Perhaps only an insane person would happily jump from a perfectly fine boat, into the middle of the open sea, beside a huge fish that is called a whale SHARK. Maybe that’s why they call it a butanding in the dialect. Butanding sounds cute, like a cuddly little fish. Then again, a shark is called pating in the vernacular, and there’s nothing cute about that.
In my second jump, the BIO motioned for me to look down, so I did. Holy smokes, Batman! A huge butanding! Mama mia!
Coming face-to-face with the Butanding in Donsol
With mouth wide open (fortunately, to scoop ONLY the plankton), it was heading towards me. I knew it was a meter or so below, but being swallowed was not my concern. Whale sharks are gentle creatures. Yes, butanding are gentle creatures. I have to repeat that a number of times to calm myself.
The butanding was going to pass directly under me — and I can see its dorsal fin and its tail coming nearer. What to do? Whatttttt!!?? My mind was racing. So was my pulse. (Click here to read full story and more photos.)
