Day 5 #Ride&Dive : Manila > Anilao : Riding To One of The World's Top Dive Spots & Jumping Right Into The Underwater World

Haven't dived since I got my Advanced Open Water Dive Cert (which was a few years ago), I'm surprised I still know what a BCD is, and how to blow out water from the goggles while underwater.... Hahaha.

Ok so today, we're gonna ride about 150km from Manila city to Anilao Batangas where the gorgeous underwater world awaits!

Starting the day refreshed at 07:00am, we got out of the city before getting caught up in the peak hour morning jam where everyone's in a mad rush to work. Thankfully too, we've got Randy's four wheel drive here, where we loaded our bags in and kept our bikes light.

Wooot! McDonald's breakfast to kickstart the awesome day!

Nico enjoying the new BMW S1000XR

Then, clear blue skies and wide open free roads, off we go!

Getting from Manila to Batangas was pretty straightforward as it was almost highway for majority of the journey, passing just one to two tolls.

Maynard having fun on the Ducati Scramber

It's just past 9:30am and the weather's looking beautiful so far!

After a short 2.5 hour ride, we exited the highway and entered into Batangas province where the roads narrowed down to a two way traffic through the little town.

It was pretty easy navigating to Anilao with Randy leading the way.

Though it wasn't noon yet, the sun was already heating up the grounds.. and us.

Diving right into the clear waters at Anilao would certainly be perfect right now..

And that's exactly what we're gonna do! As we've finally arrived at the dive resort and ready to switch into those diving gears!

Before we jump into the waters, here are some interesting points to note about Diving in Anilao, Batangas:

PC: uwphotographyguide

Anilao is the best spot for underwater macro photography in Philippines. Where compared to the rest of the world, it is ranked 3rd for Muck Diving, with Lembeh Strait (Indonesia) and Mabul Island (Malaysia) taking the top two positions respectively.

PC: divewet

There are about 40 dive sites here, where you'll find a wide variety of colorful Nudibranchs, Cuttlefish, Hairy Frogfish, Blue-Ringed Octopus and more.

The more famous sites are Sombrero Island, Cathedral and Maricaban Island. Don't miss out The Pier, Twin Rocks and Secret Bay where night dives there are exhilarating.

Anilao Best Diving Seasons

You could dive here all year round but the best times are during November/December, April/May.
Visibility can be as good as 50ft.

July to September is the monsoon season where waters are usually choppy with poor visibility.

Average Water Temperatures

26 Degrees. Diving in a wet suit is highly recommended.

As you were reading the above noted, I quietly slipped into my wet suit and stretching up for the 4 dives today!

Ride & Dive, my way!

As our boatman got ready whatever that's needed onboard, we got our necessary gears ready.

Time check, it's Dive O' Clock!

Hopped on the boat and off we go, out to sea!

Getting to most of the dive sites here takes just a short 15 - 20 minutes boat ride from the resort.

With the winds on your skin and nothing but the vast ocean all around you, the boat ride itself is relaxing enough.

Having not dived in a while, I was initially a little nervous.. but knowing that I've got one of the best dive instructor Arlie guiding me (his students include star Zac Efron)..

I know I'm in good hands :)

Arrived at the dive spot, geared up, and let's roll back into a splashin' good time!!!

Wheeeee! Down we go!

Within minutes, I found myself in the company of different school of fishes everywhere, with their tails slapping in ma faceeee hahaha!

Gradually equalized those ears as we descended up to 25 metres below sea level with superb visibility.

From swimming among a wide diversity of fishes to sea turtles, I was constantly amazed by the rich marine life and beauty of the underwater world here. Its no wonder Anilao Batangas is one of the world's popular dive spots.

From left: Jerel, Myself, Maynard, Randy, with Nico & Arlie snapping this shot for us

Diving around was made more fun with the guys from C! Magazine!

Times flies when you're having fun, not realizing it when we were into our last dive for the day.

It's so quiet and calm in the water, a far cry from how hasty things can be in my usual motorcycling adventures and honestly, what an amazing feeling it is to be able to enjoy both in a single trip.

Wrapped up the dive with a gorgeous sunset as we took a slow boat ride back to shore.

As with all sports, from motorcycling to diving, there are risks involved.. But one of the most dangerous risk of all, is the risk of spending your life not doing what you want on the bet that you can buy yourself the freedom to do it later.

Well at least for me, Life's too short to wait. So let's just live it up!

Ditching the wet suit and taking a dip in the waters to wind down the Ride & Dive episode today.

As our bikes took a rest, so did we. But not before filling our tummies with food cuz all of us are just starving! Wonder why we get so extra hungry after a swim or a dive..

Apart from diving, there are not many other activities to do here in Anilao; no nightclubs and very few restaurants around, but Arlie took us to Johanna's Grille where they're known for pretty neat steaks!

And this was how the wonderful day and mouth-watering night ended! ;)

[Singapore.Manila.Tanay.Manila.Anilao Batangas.]

[Mileage Clocked: 382KM]

[Weather/Temperature: 34°C/Hot]

Next stop: Manila

Day 4 #Ride&Dive : Manila > Tanay : Collecting My Ride - The BMW F700GS

Got up and outta the hotel just before 10am in the morning as we're heading to pick up my ride here in the Philippines!

I've been warned by many that the traffic in the Philippines can be erratic, especially in Manila where it is often congested too, and I had my first taste of it here when Maynard picked me up on his Ducati Scrambler.

Let my expression tell you all about it...

Hahaha.

But! Nothing's gonna stop me from riding here so say a big "Hello!" to my ride for the trip! The BMW F700GS! :D

To be honest, I've always had this feeling of being intimated by touring motorcycles.. even till this day!

I'm not exactly very tall (standing at 165cm) and my arms are far from strong, hence such big bikes that have high CG never fails to reduce my confidence in handling them.

I'd be like "omg omg dunno can anot.. then if traffic jam how how".

Furthermore it was my first time riding in Philippines, where I had to get used to the bike while adapting to the erratic traffic here in Manila while checking out everything else around me and not forgetting, take photos on the go.... hah.

But the one thing that does help a bit is that I'm used to tipping toes when riding because.. that's what people who have short legs like me have to do hahaah. My very first bike was a KTM200 dirt bike and it was really high, so that's where I started!

Having said that, tipping toe on a light 95KG bike and a heavier 200KG bike when stationary or going on off road is veryyyy different. At the end of the day, you just tell yourself you can do it.. and before you know it, you're doing it :)

For a start, Maynard took me on a little tour around Manila city.



From the Manila Cathedral,

to Rizal Monument,

to taking random selfies with a tourist and the police officer,

and selfies with the traffic and people on the road LOL.

We then decided to escape the blazing heat and crazy traffic by heading out towards the mountains in Tanay!

Just a short hour ride to cooler weather yaaasss!

The road up to Cafe Katerina was nice, curvy and pretty smooth, a popular route that many local bikers enjoy during the weekends with friends. Sounds similar to how bikers from Kuala Lumpur would ride up to Genting just for a quick run. 

The view from here is pretty spectacular too, and the winds today were strong.

What a like about this place is that it's very un-commercialised. No fancy set ups, just raw local food and friendly people :)

The air up here was fresh and invigorating, as Maynard shared with me about other popular riding places in Philippines over lunch before I found myself cuddling with this cutie furball.

After a good chill out time at Katrina Cafe, it's time to head down the mountain and back to Manila city.

The roads were smooth and,

apart from having to overtake these Jeepneys occasionally, there wasn't much traffic in sight.

With the sun setting slowly behind us, painting the scenery around in golden orange,

the return leg was simply therapeutic.

Made it back to the hotel just before nightfall, took a cold shower before retiring for the day as tomorrow we'll be up early for a ride to one of the world's top dive spots! And of course, greeting the underwater world!

[Singapore.Manila.Tanay.Manila]

[Mileage Clocked: 125KM]

[Weather/Temperature: 36°C/Scorching Hot]

Next stop: Anilao, Batangas

Day 1-3 #Ride&Dive : Singapore > Manila, Philippines : Inside Racing Bike Festival & Trade Show

It's been about 3 years since I last visited Philippines as I reminisce the wonderful memories I had in Boracay back then and I've been talking about doing a RIDE & DIVE trip in this country filled with many amazing dive spots for quite awhile now!

Pc: kurt amsler

Home to some of the world's top dive sites, it's a diver's paradise here and I'm so excited that this trip is finally happening!!

Pc: cntraveller

It's hard to believe it but Philippines actually comprises of over 7,000 islands,

with Manila being the country's capital.

It's my first time here and what better way to kickstart my #Ride&Dive trip by checking out Philippines biggest bike fest, the Inside Racing Bike Festival & Trade Show!

All thanks to Metzeler Philippines and Motoworld Philippines for this exclusive invitation,

where I was given the opportunity to speak to the Philippine media, sharing how the reputable brand Metzeler came about and their latest tyres that are perfect for the underbones and scooters here - both segments that currently dominate the Philippine motorcycling market.

Over the next few days, I spent my time checking out almost every booth here at the bike show and gained deeper insights to the local's motorcycling market from speaking with the different dealers and crowd goers.

The demand for motorcycles in the Philippines recorded the highest jump among other economies in 2016 monitored by the Asean Automotive Federation as it continues to grow strongly this year.
A far cry indeed from Singapore's two wheeler market that seems to be sadly declining.

Ok let's not go there. How about some cheerful smiles here ;)

Like every other bike show that I attend around the world, I would never miss out the babes cuz they're the ones who add life to the nicely displayed machines!

After hearing and seeing so much at Philippines largest bike fest, it's time to gear up for the next day as I officially begin my #Ride&Dive adventure with non other than the fun crew from C!Magazine!

[Singapore. Manila Philippines]

[Mileage Clocked: 0KM]

[Weather/Temperature: 36°C/Can You Smell The Heat]

Next stop: Marilaque, Tanay