Today was an exhilarating day! We woke up at 3:30 am to beat the crowds and reach the whale shark location on time. The four-hour drive was tiring, but it was worth it. Unfortunately, even with our early start, we found ourselves surrounded by crowds of both locals and tourists. After a couple of hours of waiting, we grew restless and frustrated. However, as soon as our names were called and we got into the water with the whale sharks, all our irritations vanished. The whale sharks were breathtaking, swimming right beside us and even playfully slapping us with their fins. We were lucky enough to have ten or more up-close and personal encounters with these magnificent creatures. It was undoubtedly the highlight of our trip.
Photos by Dr. Michael Campos, Religion, Theology & Spirituality, Faculty and Rena Franco, Accounts Payable Specialist
On our way back to the hotel, we got stuck in traffic, a common occurrence in the Philippines. However, we didn’t let it dampen our spirits. We made a few pit stops to check out some local CRs before finally arriving back at the hotel around 7 pm. We had dinner on the beach, and it was a feast! The variety of delicious food and desserts was overwhelming. Moreover, we had the pleasure of watching a performance of traditional Philippine dances. In the end, the performers invited us to join them in singing, dancing, and chatting the night away. It was a fantastic way to bring our trip to a close.
Photos by Dr. Michael Campos, Religion, Theology & Spirituality, Faculty and Rena Franco, Accounts Payable Specialist
Convent & Stuart Hall Travel 