That Paradise Feeling at Kawayan Cove

The blessings in between the free rides to and fro Nasugbu, Batangas were far greater than we have expected. Everything's so overwhelming because I really never thought such things still happen but they do! And I am so glad. So grateful.

Extending our waking hours to be a part of this Nasugbu visit never really mattered because that feeling of excitement was larger than anything. The skies were really cloudy and Marce's winds were still slapping the trees outside the Intercon Lobby, which was broad-casted as our meeting place at 6 AM of 9-11.

Around 10 AM, rains welcomed us as the bus trekked the hilly surfaces towards Nasugbu's edge. Despite the weather, Joey Puyat, one of the proud owners of the exclusive place, accepted us with a beaming face, thereby balancing the windy weather with his warmth.

As the little droplets continued to pour, we were first brought to their famous beige-colored Bamboo Beach Club via smaller vehicles. They let us wander around like kids to enjoy the beautiful sight and to play with our toys, never minding the drizzle. We met some friends, too.

Edward, my Godchild's father and officemate, came to know about this event through an online forum and Anton's blog (http://anton.blogs.com/) and invited me to join in and we were ecstatic about it when we were finally enlisted to become a part such great opportunity. Anton is a famous blogger who loves to travel especially going to beach areas.

While US was commemorating the WTC incident, Anton was giving us tips on how he records his travels through his full-of-life photos. Composition mattered more to him than the technical aspects. He is more into the story that the photo tells.

After flipping a few slide samples of luscious food pictures he had taken during his previous trips, he finally decided that we do it for real. Good follow-through! However, instead of us sweeping off the veggie viands from the pots and murdering the grilled fishes and chicken, we gathered patience and suppressed our hunger so as to take snapshots of the tasteful dishes just as Anton had taught us.

And then the party ultimately began. Green mango strips with bagoong appetized us. Delectable crabs were served per table and then the crispy lechon came in a little late but it didn't matter. Pots were filled with ginataang kangkong (which I loved), somehow marinated-in-sweet-vinegar turnip strips (don't know how it's called and made but it was very delicious), atchara, red egg with tomatoes, and sweet potato leaves. Crews were continuously grilling those juicy shrimps and healthy squids. Chicken parts were barbecued earlier as well as the grilled big tanguiges and they tasted so yummy. The soup of pesang manok completed the meal to serve as warmers. And to top it all, rice was wrapped in banana leaves, making us enjoy our food more.

The next thing I knew, I couldn't breathe. But the party has not ended yet for there are succulent, artistically-sliced fruits on another table. You name it: pineapple, apple, watermelon, and orange. Super perfect meal!

A little while after, Arbee, the organizer, began roaming around asking the sizes of our feet. Trailing behind her was one of the crews carrying a box of Havaianas flip-flops. Ohh lala!

Siesta was not an option after that hearty meal but there was a better alternative to that. Meditation. As Joey opened the gates of Meditation Point, the sight took our breaths away and all we could say was "Wow!" The view was incredible. Very refreshing, relaxing, and peaceful. Perfect for quiet times when it's not raining. The only sound you'd hear are the flapping waves that would want to cause you to sleep. According to Isabel, the grandmother, the place was at its worst so we better come back during its best and that would be summer time.

Mango Grove was our last stop before heading back to where there are sands and huts. It is a picnic ground perfect for family outings. It has a tree house, Spiderman's giant web, swimming pool, an amphitheater, grilling stations, a hammock, and kids' playground. An outstanding spot for total quality time and de-stressing moments. By 15:45, we were offered more fruits and cool water back in the clubhouse. Anton announced earlier that we could choose two of our shots and have them printed on a postcard-sized photo paper while taking a break.

And you think that's all? We thought so, too. Yet the Grace of God never stopped pouring. Before we hopped off to our tour vans that will send us to the bus for our ride home, the Puyat family distributed only-baked-at-Christmas round buttercakes housed in rattan-made boxes to everyone with some, getting two boxes because of the overflowing supply. I was one of them! I brought one box to Baguio for my family to take part in my delight. Edward and I went home that day, still with that floating feeling.

The best things in life are, indeed, free! I am so much grateful to the Puyat family's warm accommodation.

For more of Kawayan Cove's history and information, you can check out http://www.kawayancove.com/ and see the impressive aerial views.

P.S.

The factors that distinctively identifies Kawayan Cove were, sadly, none in my photos. I guess I was not creative enough to take a shot of the bamboos nor the cove. Well, I was able to get near the cove but concentrated on the waters and forgot about that inlet which Kawayan Cove is known of. I should never miss it next time. =)

More Kawayan Cove pictures can be viewed at http://elyt.multiply.com/

How Do You Perceive Sunsets?

Sunsets could tell us or remind us of a few things:

- That even if the day has ended, we don't have to likewise end things on our side. It could serve as our rest or break before we continue battling over our trials when the sun rises again. That is, battle trials with strength and gratefulness - grateful that these trials make us stronger, probably without us realizing it yet.

- That we evaluate and reflect how our day has transpired and try our best to count the graces of God, and maybe this way, we will go to bed hugging our loved ones, instead of stress. After all, life is balanced by pain and struggle so fretting about them is just a waste of time, energy, and most of all, happiness that we could not gain back when time has already passed.

- That no matter how frustrating, stressful, sad, and disappointing things could be, the sun reminds us that life goes on and we can flush these emotions that badly affect our decisions down along with the sun so we can always start anew.

- That since we cannot control its setting everyday, there are also things in our lives that we do not have control over. And even if we pour all our efforts to disagree, argue, or rage over uncontrollable things, nothing good will come out of it if the change won't be coming from the source. Thus, we go back to the second point above, waste of time. Since God has control over all things, the one thing we have control over is prayer.

I know things are easier said than done and I have been in these bad situations, too, but reminding us of great things definitely lightens up the mood, don't you think?

So how about you, how do you perceive sunsets?