It’s high time I wrote about some grand adventures, don’t you think? It’s been a while and this one was nothing short of spectacular!
The last time I checked in on an adventure, I was summiting Mt. Rinjani in Indonesia. This was a good 6 months ago and I almost died in the process. Well, okay, I wasn’t dying, but I was struggling. This time, I found myself on a 3-night/4-day boat trip from El Nido on the island of Palawan to Coron on the island of Busuanga in the Philippines. There is definitely no way to compare the two as it would be like comparing apples to oranges. The only real similarity is that that they were both organized tours with a group of strangers who once again became family by the end. So off we go!
BIG DREAM BOAT MAN
This is the name of the outfitter that I used for my excursion. There are a few to choose from for this popular journey, but this one had great reviews, and truth be told, unlimited alcohol. I enjoy cold beverages on a boat (who doesn’t?), so once I figured this out, I was sold.
In the end, however, it wasn’t really about the alcohol. This trip was an absolutely beautiful journey and a different, more exotic way to discover the Philippines and remote, untouched islands by boat. There were 18 tour participants and I think about 10 staff/tour guides. They treated us like royalty and we ate and drank like kings! This was a far cry from my arduous, though totally compelling, trek to the top of Mt. Rinjani. Here, I laid in the sun on the boat deck, snorkeled through crystal, aquamarine waters, paddle boarded and kayaked through majestic blue lagoons, and gazed at beautiful sunsets from white, fine-sand beaches. Talk about paradise! Each day was spent moving between islands finding our next best beach and snorkel spot, and then settling down each night on some remote island in rustic beach huts. I guess this is where we had to rough it (a little). Most of the islands did not have power except from 6pm to midnight, and there was usually a shared toilet/shower room with a pretty weak water supply….But somehow we managed to get clean and charge our phones, and in the scheme of things, this was a pretty small sacrifice for all that we were experiencing each day.
As I mentioned, the scenery and the activities were gorgeous and well thought out, but as per usual, the best part about it all was the people. Once again, I feel like I met new friends for a lifetime. It’s wonderful enough to share a boat with a great group of people for one day, but throw in three sleepovers, one raucous drinking game night, three gorgeous sunsets with ukelele serenades by Uncle Bob “Marley,” and one karaoke dance party, and you have a new family for life.
These trips are so hard to put into words. As hard as I try, I feel like I am never doing them justice. The friendships made over meals, the laughter as we attempted a new drinking game called Quack Quack (or something like that – “Just say QUACK!”), the stories shared over beers on the beach, sandcastles made, jellyfish spotted in the ocean, sun burns mended by a new friend’s aloe……It all sounds so simple and carefree, and it is, and that is what makes it so great. A group of strangers just letting it all go….Experiencing and appreciating the beauty of nature and this amazing place called Earth together for that short, special moment in time. No one can take it away from us, and no one will understand unless you were there. And we were there. We soaked it up like there was no tomorrow and we appreciated it right up until we had to tear ourselves off the boat and put ourselves back onto dry land. And even then, we made a plan to meet up for dinner once we were back at port and beginning the descent back into our real lives…No one was ready to let go. It’s hard to let go of that kind of happiness. Anything to make it last just a little bit longer…
Big Dream Boat Man, you were incredible and without you and your amazing team, this trip would not have been the same. You are our family too, and we will miss you all dearly. You took such good care of us and we are grateful beyond words. It’s a special trip to begin with, but the people make the journey what it is. You made it fun, carefree, light-hearted, and did I say FUN??? Thank you for everything. I know that everyone agrees with me when I say you are the best fucking team in the business!
A new family found, memories made for a lifetime, and crystal clear blue water for days….That’s my kind of trip. 🙏🌴☀️
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