Single Journey: Burias Group of Islands

It was a very great time to forget all the blame game in the corporate world in a very distant place. Well, I deserved a break.

At the very last minute before we left the Capital City of 24 Rush Hours a Day, Pasig City, I bought my swimming attires at St. Francis Square near SM Megamall. I found a blue swim suit worth P150.00 and my P250.00 gray rash guard.

It was indeed a very distant place, I underestimated the 8-hour travel from Ligaya, Marikina as we arrived at San Andres Port, Quezon before lunch time.

We spent another three hours from port heading to the so-called Lonely Soul Animasola Island via boat.

Animasola Island

I took off my rash guard and I momentarily noticed some “baby fats” maybe because I enjoyed the chicken pork adobo for the lunch. The rocks carved into perfection hypnotized me to enjoy the journey with my not-so pinaghandaang swimming attire.

I held my breath and my occupied mind realized that, “Life is like the wide and limitless sea, you will never know unless you discover and swim it yourself.”

We spent another one and a half hour passing the turquoise clear waters of Tinalisayan Island.

Tinalisayan Island

I picked my selfie stick and enjoyed chasing the sunset at the unspoiled Tinalisayan Sand Bar.

Tinalisayan Sand Bar

Posted on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eyeynb/

We started setting up the tents and I spent the night at the “I almost gave up” Burias Island with new found friends. I was unlucky in queuing for a pail of water, I then joined some campers in pulling the pail in the deep well and satisfied my burnt face with a very few drops of underground water. As soon as the queue for female comfort (not so comfortable) rooms was shortened, I waited for almost an hour before I got my turn, I washed my body with only two bottles of 300 mL mineral water worth P35.00 each.

I unconsciously survived the night.

I woke up early to witness the rising of the golden sun and got the chance to witness another island paradise, the famous cowboy’s hat-shaped Sombrero Island.

Sombrero Island

It was worth all the risks and uncertainties last night from bringing all my things all by myself while being jealous that others have their boyfriends with them.

We ate our breakfast cooked by our organizers and we disassembled our tents right away.

We were navigated to the “Home of Sea Snakes”. Dapa Island convinced me that we really have to search far and wide to see what is really beautiful.

Dapa Island

We took our afternoon dip at Alibijaban while enjoying the sight of some mangroves.

Long weekend does not need to be long, it must be creating your own happiness and a whole lot of sweat.

This is Elaine and this is my single journey with new found friends!

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About the Author

Mary Elaine BarlolongBusiness Development Unit Head

Elaine is currently an Internal Auditor of a real estate company. She has been in the audit profession since October 2014. She is an active member of the Institute of Internal Auditors- Philippines and her advocacy is to encourage change, to raise awareness and to educate people to appreciate and understand internal audit better. She is also the Board Secretary of an employees' cooperative, which gave her the opportunity to enjoy again her craft, which is writing. Elaine was assigned to do hosting during special events in their company. She joins running events during weekends and aspires to cross the 42 KM finish line soonest.