TRAVELSPECIAL
Anilao , Batangas
Anilao is a photographer ' s haven , offering the Philippine equivalent of Indonesia ' s Lembeh Strait . In other words , this is a muck diving centre , a place you visit on a mini safari to find strange animals among rubble , weed and coral debris .
What does that actually mean ? Well , you can make a wish list of bottom dwelling critters and your guides should be able to rustle most of them up over a five-day stay . Rare nudibranchs , seahorses , octopus and cuttlefish are all likely finds , including the remarkable hairy frogfish and the grimacing stargazer .
Anilao is a land-based destination , with a variety of resorts on offer . It has the advantage of being a convenient threehour road journey from Manila Airport .
The vivid colours of a flamboyant cuttlefish
PHOTO : ALEX TATTERSALL
A feather star unfurls in the late afternoon
PHOTO : SIMON ROGERSON
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