Partial pressures in the Philippines

Note: I wanted to add photos, but when I tried uploading the first one I spent about 40 minutes attempting to upload it only to notice that the progress bar was actually regressing halfway through the upload. I don't know how that is even possible, but alas it is. So there will be no photos again.

I think only horror can describe the feeling that overcame me when the following appeared on a video I was required to watch for my SCUBA certification.

This was supposed to be a photo, but instead I'll tell you what I saw: pO2 = 0.21 atm

I did not come to the Philippines to re-learn respirology.

Fortunately, that was the only downside to my diving course. Well that and the fact that after six dives with the company “Thresher Shark Divers” I saw no thresher sharks. Malapascua Island is the only place in the world where these sharks are seen on a regular basis. Sadly, not regular enough for me to see them.

I did, however, see all sorts of amazing fish, coral and even a blue striped poisonous sea snake swimming under me that I almost missed as I was so absorbed in another fish nearby. It was only when my instructor, Ronny, grabbed my arm and pointed down that I noticed it slithering through the water below me.

I had a great time with Ronny and my diving buddy, Tony, who was training to become a Divemaster. In three days plus one morning dive I obtained my open water and enriched air certifications, and also completed a deep water adventure dive, allowing me to dive down to 30m. It made for some busy, but fun and satisfying days. My last night on the island I had two congratulatory “Shark Bite” shots. These three-layered shots are given to anyone completing a certification with the company. The silver layer represents the shark’s skin, the blue layer symbolizes the water and the red is for the blood (hopefully never seen!). I had a great time with Thresher Shark Divers and am excited to try out some more dive spots around the Philippines before I go.

My last day on the island was spent relaxing after an early morning dive. I walked around, read on the beach and drank fresh mango juice. Not a bad way to spend a day.

***

Yesterday, I arrived in Tagbilaran, the capital of the island and province of Bohol. My dining location for dinner was something unexpected.

Again, supposed to be a photo here, but pretend you are looking at a cheesy TexMex restaurant.

You may be asking yourself, why did Carolyn choose to go to a Montana’s ripoff while on vacation? Well that’s because this is actually a pretty cool restaurant. The Garden Café is run by the Bohol Foundation for the Deaf and Disabled. It employs mostly deaf and hearing impaired waiters and staff. To order, you phone down to the kitchen where an employee who can hear puts in your order. There is also someone who can hear working as a greeter. Otherwise, all communication is non-verbal. The menu comes with some rudimentary sign language to help. The food was actually pretty decent and it was nice to know that the profits go to support the foundation.