The question was asked during the Pinoy Travel Bloggers’ Christmas Party and as of writing my answer would be this picture
This photo was taken inside the Twin Lagoon in Coron, Palawan.
To enter Twin Lagoon you must swim under a small opening where you can pass by only during low tide. During high tide you need to have diving skills just to enter.
Entrance to Twin Lagoon
How did I came up with the crazy idea? Being a newbie to photography, I was very passionate on testing my skills with the camera so the first time I heard about the entry to Twin Lagoon, I was challenged to take a picture inside. I calculated the risks involved. Asked the question if I am properly prepared mentally, physically and equipmentally (if there is such a word) for this crazy idea many times. I even told my idea to friends and family, unfortunately I didn’t get any words of encouragement. But I was decided that I will do it, I just had to keep focus.
Before diving in I asked our guide if there was dry ground inside where I could stand and take a picture, when he said yes I stuffed my camera inside a camera bag then inside a rubber ducky dry bag, then I jumped into the water and swam to the entrance of the lagoon.
I quickly looked for solid ground inside the lake. It was still around 50-60 meters to dry ground! The thought of going back to the boat did visit me, but I was there and why would I give up halfway? I continued swimming and once in a while looked up to see if I’m still headed to the right direction.
During my swim I saw a big purple jellyfish that has tentacles that looked like dreadlocks followed by a small colorful fish. Since the water was deep blue, there was no distraction on seeing them. Too bad I did not have a waterproof camera to capture the moment.
When we reached dry land, I quickly opened my rubber ducky and water was inside. FAIL! It wasn’t as waterproof as advertised. Good thing I made a backup plan. Before putting the camera bag inside the rubber ducky, I put it first inside a thick plastic bag that I bought at Farmer’s Market in Cubao and I’m happy to say that the camera bag was still dry when I opened the plastic bag.
A picture I took upon arriving at dry land
When we got back to our pump boat the guide approached me and said “Sir, sa lahat ng tao na nakita kong may malaking camera, kayo lang po ang unang tao nakita ko nakapagpasok ng ganyan sa loob. Totoo nga po yung sinasabi nila, kung gusto may paraan.” After hearing those words I felt that it was all worth it.
At the dry land in Twin Lagoon
On this year 2011, let’s all make our dreams and ideas come true, no matter how big or crazy they are. We may get a lot of discouragement from people around us but if we know there’s nothing wrong with our goal, we just need to focus on it, calculate and minimize the risks, personally pursue it and most of all believe that we have a Great Provider that will not abandon us.
Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. – Matthew 6:31-34
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE! Let’s all explore and take road less-travelled this year. 🙂
panalo ito! ikaw lang ang may pic from dslr sa loob ng twin lagoon. galing, worth the risk
ang risky nga.. good thing your camera’s still ALIVE! hehe
@James Ako lang ang meron? hmmm… mabenta kaya ito sa mga magazine? LOL! Thanks dude! 😛
@Chyng and I’m still using my camera up to now. 🙂
yay! ang tapang mo koya, takot akong isugal ang dslr ko sa mga ganyang pagkakataon, haha!
@Angel naisip ko nung mga panahon na yun na kahit masira siya naging worth it na yung paggamit ko sa kanya. pero nung lumundag ako sa tubig biglang kaba. hehe
Great post! Haha, tigas ka sa camera, Josiah!
Thanks Dodge! 🙂
Tapang mo naman! Never kong magagawa yun sa cam ko kahit digital lang hehe.
Kaya mo yun Aleah. Just be prepared. hehe
Very Inspiring to start 2011 with courage to achieve our goals, happy New Year Josiah! 😛
Thanks Claire! Happy New Year din sa iyo. 🙂
When I went there I was thinking the only way one would get a picture inside the lagoon was to have an underwater point and shoot camera. Never knew someone would be brave enough to risk a DSLR hehe
Marky, iba rin yung takot ko para sa camera ko nung lumusong ako sa tubig. buti nalang lahat umayon sa plano ko. hehe
lakas.com.ph nga eh. the domain spells out everything! cheers to 2011!
Fetus, we try to live up to our name. Medyo mahirap nga lang. hehe
Cheers! 🙂
lakas nga ng loob mo taking pics with your dslr. I remember nung pumunta kame jan yung pag tawid pa lang sa kabilang side nakakatakot na 🙂 heheehe galing
Thanks po 🙂
galing naman! talagang risky sya but worth it. buti nlng meron kang dalang dry bag 😉
OT: nice yung idea bout the translation ah. masunod nga! 😀
Thanks Doi. Medyo crazy kung wala akong dry bag. Kaya nagdala talaga ako. Buti nalang succesful. hehe
i love the courage and wisdom behind it.
Thanks! 🙂
Tapang! Tama yun. Kung gusto may paraan! 🙂 And look at the results ng pagdala mo ng cam though the risks! Worth it!
Thanks Brenna! 🙂
I will definitely try this one next year! Thanks Josiah for the tip and the inspiration. I will be more masipag in blogging about my travels as well 😀
You’re welcome Cath. I hope to see you travel more here in the Philippines. 😀
It’s very amusing that I am reading this on 31st Dec 2015. Welcome 2016! Thanks for sharing this. I’ll be visiting El Nido next year and yes, Im thinking of dealing with Northern Hope and bringing a waterproof cam. Hehehe. Thanks! Lakas mo!
Happy New Year Sandy Bee!! Enjoy your travel to El Nido! ^_^