#ulog 1: Swimming with the Gentle Giants
Good day Steemians!
For today, I am making my first ever post in #ulogs. Let ME be your celebrity just for today, and YOU will be my fans.
Summer is almost over, but I would like to share to you my experience and close encounter with the gentle giants of the sea, the whale sharks or in our local dialect, we call it Butanding.
I experienced this whale sharks encounter in Oslob, Cebu. It was two hour drive from Dumaguete or three hours drive when you are coming from cebu. With my group, from cebu airport, we rented a van going to Dumaguete, and stayed there over night just to eat in the famous Silvanas Restaurant and eat there own version of Sansrival. And there famous street foods by the bay.
Meeting the Giants
From Dumaguete, we had to ride the Ro-ro, but we missed the first trip. Good thing, there are two pier there, we went to the 2nd pier, and just in time the Ro-ro is about to board.
We reached Oslob in time, because the whale watching is until 12 noon only. So as not to stressed out the Butanding. Good to know that the locals are protecting animal's welfare.
Before going to the sea, there is a short orientation about the do's and don'ts.
Whale Shark Code of Conduct
Gathering more information online, here’s the whale shark code of conduct that everyone should be aware of when swimming with these animals. (Source – WhaleSharkProject.org)
- Do not attempt to touch, ride, or chase a Whale Shark
- Do not restrict normal movement or behavior of the Shark
- Maintain a minimum distance of 3 meters from the Whale Shark
- Do not undertake flash photography
- Do not use underwater motorized diver propulsions
We are all excited and at the same time nervous. But I have learned there that whale sharks are harmless. Though they have big size and big mouth, they can't eat or don't like to eat people. They only eat planktons and small fishes.
Even my kid is not afraid of them.
Such a memorable experience which can't never forget in a lifetime. For that I bought a t shirt souvenir and ref magnet.
Wow, great experience. And congrats on your 1st ulog. More to ulogs to come
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