Seven days, seven massages, twenty-five dives later...

Unfortunately all good things must come to an end. For me it is this vacation, for my faithful readers (if I have any, doesn't seem to be anyone leaving comments... hmmm) it is the pleasure of reading my daily musings.

Our final dive day was a trip a return trip to Apo Island. The diving was beautiful as always. The coral reefs are incredibly healthy. The water is clear. There is an abundance of marine life. Lots of colorful nudibranches, and some not so colorful, variety is everything I suppose. All sorts of trigger fish (including titans again, nasty meanies), schools of big eyed jacks, and an awesome turtle sleeping under an overhang at fifty feet.

A quick note on photographing turtles. Approach them slowly. Keep a little distance. If they start to get fidgety, back off a little bit. If it is swimming, swim along side it, not towards it. If you follow these rules you can get some great pictures. The turtle might even become curious and swim towards you to check you out. Otherwise the turtle gets annoyed and swims away. Then you (or the next diver who has been waiting patiently for you to move so they can get picture) are left with pictures of turtle butt as it swims away.

Jen and I decided to check out the local hotel on Apo over lunch. This of course meant passing through the Apo Shirt Ladies again to get to shore, and then back to the boat. It is almost impossible to get through them without buying something. In our case that meant two more t-shirts and a sarong. Supporting the local economy is important. And being able to walk without trailing a dozen old ladies is more important. The Apo hotel we looked at (there are two) was, shall we say, rustic. Mosquito netting around the bed. A bucket of water and a large ladle for the shower. But a great view.

After our final massage (*sob*) was our final dinner. A party event where the restaurants rules were no sarong, no entry, regardless of gender.

Tomorrow morning its time to pack, then after lunch its is off to the airport. This will be my final posting. I hope everyone has enjoyed reading it as much as I've enjoyed writing it.

The last pictures are a cool flatworm, a school of jacks, friendly Mr. Turtle, and Wing-Wing showing off his bubble blowing skills.

-Matt