Pangasinan | Of Giant Clams And Snorkeling

PANGASINAN | Of Giant Clams And Snorkeling

Underwater Adventure

I always like to share some of my underwater photos, but when it comes to marrying it with words then I would loose it. I'm thankful that even after a year, my amphibious Underwater Camera Lumix TS3 is still working. Out of carelessness and having subjected it to many elemental exposure, it still works for me. 

One can say that Hundred Islands of Pangasinan is the mother load of Giant Clams, because here in their sanctuary and protected by the government, they are safe. This place came into my radar after visiting the Giant Clam Sanctuary in Camiguin Island. I wasn't able to snorkel in Camiguin with their Clams as time would not permit, but I took into consideration that most of the species that they propagate were bought from Pangasinan years back. And true enough, here they are. Fascinating  creatures these Giant Clams are, very sensitive to their environment, so their very thriving prescense assures me that conditions in these waters are good. For being a famous Post Card worthy location, Pangasinan is doing great in maintaining the balance and influx of tourism. And though you see signs of civilization within the islands itself bringing with them the feeling of being closer to the mainland, these are still beautiful islands trusts out in an open sea.

This photo above inside the Imelda Cave, after my customary jump, I looked up to the ceiling and their you can see light filtering  and shining through the inside. Glorious sight, but I can't really photograph it properly because after the jump, I have to float to about 7 feet sea water. I have to swim out my way from the cave. Imelda Cave, Marcos Island.

I didn't start my snorkeling adventure with the Giant Clams right away. Considering the many things that can be seen and experienced in Hundred Islands, the Clams are just secondary, maybe better so as we are suppose to leave them alone. Adult Giant clams as big as these ones means that they're self sufficient, they even produce there own food. Those glorious colors that manifest on their flesh is indicative of the type of specie. They also reproduce on their own. Amazing!

The water condition was great. Not much strong currents, and the area is vastly filled with a lot of different corals, of all shapes, colors and sizes. With a depth of about 10 to 15 feet while I snorkel in a mid afternoon. Great time of the day, but not good for my skin though. With all the beach bumming that I did for 2012, I have a permanent tan line now. I love swimming topless with just my board shorts or trunks on. Liking the feel of the water in my skin, but alas! I have to take care of myself, so as you can see in this little dive, I'm wearing rushguards and cover alls for my arms.

If only we can talk under water, my exclamations while swiming in these waters would have astounded you. It was an amazing sight, and what makes me so addicted to swiming and snorkeling, the feeling of bouyancy, being weightless and afloat, that sense of freedom and seeing the vastness of the underwater world. This has always been something I like to tell to people who doesnt appreciate or can't swim on their own. They are missing a lot.

Investing on a Speedo Snorkeling set has been good for me. I can swim deeper now that I do before  all this adventure and even this blog started. I've bookmarked this place in Hundred Islands, for future travels and maybe side trips. I would like to swim these waters again soon. Maybe then, I've invested on another merchandise, a better underwater camera perhaps. My Lumix TS3 has done well, but it is designed so that I have to dive deeper and get closer to the corals if I want my photos to be sharp. I'm not a trained diver as of yet, so I don't know the technique to staying longer underwater while holding my breath. Heck, I'm not even a trained swimmer, at least not schooled for it. So what the hell am I doing? My conclusion is that I'm just too passionate when I turn my attention to something, may it achieving a skill or a good project. I can't count how many times I've almost drowned so I could learn to swim and snorkel without the shackles of floaters.

Francis Balgos is a Call Center Agent, Weekend Travel Warrior, Amateur Spelunker, Sometime Surfer, Newbie Mountain Climber, Photography Enthusiast, Certified Beach Bum, A first born son, Faithful lover, True Explorer...

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