Iloilo: Only in the Philippines

We went there on a Monday via plane from Manila which took almost an hour, rented car from the aiport to the port for 3 to 4 hours and boat ride for two hours and then voila we arrived in Gigantes Island. It did not end there we took a motorbike ride for a couple of minutes and we reached our destination, our home for the vacation - Gigantes Hideaway Tourist Resort.

Food and Accommodation

We were served coffee rightaway. The staff was courteous. A few visitors were also there. Since we are solitude-loving people we fell inlove with the place right away because the cottages were situated far away from each other making privacy and silence possible. There were also nearby Videoke bars where we later enjoyed ourselves with a couple of beers. 

Oh I was also supposed to talk about the foof. Well, they served seafood! A variety of them like scallops, fishes and squid. I forgot to say that their shore was covered with scallop shells. The locals are suppliers of scallops in various places. Needless to say, the food was sumptuous.

The Views

We went to a Lighthouse at sunrise. Unfortunately the clouds were heavy that time but we still enjoyed ourselves with the picturesque gift of the place. There were ruins, trees, a sight of the beaches and some islands. At the break of dawn, the changes of the colors around never fail to mesmerize the human eyes. Indeed the divine intervention in these creations are so powerful beyond imagination. We are but spectators in his majestic presence. 

We later went to do some island hopping. I cannot find an appropriate word or group of words to give justice to the beauty of the place. It could be an underestimation to its grandeur. Go see it. You will know what I mean.

Guimaras

What I did in San Juan

For a Cause

Curma or Coastal Underwater Resource Management Actions is the pioneer for the the conservation of Pawikans in the area. Their efforts start with securing Pawikan nests, releasing the hatchlings up to coastal clean-ups. Volunteering is available for everyone.

I did not save some Pawikans. They saved me. They made me understand the course of nature, which is life must be lived with full awareness of the existence of others. You need not be a volunteer for Curma to be a part of their cause. Rather, living with environmental consciousness is enough.

Paddle and Surf

There was one thing I fear most in life- dying in water or drowning in one word. Go on and laugh, ridicule me with this foolish thought. Then commend me for facing it. I will slowly paddle my way to the end of the sea until I conquer this. San Juan is the best place to do this. The seashore has an infinite line, the waters with various moods, and the sun with subtle gentleness.

Eat

Flotsam and Jetsam is my favorite. I have my share of the hippie lifestyle-the thing I would not choose for myself but would occasionally knock my curiosity. And now I have it. They serve a variety of foods from vegetable salads, pizza, pasta and rice meals.
There are other interesting places to visit. There is a Greek restaurant, German restaurant, and a Tea house.

Went to the Falls

The waterfalls is located in the boundary of two towns. It was so serene. The guide used a rope for support and lifeguard, the whole time. We were also dared to jump but I really cannot take chances in throwing myself off cliffs. But it was fun to watch the brave ones. This is the part of my life that I humble down and cower in my fears. My companions respected that.

Stress Relievers : The Healthy Way

It rises up out of from a cause buried from deep within. Slowly it explodes from your insides. This places you in a position that makes you dumbstruck about what to do. There is one thing. You just must find a release for all the tension that is gaining more space inside your body. And this must be done right now.

I used to ran to bars, clubs and order a shot of vodka, a bottle of strong beer and call friends to join me when this occurs. Getting wasted has been the answer to the question of what is your stress reliever? But that answer is said only in my mind because I was raised in a conservative family. I knew it is self-destruction and I have to do something about it because I love myself. The following are some of what my soul-searching made me do:

1. Eat Out

A cup of coffee, a piece of cake, a plate of vegetable salad or pasta will do. I usually eat one of these while reading something-a magazine, a good book or the day's paper. Choose a place with a good ambience- great view, soft muzak and courteous smiling personnel. 

2. Exercise

I have never been an athletic type. I cannot lift or even carry myself sometimes or even have to ask help for some chores which would have been easy to a five-year old. But since I am desperate for some release I decided to enrol myself to a gym. I had to choose from a lot of gyms in the area because I had to consider cleansiness, services offered and a great personnel. 

I was so inspired in that place. There are so many people who do it for themselves with different motivations like health and appearance. Moreover, it pushed me to the edge. Before, I can only ran for a minute. Now, a straight ten-minutes is yet the farthest I ran in the treadmill. I also started some workouts which focuses on relying on body weights. It was so challenging. It made me realized how unfit I am and that I have unpleasant fats everywhere. Hideous, I even have it in my face.

In relation to problem solving, the motivation you gain from exercising actually influences how you face the other adversities in the outside world. 

4. Yoga

I first did it for what everyone said it is for-meditation. But the shock slapped me in the face when stretching was actually what it is all about. Again, it made me realize how unflexible I was. But the people around understood my case and kept on telling me to work on my own pace and capacity. It is again one of the challenging things I did. 

Those who are scared of body aches from working out can opt for yoga. After  session all you can actually feel is a relaxed state.