It's freaking hot here in this tropical country. Sweaty, humid, heatwave! 🔥 All I can think of is an iced tea with more ice on it! It's very hot here in the Philippines 🥵 I need that beach getaway real quick! 💧🌊
Today, I will share my experience on a beach day. This was back in April 2018 when COVID has not restricted us yet to go to different places. I was still in graduate school back then. 📙
During my MBA days, I am always piled up with papers for research, presentations, etc. 📙📉 My classmates had an idea to go to the beach and so, I agreed to come. 😊 My rich friend of mine offered to visit their private island (yes, a private island they owned). 🏝️👀
Our journey starts with riding a bus to Pangasinan. It was a Saturday night, buses are fully loaded. We have no choice but to ride a non-aircon bus 😕. We are 9 people and so others also waited for vacant seats.
It was already 9 pm when we arrived at our destination. We were greeted by my friend's classmate. She's so sweet ☺️. We ate dinner, changed clothes, and slept. It's already morning and we were greeted by my friend's nephew. 😊 He's so cute! We ate on their balcony facing a lake. ✨ After eating, we change our clothes for swimming. 🐠🏊♀️🏊🏊♂️
To get to the private island, we have to ride a boat. It was a smooth sail ⛵.
After 20 minutes, we have arrived on the island 🏝. It is so beautiful, refreshing. Sometimes, a great vacation can take away our stress, anxiety, and anything that worries us. 💭🌊 I noticed that there are many coconut trees on this island. It calms me when the wind passes by those trees and creates a calming sound. 🥥
There is research that proved that spending time at the seaside is good for your mental health and physical health.
The salt in seawater also aids your mental wellbeing by preserving the melatonin, tryptamine and serotonin levels in your brain, which fight off depression.
Oceanside vacations promote healthy eating too, which in turn affects your state of mind. Scientists have discovered that people who eat fish regularly are less likely to suffer from depression than those who eschew seafood. A marine diet is packed with omega-3 fatty acids, essential fatty acids that promote brain cell growth.
Full article: here.
We just enjoyed each others' company through the day, taking pictures, talking about life, the future, dogs, mean professors. Hahaha 😂
"There's no place like the beach. It's the ultimate cure for whatever your heart is in need of: fun, relaxation, love or reflection."
11:30 am. Time for lunch! 🍽. Our friend and his family prepared us for a boodle fight. Boodle fight is a food that may consist of different fish, shells, shrimp, crab, and seafood. Of course, rice! 🍚 Then some fruits like watermelon and mango. 🍉
We are full and food coma-ed 🍉🍚😊. We just rest for a little bit under the coconut tree for a while to digest. I'm very thankful to my friend who sponsored the trip. His family is so nice and accommodating. A very Filipino trait.
After resting, we play in the sun and did some hiking. We were totally sunburnt but it's okay. 😊 ☀ The water is cold and salty hehe. 🌊
4:30 pm. Our boat is here to pick us up. Time to say goodbye to the beautiful island. I am so happy that I joined the group for this trip. On this trip, I was able to reflect and meditate. It was a reset for my mind. I would love to go to the beach again. 😌
Thank you, berries, for reading my article. I promise to write an article a day if not, every other day. :) I will do my best to fulfill this promise.
Until next time, berries! Be safe and wash your hands!
(photos are all owned by me)
Sounds you had so much fun on your trip! I always wanted to go on travel too, especially with friends. And I love the pictures you took, Mouth watery (3rd image)! hahah