All about nature and your tropical vacation in

Palawan, Philippines

El Rio y Mar and Club Paradise have just been featured in a 3 part Blog series by visiting Photographer Gunther Deichmann

Check out what nature has to offer at these two Palawan destinations in the Philippines and go to: http://www.deichmann-photo.com/blog.html

El Rio y Mar in Palawan, Philippines

Your accommodation at El Rio y Mar in Palawan, Philippines




Club Paradise on Dimakya Island, Palawan Philippines

Club Paradise on Dimakya Island Palawan, Philippines is also the home of the Dugong Dive Center and the only place in the Philippines where you can spot or watch Dugongs right in front of the Resort in the Sea grass beds.
Dimakya Island has also one of the best house reefs in the world...nature at your doorstep.

For more info and the recent articles pls. go to
http://www.deichmann-photo.com/blog.html

GREAT NEWS!!! Palawan at its very best!


© Gunther Deichmann

Just in from Dugong Dive Center in Palawan, they spotted on the last three trips to Apo Reef Hammerhead Sharks and Whales, great news for our Diving community. They also reported a record number of Turtle nests on the Island right in front of the Guests cottages at Club Paradise. Plus they have sighted a record number of Dugongs in the last few days.

Turtle Eggs check for info @

http://www.dugongdivecenter.com/turtle_program.html

Wow... now that is Nature at its best!

Natures paradise above and below the waves...
that is Palawan in the Philippines.


© Gunther Deichmann - a classic Palawan beach.

Introducing... divepalawan.com

Palawan is considered to be the Philippines`last frontier´. Its group of islands has very diverse and endemic plants and animals. According to the Philippine Department of Tourism, Palawan´s tourism potential relies heavily on its natural assets.
The Calamianes Group of Islands is to be found off the northern tip of Palawan, is home to a majestic bio-diversity where you can experience….. Nature at its best!


A variety of Dive Sites can be explored, there are eleven Japanese Shipwrecks from World War II found at the South west side of Busuanga and one at the North east. There is Apo Reef Natural Park, where you can dive the Walls and see a lot of pelagic such as sharks, tuna, barracudas, mackerel, and mantas.

The diversity of marine life is so wide that it is a paradise of different species from micro-very small to macro-the largest fish you could ever find. Other Dive sites offer a good variety of soft corals where you can find nudibranchs, pigmy seahorses, angler fish, and ghost pipe fish. It is also the only place in the country where most Dugongs (Sea Cows) can still be observed in the wild.

On land, there are many islands where sea turtles don’t feel threatened and can still lay their eggs undisturbed, hence the name “Turtle Islands”. In Coron, you can find huge and dramatic limestone cliffs with beautiful lagoons and fresh water lakes. You can also still find many endemic species like the Palawan Bear Cats, Calamian Deer, Mouse deer in the Calauit Natural Reserve.

Others are freely roaming in the wilderness such as fruit bats, white breasted sea eagles, anteaters, monitor lizards, and all kinds of tropical birds, which makes the area…. A Real Paradise!

Happy New Year from all the Alliance partners have a
fantastic 2010 and some great scuba diving.



Happy Holidays... have some great diving with us in 2010!

A very happy New Year - prost Neujahr - bonne année - onnellista uutta vuotta - gelukkig Nieuwjaar - ath bhliain faoi mhaise - selamat tahun baru - godt nytt år - szczliwego nowego roku - feliz ano novo - gott nytt år manigong bagong taon - sawatdii pimaï - kung hé fat tsoi - xin nian kuai le / xin nian hao - godt nytår - eutichismenos o kainourgios chronos - felice anno nuovo, buon anno - S novim godom - sreno novo leto - Cung Chúc Tân Xuân
yeni yiliniz kutlu olsun

Power Mac Center Philippines & Club Paradise

proudly brings you...
Palawan & beyond...a Photo Workshop in Paradise...December 3 to 7, 2009

You are cordially invited to a 4 nights 5 days exclusive Photo Workshop at Club Paradise Palawan with Gunther Deichmann, international multi-awarded travel photographer and Apple Pro Certified Aperture Trainer. Registration fees includes airfare and accommodation from Manila to Club Paradise Palawan, all meals (full Board) and full hands on with Aperture 2. Discover & Explore a different Palawan with the master!
Please book early this Workshop is for a limited number of participants only! Testimonials from previous international PhotoWorkshop.

Registration and Inquiries contact: gdeichmann@mac.com or Carsten Warnke at Club Paradise carsten@europacific.ph    
0919-2051659 & 0917-5228286. More details will be announced very shortly. 

Explore & Discover Coron & Culion Island plus the amazing african and endemic wildlife on Calauit Island in Northern Palawan.


Paradise is waiting...Club Paradise, Palawan!

For more information and a recent Video on Club Paradise check out the links below:
The Underwater Channel filmed at Club Paradise and Dugong Dive Center. a very cool Video from this dream destination in Palawan, Philippines. http://www.theunderwaterchannel.tv/clipinfo/4003142

The Underwater Channel presents...

Check out this very cool video from the Underwater Channel filmed at Club Paradise and Dugong Dive Center.
Very cool Video from this dream destination in Palawan, Philippines.
No more words needed... just watch this cool Video.
http://www.theunderwaterchannel.tv/clipinfo/4003142

Where is Club Paradise?


© Courtesy of Club Paradise

A tropical Paradise nestled upon a coral jewel set amidst Palawan’s sparkling turquoise waters. This island resort is a perfect hideaway for those who seek relaxation and like to get away from the hassle and bustle of the Cities. Club Paradise is on Dimakya Island, near Coron Island and part of the Calamian Group of Islands, situated at the Northern tip of Palawan, the Philippine’s last frontier.
The Philippines best kept secret & where nature... is real Nature! The Island is also a protected Marine sanctuary where you can watch Turtle hatchlings returning to the sea.

© Gunther Deichmann - Dive the Wreck
of Coron Bay, Palawan, Philippines

The perfect place for all your diving activities, as a matter of fact it is the only place in the Philippines where you can swim or snorkel with Dugongs. But there is so much more for our scuba divers, take for e.g. the House reef with it’s amazing and plentiful marine life right in front of your cottage, and if you into wreck diving…well look no further. Coron Bay is littered with Japanese warships from the World War II, a whole Japanese fleet was sunk here by the American forces during the War. The Dugong Dive Center on the Island can take care of all your requirements, including trips to the world famous APO Reef.

© Gunther Deichmann - “One of the Locals”
Monitor Lizard on Dimakya Island

So, there you have it… now you know where YOUR Paradise is located!

From remote places in the Philippines to Palau in Micronesia the GPS from MotionX on the iPhone
is the perfect dive boat companion.


© Gunther Deichmann - Composite image;
find and mark your dive sites, listening
to your music at the same time.

There are so many applications for the iPhone but this one is super cool! Slick integration allows you not only to find your way but listen to Music direct from the software via iTunes, plus so much more. Read below an article from a very happy Dive Instructor in Palawan Philippines, finding those dive sites again is a breeze now.

A few months ago I introduced my good buddy Dirk Fahrenbach from Dugong Dive Center & Club Paradise to the iPhone and recommended at the same time some cool applications including the GPS from MotionX, with Facebook and Twitter integration.
It is your Global Position System on your iPhone!
After some weeks he strolled into my place again and I ask him, hey how is the iPhone?
…oh buddy, real good and I love the GPS, better than all those expensive ones I have been using on my Boats.
GD

Read below Dirk’s comments:
I am totally amazed how great this software is, the Dugong Dive Center has 3 big dive boats and I have one GPS for each boat from well-known companies. They are complicated to use in particular for my boat Crew.
Then I brought my iPhone, Gunther gave me a crash curse on the iPhone and installed the GPS from Motion X. A few days later during a dive trip my Boat Captain and myself tried it out on my Boat the “Toshina”, we where both amazed.

© Gunther Deichmann - Coron Island Bay, Palawan Philippines

Easy to use, there is no need for studying any manuals. You can go from page to page and the connection to Google maps makes it even more enjoyable looking at the current location.
Like some music in the background? No problems you even have a page with iTunes!
Need a Photo from a waypoint? No problem either, you can find it anytime on your recorded track. (with exact time and location in your logbook)

© Gunther Deichmann - easy to find
those dive sites again.

Finding satellites is very easy and fast, plus the position, speed and signals are very accurate and well displayed, the build in compass works accurate too.
Battery consumption can be a little problem but external battery packs for the iPhone or a charger on the boat can solve those problems easy.
No need for an expensive and complicated GPS, the one from MotionX is doing just fine, the only problem is… I have 3 boats but only one iPhone…at the moment that is, ha, ha.

© Gunther Deichmann - beautiful secluded beaches in Palawan.
Natures Paradise and the last frontier in the Philippines.

Dirk Fahrenbach is the Owner and Dive Instructor from Dugong Dive Center at Club Paradise
Palawan Philippines, it is also the only place in the Philippines where you can watch/dive with Dugongs in the wild.
http://www.dugongdivecenter.com/

For all the details on this GPS go to your iTunes store or check out the website from MotionX
http://news.motionx.com/category/motionx-gps/

But that is not all stay connected all the time with MotionX GPS and share with:
Facebook: To enable Facebook posts, log in using the “Connect With Facebook” button on the share setup screen. If you have a Facebook account, enter your login information in the “Connect to Facebook” window that opens. You can logout at any time, again from the share setup page, by touching the Logout button.
Twitter: To enable Twitter posts, log in using the Login button on the share setup screen. If you have a Twitter account, enter your login information in the “Twitter Login” window that opens. You can logout at any time, again from the share setup page, by touching the Logout button.

MotionX Featured in:
Wall Street Journal, New York Times, BusinessWeek, USA Today, iPhone Blogs, Gizmodo, Engadget, Time, Newsweek

© Gunther Deichmann - Pink Squat Lobster

The House Reef of Dimakya Island (home of Club Paradise) has been protected for the past 20 years, an unspoiled wonder of marine life.
Besides the reef you find also a sea grass bed where Dugongs are frequent visitors, and all of this a short walk from your Cottage.
There are also eight resident Green Turtles which feed on the same sea grass bed all year around, not shy and used to Scuba Divers, perfect for Under Water Photographer to get close for the perfect shot.
The sea grass bed is also the perfect place for all your small Marine Critter, like:
Helmut Gurnard Dactyloptena orientalis (commonly know also as the Flying Gurnard), Dragonet, Emperor Shrimp,
Sea moth, Mantis Shrimp, Ghost Pipefish, Mimic Octopus, Frogfish, Stargazer, Snake eels and many different species of Nudibranchs, these are just a few critters you find on your dive on the sea grass bed.

© Gunther Deichmann - Helmut Gurnard Dactyloptena orientalis
(commonly know also as the Flying Gurnard)

The house reef slopes from approx 1 meter to 18 meters and ends in a large sandy area, here you find large numbers of Blue Spotted Stingrays.
The reef itself is home to Sweet lips, Wrasses, Mandarin fish, Cuttle fish, Butterfly, Parrot and many other fish species, another “HOT SPOT” for Underwater Photographers.

© Gunther Deichmann - many different species of Nudibranchs

© Gunther Deichmann - Ghost Pipefish

Other highlights are schools of Jacks, Fusiliers, Rabbit fish, Bat fish and if you lucky you came across a school of Hump head parrot fish.
The house reef has also some nice cleaning stations, attracting Giant Barracudas and other large marine life.
Big numbers of Giant Clams (up to 1.2 meter) you find also in the surrounding area at this truly amazing House Reef at Club Paradise.
Matt Weis from Dive Photo Guide who visited Club Paradise and Dugong Dive Center last year run out of storage on his 2 Gig CF Card during one of his dives, a testimony of the amazing variety on this House Reef in Palawan.

Did he run out of Air? No!
He had filled up his 2 Gig memory card...

Excerpts from a recent story on “An Underwater Photographer Guide To Palawan”
By Author: Matt J. Weiss / April 12, 2009 12:00AM CDT
Matt Weiss from DivePhotoGuide visited Club Paradise & Dugong Dive Center last year and filed this very interesting report...

© Gunther Deichmann - Painted Frogfish...recent rumors has it that there is quiet an invasion of Frogfish at present on the Club Paradise House Reef in Palawan, Philippines.

“When Omar signaled me over, I figured he had spotted a frogfish that he had told me about before the dive. However, he was pointing at another sea moth and started taking pictures of the rock behind it, which I thought was strange. I wondered - was he narc’ed? Nope, I was just a rookie and didn’t notice that the rock was actually a beguiling frogfish that was face to face with the sea moth. I tried to get some shots before the sea moth moved on and we headed up to the surface – not because we were cold, bored, out of air, or hitting deco time, but because I had filled up my 2 gig memory card! The first, and so far only time this has happened to me...
...read the complete story from Matt Weiss @
http://www.divephotoguide.com/articles/an_underwater_photographer_2

Baby Buzz...on a Paradise Island!

It is now the Turtle nesting and hatching season at Club Paradise and Dugong Dive Center, but not only Turtles…more sightings of Dugongs and a young calf.

Received from Dirk Fahrenbach - all Photos on this Blog post have been taken only two days ago,
thanks for sharing these amazing past few days with us.




© Courtesy of the Dugong Dive Center -
only hatched a few days ago, Hawksbill Turtles at Club Paradise,
Palawan, Philippines

Club Paradise is certainly the place in Palawan, Philippines for nature lovers, where else can you see Dugongs during the Day with the Eco friendly staff at the Dugong Dive Center who’s conducting the Dugong watching. The same day, later in the evening stoll down to the waters edge and watch Turtle Hatchlings making their way into the Ocean.
Unspoiled Nature at its very best!

Dimakya Island, the Home of Club Paradise, is also a Turtle Island…
Every Year Green and Hawksbill Turtles come on shore and lay the eggs just in front of the guest cottages.
The nesting and the hatching is at night, you can walk careful along the beach with a cold beer and watch nature takes its course it doesn’t get any better.

© Courtesy of the Dugong Dive Center - taken measurements
on a newly hatched Hawksbill Turtle.

The Dugong Dive Center Team put up a fence around the nest’s to make sure that monitor lizard and other predators can’t reach the eggs. On the day the hatchlings crawl out of the sand, the staff gives them a helping hand, protecting and safeguarding these young Turtles until they reach the waters edge.. we release about 25% the same night, the remaining ones are then taken to a small pool until the shell get stronger for their release approx. 30 days later in small groups.

© Courtesy of the Dugong Dive Center - Rolf Winkelhausen
from the Dugong Dive Center inspecting some Turtle eggs.

Guiding these small hatchlings to the water is important not only to protect them from would be predators but they can get disorientated due to the lights from the Resort Building.
The Club Paradise House Reef has a small portion with sea grass on either side and this is where the adult green turtles are residents and can be seen on almost every dive. A food source for Turtles and Dugongs alike, right in front of your accommodation, just a stone through away.
Our ecotourism program is “Dugong watching”. Dugongs can be seen in the general area even if they are not at the House Reef at the time. In the last two-month resort guests have seen them several times, a mother dugong and its baby. A Dugong gives birth to a single calf only, it is born approx. 1 m in length during birth, the calf then spends two years with its mother and receives the milk from underneath the flippers.

© Courtesy of the Dugong Dive Center - This amazing shot was taken by Marvin Alvarez from the Dugong Dive Center, a guest ask him to take a few shots while snorkeling, he past the Camera to Marvin who then took the shot for the guest.

Dugongs are vegetarian and need to eat 25 kg of sea grass per day, hence the reason for been regular visitors at the Club Paradise House Reef.
Surveys over the last few years (from ultra light plane and helicopter) spotted between 19 and 24 dugongs in the near vicinity of Club Paradise and in the Bay area.

For our more serious Divers, diving the famous Coron Wrecks or a dive trip to the World famous Apo Reef is a must and should be on any Divers agenda.
Report by Dirk Fahrenbach and GD

A Marine Paradise... The Dugong Dive Center Video!

This Video has been around for sometime but the full length has never reached the Web, now we have decided to share this truly amazing Underwater Video by Dirk Fahrenbach with you in YouTube.
All the footage taken in Palawan, the majority being at the Club Paradise House Reef, only meters away from you accommodation.
More than 20 minutes of great Marine Life, “Dancing Cuttle Fish”, Turtles, Dugongs and all the Critters you can imagine captured on this truly great Video by Dirk. Unfortunately YouTube allows us only to run 10 min. the full version 20:18 min. will be uploaded shortly on the Video Gallery of Dirk’s Website
@ http://www.dugongdivecenter.com/

Click on the screenshot and go to YouTube

The original Video is part of a High End DVD available at Club Paradise (order base) composed of three sequences, edited and sound by Gunther Deichmann using GarageBand, Soundtrack Pro and Royalty released tracks from Sounddogs created on a MacPro.
I am sure once you have seen the Underwater World from this exotic destination you pack your dive gear and book your next trip to Club Paradise and Dive with Dirk at Dugong Dive Center.
Visit YouTube for a preview and the 8:52 min. version @ http://www.youtube.com/user/TIMEJOURNEY
Broadband DSL recommended.
Contacts us @
http://www.deichmann-photo.com/blog.html
http://www.dugongdivecenter.com/

© Lee Goldman - Dugongs in Palawan, Philippines

Hi,
Just got back from a trip and leaving tomorrow for another one...

It is the season for my trips and as usual, many of the alliance partners have come through in helping me with flying colors. Blue Horizons Travel and Tours has made my life so much easier with arranging transfers and hotels while we are here in Manila. Further, their assistance with El Nido Resorts was and will be paramount to the success of my trip. Club Paradise and Dugong Dive Center made the trip so incredibly memorable with providing the accommodations and boat service for my guests.
 Of course, I know people want to just have me get to the exciting stuff so right away let’s talk about our amazing encounters with Dugongs near Club Paradise. We had a cow and calf spend 15 minutes with us in the water with an attentive male coming in and out of view.

All Photos by © Lee Goldman - Palawan, Philippines

My guests had permanent smiles on their faces even into the next day over that encounter. And for the divers, we have a couple of Robust Ghost Pipefish or the what appears to be a species of Nembrotha that I found  in separate locations but both in 2 feet of water in El Nido. Two feet of water? Who needs to dive?
Regards,
Lee

The Department of Tourism (DOT) North America recently visited Club Paradise with many Travel Agencies and Dive Shop Owners from the US.


© Courtesy of Club Paradise

The Activities included: ocular of rooms, island hiking and of course Diving with the Dugong Dive Center.
Club Paradise gave t-shirts from the island crab shop to everybody and invited the group for wine tasting in the Club Paradise's Wine Cellar with Resort manager Loida, plus Dirk and Rolf from the Dugong Dive Center.

© Gunther Deichmann - Cuttle Fish Sepia sp.
at the House Reef at Club Paradise.

DUGONG DIVE CENTER NEWS...

The Dugong Dive Center just opened a new dive shop at the sister resort from Club Paradise!!
El RIO Y MAR ISLAND RESORT is located at the river exit from San Jose in a beautiful and tranquil Bay (Port Caltom), Palawan Philippines.
The Resort has only 18 rooms and a fantastic bar on the end of a peer, the Bar is a great place for sunsets and later at night for star gazing. The peer is also the starting point for a dive at the House Reef. A perfect location for night dives.

There is also brand new equipment at the new Dive Shop for our Divers like; Sherwood, Oceanic and Scuba Pro.

Only a 15 minutes Boat ride to the Japanese shipwreck “Kyokuzan Maru”
Our dive boats “TASHINA” and “KAREN CLAIR” take divers and skin diver to the famous dive sites of APO REEF NATURAL PARK, TARA ISLANDS, CORON BAY and CLUB PARADISE HOUSE REEF. We also offer DUGONG WATCHING in the general area.
www.dugongdivecenter.com

Scuba Channel
the scuba diving web tv

Dirk Fahrenbach from Dugong Dive Center and Club Paradise in Palawan,Philippines has his Videos now on the Scuba Channel, or go to our Podcast and Video section right hand side to view more Videos from the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance.
Or click this LINK
The Divers Choice!

Here is the LINK to the Scuba Channel

Island hopping at its best...explore Palawan and beyond.

She has arrived...and ready for some serious island hopping in Palawan Philippines.
we have just gotten word that the very “SEXY TASHINA” is now at Club Paradise and Dugong Dive Center.
Dirk Fahrenbach dropped these images of yesterday, now he is on the way with Juergen Warnke from Club Paradise to the Shanghai Dive Expo.

Dugong Dive Center Info...”The Tashina”

As of September one the Dugong Dive Center has the brand new Yacht “TASHINA” (Trimaran).
The Fiberglas Yacht is 16m long and equipped with a back up engine.
For daily dive trips the boat has a capacity of maximum 10 divers and for overnight trips a maximum of 6 divers.
The boat is ideal for private charter. Guest that like to have a private boat with dive guide and boat crew will have an individual dive cruise, they never forget.

You like to go as couple with a yacht across the Calamian Islands of northern Palawan? This is only on sample of individual cruising.
Trips to APO REEF NATURAL PARK or CORON BAY with its Wrecks from WW II or TARA ISLANDS are the 3 main destinations we still offer with our Dive Boat “Karen Claire”. This 12 years experience with those dive trips will benefit the trips with our new boat.
For more info contact: Club Paradise and Dugong Dive Center @
http://www.dugongdivecenter.com/
http://www.clubparadisepalawan.com/

Data Sheet (“Bust and waistline”)

200 HP Main Engine
40 HP back up Engine
Bauer Compressor
Deep/Fish Finder
GPS
Satellite Telephone
Simple Kitchen
Small Toilet with Fresh Water Shower
Open Air Shower / Fresh Water
Diving Platform
12 and 220 V
TV with DVD Player and SD Card Slot
Radio with JBL and Bose Marine Speaker
One Open Air Sitting Area with Table and Sun Roof
One Cabin Sitting Area with Table
One Double Bed
4 Single Beds.
6 Open Air Hammocks for sleeping under the Stars.

Published Rates:

120,-Euro per person per day. (min. 4 Guest)
Inclusions: Accommodation, Food, 4 Dives per day.
OR
Boat Charter
100,-Euro Boat Charter per Day
30,-Euro per hour Travelling (fuel charge)
Per Person:
50,-Euro / Day Diving per person
15,-Euro per person for 3 meals

Tags: Trimaran, Boat Charter, Yacht TASHINA, Pacific, APO REEF NATURAL PARK, CORON BAY, Dive Boat , TARA ISLANDS, Wrecks from WW II

An Underwater Photographer's Guide to Southeast Asia
Author: Matt J. Weiss / August 10, 2008 12:00AM MDT
Category: Photo

After 3 months in the field, and a brief stint manning the DivePhotoGuide booth at the Malaysian Dive Expo (MIDE) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, I am finally home and in the process of preparing a series of articles about South East Asia, sometimes referred to as the coral triangle and the most bio-diverse marine ecosystems in the world. Therefore, this is also one of the most productive regions for underwater photographer and video. Of course in no way is this nearly a complete guide to Southeast Asia (that would take years!), but rather some recommended destinations to dive and shoot.
I will be providing comprehensive trip reports on the diving and photo opportunities in each location. I was fortunate enough to stay at some of the top resorts in each destination, and the articles will include some information on the resorts and their facilities. We intend for these articles to be fairly different from other trip reports. I plan to concentrate on all aspects of my trip, including some that are often overlooked, solely from an underwater photographer’s point of view – How was the camera room set up? How large were the rinse buckets on the boat? etc. This vital information is often ignored by non photographers, so I hope to cover all the idiosyncratic requirements that are very important for underwater photographers and videographers to keep top of mind while traveling..

You will see that a lot of my images are macro shots, with little coral around them. The reason for this is simple - I am very interested in the seemingly barren benthic environments that nurture a surprising amount of life. It is here that I found the smaller, interesting and charismatic critters that make you scratch your head and ask - “why?” It is my intention for each article to be informative by answering not only what and who, but also the how and why of the marine biology behind these environments.
Underwater photography stargazer Lembeh Strait
Did you know that stargazers (family Uranoscopidae) are represented by 50 species in 8 genre? This amazing animal was one of two species I found while searching the benthic environments of the Coral Triangle.
I will be covering the following destinations in the upcoming weeks. Each article will have a link back to this main page, where you can access each article as it goes live online.

Bali, Indonesia with AquaMarine Diving-Bali
Puerto Galera, Philippines with El Galleon Resort/Asia Diver
Palawan, Philippines with Club Paradise/Dugong Dive Center
Lembeh Straits, Indonesia with Lembeh Resort
Manado, Indonesia with Minahasa Lagoon Resort
Sipadan/Mabul/Kapalai, Malaysia with Borneo Divers

For any readers who are looking for ideas for your next dive trip, South East Asia is full of them, feel free to bookmark this page, and within the upcoming weeks, you'll find links to each of the destinations I've visited with a complete report on each. I certainly hope to bump into many of you as I return to these destinations in the future.
Happy Diving & more from Matt Weiss @
http://www.divephotoguide.com/articles/an_underwater_

Tags: Matt Weiss, Indonesia, Philppines, Puerto Galera, Palawan, Asia Divers, AquaMarine Diving-Bali, Bali, Assignment, Southeast Asia, El Galeon, Dugong Dive Center, Cluba Paradise, Coral Triangle

Let me share with you my story of how I unexpectedly found and lived in paradise...

I am a General Physician, taking a much needed break before I re-enter the busy halls and sleepless nights in a hospital for my specialty training. But on the morning of January 13, 2008, I read a small post on PinoyMD, a forum for Filipino Doctors, regarding a job as a Resort Physician.  I immediately sent my CV and that same day, I received a call asking if I could leave within the next 2 days. I've never stepped foot in Palawan and it has always been my dream to explore it. With roughly 10 years of studying to reach my dream of becoming a doctor, I rarely had time to tend to my dreams of adventure and travel. So I said "Yes!" 

I arrived in Club Paradise on January 15, 2008... and it was indeed paradise. It does give its name more than justice. It took only a little over than 2 hours to reach the island. I flew via Seair from Manila to Busuanga and upon landing in Busuanga, the Club Paradise jeepney took me and some guests for a 30 minute ride down the scenic road to Decalachao, where the resort's boat was docked.  From there, it was only a 30 minute cruise to the island.  Approaching the Club, Jessie, the Guest Services Officer, points to the island and says, "That is Club Paradise". I was excited. I felt a pull on each of the corners of my mouth that created a huge smile.  As we got nearer the island, the view was breathtaking.. with an ample expansion of the beach filled with powdery white sand, glassy waters accommodating my eyes to have a glimpse of the bottom, the glimmer of the sun's reflection on the turquoise sea and the distant view of smiles emanating from the resort's staff who were eager to welcome us.
I was not a guest, and I did not expect to be treated as one simply because I was there to work. Nevertheless, I have keenly observed the staff's indiscriminate rapport with all their guests.  And I could conclude from the beginning that anyone who comes to the island will graciously get what they came for.. may it be a honeymoon rendezvous, a much needed escape from the city, a well deserved break from work and business or some quiet time to reward oneself.
Club Paradise offers a wide array of activities. They offer day trips to Coron Island, Island hopping, sunset cruises and Safari tours in Calauit. Within and around the island itself, you can go snorkeling in the house reef and surround yourself with life underwater, you can stretch your muscles and go kayaking around the island or towards a nearby island, you can hike up to Eagle's point - the highest point on Dimakya which gives you a breathtaking view of the entire island resort, the open sea and the neighboring islands, you can play tennis, badminton, table tennis and billiards. There are even daily activities suitable for kids and families. In short, there is never a dull moment in Club Paradise. Food is always fresh and sumptuous, may it be served in the Restaurant, at the beach or poolside under a blanket of stars. You can enjoy an hour of tranquility while treating your body to a long overdue massage.  You can unwind at the bar and make friends with other vacationers who may have some interesting tales of their own.  And I've seen numerous guests who have grown attached to the place, crying upon departure.  And these guests always make it a point to come back. Club Paradise is also a well-established and well known Diving Resort.  The Dugong Dive Center has equipped itself with credible, courteous and professional instructors and divemasters with very high safety standards.  You can enjoy diving in the house reef which is home to a wide variety of marine life.  You can relax on the boat while it takes you on a diving trip to Apo Reef or Tara Islands.  You can have a once-in-a-lifetime experience of swimming with the Dugongs during Dugong Watching.  You can explore the numerous ship wrecks and relive history in your mind.  Or you can go to Coron Island and dive in Barracuda Lake where you can take pleasure from experiencing the extremes of a thermocline.  No matter which adventure you choose, it will definitely be worth your while.  And I assure you, you will surface with elation. Being in the resort everyday, I saw guests emerge from the water or come back from a diving trip with a big smile on their face. I even saw how old couples enjoyed diving as a recreational activity that they can both experience as a unit. I viewed my friend Omar's underwater photos and got inspired to see the life under water and swim with the fish. I watched the underwater videos of the Dugong Dive Center at the bar every single night.  I started drawing life under water as how the divers see it. And finally, I took the Open Water Diver Course and eventually the Advanced Open Water Diver Course whenever I could squeeze it into my schedule. And each time that I surfaced, I had such a feeling of elation. I saw what they saw, I saw them all with my own eyes. My drawings finally came to life. And nothing could make me happier. The self-sufficient island of Dimakya is home to a small community made up of staff and people from all over the world.  As for me, any beach is my home. But Club Paradise has left an indellible mark in my heart with experiences that I will forever cherish. Accepting the job in Club Paradise was well worth it. Working as the Resort Physician gave me a chance to get acquainted with the staff from all departments and guests as well.  Yes, I did leave my family, friends and loved ones behind, but I gained a lot more than what I've already had. I gained new friends, very good friends for that matter. They're not merely acquaintances who entertained me for the time being. They are friends who left a strong mark in my heart, friends whom I will always remember, friends whom I am very much looking forward to seeing again...wherever it may be. I gained experiences which I enjoyed for the first time. I dove from sunrise to sunset. My mind was always thinking on land, but once I entered the water, I lived for the moment, just enjoying everything in a different world. I forgot all my problems. And it lasted for some time even after I've surfaced. I enjoyed the most minute things that my eyes could see. And I was happy.
I am no longer connected with Club Paradise on a professional degree.  But I am still in touch with friends I made there, staff and guests alike.  I never wanted to leave the island. I never wanted to leave my friends. I never wanted to leave the simple life I had there. No pollution. No noise. No traffic. Just beauty and serenity. I will surely miss Club Paradise and everything in between.
Club Paradise... a place where you can enjoy both the beginning and the end of the day... a different sunrise and a different sunset each day...a place full of smiles... a place full of good people with interesting stories to tell, stories that you'll never forget, stories that are unique to paradise... a place where the bats fill the wildly colored sky and migrate to the mainland at sunset... a place where deer and monitor lizards roam... a place that is home to the turtles who come to the beach to lay their eggs... a place where the baby turtles hatch and feel the sand for the first time and soon enter the sea after being taken care of for a month or so... a place full of enchantment where love blooms and families are built... the place where people dread the day they have to leave...
For more information on Club Paradise and Dugong Dive Center, visit their website at http://clubparadisepalawan.com

Matt Weiss from DivePhotoGuide...
one of the very few people I allow to use my Mac...

Here is what he has to say…

Hello all, back at the Mac Lab that is Gunther’s office. Just had an extraordinary 5 days in Palawan at Club Paradise diving with the Dugong Dive Center. I knew the diving was amazing because I had witnessed the areas marine biodiversity in Puerto Galera and heard nothing but the highest compliments about Palawan’s oceans. However, neither me nor my memory card had any idea what to expect. In fact, in the house reef in less than 8 meters of water, I more than tripled my previous record by filling up my 4 gig memory card in 1 dive. The dive ended not because of air, temperature, or nitrogen issues, but because I had no room on my memory card and got the point where I refused to delete anything I had! I would not have been able to handle film days at Club Paradise. This is just the house reef, then there is also the wrecks and world class reefs and mangroves. The topside stuff also could not be beat-- thousands of bats flying into unbeatable sunsets, monitor lizards doing their mating dance in the mossy lagoons, rare owls above your beach front bungalows and well then you barely start to get the idea. That’s before even getting to the turtle releases and dugong watch. Interested in seeing photos of all this and hearing the full report? Stay tuned to DivePhotoGuide.com for the detailed, image rich article about Philippines and the rest of the coral triangle.

Matt Weiss

Tags: DIVEPHOTOGUIDE, Bats, Lizards, Eco Tourism, Underwater Photography

Tags: Latest NEWS

Matt Weiss and Gunther Deichmann, two Mac addicts having fun, my son Mark-Lee took the opportunity and recorded the "event" on his cell phone.

Regards from Manila. I just spent a few fantastic days exploring the marine biodiversity in Puerto Galera at El Galleon resort. The critter life there was fantastic and the dive guides were able to show me a few animals I had never seen before. What really amazed me was how different the diving was from Indonesia, despite being in the same ocean. I was disappointed to leave, but I have an excellent journey ahead of me in Palawan diving with Club Paradise and Dugong Dive Center. I am looking forward to what surprises lie ahead! Keep an eye out for a full comprehensive story on each area of the Philippines as well as the larger story covering the macro life of the entire coral triangle. The stories will be on DivePhotoGuide.com soon.

Matt Weiss
DivePhotoGuide

Click on the screenshots and visit Asia Divers with
El Galleon Beach Resort in the Philippines

Tags: DIVEPHOTOGUIDE

Click the banner and go direct to Dugong Dive Center and Club Paradise

Club Paradise Awards for the best Producers 2007

Last week Club Paradise hosted an interesting event at the German Club in Makati, Manila. Awards for the most productive travel agencies where given out including to one of our partners Blue Horizons Travel (image below)
Other winners where Island Marketing, Schoener Tauchen, Orca Reisen and many more, airline representatives from Asian Spirit and Seair were also part of the evening.
A relaxed evening with live music, buffet and drinks surrounded by a tropical ambience.

From left: Arnie Bayag from Blue Horizons Travel
receiving the Award from Carmela Geisert
& Juergen Warnke


Juergen Warnke in full swing...

A Power Point presentation and welcome words from Juergen Warnke thanking all the producers started the evening, a special mention was given to the new airport and growing tourism in the Calamanes.
A great evening and the Club Paradise Family Raffle towards the end made this a very memorable evening for all attending guests.

 Juergen Warnke and the Ladies of the evening....

Tags: Event, TRAVEL AGENCIES, REISE AGENTUREN, AIRLINES

DivePhotoGuide &
the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance

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A joined venture between DivePhotoGuide and Alliance Partner Resorts in the Philippines, Matt Weis from DivePhotoGuide is arriving shortly to explore the marine biodiversity of Puerto Galera and Palawan.
Of course Matt is staying with Asia Divers and El Galleon in Puerto Galera and in Palawan we put him up at Club Paradise and Dugong Dive Center.
We all looking forward to Matt's visit and his report once his Journey is completed, the articles will be published in the DivePhotoGuide later this year.
Thanks to all the Alliance partners who have contributed and make Matt's visit a enjoyable one.
Above some of our new banner Ads in DivePhotoGuide click on the banners and go direct to our Partners and DivePhotoGuide.com
GD

Tags: DIVEPHOTOGUIDE, Exploring The Philippines

© Gunther Deichmann - Nature at its best...pristine Jungle in Palawan
http://www.alliancediving.com/main.html

The main focus of the trip is the incredible area of northern Palawan; El Nido and Bacuit Bay. This is easily one of the most beautiful places I have ever been (and I worked in Palau, San Juan Islands and Vancouver Island in the Pacific Northwest, Belize…) so I have an idea what pretty is. We spent our time here snorkeling, kayaking, and camping.
While it is hard to say what activity is best in El Nido, for me snorkeling ranks up there at the top. There are over 400 species of coral in Bacuit Bay and in a recent survey lead by the world famous ichthyologist, Dr. Gerald Allen, they recorded over 800 species of fish, including several new species and records of fish. What make it so special are the gigantic islands in the bay that provide protection from potentially large ocean swells that may damage coral. Fields (and I mean fields) of staghorn coral, table corals that measure 3 meters in diameter, un-imaginable colors radiating from all types of hard and soft corals, beautiful and rare fish and all this in 1-2 meters of water! On our trip we spotted hundreds of juvenile fish with some of the guests favorites being the Humphead grouper, Zebra lionfish, Helmut Gurnard, and Javanese Damselfish. I am a coral guy, so to see such healthy and diverse coral gardens was the ultimate treat for me.
While most of the bay can be accessed boat, kayaking is the only way to see this place. Picture perfect shallow lagoons, intimate stands of mangroves, and paddling next to a 300m vertical cliff face that erupts from the water is a pretty amazing experience. We conduct our kayaking with complete boat support, so we transport the kayaks to our designated area. We had great weather; calm seas and cloudless skies. Our daily excursions were designed to go to places that not many other tour groups go and because we are camping out in the heart of the islands, we could easily time our visits between other operators.
We are also the only outfitter that provides luxury camping in Bacuit Bay. Our campsite provides large walk-in tents with mattresses, fans, lights; a dining tent with sit-down meal service; a chef (who did a fantastic job preparing 3 – 4 course breakfast, lunch, and dinner meals for us); a generator to charge batteries (and make fresh fruit shakes or margaritas); a comfort room tent and shower tent and we also had a certified masseuse there to help with folks whose muscles were in need of attention after a day of snorkeling and kayaking. Arriving at camp in time for the sunset was a great way to end the day. Of course, waking up to a beautiful morning amongst the islands was a great way to start the day as well. For those wishing to get the most they can from El Nido, our expeditions should not be missed!
Lee Goldman

Tags: NATURE, WILDERNESS, Snorkeling, Tauchen und Meer, TRAVEL NEWS, Tauch REISEN, Inselhuepfen,, PALAWAN, PHILIPPINES, Island hopping,

NATURE is a lot closer now....
BUSUANGA AIRPORT Palawan Philippines...

CLUB PARADISE, EL RIO Y MAR and the DUGONG DIVE CENTER

Busuanga Airport, landing point for CLUB PARADISE, EL RIO Y MAR and the DUGONG DIVE CENTER now has a 1500 meter concrete runway plus a 400 meter gravel extension.
 
This gives a new dimension to tourism in the islands of the Calamianes. Whereas before only 19 seater planes were able to land, Busuanga airport is now being served by the super fast 32-seater Do 28 (needs only 35 minutes to get there from Manila) and the 50 seater Dash-7.
 
Starting next week, May 17, 2008 the service of a 72 seater plane from Phil Airlines will begin daily flights. This will bring the total seat capacity per year to about 100.000 seats yearly. New hotels, lodging houses and resorts are under construction and on the planning board. Present room capacity of 400 rooms will be double within an year.                                                                   

© Gunther Deichmann - the spectacular marine life in Palawan

The Government has decided to pave the road from Coron to Busuanga Airport to modernize the road system and create more comfort for all travelers. Guests of the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance and CLUB PARADISE, EL RIO Y MAR and DUGONG DIVE CENTER will get to their destination a lot faster and more comfortably now.
This will increase their time to enjoy all the exciting dive sites to see the Turtles, Dugongs, WWII Wrecks, a whole fleet was sunk in this area and of course beautiful reefs in this area.

Another great NEWS is, several Whale-sharks have been in sighted in the Coron, Palawan area, a good reason for planning your next trip to PALAWAN...the Philippines best kept secret...NATURE at its best.
 

© Gunther Deichmann - the WWII Wrecks of Palawan


© Gunther Deichmann - the WWII Wrecks of Palawan

Tags: DUGONGS,, Dive Center, WWII WRECKS,, Conservation, Wreck Diving,, PALAWAN, PHILIPPINES, NATURE, Inselhuepfen,, Island hopping,

Ghost pipefish at the moment in masses at the
Club Paradise House reef

What else do you need! I guess a tank full of air and camera will do just fine…Dirk is back on the island... happy to point you in the right direction, even without Dirk or his dive guides you cant get lost…you just get up in the morning and after a good breakfast at Club Paradise stroll down the beach…enter the water and you right at the house reef…the action and critters only a few feet below.

Photos: © Gunther Deichmann

But if you get real lucky... you might meet the sexy Tashina and join her for an unforgeteable trip to Apo reef, dive the spectacular walls and catch a glimpse of Mantas and Sharks not to mention the big schools of jacks on this reef. Soon island hopping with Tashina...yes very sexy indeed...to find out more who she is go to: http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/
It comes as no surprise that VOX television from Germany had choosen Club Paradise and Dugong Dive Center for one of their location.

Mandarin fish used to be know only from Yap and Palau... but now they have arrived in Palawan too, watch their courtship at sunset right in front of the beach resort, our other partner destination in the Philppines, Puerto Galera has got them too, just check with Asia Divers, another member of the Philippine -Micronesia Alliance.


Mandarin fish now in Palawan
Photo: © Gunther Deichmann

So what are you waiting for, get your gear ready and plan your next weekend or dive vacation with Club Paradise and Dugong Dive Center, a member of the
Philippine – Micronesia Alliance.

Click on the images and go direct to our partner destination
Photo Gallery, amazing dive destinations from the
Philippines, Micronesia and the Pacific.

But here is another tip... check out some of the amazing videos from Dirk Fahrenbach at YOU TUBE, go to YOU TUBE and type his name or click the link below for one of his film clips:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVstA2zcxXQ

GD

___________________________________________

The latest news from one of our partners in the
Philippine-Micronesia Alliance...The Divers choice
in the Philippines, Micronesia and the Pacific.


Dirk, friends and dive guides in the Maldives...Feb.2008

He is back…who? Dirk Fahrenbach from Dugong Dive Center and Club Paradise walked into the virtual office yesterday returning from Germany and the Maldives.
Dirk attended the Düsseldorf Boat show in January in Germany, after the show he took a few days off and then went straight to the Maldives for some diving looking after a group of divers.
According to Dirk, the Boat Show was a great event and he was part of the DOT Booth, Wow Philippines; see below some photos he provided me yesterday.

Dirk and friend at the Wow Philippine Booth at the
Duesseldorf Boat Show Jan. 2008

Welcome back Dirk, we did miss you, Dirk also showed me some photos of his new Boat soon at Dugong Dive Center a new and very big Tri-Maran …luxury at it’s best diving at it’s ultimate… as mention in my earlier blogs diving with the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance is getting better and better.

Some of Dirk's guest's in the Maldives

See below some photos from Dirk’s new Boat called …
...Tashina… very sexy and bold.


Ready very soon...the very sexy Tashina…


So much more space...the Tashina

Diving with her is never going to be boring… over night Safaris with all your electrical requirements on board, including a 24hours compressor… now that is what we call island hopping, Apo reef is going to be fun from now on, the Tashina is very soon in Palawan, one of the Philippines top dive destinations. The other images are from the Maldives, Dirk, dive guides and some of his guest’s.
A lot more very soon from Dirk…Dugong Dive Center and Club Paradise…and of course the sexy Tashina.
GD

________________________________________

Photos courtesy of Club Paradise and Dugong Dive Center,
nature at its best in Palawan, Philippines

I have just received this info from Carsten Warncke from Club Paradise and of course Dugong Dive Center in Palawan our partner in the Philippine - Micronesia Alliance. VOX TV visits Club Paradise and Dugong Dive Center last month. The only place in the Philippines for Dugongs, or dive the wrecks of Coron Bay surrounded by spectacular limestone cliffs, nature at it's very best and if you feel tired after diving or exploring the whole day book yourself into our Spa and rejuvenate. All of this, plus a lot more at Club Paradise and Dugong Dive Center, please join us on our little tropical island paradise in Palawan, island hopping with the Philippine - Micronesia Alliance is getting better and better, even international film crews choose to visit us, so why dont YOU.
The Nature Lovers and Divers Choice.

I get more of the whole story with photos on the VOX TV (Germany) visit to Palawan and the Philippines soon, once I have more information I let you know also the screening time in Germany, just stay tuned or subscribe to our Blog.
GD

© Gunther Deichmann - a secluded beach in Palawan near Coron Island,
for more Alliance destination photos
click the image above.

Best Adventure Trips 2008
A Masked Ball in the Philippines
http://www.concierge.com/ideas/

m:  "Lee Goldman" <</span>coralfarmguam@yahoo.com>
Date: 4 February 2008 5:12:50 PM GMT+08:00
To:  "Gunther Deichmann" <</span>gunther@gdeichmann.com>

Dear Gunther,
 
In your recent blog, you did me the honor of mentioning my upcoming expedition to Palawan, Philippines with Wilderness Travel. I greatly appreciate this, but I have “a correction” to make.
 
We are doing more than just paddling by Club Paradise in Northern Palawan; we are stopping there for 4 days to take advantage of their amazing resort and local abundance of rare and beautiful marine life. Dirk Fahrenbach from the Dugong Dive Center has offered to arrange trips to visit one of the largest continuous reef systems in the world, Apo Reef National Park. There we will snorkel among thousands of reef fish and hundreds of coral species. Truly one of the most diverse regions on the planet! We will also spend a day snorkeling with Dugongs. These rare marine mammals are residents in the local waters and, with the help of Club Paradise and local awareness, remain as one of the most protected marine mammal in the Philippines. This protection is why they are so readily observed in the area and often remain in the company of awe-inspired snorkelers. Few other places on the planet can offer such a treat for the marine naturalist.
 

Photo courtesy of Club Paradise, for more Alliance destination photos
click the image above.

When I designed this trip, Club Paradise was an easy addition and we are glad that they have been so accommodating. We are looking forward to paddling in the local waters and landing on the beach for overnights at their award winning facility!
 
This is what luxury expedition kayaking is all about!
http://www.concierge.com/ideas/skiadventure/tour

Lee Goldman, Marine Biologist and tour leader

Diving, Tauchen und inselhuepfen auf der Duesseldorf
Boot Messe Germany, mit der Allianz in 2008, 19.-27.1. 2008
Wir sprechen auch deutsch, click here

I am leaving for Palau Micronesia and Chuuk tomorrow until the 24th of January, my blogs going to be a bit light during this time.
However a major announcement will be made direct from Palau from our Alliance partner Sam's Tours, a very first in Palau and Micronesia.
Announcement date is around the 14/15th of Jan. direct from Palau.
Surviving in Palau Micronesia is going to be easy, with good friends, like Sam Scott, Dermot Keane and many others.

Stay tuned and Subscribe to our blog and be one of the first to know.

Please see below in German excerpts from a new PADI magazine in German language soon available...

A new PADI magazine is soon available in German, please see below some excepts from the very first edition, reproduced with permission from Dirk Fahrenbach from Dugong Dive Center and Club Paradise in Palawan, Philippines.

Dirk Fahrenbach fand auf der philippinischen Insel Dimakya eine neue Heimat. Der Tauch- lehrer und Dokumentarfilmer führt Urlauber durch eine Unterwasserlandschaft, die alseine der artenreichsten welt-weit beschrieben wird. Die Riffregionen sind gefährdet. Jahrzehnte sprengten die Fischer ihre Lebensgrundlage mit Dynamit kaputt. Die Seekühe, die Dugongs, wurden Fast ausgerottet.

Von Lutz Peter Kaubisch

Die Rückkehr der Dugongs

Jahrmillionen zerrten tektonische Kräfte an den Kontinenten. Geologische Gewalt formte sie mit baumeisterlicher Beharrlichkeit. Vulkane, Meeresströme und atmosphärische Umwälzungen schufen das Klima und änderten es - immer wieder. Im mittleren Pleistozän, vor 175000 Jahren, fiel der Meeresspiegel. Es dauerte eine Weile; dann ragte dort, wo die eurasische Kontinentalplatte Asien trägt, eine Landbrücke aus dem Wasser. Sie führte im Bogen nach Südosten, zu einer Inselgruppe aus Magmagestein. Die Öfen unter der Erdkruste hatten sie nach oben gefeuert und Sonne und Ozean überlassen.
Die Naturkräfte inszenierten ein mächtiges Schauspiel. Die Erdzeitalter hatten die Kulisse geschaffen: einen der größten Archipele auf dem Planeten, die Philippinen. Reiseveranstalter schwärmen heute von „smaragdgrünen bis türkisfarbenen Lagunen“, in denen „eine faszinierende Welt exotischer Fische und Korallen“ ihre „unerschöpfliche Farbenpracht“ entfaltet. Werbetexte, die die exotischen Refugien auf der Erde beschreiben, sind oft beliebig und austauschbar. Sie versprechen den „einzigartigen Urlaub“ an „feinsandigen Palmenstränden“. Sie bieten touristische Schnellkost.
Wenn Dirk Fahrenbach den Außenborder aufdreht, schafft das kleine Boot die Strecke zwischen Busuanga- und Dimakya-Island vielleicht rechtzeitig. Der Mann ist ein Hüne:.........

...viel mehr in der neuen PADI Zeitschrift in Deutschland fragen Sie auf der Messe Boot 2008 in Duesseldorf nach Dirk Fahrenbach.
Sie finden Ihn beim DOT WOW Philippines stand...

Club Paradise and Dugong Dive Center are member of the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance.
The Divers Choice.

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