Life is a beach

Except for the first week of march, the rest of the month was spent on the beaches of the Philippines. Besides being a certified dog lover, I am also a beach lover. The passion for adventure started a couple of years ago when I started hanging out with friends from Catanduanes, an island paradise. They were the friends I met when I first met Big J, hence we share a different and very special bond. These friends love mountain climbing, swimming in the open seas, riding the motorcycle, rock climbing, going to waterfalls… And Catanduanes is the perfect place to do everything. I’ll explain later.

I’m starting a new “adventure places” blog, site still being developed when I get access to a faster computer. I’m co producing it with my fellow “pangahas” cousin, TinTin. The idea came to us when we were riding the bus towards Bicol. Tintin, is very much like me. Case in point: She called me up one day to tell me that we were leaving for the province the next day. Now for some people, a day’s notice is too short, but we shared the same philosophy – hakuna matata. Timone and Poomba. That should be our names. I stuffed essentials into my fitness first bag (highly recommended bag) – by essentials I meant goggles, sunblock, bathing suit and Neutrogena facial wash. My snorkel got damaged when I went to Amanpulo, so it’s still up for repair. I made a mental note that I should treat myself to a skimboard next time. The bus ride was about 10 to 12 hours. Then we decided to take a different ferry which would save us 2.5 hours from the usual 5 hours of sea. The decision proved to be good as half an hour into the ferry ride, a group of dolphins went jumping (is that the term)/diving near the boat. Spectacular. There were so many of them. Perfect weather. Perfect ocean. Perfect sighting. Perfect everything. As soon as we arrived at Catanduanes, we took a bath and headed off towards the beach – resting was banned. I’ll write more about it in the blog I mentioned. I will also write about the other places I went to this march and would probably include some other beaches…
I’ll give brief comments though just to remind me.

1. Puerto del Sol, Bolinao Pangasinan – I like their infinity pool, their casitas, their jacuzzi. How to get there? Ride the bus that says “Bolinao”, you’ll find the bus stations in Pasay. From there, ask around. Note, that you are getting this advice from someone who doesn’t like too much planning.

2. Mount Sea, Tanza Cavite – the hotel… I felt like the F4 were going to come and greet us. Very sleek, modern and the food is great. It had a minimalist slash Zen appeal. The best thing – the giant water trampoline which you could drag to the beach waters. The pool was nice too, but I would come here for the trampoline.

3. Amenia Beach, San Andres Catanduanes – nice beach, not much amenities, but if you are the type who doesn’t like crowded places (I’m a fan of unspoiled beaches, hence I never felt the need to go to Bora), this is a good place.

4. Bote Beach , somewhere in Catanduanes – no amenities. Why? Because this is one of the unspoiled beaches I was talking about. Not many people know of the existence of this beach, even among the locals. We got here after a long motorcycle ride and then Tintin and I searched for it by literally “following the sound of the ocean”. “Heto yata ang tamang daan Tintin, kasi naririnig ko na lumalakas na ang tunog ng alon…”. That was how we got to the beach. Loved it. We were the only swimmers there. There were a couple fishermen though.

5. Marilima Beach, again somewhere in Catanduanes – imagine this: No other people in sight, creamy white sand, crystal clear waters, and the Mayon Volcano silhouette… you can’t top this one. Cost? Nothing. But you have to be willing to go to this place and endure some rough roads like the fourth beach.

6. Some waterfall resort being developed by someone I know – hidden in the jungle, I’d say. My ultimate survivor uncle, uncle doming, who had the abilities of Tarzan, took us to this place. I didn’t know that it would entail some mountain climbing and rappelling (using a real vine ala Tarzan). My advice? Get some nice mountain climbing slippers. I didn’t know I would be climbing so I was wearing ordinary house slippers, I had to take them off and go barefoot as rock climbing is easier that way, and then bite on my slippers to carry them.

7. Sumulong falls, somewhere in Catanduanes again – this falls, was somewhat as majestic as the Big Falls of Sagada, but then I would have to say that the Sagada falls was better because it was less accessible to people , hence not subjected to pollution by stupid people whose idea of adventure is leaving their plastic wrappers behind.

8. Pacific Ocean, open seas on a small fisherman boat – wow. Never knew that the waves were bigger and stronger in the open seas. Maybe it was because I was in a teeny weeny boat, with no life vest on. I figured if I get thrown overboard, at least it would be an exciting way to go.

The other places I’d write about
1. Sagada
2. Banaue rice terraces
3. San Miguel mountains
4. Lago de Oro, Batangas (original cable water ski park)
5. Amanpulo
6. Puerto Princessa
7. Hundred Islands

I forgot the other places, I’ll try to recall them, but so far those places top my list of must see places. Sheesh, I wonder what’s in Michigan? Anyways, due to inevitable things, we had to postpone our trip to CamSur Water Ski park. I’ll head there some time this April though, when I am finished with all these visa stuff. My skin needs to rest, I got burned so badly. “Hoy nognog” sabi ng kapatid ko sa akin. I don’t mind being dark, it’s the real me. The only downside of the things I love doing – I get these scars (some of those plants in the mountains are really treacherous ) and insect bites that turns really ugly and lasts for a couple of months. It’s a fair trade off. Wag lang snake bites. Hahaha. That’s why I make a loud noise whenever “I have to go” in the forest. Mahirap na. Whenever you see me getting lighter and somewhat blemish free, it doesn’t mean papaya soap, it just means I am lacking adventure… Up to now I am peeling and scratching.

In conclusion, my take on planning a great adventure:
1. Don’t kill the event by over planning. Don’t fuss on what to eat, where to eat, what food to cook. Hey, there’s bound to be some food where you are going. Imposibleng wala yan. You want fish? Then go to the sea shore and wait for the fishermen to come back (early morning or late afternoon). Don’t know how to cook fish? Shell out fifty pesos and ask the ladies near the shore if they can cook it for you. Simple lang. IF all else fails, boy bawang and coke is a great alternative.
2. Bring the bare necessities – sunblock, toothbrush, facial wash/regimen, goggles or snorkel, bathing suit, a shirt and a shorts. Money. Cell phones (in case you find yourself face to face with danger and you either have to call for help or call to say goodbye)
3. Don’t whine – I hate whiners on a trip. Nothing spoils a trip than to have a person complain of everything.


Anyways, that’s it. I still have to do some non life threatening stuff.