AUTHOR: David DATE: 12/08/2005 02:14:00 PM ----- BODY:

Had a fantastic trip down to Donsol, Sorsogon over the weekend. Swam with the whale sharks or butanding as they're called locally. Even though it was a bit off of the main season (March-May) we managed to have four encounters. The smallest one we swam with was a mere 3 meters long, the largest well over 8 meters. Seeing anything this large coming out of the murk is an experience you will never forget, let me tell you. The following photo is one of the 3 meter shark. Lousy visibility = lousy shot. Plus the thing was swimming so fast I couldn't get a more dramatic headshot.
In addition to the great shark encounters the food in Donsol and Legaspi was just awesome. I highly recommend a trip down there. We're thinking of going back in March. update -- it's now December and we never did get back. Maybe next year or the year after that.

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