Adventure Dive and Exploring Downtown

The dock at Asia Divers.

Today, it was the third day of general review for my instructor course. At around 8 AM I met up with my instructor Warren, and Mazi who is working his way up to a PADI Divemaster (two certifications below Instructor) from two certifications below Divemaster (Advanced OW). Warren briefed us on what we were going to do which involved tying knots, Peak Performance Buoyancy, and some navigation exercises.

We went out on a boat to a shallow dive site. We did some skills at the surface (which I was quite rusty on) and then descended down to do some skills. Underwater, we did a lot of buoyancy exercises, knot tying, and navigation. It was actually quite a fun dive. After the dive, Warren debriefed us on our skills.

There wasn’t much else planned for the rest of the afternoon so I decided to explore downtown Sabang a little bit. I needed cash and unfortunately there isn’t an ATM around. At the Tourist Center, I was able to charge my credit card, and have cash given to me that way. It’s quite expensive though with the surcharge to being around 7.5%. Around town I found a few restaurants, a hardware store, several markets, and a few places selling BBQ chicken (lechon minok). I needed a can opener to open my corned beef but couldn’t find any place that sold one.

It’s amazing how much more expensive things in general are here. I thought Alona Beach was pricey being a tourist location. Here in Sabang, a BBQ chicken costs 230 pesos versus 160 pesos in Alona Beach. That’s too bad because I love BBQ chicken. I went to a meat market (no, not a disco, a real butcher) and was thinking about buying meat there until I saw the butcher standing on the cutting board with his bare dirty feet. Moving on.

The barista at Team Rocks cafe.

I decided to try a coffee at this one decently looking cafe I actually went to last year-Team Rocks. They actually have a proper espresso machine and seem to have decent technique. I had a cappuccino which wasn’t too bad, nor was it great. The foam was a nice dense foam but the coffee itself was stale tasting and just not good. I didn’t stay long because the flies in the sitting area were getting to be annoying.

Since I was near the market, I just got some groceries and went home. Made dinner, watched TV, worked on some Nitrox diver homework, and went to sleep.

- jason