When I heard the news that Feb 25 would be a non-working Holiday, I thought I needed to get out. I needed to relax and totally forget about work. Good thing my officemates were thinking the same thing. First it was an invitation to dive. I like the idea but I’m not in that serene, contemplative mood that I need to be in to enjoy the quietness and slowness of an easy dive. I wanted something that would wake me up. I talked to Carlos and he opened the idea back of going wakeboarding. It was a resounding yes for me.
And so we headed to Camarines Sur. Surprisingly, the trip was comfortable even though it was an overnight travel. This is probably because we were sleeping in lazy boys so there was enough space to move around. We got to Naga City early Saturday morning and we didn’t waste time relaxing in our weird-looking rooms so we got to CWC only after a few minutes of settling in the room.
Oh my, it was exhilarating! It was a bit scary at first since it was all our first time trying the sport (except for Sean) and all we see are these professional wake boarders doing somersaults and back flips. But you know, you have to start somewhere. And so we did the easiest type which was to wake board from this board where you would have to kneel down. It wasn’t a walk in the park as some of us still find it initially challenging to balance and hold on to the cable. As for me, well I was ok with this one. Just right before lunch, we decided to be aggressive and try the real deal. We practiced on land with those cool looking wakeboard and figured we’d be ok. And then we fell in line, one after the other. The moment came and it our turn. And then it happened. Kaboom! Kaplak! Face first on the water, being dragged without a board, swirling and twirling while hopping on the water surface – you name it and we probably have experienced it. It was hard (understatement) and embarrassing. But then again, who cares. It’s the conquest, the journey, the learning that made it fun. I was laughing so hard that even the pros were watching our move (and probably thinking when the hell are they going to leave). Little by little we made some progress but all the practices took its toll. By 3pm, I was so tired that I literally could not feel my arms and could not muster a decent grip to make me continue. I had to retire for the day. Night time comes and it was time for the booze. 1 liter of tequila and bottles of San Mig light made me a very happy man.
Sunday was a different conquest for me. I left the gang and Chin and I visited their relatives in Naga City. I met her brothers, their wives and kids, her sisters and all other possible relatives who lives in the area. I’ve actually met most of them already but this is the first time I’ve visited them in their houses since its way too far. The reception was very warm and they were all accommodating. We had a sumptuous lunch – all the Bicol that you can eat. Yum yum. We then went out for Coffee. Nice place I should say. After coffee, Chin and I heard mass. It was spoken in Bicol so I could not understand a thing. I just pretended I understood. We then proceeded to pasalubong shopping. It was like one of those scenes in The Amazing Race where you’d jump from one store to the next because of time constraints and bargain your way to an item. After that, we went back to the house of Chin’s sister and said our goodbyes to everyone. We rejoined the group in the bus terminal and exchanged stories along the way.
I was very happy with the trip because that is exactly what I needed. Something fun and quite strenuous. Something reassuring and warm. Ahhhh… If I can only do this for a living…..
