The Sweet Escape (Part 2)

Clear skies, calm waters, and good company – yep, it was a fine day to do some island hopping. The party was supposed to leave around 10 a.m. since we were informed that it would take at least another hour to reach the island. My roomies and I had our breakfast at around 8:30 a.m., and since we’re not leaving for at least another hour, we took the chance to bask in the morning view of the beach and the surroundings and took pictures of ourselves as well. (This is the point where Ryh had her infamous “jump shot” taken. It took me at least four or five takes before getting the shot right! ^_^)

Good morning, Dakak! ^_^

At around 10 a.m., we were aboard the van that took us to the mini-pier where our boat was waiting. There were 22 of us altogether. There were monoblock chairs for each, and we were wondering why on earth were there big white towels in each chair. Manong Lisandro, the friendly tour guide for that morning, explained that since the boat didn’t offer any protection against the heat of the sun, we could use the towel as makeshift cover in case the heat becomes unbearable. Ooookay. So our group sailed away going to Aliguay Island. Everyone was ecstatic and giddy throughout the boat ride, despite the heat of the sun that’s building up by the moment and the wind that’s blowing a little too harshly on our hair. Pictures here, pictures there – those who brought their cameras with them just couldn’t get enough of their photo ops. By the way, we saw four dolphins along the way – sweet! ^_^

Photo ops before the island tour

Some more photo ops... ^_^

CPG crew

When we got to the island, the water was incredible – it’s somewhat a mixture of blues, greens, and dark navy – really enticing and, I must say, incredible! At this point some put on their snorkeling gear and everyone got to the beach and into the water. Knowing myself too well, I opted to limit my exposure to the seawater to prevent some skin allergy breakout. Some more photo ops for the next hour or so, and then we had lunch (The island tour came in with packed lunch of two-piece fried chicken with rice. You have to purchase the drinks separately, though. Geez!!!) By the time we were on the boat ride back to the resort, everyone was steady and no one seemed to be in the mood to talk and take pictures anymore, probably because of the scorching heat of the sun plus everyone’s tired and sleepy. In fact, we looked like a cult of Rizalistas because all of us had the white bath towel draped over ourselves to protect us from the sun. It was useless anyway; by the time we reached the resort we were all burnt and brown in the skin. (Oh well, at least I finally got some tan for this year! Hahaha!) Ryh, Kim, and Mond spent a couple more hours dipping in the pool but I was too tired plus my skin is tingly coz of the sunburn that I got. I rested a good deal at the cottage then went to join the others for dinner. After dinner, we engaged in rounds of gin shots plus lots of kwentuhan and okrayan on the Kinabayo Festival thing.

We've got our stunnas on!

Rizalista cult?!? ^_^

Sun-kissed!

Tagay session with the crew

The next day, we set out to have a heavy breakfast as prep for the flight ahead. Sometime 12:45 p.m. we were boarding the Cebu Pacific flight back to Manila and homeward bound we were. It was drizzling when ours landed in Manila Domestic Airport. I got my checked-in baggage, and together with Kim, Ryh and her boyfriend Raymond, we lined up to hail airport taxis going home.

Photo ops before boarding

Until next year! ^_^

Whew, posting this entry was a handful! I wonder where we’ll be going to for next year’s departmental TCP. The good thing about next year is that the rest of my girls in the office will have been able to join since they have been regularized already. I’m already looking forward to that one. You know what they say, “The more the merrier!”

^_^