When in Manila, it’s impossible not to feel the frenzied hustle of the fast-paced city life (unless you are a monk in a trance). Sometimes we all need a break and go to a faraway place where the loud car horns and smokescreen of…well…smoke are just some distant tiny beeps and wisps of out-of-place gas. One day, out of whim, I decided to take that break. I checked out some tour packages online to see if there are any available that same November weekend the spur of the moment decision took place.
Enter travelfactor.org, a very cool organization for travellers with lots of great feedback. Being a solo traveller, I found the services that they offer very beneficial. They take care of the transportation, the billeting, among others. I decided to register for their Surfvivor La Union trip to try being the surfer chick that people insist I am (must be because I’m morena). The package included transportation to and from La Union, an overnight stay in a hotel, one dinner, 2 surfing lessons, a personalized bag tag and a Travel Factor shirt, all for just Php 3,000.00. I looked forward to spending time away from the worries of the city and finally ticking off one item from my bucketlist: to travel alone.
So I, a group of students, a group of officemates, and the group coordinator and his girlfriend, departed in a van that took us to La Union in roughly about six hours. We arrived at Sebay Inn at the break of dawn. The staff was friendly and accommodating, allowing us to use one of the rooms before the official check-in time. It was drizzling and I thought it was just perfect. You see, I’m planning to get stoked but never get heat stroke.
Then the group went to the beachfront, now dressed in our slick surfing gear, to avail of the first of our two free surfing lessons. Now you have to understand that I am mighty afraid of the sea. It’s just so…powerful. I’m amazed that I wasn’t paralyzed in the middle of the wave-y water, but it still took me (to the thinly veiled amusement of my first instructor) a quarter of an hour before I decided to actually give it a try. What a feeling! What freedo…splash! And I was up again, waiting for more “friendly” (i.e. wimpy and tiny) waves. Whoo! Exhilara…splotch! I was up again and the cycle continued for about 40 minutes more. Then it was time to go back to the shore.
Time for lunch, we had ok food at very affordable prices. I remembered eating what seems to be lechon kawali doused with Mang Tomas (I ordered lechon paksiw) Not half bad, especially for the money I had to pay for it. Then I slept the afternoon off (Gahd, getting wrestled by the waves can really be tiring). I woke up with every intention of claiming my second free surfing lesson, but decided instead that I wanted to take it easy and have one tall glass of the famous chocolate milkshakes of San Juan Surf Resort which was right beside where we were staying. And it was darned refreshing! It reminded me strongly of Jonah’s Shakes of Boracay. Soon enough the sun set magnificently and it was time for supper. The group had dinner at one of the nearby grill restaurants, and had the compulsory drinking which, as expected, was ultra fun.
The next day, feeling much more energized, I prepared for my next wrestling match with the waves. This time I was more enthusiastic, so enthusiastic that I decided to ignore the throbbing ache on my ribs which was constantly getting more abused as wave after big wave decided to crash on us. But my enthusiasm is nothing compared to my new instructor, Bashom’s, who I was told (by no other than himself) was one of the legends of surfing in La Union. “Ang sarap maging alon, ano? Pasampal-sampal lang sa mga tao,” (Don’t the waves feel great? Just bouncing off people) He cheekily said and I silently agreed. His love for the sea rubbed off on me and I no longer see it as something to be scared of, but something to just…ride. As you would your hypothetical waves of problems. Soon, Bashom had me properly riding the waves and wanting for more when the session was ended.
The group then had to go travel back to our beloved Manila, which we will then see after battling with the incomprehensible traffic that confronted us somewhere in… I dunno, I’m bad at geography. Anyway, I gained new friends, a new experience, and a newfound view on fears: Do nothing else but face your fears head on. And you’ll be rewarded with the best times of your life!
When In Manila, feed your hunger for adventure and discover the new water sport that’s slowly sweeping the nation. Surf’s up in La Union Philippines!
(Photos by Lau Cabalquinto)
Travel Factor
5/F Bloomingdale Plaza, 200 Shaw Blvd., Brgy. Kapitolyo, Pasig
