sunshine after the rain

two caravans down! and so far, both have proven to be extremely testing and tiring.

nonetheless, there remains a distinct feeling of satisfaction and pride as each one wraps up...

reminds me of TATAK production days back in high school, where everyone works together, suffers and strives together, staying in the campus til late in the evening for rehearsals, night after night after night...down to the actual play dates. the play itself would be nerve-racking, everyone serious and focused....the minutes alternately feeling slow and fast (slow pag easy scenenario, fast pag panic-mode)....until finally, it's curtain call....bow..encore....and we celebrate in the backstage with lots of photo ops (using instamatic cameras pa noon!) and thank Him for a successful event.

oh, getting back :)

here are a few photos from two side trips from Go Negosyo caravans, held November and December in Bataan and Davao, respectively. both series of sleepless nights is topped off by new experiences in new places.

in Bataan, i got to visit Mt. Samat for the first time, where there actually exists a humble museum on events leading to world war II, including of course the death march. there were really interesting articles, photos and artifacts which brought me back to kasaysayan 1 days. it was also only then that I learned that samat's cross actually housed an elevator and a viewing deck. (the photo below with me by the round window is in the cross!) it was a pleasant surprise, getting to go high up to take in the view, and get frozen by the extra cool November breeze. 

in Davao, i got to hang out with a friend who i haven't hung out with in at least 5 years. we started with a few drinks in the evening (hanggang nabawalan na ng alcohol due to the 2am curfew in the city), went back to our separate places to sleep, and met up again by noon to go to Samal Island -- also my first time there! Marja brought me to Aquafun Resort, popular for its 40 meter water slide made of tarpauline, taking one from the mountain slope to the sea.

after some sliding and swimming, we kayaked to take a peek at the Maxima Resort. and before going home, we also did the canopy walk (again, a first for me!) but out of everything, my favorite thing about this sidetrip was the actual chance to visit the island, complete with boat ride (via RORO bus on barge one-way, then actual ride on the ferrt the other way), habal-habal, and of course, the BRIGHT afternoon sun. i didn't know i'd get to ride so many forms of transportation on that one :)

in a few hours, i am heading to daet for the last out-of-town goneg event for the year. i don't think i'll have time to do any sidetrips on this one but....who knows....maybe i'm in for another surprise. ;-) life is good!

PS the photos don't do samal island water's justice. it was so so so nice. and linaw at ang linis niya. even as Marja and I kayaked, just along the coast, we already saw fish jumping in and out of the water. i saw crabs and starfish and LARGE schools of fish. have to go back to snorkle!!! (and get more sun, of course!)

*Waterslide photos not mine...just put them here for your appreciation. Sarap nung slide! I totally wouldn't mind going back. But something to go back for is the Maxima Resort: a 2-storey beach house on stilts, rentable by a group (friends or family), approximately P12,500 per night, good for ten people. Check out http://maxima.psdgroupph.com/ for more info!

**Mt. Samat photos care of Bennette :)