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The past weeks had been stressful for the WOWBatangas Team. It’s been mentally draining and physically challenging at times, causing even further emotional complications which we all try to ignore.
Until this exciting opportunity came into our way. One of our valued clients, New Nemar Development Corporation, invited us to cover the Yamaha YBR Touring Adventure to Puerto Galera. Hey, who can let this chance slip away? This is it. This could be our last hurrah for summer 2010!
Personally, I didn’t have a clear picture of what to expect on this trip which I thought was a good thing since spontaneity at times produces the kind of enjoyment that’s even more exciting than having the detailed picture of everything you’re about to do. The trip came at the right time when we needed it the most – to take a much-deserved off from strenuous tasks and to rejuvenate our senses for undertakings that are yet to come.
Starting Point
Morning of Thursday, May 28, we meet up with the people of New Nemar and the YBR riders. From the Yamaha exclusive 3S shop in C.M. Recto, Lipa City, we moved to the new Yamaha store in Alangilan, Batangas City for breakfast to fuel ourselves up for a two-hour long ro-ro trip to Calapan City.
Upon reaching the Batangas Pier and while waiting for the necessary registration to finish, we took some photos of the YBR riders and the New Nemar staff. It’s a happy scene seeing these full-geared motorcyclists and the bosses of New Nemar so bubbly with their pa-cute poses.
Rock-a-Bye Baby
It was my first time to experience a ro-ro trip. And oh, it seemed like the longest two hours ever! We’re like babies on a huge cradle being lulled to sleep. The immensity of the sea was overwhelming. To fight the drowsiness of the whole YBR Touring Adventure team, digicams and DSLR became the immediate solutions.
Countless pictures were taken. And because we have Dayne of WOWBatangas Models with us, the guys took the chance for some photo op with our lovely lady. The seascape was breathtaking. And from this one, more breathtaking moments branched all throughout the trip.
Reaching Calapan City
Strong wind with road dusts and a gray sky welcomed us as we reach Calapan City. What a nice reception. Haha. A sudden downpour cooled the area.
We had a local favorite for lunch. I think they call it “budbod” – the counterpart of Batangas’ binalot – flavored rice with either tapa or liempo topped with finely chopped egg and tomatoes.
The Long and Winding Road
I never expected that the ride from Calapan City to Puerto Galera means endless curves. Parang trip to Baguio pala yun. We stopped over at the Tamaraw falls. As usual, picture taking to the max. Ang galing kasi nasa tabi ng daan mismo yung falls (a bridge runs over the water, of course).
The long and winding road continued for the next kilometers. The hard part is you can’t get to sleep even when you’re so drowsy. Imagine riding on a roller coaster minus the loops. The pick-up swayed from left to right and then back… for two hours.
Welcome to Puerto Galera
Despite the road being snaky, it was a joyful ride. Hey, it was a touring adventure! How can it be dull?
We reached White Beach later than the expected arrival. We stayed at Leynlie’s Resort, got our respective rooms, settled down, before we had the buffet dinner. Team WOWBatangas strolled down the strip as the night reaches to its happiest hours. We saw some fire dancers and got so amazed with their risky exhibitions. Since it’s our first Puerto Galera trip together, we tried creating merry moments over a pitcher of Mindoro Sling. How the night ended, it ended in a woozy way. Cheers! Haha.
Puerto Galera Water Adventures
During our Dive Solana adventure, I thought it would take another year or so before I could have the chance to do snorkeling and kayaking again. But in Puerto G, we indulge ourselves with water activities brought to a higher level.
Friday morning, from White Beach, we sailed for about 30 minutes to another island where we would snorkel. Dahil first snorkeling namin doon, ganito pala kung paano mag-snorkeling sa Puerto Galera: hihilahin ka ng bangka somewhere at dahil sa matinding water current, wala kang choice kung hindi kumapit sa hawakang nakatali sa bangka habang nakatingin ka sa ilalim ng dagat. Para kang si Superman pero nasa tubig nga lang.
Under the waters of Puerto Galera, we witnessed a different world to marvel at. We were just so fortunate to have this chance of actually being with the wonderful creation in Mother Earth’s womb. It felt like I’m inside my own mother’s womb again (as if I can recall how it’s like). This time, my fear underneath the surface of the sea totally vanished. The species bid their friendliest hello and I can only be nothing but thankful.
Kayaking had been my favorite water activity since our Dive Solana trip. This time, hindi na solo. I, and my kayak partner Alva, sort of competed with the other two pairs – JR and Gerlie, Sir Mel and Sir Memet of New Nemar. Hindi kami nakatagal sa sobrang init. Haha.
Banana Boat riding na!!! Our Puerto Galera adventure ended with an intense splash. Another first on our adventures list so it was kind of uneasy in the beginning but we were all super excited that we, together with some Nemar people and YBR riders, were like bunch of kids falling in line with giggles and restlessness. I love the adrenaline rush! Super. It was the craziest ride to date.
The End
We have so much to be thankful for. It’s not only the trip that meant big to us. It’s the new relationships built from that pleasurable vacation that we would value the most. Salamat, New Nemar. Salamat, Yamaha. For giving us the kind of vacation we never thought we could have just because of the job we are doing.
This ends the Puerto Galera adventure of WOWBatangas Team. Dyan over and out!
The experience was definitely unforgettable. Thank you so much Dyan for chronicling our Puerto Galera adventure. for more pictures, here’s the link: http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?pid=4025132&id=128882273642
Magandang bisitahin ang lugar na ito after masuyod ang mga magagandang lugar dine sa atin sa BAtangas.
Mabuti naman nag-enjoy kayo at nagustuhan nyo ang prime tourism destination ng Mindoro. . . balik kayo ha!
The experience was definitely unforgettable. Thank you so much Dyan for chronicling our Puerto Galera adventure. for more pictures, here’s the link: http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?pid=4025132&id=128882273642
Magandang bisitahin ang lugar na ito after masuyod ang mga magagandang lugar dine sa atin sa BAtangas.
Mabuti naman nag-enjoy kayo at nagustuhan nyo ang prime tourism destination ng Mindoro. . . balik kayo ha!