Mindoro is a contraction of the Spanish 'Mina de Oro' or goldmine, not that there's ever been a big discovery here but panners do find gold in small quantities.
At this point in time, the diver is committed. Not as committed as a sky diver at a similar point, but he can't go back now.
Most people I know tend to think of beach living as something glamorous - a get away from it all, carefree type of life. And I guess it can be if you have a wad of cash and no responsibilities.
I've no idea how I wound up at the Encenada Beach Resort in 1990. I mean, I know how I got there. I took a flight to Manila, then a bus to Batangas City and a ferry to Balatero Port on Mindoro, then a Jeepney to the resort.
I took this photo of what I believe to be a Grumman Goose in 1990 in Puerta Galera in the Philippines.