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Ruby's posts with tag: butanding
|  | The Spotter stands high up a ledge on the boat and scans the bay for a sign of the butanding (whale shark). When he spots one, he signals to our Butanding Interaction Officer (BIO), the boat slows down to a stop and...
"READY!"
Upon hearing this command from our BIO, we'd scurry and put on our fins and masks. Then we'd jump off the boat and swim after the butanding. The first sight of the giant fish gliding just a few feet below us drew underwater squeals of awe and delight. The plankton-rich waters of Donsol made it hard to see the whole body of the butanding hence the need to swim after it or dive down for a closer look.
Each interaction lasted from a few seconds to a few glorious minutes. They were so adrenalin-charged that we're exhausted by the 6th butanding. Plus, putting the mask and fins on and off each time was a real bummer. As our travel buddy Luis had nicely put it: "Punyeta, pagod na kami"... So, we just viewed the next 2 butandings from the comfort of our boat.
Where? Donsol, Sorsogon, Philippines.
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