Thresher sharks and Malapascua are going together as Gin & Tonic or Rum & Coke ‘I mean Coca cola,  just to make sure that you not snort the coke mixed with Rum’ and also all of the above except Coke was plentiful in this little piece of paradise called Malapascua Island where Threshers sharks have their meeting point to observe those noisy, clumsy bubble making creatures who are just falling down on the rocks instead of swimming around the ocean in silence as sharks. They waiting for the noise of the boats arriving on the line and as soon as they are hearing the noise of boats they are like…. ‘Lads, come on the black bubble makers are here lets have look what they are doing now, if they are still falling on the rock or if they learn to swim’  then as we all dove in and saq the shark swimming slowly and graciously close to us as if they were on fashion show and swimming front of us or above us like the “little” ocean angels who are keeping eye on us or maybe they are hells angels who are sizing up the next meal, looking at all those divers ‘hmm lads, they are still too skinny not fat enough to worth a hassle’ and then turn back and away from us as if the show was completed. Well that and the sunrise was worth of waking up early. Team Sharkies, what is the name of what’s up group created by Eva ‘not the first woman but hot Dutch nurse’ created from the fantastic selection of the finest party animals / divers / humans available at the very time on the island drifting on the same wavelength, high on diving and laughing. Since the Lady Luck aka Isabella mentioned that she always saw all the big fish as per her luck she become Lucky charm and we cling to her to get our part of luck in seeing the TS and she has delivered, oh yeah she did delivered ‘not a baby but a fine huge specimen of Thresher sharks’ what a dives we had. Even if the current on ascend was thrashing us on the line like washing during the typhoon we were holding for dear life, like Channel clothes on the rails before sale.  Ahh what can I say… diving with sharkies was absolutely great and I could not asked for better group to be part of. Not saying that previous diving in different dive shop was bad but they did not travel to Gato Island, Kalanggaman Island and most of all they did not have the amazing group of Sharkies. Bassem the legend of chickens and orientation skills, Carlos and Esteban Spanish conquistadors with a style and fun attitude, James best of dry / classic English humor you can get in guy, Rachel and Eva Dutch nurses ‘no uniforms for fantasy though’ but still great craic, Anja German look after us adult, Isabella and Beat aka lucky charm and well someone had to care about lucky charm so Beat is doing that and me, boring middle aged boy. Well the shark dive was great and then we did Gato island and this was another excellent dive as in the cave we came across or better say head on with white tip shark who swam towards us as Isabella went head on first to the cave her luck was ever-present and we could see face to face with this great animal casually looking at us as it was passing ‘we were in numbers so no breakfast for him’ and I have to say the split second after see it in dark, caused my ass tight up but then awe took over and I just stared as it passed me on my right and towards Bas in back. Photo is not the best but for memory it is enough and what a memory it was ! Even the life down there, huge hermit crab, lots of Anemones and others, well need to get back again someday. Gato island defo saved the Malapascua reputation as diving paradise since the first dives were o.k but not the best, they were defo cheaper but sometimes the cheap does not necessary mean better. The DEVOCEAN dive shop was all I need I realized and I was a bit sad that I did not dive with them earlier but glad that I met Bas and Anja on the bar sipping G&T as you do if you are on holiday and you are Bas. We got talking and here I was suddenly I was part of the Cool & Gang without knowing what a great change that was and all that time I was at Hippocampus without even knowing what a fab people are there.  The diving was amazing and we had also a day on the secret beach after morning dive to leisurely enjoying the island with couple of beers and talk, before we have moved to NEVERLAND resort what is eco resort where the people come volunteer and enjoy local living, also they have family dinner every Friday what is a nice feast on local produce what is cooked and shared for fee of 350 pesos and the food was delicious. Garlic bread, veg in coconut milk, some kind of spring rolls, rice of course and many other I could not remember now but I do remember  that it was delicious. We had cleared the plates and serving table clean, chat to other guests and among selves until the time had come to hit the road on bikes as we want to have easy evening as the night was a fiesta so everyone needed rest before hit the basketball court for night of fiesta drinking. Initially we met at hostel for a game of cards and few start up drinks before hit the party but with the downpour rain the game of cards was prolonged and until there was nothing to drink we stayed there and then we get in the Hippocampus where the live rock music was playing and what a night it was… we danced, drink more and have a great time with songs on request played by live band and even the owner had jammed on guitar with the band until the music stopped to let guest sleep in the hotel. So since we could not party anymore we slowly took off to the fiesta at basketball court, what is the main square or main fiesta place. Music was blasting and people were dancing in the court but since the drink is in the belly we needed to get some food and stopped to clear the leftovers from the grills as most of the dancers ate before us so we were left with few sausages, hot dogs and then gambling. Oh yeah gambling in pure form of ping-pong / table tennis balls throwed into huge funnel positioned above six oversized playing cards and you bet on where the ball lands and if you got the ball on your cards you won, if you got two balls on the cards your winning doubled. What a fun way to gamble 😊 lost some cash, won some cash so overall I was balanced and all was well. IT was time to hit the dancefloor and the hundreds of dancers swaying to the rhythm and alcohol. After some time the group divided and some of us less dance gifted went to drink The Other Place which was unfortunately closed so we had to find another place and on the way back to fiesta place someone suggested to buy rum and coke and go on the beach, what we did and got a bottle of rum, later near fiesta place bottle of Coca Cola, sat down right beside the fiesta place, had some drinks there and then slowly start walking towards the beach front, where we suppose to have nice drinking session. Unfortunately the legend aka Bas got separated since he decided to go get some water to water down those G&T and we have not seen him that night again, even if we decide to go and looking for him. So we had few drinks on our own and then called it night and went to dream land in our hotels. Next morning the group messages confirmed that everyone was alive even if barely but all were fine and we decided to meet up and go to secret beach me and Bas but day was too slow and we had to relax a bit so the plan of going to secret beach was kind of scrapped since it was an early afternoon and as we approached the bike station we met girls and Carlos and decided that since it is late and cloudy there is no point to go to beach. Bas just went to book the next day snorkeling trip to Neverland and come back as we agreed to watch a movie at hostel to have early night so we are all ready for the snorkeling trip next morning. Carlos, Kathi and me decided to stay at the beach front of my hotel to enjoy the relax under clouds until the movie night will start. Bas called that all is booked for everyone and some need to pay tomorrow as only few of us put up money upfront. Eventually after some swim we dried and Eva texted that movie is started and Carlos, Kathi and myself moved towards the hostel where the movie Dumbo was already on the screen and it was easy early night ish as we again finished in The Other Place for a few.

It is last snorkeling boat trip to close of this adventure since everyone slowly needs to move either to home or to different location to continue their trips. As far as I remember one island was called Carmasa Island was such a great snorkeling trip as the diving is done and now is the relax aka drinking time so no diving, not that we were in shape to do so after the day on secret beach an night out afterwards enjoying the finest G&T and R&C at The Other Place.

 It is the same place where few night ago we were playing pool and performing as the team of girls vs boys pool game took place and once the girls lost and had to perform Tina Turner song Rolling and when we lost, Bas, Carlos and me had to perform Bon Jovi – its my life ….

The snorkeling day was great and we saw amazing spots, found the fab hotel at Carmasa island where you can stay for 200 pesos a night in white so called tents in complete isolation if you want. We snorkeled and looked for sharks as we were told that they are there and me and Eva saw few when heading out to the sea, then circle around small island seeing the corals, small fishes and generally have good time in the water. On the way back I took different route than everyone else and saw another black tip baby shark one meter long ish and since everyone rushed out to the lunch I took time and slowly without noise floated at surface when suddenly I saw this beautiful black tip front of me swimming through wee weed and when I could fix my eyes on it I just followed if for a few minutes until I realized that it swam in circles and that there was second one swimming in opposite direction, when I realized that both of them kind of circle around me I had some feeling that this is not really good and rather ended snorkeling and went to the shore but still in awe of what I saw. Smiling and happy I have entered the lunch area where they asked what I’m smiling about so I told them and then Carlos noted that I’m bleeding from my foot and that could be the reason I was so lucky to see them so close to me… well thankfully I was at lunch rather than become one. Food was fabulous and we stuffed ourselves so we were able barely move but sat down under the trees and observe beach as well as waiting for a boat to go to another island . Soon enough someone from the girls start looking at coconut palm tree and trying to climb up but just got up one or two meters and come down. Then the boat guide jumped on and climbed all the way up as easy as it could be ‘there was steps carved to tree trunk’ and girls amazed of his ability were in delight. We boarded the ship and head out to the second island what name I do not remember but it was completely deserted in the middle of the ocean and we were the only ones there. There were two small Islands connected by strip of sand beach partially submerged on one side leading to island with two huts / houses build by fishermen as emergency accommodation when they are on the sea for long and nee shelter. We snorkeled a bit but then just sat down in shallow water with pitchers of Rum & Coke and having a blast of great time chatting, laughing and enjoying the time of our lives. It was so fantastic time that no one wanted to leave but eventually we had to leave before sunset to disappointment of all but well it is what it is. What a cracking fabulous day !!!!

              Landed at dark on the beach where we were few days ago we took the bikes to the market for a dinner where we sat and eat after waiting for some time on our order. After the food most of people went to hostel to refresh, shower new clothes ‘i.e. less smelly’ and since I was in different hotel I stayed with Maryann ‘aussie lady’ talking until she got her food and that time everyone came back from the hostel so we all went for last night at The Other Place to have leaving G&T and R&C including shooting some pool and talk. This time there were more people in so the party was a bit more that private but we still manage get our own music through you tube on the phone and so we played songs, danced, played pool and drinking. There was this American guy who came to me asking where I’m from since apparently his best friend in America and me are like twins so he took a photo with me and we chatted a bit while still playing pool. Then there was this girl with him who approached me with telling that she knows me from Koh Tao !!! WTF ?! I just laughed how small the world is but we talked for hours about diving sitting on the railings until she started to play pool and I had enough conversation re diving. Good looking Brazilian but I could not remember her from Koh Tao so she must be a stalker 😊 Anyhow the pool game finished and the lady from the bar came covered the pool table with cloth and the lights went out so it was time to go home. Night was short but good and I morning was nice too but sad a bit as it was time to hit the ferry since Eva, Esteban and me were on the way to Cebu and as I came say good bye to Bes he was in middle of packing and said that he is leaving as well. So I took off to Hippocampus to meet Eva and Esteban and we were waiting for Bes there while discussing the transport from the Maya to Cebu. We agreed that private van is the best as it is four of us and therefore the price is o.k and also we get direct drop off at hostel in Cebu. Bas eventually came and told that he run to Villa to get CD of Marvin the musician who played there and then run back to get some souvenirs and then to us. Anyhow there were not enough people for a boat so we paid 200 instead of 100 to get across to Maya where the van was waiting for us. AS we were boarding four other tourist joined in and we were off after saying goodbyes. Trip in van was so fast since we were chatting all the way with small break for Bas who drifted to dream land for a while. WE arrived in Cebu and after initial confusing on driver side when he cannot find the hostel ‘it was hidden in cul de sac’ we arrived and got our beds for Esteban, Bas and me as only Eva booked in advance. Walked to shops so Eva could try to locate her coconut bowls ‘she did not found them there’ we eventually got a massage from blind massage people who were in the mall giving massage for really low price 100 pesoss for 30 min and then went in hunt of food, some street fruit vendor later we ended in Chinese restaurant on dumplings and soup, keep talking way after we ate all and then when Eva was facing death by freezing from AC we moved to hostel, where we sat outside for a while everyone catching on social media and then chat till midnight as if no one wanted to leave. Eventually we all went to bed and since I was the first up at 4am I was happy to lay down and sleep a bit.

              What a trip ! what a group of people ! I’m sad that I booked the liveaboards and need to leave as I rather stay and travel more around Philippines and  south east asia with the lads. Anyhow memories are great and since we still have group chat I hope that we will meet up again someday.

P.s. if anyone from Sharkies reading this, let me know if I forgot something as I’m typing this in Belize from memory what is not so reliable after so much drinks 😊