SNORKELERS
&
PHILIPPINE SNORKELING TOURS

   For those of you who are avid and experienced snorkelers, or even those who have not yet experienced the thrill and excitement of snorkeling, the Philippines has some of the most beautiful and bountiful snorkeling locations in the world! 

   Philippine Traveler is also a snorkeling and free-diving addict and always maintains and carries snorkel equipment for both himself and any clients or companions traveling with him. (Mask, snorkel, fins, underwater camera and more).

   Imagine while you are snorkeling, gliding so gracefully over the most beautiful corals, kelp, caves and more, you are also taking photos with your underwater camera strapped to your wrist.    We travel all over the Philippines to snorkel the most bountiful and fantastic ocean areas, and even a few special lakes too.

   In a country with an abundance of marine life, fish, snakes, giant corals of all sorts, sharks, including the gentle giant, fifty foot whale sharks, no trip to Philippines need ever be boring! In fact, many of Philippine Travelers clients and travel companions who have never experienced snorkeling, have become addicted to snorkeling.

   With over 7,000 islands, each of the islands and/or provinces presents a new snorkeling experience! A snorkelers dream come true.  Why would ANYONE want to go to to a country with more than 7,100 islands and not want to take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves??  Do you know that most ladies in the Philippines have NEVER been snorkeling? Yet once they do, it is often a highlight experience in their life! Ask your own girlfriend or fiancée if she has ever done so and if she is interested in going to a beautiful and secluded beach resort to learn how to, and to experience snorkeling. Odds are she will jump at the chance! Such photos are also great for submission when you file your petition. We can also arrange for you to have a  Jungle or Rain forest adventure trip!

   Philippine Traveler makes numerous trips to the Philippines each year. Many who seek assistance in meeting or checking out their pen-pals, fiancée's or others, (or those who just want someone who can make the trip safer and who knows the customs, culture, language, as well as many of the scams, shams, games and warnings) also learn and/or enjoy snorkeling, making this one of the most memorable vacations ever!

   WARNING: Due to the many personal friends, family and other people we know in many provinces throughout the Philippines, although most of our clients are single when we leave USA, to date, not a single one has returned single! All have returned either married or engaged! So, as you can see, there is even more to do “outside” the water than there is “inside” the water! Be advised that we have a female snorkel instructor and she has so many beautiful single friends who would also love to meet an eligible, good American husband!

   So whether you already know someone in the Philippines, or if you wish to travel there and meet new friends in person, Philippine Traveler is here for you! (Be sure to go to the homepage and read the rest of this website.).

   In a hurry? If you wish to travel at a time not already scheduled, or you have what you consider an emergency or immediate need to travel to Philippines, feel free to contact Philippine Traveler. In most cases, depending on my own work schedule, I will in fact break away and travel with you to serve as your travel guide or companion. In most cases, holidays are also available for travel. We can also arrange for airline tickets, travel details, housing and more prior to departure. In addition, in many locations we can save you even more money by arranging for you to stay in the homes of personal friends or family, instead of expensive hotels. (This service is provided only for those with whom we are traveling and their fiancées.)

   Go with someone who is experienced and has traveled most of the Philippines. In most cases we have friends in the same city, province or island that you will meet your lady friend in!

  For those reasons set forth herein and above, the Philippines is quickly becoming one of the favorite places for American's who are retired or collecting  their pension and/or social security. The US Dollar still has REAL  purchasing power there and one can live very comfortably on a pension there.

   Most Filipina, Pinay ladies are not only very accepting of men with a physical disability, but are also very supportive, attentive, loving, caring and even tend to spoil a good man who may be physically challenged. This is primarily because for the most part, Filipina, Pinay ladies are raised to appreciate a GOOD husband, regardless of his age or physical and financial situation.

   Another benefit which can actually result in savings that exceed the cost of the trip is that if one carefully plans their trip ahead of time, the Philippines is an excellent place to have medical and/or dental matters done at only a fraction of the cost. And the quality of medical and dental care is excellent! However, just as in the states, you should check out your health care provider in advance. I have experienced both dental and medical attention in Philippines with HUGE savings and GREAT results! Most Medications are much cheaper there also.

   As a result of my being an avid swimmer, free diving and snorkeling fanatic most of my life, more than half of those traveling with me become addicted to snorkeling in the waters, ocean/s or seas of the Philippines, which has some of the most beautiful and exciting fisheries, corals, underwater scenery and beaches in the world! In some places there are even sunken ships which you can explore by snorkeling, even without the use of scuba gear!

   The best description I can think of when asked by a non-snorkeler what snorkeling is like is that it reminds me of “flying”. As one glides gracefully across the water and views the ocean community, fish and other life, corals and plants below, the feeling of flying or gliding over it all is inescapable. Often times an enthusiastic snorkeler will be in the water for hours before coming ashore.

   For handicapped persons, the buoyancy of the salt water makes snorkeling almost effortless and allows those with a physical disability to enjoy a wonderful sporting experience, in addition to providing a non-exhausting form of exercise.    To those who cannot or do not like to swim, be advised that due to the abundance of ocean life, one can even enjoy snorkeling while walking in knee deep or chest deep water wherein many fingerlings, sea urchins, starfish, coral, crabs and other sea life can be observed. In addition, foam-filled boogie boards or floating boards and/or other floatation devices can also be used under the snorkeler.

   Also be advised that the beautiful white sands beaches found throughout the Philippines are second to none, and are great for those who just want to lay in the sun, read a book and get a golden sun tan!

   Finally, I strongly advise that anyone taking vacation to the Philippines should bring at least one disposable underwater camera. More often than not, it is the underwater photography that provides some of the most exciting and best memories of the trip. Especially photographs taken of yourself by another from an underwater view.

   I can strongly suggest that even though one may already have a pen-pal or two prior to going to the Philippines, that they do not put all their eggs in one basket. Besides, more often than not, gentlemen I have traveled with will meet someone in person and do not marry or even meet their pen-pals. Of course, meeting in person is best, and as long as you have a guide or assistant who is familiar with the customs, culture, language, etc. of the Philippines, then of course, you should get the most out of your vacation and travel dollar!

   One of the best pieces of advise I can give is that you THINK OF YOUR TRIP AS A VACATION! If you do this, not only will you enjoy yourself and open yourself up to experiencing many cities, provinces and meeting many new friends, (including more single ladies than you would ever have imagined) but you also loose the “pressures” associated with instantly marrying someone you don’t really know anything about.

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN LEARNING PILIPINO FISHING TECHNIQUES?
 

    In addition to snorkeling and enjoying the marine life the Philippines has to offer, we can also teach you how to spear fish using a home made spear called a "Pana" to spear fish; learn how to "jig" for squids, make and use simple traps for fish, crabs, lobster and more! Learning these skills are a survivalists dream come true!

    In addition, you can learn how to make basic fish traps, crab traps and even jigging for squids!  In fact, if you are serious about learning how to "survive" in the oceanic environment, we can even stay in a fishing village where you can learn all the skills the fishermen can teach you!  Going out daily with hem on their fishing boats (called "banka") and bring home fresh fish, squids and more and have the fisherman's wife prepare your freshly caught meals. 

  I am addicted to learning all I can about the primitive fishing techniques of the island natives. Whether it be with string, pole, nets, jigs, traps or the primitive spear called "pana (also spelled panna)".  Hey, you never know when you will get that call to be on "Survivor", ha ha!

  Everyone knows how uncomfortable airports can be. Sitting on those hard benches amongst hundreds of people, many coughing and sneezing around you. The high-priced snacks and foods of airport snack-bars and restaurants, etc..

   Those who choose to fly with and arrange airline tickets with Philippine Traveler as guide and companion have the added benefit, luxury and comfort of waiting, eating, drinking and watching television or movies for free in the executive lounges in both US and Philippines. Even massages are available at some executive lounges! The comfort of executive lounges makes the long international flight (and even domestic flights within the Philippines) so much more enjoyable and comfortable.

   With the global outbreaks of SARS, and/or other viruses, especially in the Asian countries, I myself would only travel wherein I can enjoy the low volume of passengers (mostly business and first class) who are privileged enough to use the lounges as opposed to the thousands who are present in the general airport waiting areas.

   Philippine Traveler and a few past clients who have fallen in love with the Philippines and/or fishing, diving, snorkeling, or who just wish to retire in a quiet exotic setting, have decided to prepare a base location on the ocean in the Philippines, primarily for those of us who wish to retire there, where the US Dollar is much bigger and now, through the use of ATM and Credit Cards, one can access his own direct deposit account in the states. . A simple yet beautiful place with a clubhouse with water sporting equipment, supplies, foods, and more. A place wherein snorkelers,  divers, fishermen, squid jiggers, and even retirees can vacation, retire and/or simply have an affordable, romantic and private place to take their fiancée's or pen-pals once they are in the Philippines.

   In addition, a small law library and computer terminal/s to aid in completing immigration petitions and forms will be installed, as well as internet access.

   Simply put, we plan to have a location with both a central clubhouse and separate/private cabins or bahay kubo (bamboo houses) where members can lease and/or build their own place.

   Leases will be by membership only, eliminating the almost impossible search for real estate. This project is very close to fruition.

   Eventually, we hope to have more than one location, with another beautiful spot for those Americans or westerners who wish to retire in the Philippines on fixed incomes. If you are interested in our “Philippine Castaways” Project (PCR), feel free to e-mail us today! Be sure to state PHILIPPINE CASTAWAYS in the subject line of your e-mail. Get on our mailing list now!

   In the near future we will be preparing a website just for this project. When the website is completed, we will post a link right here. The website will also contain photos and video links.

    In addition to one of the greatest vacation experiences in your life, I have so many beautiful, single Filipina friends to introduce you to! Sufficient advance time is needed to allow for tickets, passport and to let friends know you are coming! Or, if you need companion or guide to visit your own pen-pal fiancée, that too can be arranged. God Bless and Mabuhay!