Wanderlust, amidst the effing rain

I’m so pissed off because if it were not raining in Luzon, I would be in Donsol now, swimming with whalesharks. Or I would be in La Union, being taught the basics of surfing by the hunky Luke Lansing, who’s featured on Men’s Health Magazine. But this effing weather has forced me to cancel my trips, so I’m stuck in old, boring Manila! Aargh! It’s so frustrating because our travel group was all set to tour Legazpi today and then head to Donsol so we could swim with whalesharks tomorrow morning. But on Thursday, the organizers of the tour decided to cancel the trip; they were advised that swimming in Sorsogon waters could be dangerous in this weather. My friend and I already booked flights with Cebu Pacific: Manila to Legazpi at 6 this morning, and the flight back to Manila was supposed to be on June 8 at 7AM. Up until 8:00 last night, we were still intent on going to Legazpi, if only to look at – experience – Mt. Mayon, visit the Cagsawa ruins, and see what else Bicolandia has to offer. But news of similar heavy raining in Bicol dashed our hopes of having a Legazpi weekend adventure. So we were a no show at the airport today.

Another option that was given to me by TF was to spend the weekend surfing in San Juan, La Union. According to Tikoy, “Rainy weather is perfect surfing weather!” What my surfer friend did not consider (and did not know), however, is that your writer has a very protective mother who was afraid that her only child would be swallowed by the big La Union waves. That is why your very annoyed, very disappointed, very bored, not to mention disenfranchised (in my opinion), writer is staring at the monitor screen instead of the perfect wave…or Luke Lansing’s muscular physique. Bummer!

I find it an utter waste of time to have to spend my weekends or days off in Manila. I’d much, much rather be hiking to the summit of Mt. Pulag or Mt. Apo, exploring the Sumaguing cave in Sagada or the Kapisaan-Alayan cave in Nueva Vizcaya, beach bumming in Calaguas or Caramoan, island hopping in Coron or El Nido,  exploring Siargao, wakeboarding in Camarines Sur or Lago de Oro, sailing on Taal Lake, white water rafting in Kalinga or Davao, learning to surf in La Union or Baler, learning to dive in the numerous dive spots in this archipelago, trying my hand at windsurfing on Lake Caliraya or in Boracay, skywalking in Cebu, or skydiving in Clark.

Do you see how frustrating it is when one is forced to spend her free time here in Manila, where one has nothing to do but shop, people-watch, hang out at Starbucks, or drink herself to oblivion?! I used to like going to the “happening” places in Makati and Taguig. But now I view clubbing as nothing but a social climber’s sport. It doesn’t do anything for the spirit. It doesn’t give one energy, at least not of the surreal kind. But being aboard a wakeboard, learning to maneuver the turns, completing even one trip around the cable park…ahhh, THAT is living! It’s exhilarating, breathtaking, and definitely food for the soul.

I still have my fingers crossed. The weather seems to be improving. If tomorrow turns out to be a brighter day, and I mean literally brighter, my BFF Gi and I will probably head to Ocean Adventure in Subic. There, for 3,750PHP, they’ll let us swim with dolphins and 8-foot whales for 30 minutes. I guess we’ll have to settle for those whales and say “Alas, we’ll see you in 2010!” to the whalesharks in Donsol. Chances of seeing the latter after the second week of June become slim to none. They come out in groups from March until mid-June, and then hide until the next dry season.

And what if it continues to rain tomorrow? Don’t you worry, dear readers, I’ll think of something. After all, a strong-willed wildchild like me cannot and will not let this effing weather get me down. No, sirree.

My Red Bikini

I just bought a red bikini online. It’s so flirtatious and feminine, and I know that the color will flatter my skin tone.

The red bikini, my newest acquisition

I don’t know what has come over me, but I am loving summer. I usually don’t like the beach or swimming in the summer heat because I don’t want to tan, but I have lined up trips for this season. Where there is water, there are bikinis. Right now, I’m adding to my collection.

I always have a hard time finding a bikini that’s right for my body. Most bikini bottoms fit me well, but bikini tops are a different story altogether. A bikini top has to have the right shape and the right support, or else my nipples will probably stage a performance of their own while I’m on the beach or by the pool. That’s why when it comes to finding the perfect bikini top, I envy flat-chested women.  I think that’s one of the few advantages they have over women with ample breasts. They never find it difficult to shop for swimwear. Case in point: My friends and I were shopping last week for bikinis for our next trip, and the yellow bikini that I oh-so-wanted ended up being bought by my girlfriend. I tried to make the top fit me, but my boobs were battling with the fabric. They were like prisoners, seemingly yelling “Let us out! Let us out!” If I had bought the 2-piece suit, I’m pretty certain I’d end up embarrassing myself and my friends on the beach, for my boobs would surely pop out. Talk about being a showstopper!

Since this week is Holy Week, my newest acquisition will probably not get here in time for Galera. I’ll just wear it on my Bicol/Donsol excursion, which I’m very excited about. I’ll get to swim with whalesharks then!

If you’re curious about whalesharks, which are our native butandings, just Google the term. They’re an endangered species, they come out in groups from April to June, and they are some of the Philippines’ pride. They can be found in Donsol, Sorsogon.