melt the frozen. warm the chill.: Hobo Life : Sunkissed and Waves in Malapascua Island

It was early April of 2002 and I was anxiously thinking about college when a friend of mine suggested we all go to the beach. Not being all too keen with Cebu's beaches and its locations , I knew for a fact that this certain beach was going to be miles away. After a few chitchat, it was then I've realized that not only was it located miles away, but we literally had to cross it, sail on a motor powered boat just to reach that said beach. It was practically an island of its own.. because it was!

And as expected, I had to miss it.

Fast forward to 2013.. After missing Bantayan Island, I swore I would move heaven and earth just to make it to the next beach escapade. I was itching for a get away. Things were getting really stressful with work and I was figuratively dying out of boredom and knowing that summer was just few days from breaking loose, I knew I had to do something. It was a crazy idea. And that crazy idea was made even more plausible when you've got two insanely amazing friends who would not think twice about packin' their gear, and getting all pumped up with anything that starts with a beach, and ends with a long weekend spent getting all beach-slapped. Before I knew it, we had the perfect plan laid out: a resort, a budget and an itinerary that does not involve STRESS!!!

So came the 17th of February and at the crack of dawn, I was up and all giddy to get out and enjoy the looong bus ride ahead . I had a simple breakfast at home, took a good shower and was on high spirits while I got dressed despite getting cough attacks in between. Yes my friends, I was sick the entire time but to hell with phlegm! Moments like this seldom happen. Wait, scratch that. It RARELY happens.
And much to my fear of bad weather, the whole bus adventure was very much blessed with the sun's blissful rays, good music , good company and some good food to boot.

After 3hours of bus ride and almost an hour of "hands-on-the-rails-with-eyes-wide-open" tunda ride, I was riveted by what I saw. Clear waters, white sand and that amazing smell that you could only associate with nature's best. *sigh* I thought to myself, "Damn! This is definitely where I parked my car, Patty's car and Jing²'s car!!!" HOOOOOO MAY GAD!!!!

Enjoy the photo tour:

tunda at morning bliss

white sand everywhere

native interiors of The Pirates Resto Bar at Malapascua Legend Beach Resort

we got to the place at around lunch time and was exhausted from the travel that we bought lechon manok outside the resort, ordered fruit shakes and rice at no corkage fee! LOL

the lobby fronting our cozy room at 2500php/per night

pool area

the island was amassed with people from different countries and culture that being there felt foreign. lol

sunset at 5:45pm

no words for this

we missed getting on those comfy bean bags during the stay. but that one's definitely marked!

Wanna know what we ate? We had...

dem bacons

eggs

cereals and milk

family breakfast

American breakfast

yummy Vanilla icecream

* we made sure of trying their spaghetti marinara, cheeseburgers and pizza on our last night in the island. unfortunately, the kitchen ran out of dough. And topping our dismay, we failed to take pictures of the other ones. Got overly crazed in playing Pinoy Henyo and yours truly was slightly drowsy from taking antihistamines and antibiotics. *

You might have noticed that our OTHER MAIN itinerary from the get away was food. Knowing that our gastronomical needs will outweigh the sports adventure and will best compliment our cash (I brought 4000php for the whole 3days-2nights adventure and still ended up saving 200php), we swore in getting our hands on the resort's dishes. And since we were all tight on budget, one of our buddies suggested of having his friend from the island cook us fish dishes. We did the very thing the next day. Tinola and pritong isda were prepared. Orgasmic! It was like a dish away from home. And our dinner meal was pretty singular - but it was worth it in comparison to any hard to pronounce and scantily made dish on some fancy menu. And that dinner was served with.. Drum roll pls... street BAR-B-Q!

Blogging about the whole thing is very nostalgic. The beach will always be my solace, no matter what season I am in. Although, I must admit that the way I handled things with my parents is something I will never EVER recommend to anyone in trying. I had to go behind their backs and had to tell them a whole different story just so I can make my way to Malapascua Island. It was pure defiance on my part. I have always steered clear from anything they would not approve of upfront and it scared the shit out of me knowing I am completely treading on tidal and dangerous waters when I've decided to do what I was never good in doing. I am thankful though me and friends got back in one piece and with too much new memories to hold on to 'til our next beach get away - this time, in full permission from my parents.

Oh! I would not want to leave this blog a tad bit on the melancholy side without sharing some quirky pix we've had from the island. Til next time guys! To more sea, sand and sun!