:00.000-07:002015-04-06T03:36:59.674-07:00It's Hammerhead season again so here's another picture of a Whale shark<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Stop the press! It's that Hammerhead time of year again and despite there being many sightings over the last couple of weeks the Blog has decided to feature this picture which was taken by one of our guests, Dirk. After being treated to several encounters with Hammerheads at Kemod Shoal, this giant cruised by while they were doing their safety stop. Diving Malapascua is the gift that keeps on giving and make no mistake about that.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMXKbfagc_AVwdhuDRBSVSZOoRSxnCHpPGi8D7GFI5xjHQVMCS8VIRJFzunL3Y4HJ6xVejuXhnX1VdCF8AWpFOgjhP7f8CW9ErOumZi-TeWvRf3Dr_ETPO_7LdM7W8VL3YPRE_CQA9PSXA/s1600/IMG_1035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Malapascua diving, cebu diving, diving philippines, malapascua efr" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMXKbfagc_AVwdhuDRBSVSZOoRSxnCHpPGi8D7GFI5xjHQVMCS8VIRJFzunL3Y4HJ6xVejuXhnX1VdCF8AWpFOgjhP7f8CW9ErOumZi-TeWvRf3Dr_ETPO_7LdM7W8VL3YPRE_CQA9PSXA/s1600/IMG_1035.JPG" height="240" title="Divemaster practising CPR" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">one, two, three, four.....</td></tr>
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Our Divemasters at Exotic are second to none in all respects ranging from their ability to find the cool stuff that people want to see, through to their attention to all things safety related. So periodically they attend days where they review their First Aid skills. The Blog poked it's nose into an Emergency First Response refresher session being held with two of our <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYcxIwpvza0-tvldDx2fRj7Z7XF4IdFobYN_RC19e2Ih9_645jIi8hhO5u_FRq2ewkCbrYAzVVEhLolrBYII4-wZ8QtAQC4AY55tf6LDoR43a_6td8EgxmFt73OFLVi2MMIsw9jnZY9iuq/s1600/IMG_1049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="malapascua diving, cebu diving, diving philippines" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYcxIwpvza0-tvldDx2fRj7Z7XF4IdFobYN_RC19e2Ih9_645jIi8hhO5u_FRq2ewkCbrYAzVVEhLolrBYII4-wZ8QtAQC4AY55tf6LDoR43a_6td8EgxmFt73OFLVi2MMIsw9jnZY9iuq/s1600/IMG_1049.JPG" height="320" title="WTF?" width="217" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">no words needed</td></tr>
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Divemasters Ted and JR. Above we see Ted perfecting his CPR skills while to the right we see what happens if you place two grown men in a classroom with a box of bandages! It's important to make things fun and keeping Ted quiet for a few minutes was an added bonus.<br />
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And finally, Nudibranch of the week comes roaring back to the Blog this week and with some style too. Picking up the trophy this week is Dutch rescue diver Melissa. Both she and her mother, Gerda, successfully completed the rescue course at Exotic last week and here they are all smiles after twisting the Blogs arm behind it's back to make this post. :) A well deserved appearance.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA_iwhNZQzwswawW29r5H3Of0xP4YtCk8cnT-JoQuMKJj8yi11yrExKvktuDE-gnpDyRtHEBJA4WJE-m_gGHfhCrHXJ0FmtmpuLuftq8Ta4jJ2gtmoWYyImRLTAjRYA1dIc9Gkyffo-9p7/s1600/P3260302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="malapascua diving, cebu diving, diving philippines" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA_iwhNZQzwswawW29r5H3Of0xP4YtCk8cnT-JoQuMKJj8yi11yrExKvktuDE-gnpDyRtHEBJA4WJE-m_gGHfhCrHXJ0FmtmpuLuftq8Ta4jJ2gtmoWYyImRLTAjRYA1dIc9Gkyffo-9p7/s1600/P3260302.JPG" height="259" title="nudi of the week" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">majestic entry</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin4ckdU33vzX-hsY8jiq5XMv2pEfpAQkpQELDItt-mZ6yroe77IPjpWf39v8FJv1a3kHeUCxALdcU4PQ5Dq6Rhyphenhyphent5W846zmzfKSJdA09dchaX_4VyJ57Kudj_UJ6M85GFPnPc0BOP2ajX0/s1600/IMG_0076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="philippines diving, malapascua diving, cebu diving, philippines padi" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin4ckdU33vzX-hsY8jiq5XMv2pEfpAQkpQELDItt-mZ6yroe77IPjpWf39v8FJv1a3kHeUCxALdcU4PQ5Dq6Rhyphenhyphent5W846zmzfKSJdA09dchaX_4VyJ57Kudj_UJ6M85GFPnPc0BOP2ajX0/s1600/IMG_0076.JPG" height="150" title="Rescue divers" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Melissa and Gerda</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10826600426509060530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5588915064256463776.post-53082043388072233452015-03-19T03:43:00.000-07:002015-03-19T04:13:54.190-07:00In Malapascua it's Exotic IDC time again!!<div class="MsoNormal">
I think we’d all agree there aren’t many things to beat
watching someone distracted by their phone walking into a palm tree. However,
the beginning of a new PADI Instructor Development Course at Exotic last week did just that.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7xYNhGEVJa1tx81kIyTDwx77oCUf02x-IpzEunaCvoKnxVx_x4oX9o_IrwStQH6eklGCUhBC8tJ1tB5cKCVZsf7Vc044HJapCe4Z3QmL8UqtxGG90EDICbs7WqbIOY0GxcZzhxTtNf0vV/s1600/IMG_0872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7xYNhGEVJa1tx81kIyTDwx77oCUf02x-IpzEunaCvoKnxVx_x4oX9o_IrwStQH6eklGCUhBC8tJ1tB5cKCVZsf7Vc044HJapCe4Z3QmL8UqtxGG90EDICbs7WqbIOY0GxcZzhxTtNf0vV/s1600/IMG_0872.JPG" height="267" width="320" /></a>Yes the March IDC is in full flow so the Blog is proud to
introduce in no particular order…….. Scott, Cathy and Neil. These guys met
while training to be Divemasters in Mexico. After turning up at Exotic far
later than planned on their arrival day the Blog was mightily amused to learn
they’d left the wrong port and ended up at the wrong island before heading back
to the Cebu mainland to do it properly.Since then things have been progressing far more smoothly and the Blog was delighted to be granted exclusive access to the course for a few days.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8JNfJXefVUM1eOJIH4pIaqTR5mDMgN7KaeUWqrOW3kUn_LZkQmxC9zsdMI_-JqjnbqdBSdUrs1ufE5KWwoBv9wPufKf_Q8xNI1yKXXhnDO9KZ0LeCfgQUo2GyzqkfemoVOeMvOMcZeLKa/s1600/IMG_0938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8JNfJXefVUM1eOJIH4pIaqTR5mDMgN7KaeUWqrOW3kUn_LZkQmxC9zsdMI_-JqjnbqdBSdUrs1ufE5KWwoBv9wPufKf_Q8xNI1yKXXhnDO9KZ0LeCfgQUo2GyzqkfemoVOeMvOMcZeLKa/s1600/IMG_0938.JPG" height="231" width="320" /></a>We mentioned earlier how our trio got slightly lost enroute to Malapascua so the Blog couldn't hold back a smile as the candidates learned how to teach compass use first on dry land and then under the water. Nobody got lost which was a result.</div>
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But what made them choose Exotic and Malapascua for their IDC? Apparently, Malapascua because of the world class diving and Exotic because of the longer than average course and all the extras, such as free accomodation which we include. </div>
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The Blog is always curious as to where people are from and what people did for work before they chose to became dive instructors. Well Scott is from Australia and used to lay wooden floors for a living. Cathy was into internet marketing back in her native Austria and Neil was a driving instructor in England. </div>
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Playing with lift bags is always fun although here for the first time the candidates were learning to teach how to use one safely. But still fun!! And how clear is that water.... </div>
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Anyway, it was great to join them on their PADI IDC and share in some of the action. The Instructor Examination is next week so the Blog will be back with an update on how they all got on......</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10826600426509060530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5588915064256463776.post-37487651913675026652015-03-07T18:19:00.000-08:002015-03-07T18:19:50.751-08:00Malapascua Diving Special. Monad ShoalThere's no doubt that diving Philippines is an amazing experience and no visit is complete without diving the idyllic island of Malapascua. This week we begin a series of features designed to showcase some of the very best of Malapascua diving as well as introduce some of our PADI Divemasters here at Exotic Resort. Every few weeks the Blog will dedicate itself to this project and this week we begin with Monad Shoal which has to be Malapascua's most famous spot for diving and is home to our famous Thresher sharks.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzWmFbFKDPsruh9yq6_CstF6sfkgue_zZV8Js2pcRtMfVA2j1dvE2xExZpt8mQF9ZLnNFjzUJjnSbmcmCcR1hYcQgPwVHaY-rwp0ujgcjnUplUkWpY8sBI68B_dW2g-X-MAZyl-QqIMxnk/s1600/IMG_7013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="malapascua diving diving philippines cebu diving scuba diving philippines " border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzWmFbFKDPsruh9yq6_CstF6sfkgue_zZV8Js2pcRtMfVA2j1dvE2xExZpt8mQF9ZLnNFjzUJjnSbmcmCcR1hYcQgPwVHaY-rwp0ujgcjnUplUkWpY8sBI68B_dW2g-X-MAZyl-QqIMxnk/s1600/IMG_7013.JPG" height="232" title="Wilmar delivers his briefing" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wilmar delivers the briefing with his eyes shut. Pro.</td></tr>
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It's early in the morning, 0430 in fact as The Blog sets its bleary eyes on our Divemaster Wilmar, who pours me a well needed complimentary cup of coffee and places it in my feeble hands. Wilmar started his career at Exotic as a member of boat crew before progressing to captain and then three years ago he became a Divemaster. As a life long Malapascuan and father of only two he considers himself lucky considering so many of the islands people have more than enough children to field their own football team. Anyway, his cheery face is a welcome at this hour as he introduces me to my French buddies, Pierre and Monique before delivering our dive briefing. Apparently, it will take only thirty minutes to reach Monad Shoal on our boat which is Exotic 2. Our max depth will be twenty three metres as that is where the cleaning stations are located and our dive will last around fourty minutes. Sounds good to me.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKYD3CQ-Fp82NLdqjaoOxyDIHe_ZTF7-g2xZ4Xc0_V4cw2I2DTeZ3v3UjdXaUjpkDHVeJ8rRBphlxU1SSxqKlBbyhrS_fo_h8Xs6QAyzHFe0Uquuj_6fbDdIRqkCwFQU21Rk-iblAAr0bC/s1600/IMG_7042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="malapascua diving diving philippines cebu diving scuba diving philippines " border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKYD3CQ-Fp82NLdqjaoOxyDIHe_ZTF7-g2xZ4Xc0_V4cw2I2DTeZ3v3UjdXaUjpkDHVeJ8rRBphlxU1SSxqKlBbyhrS_fo_h8Xs6QAyzHFe0Uquuj_6fbDdIRqkCwFQU21Rk-iblAAr0bC/s1600/IMG_7042.JPG" height="150" title="Eager divers stride from Exotic 2" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charge!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinOnLM8F1yQeTJfBacTwaWQPs90mTwKsFYwk1z_NOOn_KZEFR3eY1yi6T4g0WNbQpm3Y-RWLeTWnSqJZx8WoB3D1l5Q2AlzstuHuUcE4op52FwtqEjYdAAYvtqx-QMcaRlK7nmhF5RqH-S/s1600/IMG_7030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="malapascua diving diving philippines cebu diving scuba diving philippines " border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinOnLM8F1yQeTJfBacTwaWQPs90mTwKsFYwk1z_NOOn_KZEFR3eY1yi6T4g0WNbQpm3Y-RWLeTWnSqJZx8WoB3D1l5Q2AlzstuHuUcE4op52FwtqEjYdAAYvtqx-QMcaRlK7nmhF5RqH-S/s1600/IMG_7030.JPG" height="200" title="Tying up to the Exotic buoy line" width="152" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dolter secures the buoy line</td></tr>
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After reaching Monad we wait a few minutes for the light to pick up before entering the water in an orderly fashion. We descend down Exotics very own buoy line to about thirteen metres <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYEU8_cJvFmyfkhbXNEnAnqCAZZgnhgRak8v5hxv1IohKID0GuPyIBlFwA0x7K36F5CjCXj4uuU9inD0kLUSR58wZzz2Tz96PMr-NPEQQhD3a7Jg8pQDgFMOvUCSeM6emvOvOqzjpwaYy/s1600/IMG_7076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="malapascua diving diving philippines cebu diving scuba diving philippines " border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYEU8_cJvFmyfkhbXNEnAnqCAZZgnhgRak8v5hxv1IohKID0GuPyIBlFwA0x7K36F5CjCXj4uuU9inD0kLUSR58wZzz2Tz96PMr-NPEQQhD3a7Jg8pQDgFMOvUCSeM6emvOvOqzjpwaYy/s1600/IMG_7076.JPG" height="149" title="No-one cared about this nudi as the sharks were top billing" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No-one loves me </td></tr>
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from where we follow Wilmar down a gradual slope until we reach a rope which stretches between two concrete blocks at twenty three metres. This is the point of no return and prevents divers from trespassing onto the protected cleaning station which is located just beyond. I instantly notice a lovely nudibranch but my buddy doesn't share my enthusiasm so I don't even bother pointing out the beautiful leaf scorpion fish also close by. Pierre is after shark action as we all are.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK5X7cn1mcKAS-MlO-lkn1DahcyFB6ih6CXcygfiZoVWlydNG0XGTx7r2TdlzgixY9Gck4PuJ9-Tqj5gu9PMUTEutftATzoIAIhiSVkJYvBTdeGealk67qXq58tI1F8joER4-f_R4YqVAo/s1600/elfi+paul+thresher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="malapascua diving diving philippines cebu diving scuba diving philippines " border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK5X7cn1mcKAS-MlO-lkn1DahcyFB6ih6CXcygfiZoVWlydNG0XGTx7r2TdlzgixY9Gck4PuJ9-Tqj5gu9PMUTEutftATzoIAIhiSVkJYvBTdeGealk67qXq58tI1F8joER4-f_R4YqVAo/s1600/elfi+paul+thresher.jpg" height="184" title="A thresher shark circles the cleaning station" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A close encounter</td></tr>
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Meanwhile, Wilmar stares into the distance like a sentry on duty. He points beyond the rope and after a second I notice something approaching. Sure enough it's a thresher sh-sh-sh-shark!!! OMG! Apparently, as Wilmar told me earlier, the sharks normally live at great depth and have sensitive eyes which are able to tolerate the early morning sunlight only. The fish which pick parasites from the sharks skin <br />
wake up at this time providing a small and early window of opportunity for both to interact. After a few minutes the shark moves on so Wilmar decides to move us across to a different part of the site.<br />
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Then it all kicks off! Truly amazing. Not one but two sharks circle in front of us as well as a small eagle ray. It's quite a mesmerising sight watching these graceful creatures up close and a privilege that they appear totally unbothered by our presence and are prepared to share their space with us. Here's my video! Understandably, there's no shortage of smiles on the trip back to Exotic. Quite simply an amazing start to the day and it's easy to see how diving Malapascua has become such a fixture on the diving circuit. Upon our return, the breakfast buffet just tops it all off and it's still only 8am!!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10826600426509060530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5588915064256463776.post-37612410586030696812015-02-24T03:38:00.000-08:002015-02-25T02:36:58.912-08:00Happy Chinese New Year!<div class="MsoNormal">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYbDu1g2eVLKbZTeB1_hklkPR2BJLOV-sgmDmrGnAkFZoOQOtnn1UXNHszijLGYEV3Ua2W0NFLteO3OKPMjcpo4Mu8X7yWeVYLSRDU-UtO0jQ2hkdwvY1cLPCV1nbcR4GzegYxNijMswB9/s1600/DSCF1891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Chinese New Year at Exotic Malapascua" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYbDu1g2eVLKbZTeB1_hklkPR2BJLOV-sgmDmrGnAkFZoOQOtnn1UXNHszijLGYEV3Ua2W0NFLteO3OKPMjcpo4Mu8X7yWeVYLSRDU-UtO0jQ2hkdwvY1cLPCV1nbcR4GzegYxNijMswB9/s1600/DSCF1891.JPG" height="191" title="New Year at Exotic" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chinese New Year Buffet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Festive celebrations have been sweeping through Exotic over
the last week or so with the arrival of the Chinese New Year. It’s a particularly
busy period for us as people of Chinese descent as well as expats working in
the region take advantage of their time off and join our other guests from all over the world. So as the year of the horse gallops away into the distance we welcome in the year of the goat. Or is it sheep or ram? There’s been some debate here as to which it is and whether they’re
actually the same thing in this instance. Seems a great excuse for a vacation
none the less! And what better place to be than here at Exotic enjoying our Chinese New Year buffet! Out of respect, goat/sheep/ram were not<br />
on the menu.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs5ue72PPhqbh5L3ErxB-X6BI-CR-M9eH8tiBQLPckZeMtr_th0SORn_H0YEHxen5asW9WKbrGjZ6OljQQMhoLtIgRmvikdVjGmewsSBqHkYItJQaGsarBppSf9-Uq7TIeHgOIEDjtzHfR/s1600/Ian's%2Bfirst%2Bcert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="New Open Water diver" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs5ue72PPhqbh5L3ErxB-X6BI-CR-M9eH8tiBQLPckZeMtr_th0SORn_H0YEHxen5asW9WKbrGjZ6OljQQMhoLtIgRmvikdVjGmewsSBqHkYItJQaGsarBppSf9-Uq7TIeHgOIEDjtzHfR/s1600/Ian's%2Bfirst%2Bcert.jpg" height="186" title="Ian and Eddie" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New instructor with new Open Water diver</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgII94KdQaZaotUvt_U3ZNQjIGVeVixu5s-fyS3bTeK5lMJNFb1QBPV0_DPrCVopXUYziBpZSX86bQfRA4scBy94SiDfuw6_uJ9HPcyC2Bj2kWZVAbrEA_WdOuY40IbqtHM3ig0z42krVDG/s1600/P2191904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="New PADI Advanced Open Water divers" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgII94KdQaZaotUvt_U3ZNQjIGVeVixu5s-fyS3bTeK5lMJNFb1QBPV0_DPrCVopXUYziBpZSX86bQfRA4scBy94SiDfuw6_uJ9HPcyC2Bj2kWZVAbrEA_WdOuY40IbqtHM3ig0z42krVDG/s1600/P2191904.JPG" height="252" title="New PADI Advanced Open Water divers" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smiles all around</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Blog reported a few weeks back on the great success of
our Instructor Development Course. Well, two of our successful graduates,
Katarina and Ian, stayed on to participate in Exotic’s ‘Learn to Teach’ programme.
To begin with both of them shadowed our team of experienced instructors as they
taught various courses. Then, both of them began to teach elements of courses to
build confidence until eventually, once deemed ready and under supervision,
they taught their own students from start to finish. So this week the whole
Exotic team were thrilled as both Katarina and Ian posed happily with their
first students! Great work!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMtldVsvzHQ5r8udS86i_XYx6EujBcqEAD726jUPEhPcdJQ1rrn_ORrFnvqcPoxc8_KlC2uA5hVOPw0ApiZQh2A0cJRtVX6uuqyVTmffpiXsMemTVDa1eu2hfDbSXm7KW9ZxOfx5KksIT_/s1600/IMG_8668.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Exotic 2 relaunch" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMtldVsvzHQ5r8udS86i_XYx6EujBcqEAD726jUPEhPcdJQ1rrn_ORrFnvqcPoxc8_KlC2uA5hVOPw0ApiZQh2A0cJRtVX6uuqyVTmffpiXsMemTVDa1eu2hfDbSXm7KW9ZxOfx5KksIT_/s1600/IMG_8668.jpg" height="173" title="Exotic 2 relaunch" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looks hard work from this angle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Blog was beside itself with excitement this week as one
of our largest diving boats, Exotic 2, was relaunched after a recent refitting.
It takes a lot of man power to shift one of these things in and out of the
water but somehow about 150 men and five horses managed to do so. And what a beauty she is!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDvvSGFyz1A8C0OeQhDkKZRKal2cCCPOs2g0OZZ9z9L9FragwSekZHF8MgQXj6yRv7jVcgrd8kkWDP72mr9lPb8PuPKj2pYAw1jl-rKHJA2Z1Up9lREwNBaW5DHNlp-dQgLjqfTeuKXQiE/s1600/IMG_8674.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Exotic 2" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDvvSGFyz1A8C0OeQhDkKZRKal2cCCPOs2g0OZZ9z9L9FragwSekZHF8MgQXj6yRv7jVcgrd8kkWDP72mr9lPb8PuPKj2pYAw1jl-rKHJA2Z1Up9lREwNBaW5DHNlp-dQgLjqfTeuKXQiE/s1600/IMG_8674.jpg" height="191" title="Exotic 2" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What a beauty..</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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It certainly looked hard work from where the Blog was laying down, gin and tonic in hand. Well it was happy hour.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNxriB3YX2hgTUF7SFgnWSockmkp0KkXVjCqPEJSwr3fCFW7uRsCUlUOQjHPXXmyHNCrN4pnI7WLXl2-_PSPI0mNAeoE9KCLiNPEvfzvIFKi64nmg7ikUeMgA7v_LWv3cUJincAkd6YkxF/s1600/IMG_6947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Huge nudibranch" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNxriB3YX2hgTUF7SFgnWSockmkp0KkXVjCqPEJSwr3fCFW7uRsCUlUOQjHPXXmyHNCrN4pnI7WLXl2-_PSPI0mNAeoE9KCLiNPEvfzvIFKi64nmg7ikUeMgA7v_LWv3cUJincAkd6YkxF/s1600/IMG_6947.jpg" height="320" title="Huge nudibranch" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who ate all the pies?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Indeed, nudibranchs are small in contrast to Malapascua’s
famous thresher shark. But not insignificant. It’s reported that there are people who find these
creatures boring. The Blog is having none of this talk. In fact, the Blog was
recently doing its usual bed time reading and flicking through a book dedicated
to these amazing sea slugs when it came across a fascinating photo story. The
factual story began with one species of Nudi eating another species. Nothing
unusual there. <br />
Then a member of the same species to the one who was doing the
eating appeared and started eating his family member. Well, the Nudi now in the
middle spat out his lunch to defend himself but eventually gave up all hope of
life and stopped struggling. A routine act of cannibalism you say? Get this,
the third Nudi then spat his friend out and mated with him instead. The Blog
declares this as far from boring. Eating…. Getting eaten…. Getting laid! Beat that
for an adrenalin rush. </div>
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Which brings us seamlessly onto nudibranch of the week which in terms of the competition was typically fierce this week. And what a little ripper we have for you this time thanks to Bruce from Australia.This Nudi has clearly had several helpings from the Chinese New Year buffet and was spotted for Bruce by Ronel, one of our Divemasters at a local dive site named Quilliano. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10826600426509060530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5588915064256463776.post-59487975923228961222015-02-18T01:58:00.000-08:002015-02-18T17:59:51.938-08:00Whale Sharks on House Reef!This week we begin with a new item titled 'Quote of the week'<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0irIGiYpSzy1oGmZuFne2elyCnwD9iw_JPnGbOTBpTIRTeUw_QZUgsIJa7xDEfBQW6QD3ucZqQJ2KLE8mXr0Yh33AZmVcTIrk8Mu-qyR8Hh0fHdjjt5kUke5ZFu7cKcQDomUynVRRp5YR/s1600/concrete+shark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="House Reef concrete shark" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0irIGiYpSzy1oGmZuFne2elyCnwD9iw_JPnGbOTBpTIRTeUw_QZUgsIJa7xDEfBQW6QD3ucZqQJ2KLE8mXr0Yh33AZmVcTIrk8Mu-qyR8Hh0fHdjjt5kUke5ZFu7cKcQDomUynVRRp5YR/s1600/concrete+shark.jpg" height="240" title="House Reef concrete shark" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not a Whale Shark</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Malapascua is well known for its Thresher Sharks. However, this week a large Whale Shark swam straight through Exotic's very own House Reef!! Close to the action was Rey, one of our instructors and his two Open Water students who were on their very first open water dive. Upon returning to the resort Rey was understandably excited and performing cartwheels through the restaurant as one of his students was heard to say,<br />
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'It was only a big fish'<br />
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Enough said and quote of the week!!!! A camera wasn't present to capture the memorable moment so here's a picture of a concrete shark which can be found on House Reef 365 days a year.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-MrCMMWbtyZHqL3kfMhtTzsThnEH_QzCxYit-n08cP_z1Te8p82q_sVayc85N4q4DWC0W4DASj4CB8Dv2BYDoZwcokow_ujObpY4fiuDv6ilaSG0Oiq6rHGbnCU-16b1ROTaFgD1Suxcm/s1600/shooting+star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Exotic night time beach view" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-MrCMMWbtyZHqL3kfMhtTzsThnEH_QzCxYit-n08cP_z1Te8p82q_sVayc85N4q4DWC0W4DASj4CB8Dv2BYDoZwcokow_ujObpY4fiuDv6ilaSG0Oiq6rHGbnCU-16b1ROTaFgD1Suxcm/s1600/shooting+star.jpg" height="217" title="Exotic night time beach view" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A shooting star passes Exotic</td></tr>
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This image was recently captured from just outside the resort by Exotic's reservations manager, Mr. <br />
Harold Pepito Felicano. Exotic is situated on what the Blog believes to be one of the most beautiful stretches of beach on the island and if you look carefully you'll see a shooting star... What were the chances of that?! Make a wish.... More Whale Sharks on House Reef please!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8-4IPVHnlXN4pYV0r_YSBRMkcNV1NcZvux-H0OJVoNIlsz-EXN21ZwUaCFTi8u6eg47pWlvft-B1XgtrlKYoWcm_HwALabnLFZkp_C8R7rXfHf2a95ZXFyllWUGaYZK6N3ZmhOaf1Evl/s1600/Reservations+team.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Reservations team" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8-4IPVHnlXN4pYV0r_YSBRMkcNV1NcZvux-H0OJVoNIlsz-EXN21ZwUaCFTi8u6eg47pWlvft-B1XgtrlKYoWcm_HwALabnLFZkp_C8R7rXfHf2a95ZXFyllWUGaYZK6N3ZmhOaf1Evl/s1600/Reservations+team.JPG" height="251" title="Reservations team" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's freezing in this office</td></tr>
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Speaking of Harold, yesterday the blog visited the reservations team in their office while they were hard at work replying to enquiries and dealing with the needs of our guests be they past, present or future. These guys love their music loud and their air con on maximum! Introducing from left to right.... Joy, Harold and Flor....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdqnXI7hoWUkjxYp-0IslkzN1oPntGKspzNl518MHL2EgKEtVmyQvfF_i5K909qK9qP1DnIlhpkUu2uy78IK5Ks3mB9VqbJKvHpDrSX1xUWM_AT8Sn1fPSD3CRgILee4PZVvx3hl6x6ZRy/s1600/Nudi+Party.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Nudibranch of the week" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdqnXI7hoWUkjxYp-0IslkzN1oPntGKspzNl518MHL2EgKEtVmyQvfF_i5K909qK9qP1DnIlhpkUu2uy78IK5Ks3mB9VqbJKvHpDrSX1xUWM_AT8Sn1fPSD3CRgILee4PZVvx3hl6x6ZRy/s1600/Nudi+Party.jpg" height="320" title="Nudibranch of the week" width="231" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another worthy winner</td></tr>
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And finally, after a weeks break the much anticipated return Nudibranch of the week. The bar's been set high in previous weeks so congratulations to one of our guests, Chung Hong-won, for submitting this gathering which impressed the judging panel. The picture was taken at Gato Island, which is an hours ride from Malapascua.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilrrWFEGShfZA7p7iUOC8VgdklC3nmvWtDPk7u6NNnS0qfr1WCq58Oq9RLmvp6XKFX8ER27JUzB8pxbWP0s68e_BSaF4WQ6A-vDud4aC6fAb6P6vg10Twqpos1PMT6Y0IRYq3LPNv5Nu2c/s1600/IMG_0848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Jay presenting a beer" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilrrWFEGShfZA7p7iUOC8VgdklC3nmvWtDPk7u6NNnS0qfr1WCq58Oq9RLmvp6XKFX8ER27JUzB8pxbWP0s68e_BSaF4WQ6A-vDud4aC6fAb6P6vg10Twqpos1PMT6Y0IRYq3LPNv5Nu2c/s1600/IMG_0848.JPG" height="200" title="Jay presenting a beer" width="195" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A vintage year Sir..</td></tr>
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Not one, two, three, four, but five Nudi's for your peso this week. Chung wins a bottle of San Miguel beer courtesy of the Blog's shallow pockets. And here it is being presented by one of our bar tenders, Jay.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10826600426509060530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5588915064256463776.post-6127128186403307992015-02-10T00:24:00.000-08:002015-02-10T00:24:05.872-08:00IDC updateExotic Island Dive Resort, Malapascua's premier and only PADI five star IDC resort is proud to announce that within the last few days all four of our IDC candidates successfully passed their examination and can now call themselves PADI instructors!<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPvmiM2R-jO5MjLvoHEbb1voHfUAgI_9E869EZXgKNBjhznSdb31o0cMOP_ao91Y69RV6XE04OinknRtZS9QhsVEdBwZi4JYYbWjZffZfh_RWGwI942vFpJEEF-kGBwplI32hjfhRbheW/s1600/Idc+closing+ceremony.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="New PADI instructors receiving the good news" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPvmiM2R-jO5MjLvoHEbb1voHfUAgI_9E869EZXgKNBjhznSdb31o0cMOP_ao91Y69RV6XE04OinknRtZS9QhsVEdBwZi4JYYbWjZffZfh_RWGwI942vFpJEEF-kGBwplI32hjfhRbheW/s1600/Idc+closing+ceremony.jpg" height="240" title="New PADI instructors receiving the good news" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Have we passed?</td></tr>
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Over the last three weeks our four young and not so young hopefuls have been developing and honing their teaching skills in preparation for the two day PADI examination and beyond. Here they are at the closing ceremony being given the great news by PADI examiner Mark Van Der Poel. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMFdmdbl1xWog4sl24-3tLAFMZwPVcgxaPV7kPe6nJKzbtKBwzdbUw4tQFAOeA3oLnRbSGudoPy9kKzVmHksPZPdMNEap877AFrxNv3A15VZrTrm_QFq6_owTG60Md5JDQBozL0c9DTBDY/s1600/IDC+electrified+sand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="New Instructors Jumping For Joy" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMFdmdbl1xWog4sl24-3tLAFMZwPVcgxaPV7kPe6nJKzbtKBwzdbUw4tQFAOeA3oLnRbSGudoPy9kKzVmHksPZPdMNEap877AFrxNv3A15VZrTrm_QFq6_owTG60Md5JDQBozL0c9DTBDY/s1600/IDC+electrified+sand.jpg" height="240" title="New Instructors Jumping For Joy" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who electrified the sand?!</td></tr>
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With the pressure off them, Sarah, Ian, Katarina and Janine were finally able to celebrate by volunteering to test Exotic's new electrified sand security system. Another success!! But not really.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXnLHGM5XOLgvJQTf4k3Gkw-lNEoy_yL1umYjmSzOc49N9XzIZaxlU1UxEwsx1MWjFX32zPbhw8awvKLkIpQUVNI7l0314oQ4aabyvo-Ja8p-3SzX2qoObnSd0NdclJ1WEwyl50jjky3v3/s1600/Now+they're%2Binstructors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="proud new instructors" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXnLHGM5XOLgvJQTf4k3Gkw-lNEoy_yL1umYjmSzOc49N9XzIZaxlU1UxEwsx1MWjFX32zPbhw8awvKLkIpQUVNI7l0314oQ4aabyvo-Ja8p-3SzX2qoObnSd0NdclJ1WEwyl50jjky3v3/s1600/Now+they're%2Binstructors.jpg" height="240" title="proud new instructors" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We love our new t-shirts and sharks</td></tr>
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After that shock, and as if things couldn't get any better, the guys were presented with their new Exotic instructor t-shirts and their hand carved thresher sharks.<br />
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So congratulations to all of them! And a pat on the back for the Exotic IDC team for doing a superb job! With a tear in the eye we say goodbye to Sarah and Janine who head out into the big wide world while Ian and Katarina are staying for longer to participate in Exotic's Learn To Teach Programme. However, wherever any of them are in the world they will always be part of the Exotic family :)<br />
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Returning next week...... Nudibranch of the week!!!!!<br />
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