Typically when I do a travel blog I set it up with a pre-trip blog the week or two prior to set the scene for what’s to come, this is no exception. As I sit here in the International Terminal of Los Angeles International Airport I’m reminded of the path that I took to get here. If you hadn’t guessed by my title, I am headed to the Philippines, once again to dive. The root of which was instilled many years back.
When I was in Indonesia back in October of 2022, the group I was with had a few divers who had recently been to Magic Ocean Resort in Anda. It seemed that each time we dive something would be brought up & compared to their experience diving in Anda. There was nothing overly comparative, but instead was talking about the variation in experience, diving a site only a couple hundred miles to the north of Lembeh Strait. Naturally, the more the conversations continued, the more interested I was in experiencing it myself.
The hype beast aside, I have always wanted two specific experiences when it comes to diving. I’ve always wanted to dive with Manta Rays, of which my easiest option would be Kona, & I’ve always wanted to dive with Whale Sharks, the latter of which is abundant on the Philippine isles. Palau & the Maldives tend to be the top two spots associated with the gentle giants but the resort itself boasts & advertises the experience as a part of their experience. The two factors combined to really give me the “I wanna’s” & almost a year & a half later, here I sit in preparation to depart on this next great adventure.
Traveling the world has always been one of my deepest loves, as I’m sure many of you who follow my blogs here, my social feeds, or a combination of all of it, can attest. It is one of the things that ignites my wildest joy &, despite the often grueling amount of air time spent in economy seating, is always something I am more than happy to do if it means I get to experience a new corner of this world & the people who occupy it. I am beyond grateful for each trip I take & the mysteries that unfold along the way. I am also incredibly grateful that so many of you tune into these travel blogs any time I have the fortune of producing one for you all to read.
Words can’t properly express how ecstatically excited I am for this new adventure & it is my hope that you too share in the excitement for what is sure to be an incredible ride. I cannot wait to get to share the stories & photos that come out of this March 2024 excursion. Please give my Instagram & TikTok a follow to keep up to date with the day to day & get ahead of this for of publication!
See you all on the other side!
As always, much love to you all,
-C