Philippines-Apr_2011_Part1_Whale Sharks

First part of a 12 day Philippine trip. In Southern Luzon, Donsol Bay has the world biggest concentration of Whale Sharks during February to May, and you are guaranteed to see them. I had a private trip for this two day portion, and had altogether eight whale shark encounters. Some of the harmless baleen feeding giants I saw were around 30 ft long. The first day was most successful for seeing them. Six encounters, all at touching distance. But I was not very successful with my photography (although I have a good short video which I cannot post here. The second day I saw only two whale sharks, but I gave my uw camera to my guide who took better photos. Several are of the "Andrew and the giant fish" kind. To be in the water close to these enormous but docile animals was truly the experience of a lifetime !

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Arrival to the Legaspi airport, after 36 hours of traveling which included a brief 5 hour sleep at a Manila airport hotel. From here to Donsol is another hour and half by minivan. The photo shows the Mayon volcano, said to be the most perfect cone in the world. It is active too.