The un-budget budget

Pygmy seahorse turns away from the camera, all the time, making it hard to photograph.

Great diving at Balicasag Island today; it has been a while since we had decent visibility and seen a lot of interesting things. For the first time I’ve dived out here, I saw 2 turtles. This doesn’t mean they’re not around, they just haven’t been around when I was diving -- other people have seen them on days that I took off from diving. Additionally, I saw a very large school of jacks and two pygmy seahorses.

Frogfish looks frightened as Daniel looks at it.

After the dives, I went to Coco Vida because Mae texted me that I forgot to pay the bill. That’s odd, I remember contributing a third to Daniel’s bill. When Mae showed me the bill for 1,550 pesos I was shocked. Turns out that all the expensive drinks for everyone plus some rum and cokes went onto my bill. That, plus the me giving Daniel 300 pesos blew past my budget for food and drinks for almost a week. Thanks guys... oh well, I shouldn’t stress over it too much.

A very well hidden stonefish.

Later in the evening, I met two guys from England -- Kevin and Andy. Kevin has been visiting the Philippines for the past 18 years and Andy looked like a typical fashionably trendy lady’s man. I was excited to dive with Kevin and learn from him because Daniel said he was like a professional photographer.

Orangutan crab hangs on bubble coral

While making my way back to my room with my laptop bag, Luer complained to me that I was using Hayahay internet too much and threatened to charge me 20 pesos per hour. Hayahay and Genesis customers are supposed to get free internet access! I was a little annoyed by this considering I’ve done 50 dives, stayed a month and a half, and ate their food and drinks. They can’t give me free internet after all of this?

Thankfully, Giso -- the owner of Genesis and Hayahay -- supported me by telling Luer that I wasn’t using internet that much and that he could tell who was connected. I don’t know if this was true or he was just saying this because I am a loyal customer, but, it ended the conversation immediately. I think I will use Coco Vida’s wireless internet now.

In an effort to try to save money, I ate BBQ chicken with Daniel which costed me 90 pesos. Afterwards we had a few cocktails at Oops! Bar where we played Liar Liar. Bob, the manager, dropped his dice and had to buy everyone a round of whatever they wanted. I unfortunately lost the game, and had to buy everyone a round of what they were currently drinking. Damn, so much for budgeting.

- jason