August 2012
A re-post from deleted blog entry. Thanks so much Don for retrieving this. You're a hero! I owe you a lot!
Days passed and everyone in the group
became more excited as the date set for surfing was drawing nearer. Worries of
having it postponed due to typhoon Gener came into thoughts but God made a way!
On the very day, the weather in La Union was just perfect for water sports.
August 4, Saturday. Everything was set and we were ready to go except
for my sisters who couldn't join due to urgent work needs. Although the idea
behind surfing was to give a birthday present to my sisters thru surfing, I
just couldn't quit and tell Marion and Mon that we better reschedule the trip.
I couldn't do that because I was already at the peak of uncontrollable
excitement. It was a momentum that I could not simply hold back just because of
some people who committed but couldn't come. And so, the trip proceeded with
just me, Marion and Mon, The BACKPACKERS!
Since Marion and I went straight from work,
I thought of having a nice, comfortable seat in a bus. It's going to be a
7-hour long drive so we needed to board a deluxe bus. Partas was one in mind.
At 9:15am, we left Partas bus station in Cubao.
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| Marion on her relaxing seat |
The bus was heading to Vigan, Ilocos
Sur. We asked the driver to drop us off Sebay Resort in Urbiztondo which was
along Mac Arthur Highway. We reached the destination by past 4:00 in the
afternoon.
As we went inside Sebay Resort, the
bungalow style of houses with Anahaw roofing, caught my attention. The architecture, the arrangements, a wide entrance for
guests with cars, the native plants and how colorful flags were placed in
different linear location - all of these could be seen elsewhere in any resort
but this specific resort was really impressive. I instantly thought of having my own resort
someday. :)
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| Just got in |
Right after we checked in, we went
straight to Fats' Bar and Grille, the resort's restaurant along the
seashore.Though we had heavy meal at Jollibee in Cubao at 8:00 AM, the long
trip gave us an empty stomach and so we craved for any food that we could think
of. At that point I wanted something that has soup, a fish maybe or a chicken.
Or maybe the weather just made us hungrier because it was raining when we
reached the place. True enough, craving for food is associated with cold
environment. Good thing, the restaurant had almost all of the Filipino foods,
from veggies to pork to fish etcetera that day. Our only concern was that we
were really hungry and the food was served after over 30 minutes of waiting!
That was not nice at all. But thanks to friendly surfers and wonderful ambiance
that entertained us a bit.
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| How can't you be fascinated by an ambiance like this? Lunch by the seashore! |
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| Surfers on rainy season |
After stuffing our stomach with
"supah-delicious" food, we took a rest for a short while. Marion got
busy with her tab uploading some photos through a free wifi in the resort while
I was taking pictures. Few more minutes and we thought of having our surfing
class. We were all beginners so we needed to take "Surfing 101" with
the trainers. It was getting dark and before we could even complete the full
1-hour session, it might have been night already so we all agreed to take the
class first thing in the morning.
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To fill in the idle time, we decided to walk along the seashore to see the beauty of San Juan beach. We were supposed to have sunset viewing in the afternoon but since it was cloudy with small drops of rain, we did not have the chance. Anyway, first day was not bad at all. We might have missed the sunset but we still had fun with waves and the beach. Walking along the seashore was kind of relaxing, especially when in barefoot.
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| The calm sea after the rain |
Sometimes when you get into places apart from your
usual shell, you tend to act as a kid. Look at these people who are seemingly
child-like by acts:
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| Astroboy in the ocean |
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| Bellerina |
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| Lost Mermaid ??? |
Whatever fantasy character we may have wanted to
portray, there was only one thing we truly wanted to achieve that time - to
ride a surf board on the crest!
August 5, Sunday. It was a beautiful morning, a sunny day which was just suitable
for our surfing! Thrilled, excited as we had become, we couldn't wait to
finally have our "SURFING 101".
To get ready, we took in heavy breakfast at Seanymph Surf Cafe, a nearby canteen. Everyone of us wanted to make sure we wouldn't pass out or lose energy as we paddle and position ourselves on surfboards. Similar to Fats' Bar and Grille, it took time before they were able to bring the food in but the moment it was served, the idea of having breakfast by the seashore seemed to be peerless. I appreciated it a lot and at the same time missed my hometown.
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| We need to energize!!! |
SURFING 101
The real sport began...
Surfing is truly an amazing experience that
everybody must try! One does not need to be a swimmer before s/he can try this
water sport. Mon does not know how to swim but he could
surf! Look at his jump for joy for a very fulfilling TRY!
Surfing is a matter of body balancing and the desire to swing with the waves. A lot of people get hooked into it. After an hour session, we understood why!
The moment you are able to take control of your
board and direct it to the location you want to get to, alongside with or in
front of and even on top of the waves - the feeling is just different! It feels
like you own the ocean or the ocean is your world, either way!
When I did it right for the first time, I felt like
I was making history! It was like I was making my own world! I could sense
similar feeling from Marion and Mon when they were able to stand on top of the
surf boards. I was about 10 meters behind them so I could see how big their
laughs were after falling off their boards!
What we've learned were all just basics. Observing
how the professional surfers positioned their legs, leaned their body and went
frontward, upward and even sidewards with the waves, was totally impressive! I
wished to become a professional surfer someday too!
An
Add-On
Aside from surfing, there are other water and beach
sports available at the resort. Beach volleyball, frisbee, kayak are a few to
mention.
Mon could not get over with his surfing lesson that
he wanted to try another one. This time, just him alone! No trainer! Thus, we
rented one surf board for Mon and a two-seater kayak for Marion and me.
I thought kayaking is an easy sport to do. I
thought I had learned enough of the basics in paddling but I was wrong. I knew
of "forward" and "backward" paddles but I didn't know how
to change direction. There was this instance when I wanted to go northeast but
the kayak went to the northwest direction instead! Thanks God I didn't dare to
ride in a single seater kayak or else I might have been in the China sea :).
Marion was best in paddling and she taught me of some other basics I should
have known.
San Juan, La Union has been known for surfing in
Luzon. Many surfers come to visit, including celebrities such as Mylene Dizon. We were lucky to see her carrying a long board. Mon was
star-struck and he approached Mylene in the gentlest way and politely asked for
a picture taking.
Surfing was truly the best experience for us this
month, and Mon's best birthday treat for himself. After working so hard, he got
his own treat! Happy Birthday BP Mon!
Fun with the waves, just like any other happenings,
comes to an end. It was our time to say goodbye to Sebay
Resort, San Juan and hello San Fernando City, La Union!
For our side trip, please see our blog for San Fernando La Union and Mao-Cho Taoist Temple
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