Archive for June, 2004
The Philippines may be the most underrated diving destination in Southeast Asia. With reasonable pricing, excellent service and reefs densely packed with life, the PI offers a terrific value for a destination so close to Thailand. Popular diving destinations include Puerto Galera and Boracay for beach action and topside entertainment in addition to diving. However, most serious divers head south either to the Sulu Sea or the Visayas in the central Philippines.
Continue Reading June 25th, 2004
Motoring around the Chocolate Hills on the Philippine island of Bohol, I searched far and wide for the rumored Bush Babies. Not the whining, alcoholic daughters of the current US President, but rather the animal currently recognized as the world’s smallest monkey. At a height of less than 5 inches (excluding tail), the Tarsier’s most prominent feature is its huge eyes. Each eye is larger than its entire brain, and nearly twice the size of a human’s.
Continue Reading June 24th, 2004
The city of Bangkok offers many sights to the tourist: Shopping malls, the Royal Palace, the Emerald Buddha…the list goes on. However, the experienced traveler will tell you that your trip is incomplete unless you sample the flavors of action Bangkok has to offer after dark. When the sun sets, the real party begins. Gone are the trappings of everyday life, and out comes the weird, the ugly and the unseen attractions that dare to show themselves only in the shadows of night. The diving is no different.
The veil of night brings out tentacled freaks, hermaphrodites, scavengers, sex-crazed lunatics and hunters who mercilessly prey on helpless adolescents. Yes, I’m still talking about diving.
Continue Reading June 17th, 2004
