April 07, 2006

Surf's Up!

During our vacation in the Philippines, we went on a weekend to do some surfing. It was the first time that my husband will try this water sport and I was quite excited to see how he will fare. It was also his first taste of "backpacking". Meaning, no car to pick us up or bring us there, no fancy room accomodations with hot shower, and of course, room service is out of the question.

There were five of us who went to La Union including two friends of our and my brother. All of us were beginner surfers except for one who has been surfing for more than two years. I actually tried surfing a couple of years back with my friend and liked it. I probably would have continued it if I didn't leave Manila for HK. My first time to surf was an adrenalin rush. There was a certain feel of accomplishment once you get to stand on your long board and just ride the wave. To stand, you need to paddle as fast as you can before the wave wipes you out and just lift your whole body when the wave is about to catch up. It's like competing with the wave who will stand over who.

When we got to La Union, two of my friend's surfer buddies taught my husband and bro the basic of surfing. Just enough for them to be able to stand and (hopefully!) ride the small waves. It was quite a scene to see both of them getting wiped out and my husband's white torso standing out from the tanned surfers around. After a couple of minutes my bro could already ride the small waves with ease and my husband was still struggling. Then little by little, he got to stand on his own. After the "rides", the two boys were exhausted but had fun.

In the evening, a bonfire was set by the beach and everyone just gathered around and started the drinking session. Mind you, this was the local surfers' drinking session and the alcohol that we consumed were a bottle of Grand Matador Brandy taken in shots, a bottle of Ginebra San Miguel Gin ( Quatro Kantos in Pinoy slang), and a couple of beers. The chaser was a a shot of sprite or seven up after each drink. We finished drinking by 12 midnight but woke up at 10 am the next day!

The next day, we just had enough time to bathe in the sun, eat lunch and then we headed back to Manila. It was quite a good weekend! Next time, when someone says surf's up! I wouldn't miss the opportunity..

Posted by duke at 4/07/2006 11:41:00 AM

17 Comments:

tintin said...: You got bangs! I like it!

Hey, the pics look so bohemian and so Blue Crush, which is one of my favorite film that uses the beach as a setting a lot. Glad you and hubby had a great time.; 4/07/2006 05:51:00 PM
duke said...: hi tintin!

yes :) Thanks!

I've seen Blue Crush as well. It's one of the recent surfing movies to date. It was a cool movie!; 4/08/2006 01:23:00 PM
Anonymous said...: LOOK AT THAT CUTE BANGS! Completely looking so different..... and adorable.

Do you surf? Red Horse? Quatrocantos gin? Oishi Chips? That's the kind of thing, typical beach for pinoys!

BTW, You've been tagged!; 4/08/2006 07:47:00 PM
Owen said...: that's what you call life! im sure that adrenaline rush for surfing is enough to make you high. how about skiing? im planning to have that first-time experience this August in New Zealand.

have a nice weekend!; 4/08/2006 09:44:00 PM
duke said...: K hehehehe thanks :D

oh yeah. The bonfire, alcohol, and the chips---> very typical Pinoy beach trip. I love it!

I'm just a beginner surfer as well. Enough to stand on small waves. Kaso kulang sa pratice!

talaga? been tagged? sige will check it out!; 4/09/2006 12:14:00 PM
duke said...: Owen Know what? For some unknown reasons, I've never tried skiing. Always planned it pero di natutuloy!I envy you.I've always wanted to go to New Zealand :D; 4/09/2006 12:16:00 PM
La Niña said...: Next stop on your travel agenda next year should be Siargao :); 4/09/2006 01:11:00 PM
Abaniko said...: Looks like you had a grand time at the beach, ah. :); 4/09/2006 01:43:00 PM
Anonymous said...: hello duke! aww, i love that sexy bangs...it's very cool! i hope i have the guts to have that hairstyle... you look more gorgeous with that..it's very stunning!; 4/09/2006 02:40:00 PM
duke said...: Nins I don't think we can ride those big waves in Siargao! Pang Pro! lol

Abaniko hey how are you? yea we sure did! :D

Phamzzz Thanks sweetie!; 4/10/2006 10:16:00 AM
Anonymous said...: D! I miss you! musta girl? bagong hair-do? very Milan ha. anyway, super relate me to ur story, i felt grabe. How i miss going to the beach and stay there for a week or sooo... yun bang take ur time and never in a rush. hahahaha; 4/10/2006 10:46:00 AM
Pia said...: i miss the beach!!! kaka-miss ang pilipinas when it comes to out of town trips!

hey duke, i can't believe fred is all grown up now! LOL!; 4/10/2006 07:21:00 PM
Anonymous said...: kainggit...teka yung last picture mausok..hmm...barbecue?; 4/11/2006 03:51:00 AM
Gayzha said...: OMG! You really had a good time! I'm afraid of surfing, since i could not really swim in the first place, baka majutay pa tuloy aketch.; 4/11/2006 08:54:00 AM
nikki said...: hi duke! you went to san juan? nice place, not too many people go there. its just 10 minutes away from my lola's house actually. :-D; 4/11/2006 10:30:00 AM
Analyse said...: hey, i almost didnt recognized you, with bangs!!!

you seem to had great time in the phils, with quatro kantos pa.; 4/12/2006 12:08:00 AM
Anonymous said...: i wanna learne how to surf!!!!!!!!!!!!!!; 5/16/2006 07:20:00 AM

Confessions of an Expat's Wife

April 07, 2006

Surf's Up!

17 Comments:

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