Killing Boredom during the Rainy Season

The rainy season is here again, which means suspension of classes, cancellation of planned getaways, and being stacked up at home waiting for the rain to pass. Instead of sleeping and being bored all day long, here are some activities that can take the boredom away.

1. Exercise

I know that most of us during this kind of season usually wake up late due to the comforting coldness that the rain brings. But hey, if you are already awake because of the late announcement of class suspension better start the day right with some stretching and crunches. Exercise is a good way to awaken our body’s senses and also for proper blood circulation.

2. Cook

It is always nice to sip a hot soup during the rainy seasons. Rather than buying cup noodles, try to cook your own soup. There are lots of soup recipes in which the ingredients are easy to find in one’s kitchen. But if you’re not into soup, you can always cook the all time favorite “champorado” or “bulalo”.

3. Read a book

From Paulo Coelho’s books to Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time or just any book that I bought on a book sale, when boredom hit me I just grab one of them. And to complete your reading experience makes sure to have a cup of hot chocolate or coffee that you can sip once in a while.

4. Create a new game

Instead of touching that playstation or sitting in front of the computer, try to invent a new game or put a twist to an old board game.  Try transforming your room into a pirate ship, a battleship, or play hide-and-seek around the house. It is always nice to hang-out and play with the family members once in a while.

5. Movie marathon

Another past time is watching a movie and the recommended type of movie: horror and suspense. Snuggle one another as the suspect plan his evil plot or as the protagonist battles out the monsters. And for whatever reason, horror and suspense film usually have a rainy scene that adds up to the thrill of the movie.

6. Be creative

For some people, the rains bring them a gloomy feeling. And a better way to unleash all these blues is through art. Write all your emotions in a sheet of paper and you will be surprised that you already formed a poem or a short story. Or try to scribble everything and you then have a drawing. Get all those old photos, paste them in a board and you have a collage. 










Picture Credits
http://homeworkoutpros.com/how-to-exercise-from-home-efficiently/
http://wokwithray.net/wwr/2010/12/champorado/
http://stockfresh.com/image/97675/family-playing-game-together-at-home
http://horrorfest.littleart.com/archive/horror-marathon-2008.html

Balinmanok: Exploring a Paradise

May 27, our second day at Balinmanok, Pangasinan. To make-up for the lost time that we had yesterday, we all wake up early to witness the sunrise. According to the villa’s attendants the Jacuzzi has a nice view of the sunrise. So while drinking our Chuckie we headed to the Jacuzzi.

the sunrise

"Chuckie" our morning drink

The waves are still strong, the same as yesterday. We walked along the sands and stones and climb the different rock formations that outstretch the shore. Though the presence of the morning sun is hot, you will feel a sense of relaxation as you watch the sea and its waves, boats of fishermen traversing through and small crabs crawling in the sand. 

We then asked the villa attendant on where the location of the famous Balinmanok shipwreck. The attendant guided us on the way to the other side of the resort. The shipwreck is located at the right side of the villa near some houses of local fishermen. The shipwreck is some 50 meters away from the shore and now became a home of schools of fish. According to stories, the ship is a Chinese vessel that has a huge load of contraband items including shabu. Unfortunately we cannot go near the shipwreck because of the strong waves.

the Balinmanok shipwreck

strong waves near the Balinmanok shipwreck

During our breakfast we decided to visit the Culebra Island which is known to be inhabited by sea snakes or “tugasi”. The villa’s attendants were the ones who arranged for the boat ride. They advised us to have the boat ride as early as possible while the sea is still calm. So, right after breakfast we immediately prepared for the ride.

We waited on the shore of the villa for our boat ride to come. The sand of the villa is not fine or perfectly white; the rocks are also sharp and rough. But what you would really like is the clear sea water. While waiting for the boat we stayed at the balsa playing and taking pictures. It’s almost nine in the morning when the boat came.

our footprints in the sand

children playing in the balsa

We had a quick island visit at Culebra and a cave in a barrio. When we returned to the villa, we hang-out again in the hut at the cliff. We finish our Villa Balinmanok experience by having our lunch at a “papag” near the shore. Our Lunch is “Sinigang na Lapu-Lapu sa Kamias” and Fried Lapu-Lapu. While waiting for our hired tricycle to bring us to Burgos market we again took some pictures of the place.

the clear bluesky

boat traversing the sea

Note: For other details of our Balinmanok Trip kIndly visit these other link: 
http://eva-chronicles.blogspot.com/2012/07/balinmanok-getting-to-paradise.html
http://eva-chronicles.blogspot.com/2012/06/balinmanok-discovering-paradise.html

Balinmanok: Getting to Paradise

May 26, Saturday, our destination, Villa Balinmanok, Pangasisnan. Unfortunately, we woke up late. Instead of leaving Manila at 6:30 in the morning, we start our travel passed eight in the morning. At the Cubao station of the  Victory Liner Bus, we rode an Alaminos bound bus. This begins the long road to Balinmanok.

From Manila to Alaminos, it took us 5 hours of travel. Actually, we never thought that the travel was supposed to be that long. This is a consequence for not listening to Kuya Ogie’s instructions (Kuya Ogie is our contact person at Villa Balinmanok). According to Kuya Ogie we should left Manila Friday night by riding an Alaminos bound bus at Pasay. This trip will only take about 5 hours of travel. But we didn’t listen, thus we miscalculated the time.

along the road

We reached the town of Alaminos passed two in the afternoon. We immediately took our super late lunch, for we still need to take another bus that will bring us to Burgos market. This bus ride fortunately lasts only for thirty minutes.

 Once we reached Burgos market, we hired a tricycle that will bring us to Villa Balinmanok. When you reached Burgos Market there are two options in reaching the Villa, either by tricycle or boat. We opt to take the tricycle for the very reason that it is cheap; the one-way boat ride is Php 1,500.00 . If you opt for the tricycle be ready for an hour ride and the rough road. The boat ride though expensive is way faster than the tricycle ride. We also negotiated with the tricycle driver to fetch us again the following day on our way home, since tricycle are seldom to be seen around the Villa.

the smooth road

the rough road ahead

Here is our transportation expense for the trip:

1. Bus from Cubao station to Alaminos  – Php 478.00 per person (two-way trip)
2. Bus (ordinary) from Alaminos to Burgos market – Php 60.00 per person (two-way trip)
3. Tricycle from Burgos market to Villa Balinmanok – Php 600.00 (two-way trip)
4. Boat ride to get to the nearby islands – Php 2,000.00