Malapascua Island

I have a new turn of phrase. When a dive operator says to you "weather was not to good yesterday" (Thresher divers) this means that there is a Typhoon.

I got the the island on the tail end of the Typhoo, there was a bit of swell, but boats could still get there. Malapascua is a lot more developed than any of the places i have been in Indonesia, with beach bars, discos, resaurants etc. There are massage ladies on the beach and kids selling stuff too. It is very picture post card, plam trees, white sand and great swimming. There are 2000 - 4000 people on the island (mixed reports).

First night I got masacered by mosquitos, ended up havng a killing spree at about 4am. Still have the bites - got a new mosquito net the next day.

Didnt dive the first day, a couple staying next to me did the afternoon dive and saw 2 manta's - I started the next morning. On first day I slept, swam, walked around the island and met 3 local girls who had just finished high school and were looking for jobs as waitress's. They were bored and frustrated that they did not have the means to continue their education. We spent about 5 hours walking and talking.

Next day started diving.