23-25 September 2011
Singapore Formula One Grand Prix Night Race
This post is dedicated to 3 people.
First of course is my ex-boss Vic, who I have to thank for the free Friday grandstand tickets. Long live the SWAT alumni!
The second goes out to the Merlion — thanks for making any event held in Singapore grand. And I mean grand. The mini-shows around the track in between the races were a nice touch; hoping for a more exciting lineup next year, though.
And lastly, it goes out to Auntie Ruth, the real-estate agent who found our nook in Mountbatten. The view of the Singapore Flyer & Marina Bay from our unit is just simply A-MA-ZING. Honestly, I think half of the video is all about the fireworks as seen from our window. I can’t say it enough — A-MA-ZING.
Better Über late than never. We’ve been friends for more than a decade, yet here we were at only our first trip overseas. Bugsy* invaded Bali last April for some much needed eat-pray-loving. Here’s a clip of us trying out the bungee jumps at AJ Hackett in Legian/Seminyak. It was Jam and Dana’s first tryst with flight; we enjoyed it so much we went for 2 jumps each (I actually went for 3… they would let you bungee jump riding a bike. How could I resist?). Although the jumps were not as high as the ones from AJ Hackett in Macau, Bali’s definitely the place if you want to jump in style — they have costumes, motorcycles, even fireballs! Sadly, I just found out that AJ Hackett closed shop in Bali; hopefully they put up a new spot.
* The name with which my high school friends and I christened our group. Don’t ask why; it’s a loooong story.
The anticipation is messing with your head. You could have sworn your heart was right next to your ear, as you hear the thumps bang against your eardrums. You glance at your designated spotter squinting at a distance, before swapping Bicolano with the other boatmen. You nervously fidget with your snorkel mask. Wait, did he just say… ‘Jump!’?
And you jump, right into the chilly beryl deep. After a few chaotic seconds of flailing limbs underwater, you compose yourself and catch sight of what you came all this way for: the magnificent leviathan of a fish, nonchalantly passing by in all its 8-metre spotted glory. Everything else fades into the background. You feel that it’s just you, and the giant. It takes all self-control not to reach out and hold on to its fin, ala-Free Willy.
We were blessed with a sunny day in Donsol; all in all, we spotted 4 whale sharks. It’s said that in season, it’s actually rare NOT to see at least one. Some of them glided slowly, letting you bask in its graceful splendor; some of them will really make you work your fins. During the interactions, the guides will remind you to stay at least 5 feet away from the whale sharks, as to not spook them or more importantly, not to get swatted by its tail. At one time, I was gliding along on top of the whale shark, when I noticed the spots getting larger by the second. I soon realized it was trying to surface. In my head, I was going like ‘5 feet! 5 feet!’ at the titan. My friends who dove in with me saw this as well. They swore that given a few more seconds, I could have gotten a free ride on the back of the whale shark. He plunged into the deep again after a while, and once the nervousness wore off, the thought of that rare close encounter still gives me smiles up to this day.
Close encounter of the BIG kind.
Donsol is one hour away by land from Legazpi City, Philippines. There are a lot of sites offering information on how you can organize your own Donsol whale shark experience; here’s one from the regional tourism site.
Of course, every great trip deserves a tribute video. =)
To say that Mt. Kitanglad was a sight to behold is a glaring understatement. It was definitely one of the best climbs I’ve been on –> fun trail + awesome view = winner! If there was any doubt if climbing is still my first great love, then this trip just about squashes it all.
This goes out to kindred spirits Jan, Stan & Biboy. Can’t wait to go back and visit D2 next! 🙂
I remember always wanting to go to New Zealand to try out the zorb, but the good thing was I didn’t have to go all the way to NZ anymore! A lot has changed since I last went to Boracay — now they’re offering zorb rides as well. Call it a cliche, but Boracay is really THE island paradise — nothing but fun, smiles, good food and the glorious beach. I had to ask myself over and over — how could I NOT be from Boracay?! Here we were, literally having a ‘ball’ at their new attraction.
paragliding@timbis beach, bali
28 august 2010
with alex, fed, monn, juric & jen
This is why I go through the painstaking process of editing/obsessing over video clips — so that I can relive breathtaking experiences such as this one. 🙂
Given that we were only there for the weekend, the 6 of us trooped over to Timbis Beach in Bali to try out paragliding. If you want to challenge your fear of heights, then you have to try this — you’ll literally feel the wind beneath your feet. My tandem instructor said that sometimes, it was even possible to touch the clouds (!). If you’re lucky, your instructor will even let you control the chute — I got a crash-course (no pun intended) in navigating the chute left and right, up and down — this is the type of high that stays with you. A definite must-try when in Bali.
24-25 July 2010
Gunung Panti, Malaysia
With Chay, Tabs, Mike, Chinky, Annie, Jonahs, Mondale
There are two kinds of people — those who think that climbing mountains is sheer folly, and those who treat the experience as the only proof that everything is still right in the world.
This trip’s moral lesson: The quickest way to have a embarassing-stories-about-you marathon is to get your friends and your sister & niece together. Spell L-A-G-L-A-G.
Casualty Assessment:
Bus to Pagudpud/Laoag – Php 700 (1-way)
1 bedroom at Punta Azul (for max 3 persons) – Php 3,500
Van tour of Pagudpud ( Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, Bangui Windmills, Patapat Viaduct, Agua Grande, Paraiso ni Anton, Kabigan falls) – Php 2000
* You can ask the resort to hook you up with a tour operator. There’s also an option for a tricycle tour, but in long distances, that might not be fun. =P)
Of course, I wasn’t going to let a trip to Bali pass by without trying to catch a wave! I signed up for surf classes on our last day, and I have nothing but praises for the Pro Surf School in Kuta. Kudos!
Thanks Errol for the pictures! =) I look funny when I put on my game face — that’s why I resolve to not take myself so seriously. Nyahaha.
.: ishcapades 