Who can Identify this Fish? Please help...


Photo © Lee Goldman, image taken in the Philippines

Snorkeling the Islands of Palawan. Okay, so the title sounds like we spent the entire time in Palawan, but our first 2 days of the expedition were snorkeling with Whale sharks in Donsol. Come ‘on, how can I invite guests to the Philippines and not expose them to one of the best big animal encounters a snorkeler can have!
This entry will be a quick one because how can I describe the experience? Amazing, exhilarating, sometimes exhausting. Because visibility often does not exceed 12 m, when you see a whale shark, it is an up close and personal encounter! The guides put you right near them and as they swim by, you are sometimes only a few feet from them. My guests all commented on how amazing it was that they actually had to swim away from the sharks rather than having to chase them down. Needless to say, our experience with the whale sharks in Donsol was exactly as it has always been promoted; come and swim with lots of whale sharks. We swam with no less than eight. We also had a chance to snorkel in the area. Due to proximity of the rivers, visibility was not optimal, but we didn’t miss a beat. Many varieties of fish and coral exist there and for most of my guests, new species of fish were checked off in their fish identification books. For one guest, an avid admirer of nudibranchs, a new species of Phyllidia was her treat for the day. As a guide who spent many years in the Philippines and Palau, you may think I had seen it all. No way, that’s what I love about the Philippines; new species of fish I may know but not seen, or in my case in Donsol a new species of fish I had no idea existed.
Even some of the better ichthyologists could not help me with the identification. I intend to pursue this one and will keep everyone updated as I know more. Anyone out there with a suggestion?
Lee Goldman

Our Philippine-Micronesia Alliance partner in Palawan Philippines is Club Paradise & Dugong Dive Center for all your travel arrangements and for Lee Goldman's Wilderness travel contact our partner in Manila Blue Horizons.

Tags: MARINE, Science,, Snorkeling, Kayaking, Whale shark, WILDERNESS, NATURE, PALAWAN, PHILIPPINES

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,

DUGONGS at THE HOUSE REEF ...

CLUB PARADISE PALAWAN.


© Courtesy of Dugong Dive Center in Palawan, Philippines
click the image or the link below to visit the website @
http://www.dugongdivecenter.com/

I have just received this report from Dirk Fahrenbach, yes three (3) DUGONGS right at the House reef at Club Paradise grazing the seaweed bed.
This is the only place in the Philippines where you can observe these amazing and gentle creatures in the wild, the area is well protected by a conservation Park.

Another article but not related to our Dugong sighting is that of a Auction where some fossilized Dinosaurs dung has been sold for some US$ 1000.00 very interesting reading...
GD

Dino dung snapped up at auction

Jurassic-era coprolite, or fossilised dinosaur dung

Two pieces of dinosaur dung have been sold at auction for $960 (£486) at an auction house in New York.
The fossilised dung, which resembles rock on the outside, and a colourful mineral inside, is 130 million years old, from the Jurassic period.
Auctioneers Bonhams of New York said it sold for twice the expected price.

The buyer is reported to be Steve Tsengas, the 71-year-old owner of a company that sells products to treat pet animal waste in Ohio.

Marketing tool... for the full story click the link below...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7377982.stm

Tags: Unerwater, DIVING,SCUBA DIVING, Science,, DUGONGS,, PHILIPPINES,, NATURE,, Island hopping,, Dive Center,, PALAWAN, HOUSE REEF,, Tauchen,, Exploring,, Inselhuepfen,

PHOTO: © Lee Goldman - Palawan at its very best...the camp site.
I wish I could be there...

Today another lad strolled into the office & not just anybody…my good friend and soon a new Alliance Partner Lee Goldman Marine Biologist and Expedition Leader of a great new Tour in Palawan Philippines.
Supported by Wilderness Travel and our partner in Manila Blue Horizons, Dugong Dive Center and Club Paradise in Palawan…the last frontier in the Philippines with spectacular limestone cliffs equal to Palau and Thailand.

Lee’s Expedition was also named as one of the
Best Adventure Trips 2008

A Masked Ball in the Philippines
http://www.concierge.com/ideas/

There be a lot more in the near future, you just have to stay tuned or subscribe to our blog…
A lot of exciting things are on the way…see below some of Lee’s Photos and text from his recent trip in April 2008, just completed…very cool and amazing…YOU should join him on his next trip and experience the Philippines like no other has done before…sounds familiar yes… STARTREK…but hurry bookings have to be made well in advance.
Gunther Deichmann

PHOTO: © Lee Goldman - "Alien Lights?" No Palawan!
Exploring Palawan by Kayak & in the evening
there is fine dining... under the stars.

Hi Gunther,

The first PHILIPPINES Expedition for WILDERNESS TRAVEL is in the books and as I have done in previous blogs I want to thank some of the Philippine-Micronesian Alliance partners, Dirk Fahrenbach at Dugong Dive Center at Club Paradise and Blue Horizon Travel for their help in making it a successful tour. The highlights? How about Whale sharks, fantastic snorkeling among fields of colorful corals and abundant fish, Apo Reef National Park, and great weather! The super-highlight? KAYAKING and LUXURY CAMPING in the middle of some of the most beautiful scenery on the planet; the limestone cliffs of El Nido, Palawan. Of course, our 5-star chef at camp helped in areas all marine enthusiasts are familiar with: growling stomachs at the end of a full day of fun…& there be a lot more very soon… this is only an appetizer.
Lee Goldman

Photo: © Hermes Singson - Juergen Warnke
from Club Paradise and the President of the German Club
introduces Johnny Alegre and band.

Now back to ADEX and Dirk; Allan Nash and Tommy from Asia Divers with El Galleon attended the show at the Philippine Department of Tourism Booth…Wow Philippines. According to Dirk the ADEX show was the very best he had attended compared to previous years, getting many requests for diving with Dugongs and on the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance.
Jason Heller from Dive Photo Guide strolled around and Michael AW made his presents felt with a presentation for the up coming Celebrate the Sea Festival.

Our Philippine-Micronesia Alliance partners Dirk Fahrenbach from Club Paradise and Dugong Dive Center
in Palawan with Allan Nash from Asia Divers with El Galleon Beach Resort in Puerto Galera Philippines...
posing with the Alliance brochure at the WOW Philippines Booth in Singapore 2008.



The WOW Philippine Booth at
ADEX DIVE SHOW Singapore 2008




Presentation on the Celebrate the Seas Festival
soon to be held in Manila at ADEX Singapore 2008

You have to forgive me today for not writing to much, I am still suffering a bit, but don’t worry more to come in the next few days including an article of some exciting new developments in Palawan…I guess you just have to stay tuned or subscribe to our Blog.
GD

DID YOU KNOW? Is brought to you by the Philippine - Micronesia Alliance, the Divers Choice.
We care about our Environment!

Triple “D”

Triple “D”…Dirk…Dolphins & Dugongs all have something in common…

© Photo courtesy of Dugong Dive Center,
click on the image and visit the website.

Dirk Fahrenbach from Dugong Dive Center strolled into the office yesterday telling me about all those Dugongs in the area at this time of the year; I guess the Dugong month has started.

You should have been there the other day, he said… Wow…we where snorkeling with five of them and two days later another two posing for the cameras…now is the time to make a trip to Club Paradise and Dugong Dive Center. Dirk mention to me that the best month of the year are March, April and May, Dugongs are always around in this part of the Philippines, but during these month’s there are more sightings.

I have also received some info from our supporter Walter Ty about an article on how a Dolphin rescued some stranded/beached Whales in New Zealand, this shows you only to well that we have to take care of our Oceans and Environment.

If a Dolphin can rescue or take care of other species... then that is amazing…what about us?
We need to do a lot more before it is to late! THINK!

© Gunther Deichmann - Monkey Mia Beach, north western Australia
For more images by GD click the image above or go to
http://www.deichmann-photo.com/stock.html

I have taken this image some 25 years ago in Monkey Mia north western Australia, wild Dolphins come close to shore at this beach…do they still do this today?
Don’t know. I guess one of these days I have to find out and make another trip to this beach again.
GD

Here is the article on the rescue of Whales by a Dolphin…

NZ dolphin rescues beached whales
Courtesy of the BBC

Moko the dolphin
Moko is well known locally for playing with swimmers in the bay
A dolphin has come to the rescue of two whales that had become stranded on a beach in New Zealand.
Conservation officer Malcolm Smith told the BBC that he and a group of other people had tried in vain for an hour and a half to get the whales to sea.

The pygmy sperm whales had repeatedly beached, and both they and the humans were tired and set to give up, he said.
But then the dolphin appeared, communicated with the whales, and led them to safety.

The bottle-nose dolphin, called Moko by local residents, is well known for playing with swimmers off Mahia beach on the east coast of the North Island.

Malcolm Smith
Mr. Smith said he gave the dolphin a pat to say thank you
Mr. Smith said that just when his team was flagging, the dolphin showed up and made straight for them.

"I don't speak whale and I don't speak dolphin," Mr. Smith told the BBC, "but there was obviously something that went on because the two whales changed their attitude from being quite distressed to following the dolphin quite willingly and directly along the beach and straight out to sea."

He added: "The dolphin did what we had failed to do. It was all over in a matter of minutes."
Mr. Smith said he felt fortunate to have witnessed the extraordinary event, and was delighted for the whales, as in the past he has had to put down animals which have become beached.

He said that the whales have not been seen since, but that the dolphin had returned to its usual practice of playing with swimmers in the bay.

"I shouldn't do this I know, we are meant to remain scientific," Mr. Smith said, "but I actually went into the water with the dolphin and gave it a pat afterwards because she really did save the day."

Read more and check out the photos @
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7291501.stm

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.

___________________

Dirk Fahrenbach from Dugong Dive Center

Not only Dugongs, but now Mantas as well, right in front of the resort.

Working together we will simplify dive travel in this world-class diving region,
providing divers with consistent, professional and safety minded service."

Bookmark our link for the latest dive/holiday packages and information.
www.alliancediving.com

Article in Tauch Sport - Sea Star Magazine Germany
Dezember/Januar 2007. El Galleon Resort with 
Asia Divers, Puerto Galera, Philippines, a partner of 
the Philippine - Micronesia Alliance.
Inselhuepfen - island hopping and tauchen at its best.
The Divers Choice...



Article in Tauch Sport - Sea Star Magazine Germany
Februar/Maerz 2007. Club Paradise and Dugong 
Dive Center Palawan, Philippines apartner of the 
Philippine - Micronesia Alliance
Inselhuepfen - island hopping and tauchen at its best.
The Divers Choice...

We are at the Duesseldorf Boot Show, Germany 2007
A variety of Dive packages will be on our web site very soon!

Ask for Tommy, René and Dirk at the Philippines Booth,
have a chat with Dermot at the Palau and
Schoener Tauchen Booth, your hosts for the
ultimate in dive vacation.
Tauchen, diving, inselhuepfen, island hopping, dive education, tech diving
and re-breather, dive site maps, environmental, shark and wreck dives,
wrex expedition, scuba diving, the top dive resorts and dive hotels,
the best wrecks in the pacific,tropical beaches and dive travel,
all of this from Palau Micronesia and the Philippines brought to you by
The Philippine-Micronesia Alliance