KNEEBOARDING AT CAMSUR WATERSPORTS COMPLEX

During my family's Bicol vacation last November, we went to Camsur Watersports Complex (CWC) for a little aquatic sports activity.  Vince had previously done knee/wakeboarding at CWC several years back, and he got me so hyped up when he told me how fun his experience was, so I made sure that I included this in our very cramped itinerary.

We got to CWC quite late in the afternoon and because it was starting to get dark already, not to mention it was raining and Pakoy was sick, unfortunately, we weren't able to explore the whole complex.  Despite that, my sibs and I had a great first time experience of kneeboarding.

So, how does one kneeboard?  Basically, you position yourself on the kneeboard by kneeling (hehe!) and you hold onto a tow rope which is attached to a machine that pulls you around in fast speed.

In CWC, there are markers that you have to sort of stay within, especially during curves and turns, to keep yourself from falling into the water, as well as to avoid being pulled back by the machine.  Trust me, you don't want that crazy machine jolting you!  Oh my jeez, I felt like my shoulders were going to detach from my torso every time I got strongly pulled by that machine.  Ugh!  On my first try, I was screaming on top of my lungs like a birthing mom, everyone in CWC at that time probably thought I was crazy.  Haha!

Vince, me, and my younger brother, Pipoy, were all successful during our first round of kneeboarding.  We were able to make a full circle without falling into the water, and most importantly, with our upper bodies intact in one piece.  LOL.  My sister didn't want to try it at first, but when she heard us laughing and exchanging our funny stories after our first round, she quickly changed her mind and joined the fun.  My bro-in-law fell while maneuvering a turn on his first round, so his wife (my sister) was teasing him that he had gone shopping somewhere, because it took him so long to get back to the starting point.  He sort of lost his board in the water and he was on the far side of the waters when he fell, so it took him a while to walk back.  But guess who fell in the water next?  Nonetheless than my sister and my bro-in-law got his turn to tease her.  Haha!

My bro-in-law wondered, "Where was I when this picture was taken?"
He had the right to ask that because there were supposedly four of us kneeboarding then.
My sister blurted out, "That was when you fell in the water!"
All of us cracked up laughing.  Haha!

One thing I can say about kneeboarding is that you need to have a good physique and strong upper body to be able to withstand this.  All I did was basically ride around on the kneeboard and yet I already felt like my whole upper body was disowning me then.  I can only imagine how much more with those avids who do crazy jumping and twisting stunts ☻

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TUESDAY TRAVEL

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366 BLOG PHOTO CHALLENGE | TUESDAY TRAVELS |

BAG-ING ISLAND - EPISODE 3

This is my third post for my Caramoan island hopping adventure series.  Click on the links within this post to read on the previous episodes.

If Manlawi Island's striking feature is its gorgeous sandbar and long stretch of shallow waters perfect for running and playing on the beach, Bag-Ing Island, on the other hand, evokes a wilder side of Caramoan owing to the exotic rock formation and greens found in Bag-Ing.

It's the same "wild" reason why Caramoan Islands has been Survivor international franchises' favorite location shoot.  It gives contestants the outcast feeling and detachment from the modern world which then draws out contestants' primal instincts, which is what exactly the reality game's theme is about.

It was already late in the afternoon when the Survivor wannabees got to Bag-Ing, and the water had already started to rise.  In Manlawi, we had the liberty to walk and run a far distance from the seashore and the water level remained knee to waist deep, however, that is not the case with Bag-Ing.  We were only able to swim close to the shore due to rising tides.

I will post more pictures on the next episode to show what fun things the Survivor wannabes did in Bag-ing.  Until then!

*Photo credit to my father-in-law

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Still blogging in progress but you can find out more about my epic Bicol vacation here:

BICOL 2011

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You can read my other travel stories here:

TUESDAY TRAVEL

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To read more of my Philippines 2011 vacation, please visit:

THE ADVENTURES OF PAKOY-KOY

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My share for:

SKYWATCH FRIDAY | OUR WORLD TUESDAY | WATERY WEDNESDAY | Project 366 Blog Photo Challenge | SCENIC SUNDAY | BLUE MONDAY | TUESDAY TRAVELS | WORDFUL WEDNESDAY | WATERY WORLD WEDNESDAY |

MANLAWI ISLAND - EPISODE 2

Happiness is... a day at the beach with my family.  This is my share for this week's HAPPINESS IS meme.

In Manlawi Island - Episode 1,  I posted a few pictures of the gorgeous island, the first stop in my Caramoan island hopping adventure with my family.  The beach has a long stretch of shallow part, and so we had to wait for the tides to rise before we could boat away onto our next stop.  We didn't mind that at all, not an itsy bitsy at all.  That only gave us the chance to spend a longer time in this piece of paradise on earth ;)

Now for the second episode in this series, I would like to introduce you the wonderful cast in this adventure.  Meet the Survivor wannabes:

"I'm not the usual adorable but terrible 3-year-old, you know?  Just saying!" *grins*

"I don't know what's it in seashells, crabs and starfish, but they really fascinate me, like totally." *scratches head in confusion*  "Maybe because they remind me of Spongebob, Patrick, Mr. Krabbs, and the whole Bikini Bottom village?" *mental light bulb flickers*  "Yeah, that's it!" 

"Yes, we are the responsible parents of the adorable but terrible, not to mention atrocious, 3-year-old boy above.  Any complaints?" *both raise an eyebrow*

"We have to make a pact that we will get enough tan to last the whole cold wintertime that's waiting for us when this tropical vacation is over and done!" *apply sunblock to each other*

"Excuse me, kids, lest we forget, you owe your beautiful genes to us. Hehe!" *laugh out loud in chorus*

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Still blogging in progress, but you can find out more about my epic Bicol vacation here:

BICOL 2011

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You can read my other travel stories here:

TUESDAY TRAVEL

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To read more of my Philippines 2011 vacation, please visit:

THE ADVENTURES OF PAKOY-KOY 

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My share for:

BLUE MONDAY   WATERY WEDNESDAY




366 BLOG PHOTO CHALLENGE | TUESDAY TRAVELS |

SNORKELING IN BORACAY

Bummer!   That's what Pakoy probably felt when he realized he could not go snorkeling with the grown-ups.  While he was able to fit into one of the smaller life vests, unfortunately, we did not have a snorkeling gear for kids (because we did not ask if there was any available and we thought he was just too young for such activity).  So, Pakoy had to be contented to sit on the boat with Mama while the rest of us went into the water and amused ourselves looking at various colorful fish, including angel fish, which my sister, Mcdo (Pakoy's mom), described as "kamukha ng two-piece na suot ni ate kahapon" in reference to the black and white striped swimsuit I wore the day before ☺  We held smaller pieces of bread for fish to feed on, and when I did that, several big ones flocked on me all at the same time that I got scared and let out a loud shrill, to which Vince said, "Sabi ko na nga ba eh!"  *Just what I thought!*  Haha!

The current was kind of strong and we had to hold onto the rope and katig  so as not to be drifted away.  Knowing that Pakoy once jumped into a pool without any hesitation, we told him to stay on the boat and not even think about going into the water because the current might drift him away.  He was a good kid and did not give us a hard time on that matter.  He pretty much enjoyed watching us and listening to us babble how beautiful underwater was, and at one point, he blurted out,  "Mommy, yung puwet mo nakalabas!"   *Mommy, your butt is showing!*   Hehe!

Pakoy's Boracay series would soon come to end, however, his vacation did not end there!  Wanna know where he was headed next?  Stay tuned to this blogserye  to find out.  Adios for now ☻

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To read more of my Philippines 2011 vacation, please click:

THE ADVENTURES OF PAKOY-KOY

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To read more of my travel stories, please click:

TUESDAY TRAVEL

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My share for:

WATERY WEDNESDAY

ISLAND HOPPING IN BORACAY

If you have been following my blogserye, The Adventures of Pakoy-koy, you would remember that our pint-sized hero, Pakoy, was promised by her Tita Mae and Tito Vince a big day after the first in Boracay.  To be true to our word, we arranged an island hopping tour via banca  the following day.

Whachathink of Pakoy sporting his "Cyclops" sunglasses?

Pakoy and the grown-ups were equally excited to board on the banca  we rented and to commence our big adventure for that day.  Pakoy was already familiar by this time with traveling by water as this was not his first time to ride a boat.

Island hopping off we go!

Pakoy and the rest of our family had a good amount of sightseeing while on this island hopping escapade.  Check out the photos below to find out some of the sights and attractions Pakoy laid his eyes on:

The controversial Boracay hotel apparently owned by Manny Pacquiao

High-end, pricey villas/cottages/hotels in Boracay

Tourists on similar island hopping tour and water activities like the Banana Boat Ride

First stop of this island hopping tour was at the Puka Beach where rare puka shells are found.  Feel free to click on the link to know what we did in the Puka Beach :)

After Puka Beach, we continued on the boat ride and pit stopped at a snorkeling spot.  Do you think Pakoy was able to go snorkeling with the adults?  Hmmmmm...  Stay tuned to this blogserye  to find out the rest of the story!  Ciao for now :D

♪♫ 'Cause you feel like paradise, and I need a vacation tonight ♪♫

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To read more of my Philippines 2011 vacation, please click:

THE ADVENTURES OF PAKOY-KOY

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To read more of my travel stories, please click:  TUESDAY TRAVEL

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My share for:

WATERY WEDNESDAY | ABC WEDNESDAY |

PUKA BEACH IN BORACAY

Could you blame me if almost all I've been talking about in my blog for the past days was my Boracay trip?  :)  Just look at that azure sea, white sand and clear skies wrapped up in a total package of serene ambiance.  Oooohhhhhhh...  I think I need another vacation now.  LOL.

Anyway, the story behind the pictures in this post is as follows:

My family and I did an island hopping tour in Boracay, wherein we stopped for half-an-hour or so at this haven called Puka Beach, where rare puka shells are found.  The place was truly a sight to behold.  I initially thought I would only stay in the shore and dip in the water for about 10 minutes, but once I saw how clear the water was, I just had to put on my snorkeling gear so I could go into the deep.

Notice my brother who seemed oblivious to the world, intently looking at the
pretty shell he caught, and my mom (partly seen on the right) herself
was immersed in her own world hunting shells!  Beachcombers! :p

On the other hand, my brother and mother went ga-ga over the shells found in this beach and spent a heck of time by the shore collecting shells and haggling with locals who were selling puka shell accessories.  My father however complained that the sand was "rough" on the feet - oh well, obviously, because of the shells.   Hehe!   My sister, brother-in-law, and Pakoy had a great time themselves playing in the water.

What a wonderful world!

When we were about to leave, we had to practically drag my mother away from the beach, because:

1)  She would not stop haggling with the locals.  Honestly, we all pitied the locals because they were not overpricing or anything, but that is just how my mother has always been since time immemorial. *Me rolls eyes, shakes head, grins big*

2)  She wanted to take home mounds of "shells."  Apparently, according to the locals, shells are okay to be kept as souvenirs, but corals are not.   They told us that it is illegal to remove corals from the sea, and there is a fine should you get caught.  So, she and the locals spent a good deal of time (again) sorting out which ones are shells and which ones are corals.

Guess what?  At the end of our Boracay trip on our way back to Manila, after much urging from all of us, my mother brokenheartedly decided to part ways with her collected "shells" in fear that airport authorities might catch her with a "coral" mistaken to be a "shell" and be fined for it.  If it is any consolation at all, she went home with a bunch of locally handmade oh-so-pretty-oh-so-fine puka bracelets and anklets anyway ;)

How can you be afraid of the sea if the water is this clear?

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To read more of my Philippines 2011 vacation, please click:

THE ADVENTURES OF PAKOY-KOY

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To read more of my travel stories, please click:  TUESDAY TRAVEL

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WATERY WEDNESDAY | OUR WORLD TUESDAY | SCENIC SUNDAY

HELMET DIVING IN BORACAY

The Fantastic Five

One of the activities my family did in Boracay was helmet diving.  Obviously, the rugrat, Pakoy, was too young to do this, so he had to wait on the boat with Mama and Papa, while Tito Bochok, Tita Mae, Tito Vince, Mommy Mcdo and Daddy Alvin put on a 25-pound helmet, submerged themselves in the water, walked on the seabed, and played with and fed different colorful fish.  This wonderful experience was of course documented on camera - photos and video!

I forgot to tuck my stomach in :D

Among the five of us, I was the only one who had a hard time equalizing ear pressure.  The helmet diving masters taught us three ways how to equalize - 1) Swallow; 2) Move your jaw sideways; 3) Pinch your nose and with mouth closed, blow from your nose.  I was successful with the third method but I had to do it several times while underwater.

♪♫ Under the sea, Under the sea
Darling , it's better
Down where it's wetter
Take it from me ♪♫

Helmet diving is definitely a must-try!  Should you get the chance to do it, don't think twice, go for it.  After all, life is too short to miss out on things like that :)

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To read more of my Philippines 2011 vacation, please click:

THE ADVENTURES OF PAKOY-KOY

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To read more of my travel stories, please click:  TUESDAY TRAVEL

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My share for:

WATERY WEDNESDAY

ABC WEDNESDAY

FUN IN THE POOL WITH PAKOY

The adrenaline hype that our lead rugrat got from Boracay beach waves took a while to die down.  It was about twilight and dusk was already making it's way when we got out of the water, after which we decided to take a walk along the stretch of Station 2.  Pakoy, on more than one occasion, had complained of feeling tired, and so, the adults obligingly took turns on carrying the perky rugrat during the long stroll.  Just when we thought everybody in the group was ready for a bath to wash off the white sands and saltwater trapped on our skin and clothes from the swim in and walk by the beach, Pakoy showed some resistance and proved to us that the night was as young as him and he could still gulp in some more splashes of fun.

Tito Vince conscientiously volunteered to supervise the little one's night swim

Giggly thrilled over tiny jets of water squirting out of shower-like thingies by the pool

Pakoy pointing at the showers indicating he wanted more! 

Tito Vince and Tita Mae had to tell Pakoy that tomorrow is another big day in the beach just so he would agree to come out of the pool.

Now, the question is, will the ocean be big enough for a youngster with vast imagination?  How much bigger a day in the beach can get for Pakoy? ;) 

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To find out the rest of the story, and to know more about my Philippines 2011 vacation, stay tuned to this blogserye:

THE ADVENTURES OF PAKOY-KOY

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To read more of my travel stories, please click:  TUESDAY TRAVEL

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My share for:

WATERY WEDNESDAY | 366 BLOG PHOTO CHALLENGE |

PAKOY AND THE WAVES

As to my previous question whether our pint-sized protagonist, Pakoy, did hit the Boracay beach waves or not, I will let the picture below answer that:

Daddy Alvin, Mommy Mcdo, Pakoy Kolokoy, and Tita Mae

Yes, you guessed it right!  Pakoy did not hesitate long to put his feet into the water.  He was exceedingly glad to be tossed by the strong waves.  He screamed for joy and was thrilled about the soaring tide.  He never allowed himself, not for a second, to be bothered by the salty water.  It was close to dusk when we took our first dip into the beach, and I, myself, had a good time swimming on the waves as the tide was slowly rising high.  What added fun to the experience were the squeals of excitement coming from the little boy each time big waves would come and toss us to the shore.  The joy of a child is simply priceless!

What do you think Pakoy did afterwards?  Had he gotten enough of the waters?  How much splash of fun could our tiny explorer handle in a day?

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To find out the rest of the story, and to know more about my Philippines 2011 vacation, stay tuned to this blogserye:

THE ADVENTURES OF PAKOY-KOY

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To read more of my travel stories, please click:  TUESDAY TRAVEL

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My share for:  WATERY WEDNESDAY

PAKOY'S FIRST BOAT RIDE

Our family's 3-year-old rugrat, Pakoy, was not only able to experience his first plane ride during my Philippines 2011 vacation, but also his first boat ride when we went to Boracay.  The experience of traveling by air and by sea was altogether new to him so I could sense that he was just as curious as any young boy could be.  During the boat ride, I took the chance to give him a bit of a science lesson with regards to marine animals and told him that if he sees the ocean is blue, it means that the water is deep.  He had a taste of the salty seawater for the first time when at one point we got splashed on by small waves during the short boat ride.  When he realized that the sea is not the same as his previous swimming pool fun times, he requested that we not swim in the beach.  Coming from a little boy who once, without hesitation, jumped into a 4-foot deep swimming pool, I could tell that he got a tad scared of the water.

Pakoy and tita Mae carefully going up the plank to the boat 

Do you think Pakoy kept himself away from the beach when we got to Boracay?  Or was he able to overcome the deep, blue sea?  Stay tuned to find out the answers, and to know more of my vacation stories!  Until my next post, ciao for now :)

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To read more of my Philippines 2011 vacation, please click:

THE ADVENTURES OF PAKOY-KOY

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To read more of my travel stories, please click:  TUESDAY TRAVEL

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BORACAY VACATION TEASER

The photo above was taken by my youngest sibling, Pipoy, using the hand-me-down N95 16GB phone he got from me as pasalubong.  This, for me, is the best landscape picture we took from our Boracay trip.  Kudos to him for being able to capture a serene view of the beach considering how busy Station 2 is.  I was actually pretty surprised that the used-to-be-mine-now-Pipoy's 5 megapixel cam phone could actually produce a quality picture like this.  With that in mind, just imagine how much more if a top-of-the-line DSLR camera was used to digitally capture this sight to behold.

I will share more of my Boracay stories/pictures in future posts, so just hang in there and you're very much welcome to follow.  For now, let me leave you the photo above for a teaser :)  Ciao! 

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To read more of my Philippines 2011 vacation, please click:

THE ADVENTURES OF PAKOY-KOY

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To read more of my travel stories, please click:  TUESDAY TRAVEL

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My share for:

SKYWATCH FRIDAY



WATERY WEDNESDAY