This day started like any other day here in the Philippines: warm azure water, tender sun, tender breeze, and mangos. Seven hours ago I couldn’t imagine that it would turn into an ultimate adventure.
To begin today’s story, I’d like to say that I drive a semi-automatic bike here in the Philippines, instead of an automatic moped that I really used to. This is something in between an automatic moped and a real motorcycle, which means that I shift gears with my foot. I am very excited about it as it gives me extra 100 points of coolness on the road and knowledge of that my next step would be a real bike and hundreds of miles ahead.
I decided to go to the market to get some fruit, at least this is what I told everyone. My true intention was driven by a running line in my head “road-freedom-road-freedom-wind-speed-control”. My ears demanded to hear the roar of the engine, and my eyes were hungry to see changing landscapes of the Panglao island.
The decision was made! I decided to explore the island, go further by the roads where the asphalt ends, find hidden beaches and caves and after that go to the market.
After driving 20 km from the house the blue sky suddenly became black and gray and I drove into a wall of rain. I saw a church and I thought it would become my refuge during the rain. The people were gathering and I thought how lucky I was to learn more about the culture through religion. I sat down on a bench and began to look at the Spanish colonial heritage. The church is really beautiful with some amazing murals on its ceiling, so I sat down being excited to see what will happen next and suddenly they carried the coffin … Yes, I came to the funeral. The idea to hide from the rain didn’t seem as good anymore. The next 30 minutes I was sitting on the floor outside the church with other Filipinos hiding from the rain. Once again and suddenly the rain has stopped, the sun started shining – let’s hit the road!
In about 5 km the same story repeated – the rain started pouring heavily but at this time I was surrounded by fields. That’s it. The drops were whipping by skin, and my eyes were filling up with water, I could barely see and it was very painful. My two options were to either stop and wait or to keep going, so I kept going … home.
Trust me, it was a real challenge, and I really hope that Chuck Norris, Bruce Willis and Angelina Joli will read this post and get really upset, because I had this adventure in real life, not in the movies 😆
44 Comments
This looks absolutely amazing!! Wish I was there!
This looks absolutely divine!!
Oh no! Crashing a funeral! That would certainly be awkward…I know how quickly the rain can come up in the tropics!
Indeed… too awkward)))
I’m sure the funeral goers understood the need to get out of the rain! I love the photos you’ve taken! Looks beautiful
You’re just incredible. First of all, these pictures are nothing short of fab. Second of all, what a crazy story! Side note, the architecture really is beautiful there lol. I was actually just in the Philippines for two weeks during the fall and it is a stunning place, truly. x Natalie http://www.thegirlwithbangs.com
This looks gorgeous! I really need to get out there and travel. Unfortunately, I haven’t had the opportunity yet. I will have to visit there sometime! lol
The pictures are stunning! The blue skies and beaches could be on a postcard!
Your pictures are absolutely amazing! Definitely would like to go there sometime!
I’ve never crashed a funeral, but I’ve walked into weddings before! Looks so beautiful there; which island are you on?
I literally just said out loud, “oh no” when I read that you were in the church for a funeral – LOLOLOL! Your pictures are stunning!
Beautiful photos!! I really want some mangos and sunshine too. What a great post!
These photos are stunning…looks like you had an amazing time!
Jess http://www.beautifulbreakable.com
Thes photos are beyond stunning! You look so beautiful and I can only imagine how relaxing that beach was.
Beauitful! I don’t think I could ever make myself leave. I love starfish and the little guy you found is cute!
Ok so much fabulousness in this post!!! So wish I was there with your gurlie!
Your pictures are gorgeous!!
Your pictures are gorgeous! And oh my goodness…a funeral?? Well, it was a look into the culture , even if it wasn’t quite what you expected, lol.
Well these pictures are beautiful. I am dreaming of going to the beach!
Omg these photos are grade A! It makes me want to visit asap. That starfish was cute!
Xoxo
Christina
http://Www.styletothet.com
How I wish I could be in the Philippines right now and followed you on Instagram as your feed is giving me major picture envy! I love your blog xx
The photos are stunning! What an adventure though 😛 One, I’m sure you’ll never forget!
What a beautiful island to live on and have adventures on! Sounds like even though your adventure didn’t go as planned, you will have fun memories!
Amazing adventure, sure is those stars will jelous to you for the real adventure -:)
You can never know where your next adventure lies. I got stuck in wild rain and gale winds once in Costa Rica. Luckily it came and went just as quickly. But I had to sit on the side of the road since visibility was horrible. I’m thinking about visiting the Philippines. It looks gorgeous!
I am absolutely mesmerized by these pictures! I cannot believe you ended up at the funeral!!
Great beach pictures!! I love the pictures with the starfish. I’ve only ever seen them at aquariums.
Well I wasn’t expecting the wall of rain story at all. The pics look lovely though.
Oh wow, this looks like the most perfect spot, great photos! Love the little tidbits from your adventures 🙂
Your photos are making me sooo jealous (just had a horrible blizzard here). I’d trade rain for snow any day 😉
this place is simply amazing looking. You capture it so well through these pics as if we were there with you!
It sounds like you stumbled upon some unexpected things. I can’t believe you held that starfish, too!
Beautiful photos. How I wish I was there right now to enjoy the sunshine (and the rain). The water looks so inviting.
A funeral…of course it is a funeral! I’m sorry you had such bad weather! I can’t imagine that would be fun driving in at all. Those pictures, of the sunny beach, however, are awesome! Much nicer than the snow outside my window!
What great beach pictures! So clear and beautiful! And that starfish is pretty cool!
Beautiful photos! I have never been to the Philippines. It looks so beautiful and now I am adding it to my travel list
Omg so wish I was there!!!!! I was just telling hubby how I NEED to visit the phillipeans after seeing afew IG post!
Those are real starfish out of the water? That one looks nothing like I imagined it would. I used to live where you’d look out of the window and a graveyard was right there. It was a very surreal feeling to be in your pajamas, eating cereal at the kitchen table, and a funeral would be taking place in clear view.
Could really use a vacation to a sunny beach. Absolutely beautiful photos, makes me feel as if I’m there, too!
Beautiful photos! This is exactly where I need to be now. Away from it all.
What lovely photographs! I love the story, it was very exciting, I wasn’t expecting to read aobut rain with the pretty pictures!
All of your photos are amazing! I want to travel. I need to get out more!
I love your photos here and the story along with it. I bet the people at the church appreciated another person there. You were probably a divinely appointed encouragement to them, and you got some shelter out of the rain!
Wherever you may be in the Philippines, it’s always an adventure! 🙂