So far I've visited the Philippines three times for diving holidays so there aren't many photos here as we spent most of the time either underwater or at the resort (I prefer to call it a tourist reserve). The culture shock is very big due to the huge gap between poverty and wealth. Also, I feel bad about taking pictures of people with a camera that costs more than their entire yearly income. The first stay was in January 2004 at El Dorado Beach Resort on Negros Island near Dauin. There I shot these underwater photos. The second stay was in November 2009 at the Garden of Eden resort in Sabang on the island of Mindoro. There I took these underwater pictures. The third time was in November 2016, but I didn't take any photos during that time.
Fig. 1: Fishing people at dawn, right in front of the dive base. At least they don't fish here with dynamite like almost everywhere on the Philippines. Dynamite fishing does not only destroy the whole underwater world, it also destroys a possible important incoming of the Philippines: dive tourism.
Fig. 2: Fishing people at dawn, right in front of the dive base. At least they don't fish here with dynamite like almost everywhere on the Philippines. Dynamite fishing does not only destroy the whole underwater world, it also destroys a possible important incoming of the Philippines: dive tourism.
Fig. 3: Dive tourists and native people share one beach. According to rumours the people in the village think that since the white people dive here the fishes have gone ... they don't know the link between destroying corals with nets and dynamite and decreasing fish stock.
Fig. 4: The Gypsy, one of the Sea Explorers dive boats in sunrise. Someone sleeps there during the night to prevent the boat from being stolen.
Fig. 5: During the crossing from Batangas to Sabang on the island of Mindoro. Water splashes at an outrigger of a typical Filipino outrigger boat. — EXIF: Nikon D200; Δt=1/40 s; f=82 mm; f/10.0; ISO 100; 2009-11-04 10:50:59
Fig. 6: It was a long journey by plane from Zurich via Amsterdam to Manila, then a taxi ride to Batangas, where we were picked up by boat. It was already late and during the crossing with the Philippine outrigger boat it was getting dark and the sun was sinking into the sea. — EXIF: Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=120 mm; f/8.0; ISO 100; 2009-11-04 11:26:01
Fig. 7: After the long journey our tired eyes were able to enjoy a beautiful sunset at least on the crossing from Batangas to Sabang. — EXIF: Nikon D200; Δt=1/50 s; f=24 mm; f/4.5; ISO 100; 2009-11-04 11:29:13
Fig. 8: The port of Sabang with the typical Filipino outrigger boats. — EXIF: Nikon D200; Δt=1/160 s; f=24 mm; f/6.3; ISO 100; 2009-11-09 2:58:07
Fig. 9: One of the outrigger boats in Sabang Harbour, used for crossing to Batangas. The outriggers serve as a stabilizer in strong waves. Unlike the Thai dragon boats with the old car engine and hand blender, these boats can go backwards. — EXIF: Nikon D200; Δt=1/180 s; f=120 mm; f/7.1; ISO 100; 2009-11-09 2:58:35
Fig. 10: What the diving tourists notice on the second day at the latest: The harbor of Sabang is also the city's toilet. Not only does the sewage end up untreated in the sea, but people also go into the water and relieve themselves directly there. Accordingly, it also smells when you go diving directly from the beach. — EXIF: Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=24 mm; f/5.6; ISO 100; 2009-11-09 2:59:17
Fig. 11: The beach in the port of Sabang is not suitable for swimming or snorkeling. Not only because of the shipping traffic, but also because the water smells of faeces. — EXIF: Nikon D200; Δt=1/100 s; f=24 mm; f/5.0; ISO 100; 2009-11-09 3:00:01
Fig. 12: Three Filipinos work in the water. They either build a wall against the surf there or take coral rock to build houses. — EXIF: Nikon D200; Δt=1/160 s; f=120 mm; f/6.3; ISO 100; 2009-11-09 3:03:42
Fig. 13: Sabang Bay on the Philippine island of Mondoro with one of the small outrigger boats used either for divers or by local fishermen. — EXIF: Nikon D200; Δt=1/180 s; f=24 mm; f/7.1; ISO 100; 2009-11-09 3:04:30
Fig. 14: The promenade at the harbor of Sabang on the Philippine island of Mindoro. — EXIF: Nikon D200; Δt=1/50 s; f=52 mm; f/4.8; ISO 100; 2009-11-09 3:05:15
Fig. 15: Houses in Sabang — EXIF: Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=24 mm; f/3.5; ISO 100; 2009-11-09 3:08:33
Fig. 16: Boats in the water — EXIF: Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=24 mm; f/5.0; ISO 100; 2009-11-09 3:13:36
Fig. 17: Boats in the bay — EXIF: Nikon D200; Δt=1/180 s; f=58 mm; f/6.3; ISO 100; 2009-11-09 3:21:29
Fig. 18: Pier — EXIF: Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=70 mm; f/5.3; ISO 100; 2009-11-09 3:22:46
Fig. 19: Low tide — EXIF: Nikon D200; Δt=1/180 s; f=42 mm; f/7.1; ISO 100; 2009-11-09 3:23:14
Fig. 20: La Laguna Beach Club — EXIF: Nikon D200; Δt=1/160 s; f=24 mm; f/6.3; ISO 100; 2009-11-09 3:33:10
Fig. 21: A short walk to the neighboring bay "Big La Laguna", which is much quieter and more beautiful than the bay of Sabang. — EXIF: Nikon D200; Δt=1/91 s; f=38 mm; f/5.0; ISO 100; 2009-11-09 3:37:41
Fig. 22: The bay next to Sabang Harbor is even more beautiful. — EXIF: Nikon D200; Δt=1/160 s; f=24 mm; f/6.3; ISO 100; 2009-11-09 3:37:59
Fig. 23: The entrance of the Garden of Eden dive resort. — EXIF: Nikon D200; Δt=3 s; f=24 mm; f/8.0; ISO 100; 2009-11-09 12:04:10
Fig. 24: Evening mood with boat — EXIF: Nikon D200; Δt=2 s; f=24 mm; f/4.0; ISO 200; 2009-11-09 12:07:53
Fig. 25: Sabang — EXIF: Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=100 mm; f/5.6; ISO 100; 2009-11-10 3:23:41
Fig. 26: Motor boat — EXIF: Nikon D200; Δt=1/500 s; f=66 mm; f/11.0; ISO 200; 2009-11-10 3:57:16
Fig. 27: Coast — EXIF: Nikon D200; Δt=1/160 s; f=48 mm; f/6.3; ISO 200; 2009-11-10 9:48:56
Fig. 28: The most beautiful photos in twilight are taken when the sky still contains some residual light and stands out well from the horizon, but is no longer so bright that the illumination is outshone. Although this is called "the blue hour", it often only lasts a few minutes, depending on latitude and time of year. — EXIF: Nikon D200; Δt=10 s; f=19 mm; f/11.0; ISO 100; 2009-11-11 12:00:15
Fig. 29: It's getting dark fast near the equator. Sabang is 13.5 degrees north of the equator. This picture was taken only about a quarter of an hour later, but had to be exposed 6 times longer. — EXIF: Nikon D200; Δt=60 s; f=19 mm; f/5.6; ISO 100; 2009-11-11 12:17:14
Fig. 30: Palm trees wrapped in luminous garlands on Sabang beach are reflected in the water. — EXIF: Nikon D200; Δt=30 s; f=15 mm; f/5.6; ISO 100; 2009-11-11 12:21:06
Fig. 31: Night in Sabang — EXIF: Nikon D200; Δt=60 s; f=20 mm; f/5.6; ISO 100; 2009-11-11 12:24:28
