A Picture Atop A Coral Formation in Puerto Galera!

This is my most favorite picture of the summer of 2015!

And just like many favorite pictures of ours, it wasn't particularly easy to get this one. Apparently, there was this huge coral about five meters from where our banca was anchored. Manong boatman suggested to us to swim to it and have our pictures taken there.

Well, easier said than done!

The coral was huge and its topmost part was almost jutting out. It was also big enough to accommodate the six of us. Problem is, nobody told genius me that corals are deceptively slippery and that on its crevices lived the sea urchins with their menacing long black spines! Also, marami syang sharp edges which sadly caused some blisters on my knees and hands.

Since I had my goggles on while swimming towards the coral, I could see the sea urchins (which added to me freakin out!). And I was really struggling to get my footing on the coral since it was just freaking slippery! Also, since I hadn't done yoga or Body Balance for months, my core strength and balance was very poor so what would have taken me 5 seconds in a more coordinated body took me almost a minute!

Butete me has many things to do in the gym!

Buti na lang, JR (our cute young boatboy), waited for all of us to settle down before he took a plethora of pictures. This though was the best amongst all of them!

Snorkeling and Beach Hopping at Puerto Galera

We Filipinos are spoiled for choice because every beach destination we go to has island hopping and snorkeling as their activities! The same is true at Puerto Galera.

However, I would have to go back to FF Aura and do some serious lapping before I go on another beach trip. As you can see from the pictures, all of my friends were having great fun in the sea, while I was barely struggling keeping myself afloat!

I think the last time I snorkeled was 7 years ago and I was like 40 pounds lighter! Anyhow, I tried first doing it without the life vest but I realized I haven't lapped for months so my endurance at floating was very poor!

I was shocked to find myself struggling to reenter the banca! Buti na lang, manong and his son, JR (more on him later) were very helpful to me because everytime I had to reenter the boat, they'd lift up my whole body since my upper body was very weak. Kainis! Now I know which part of my body to really work out when I go back to Manila!

I decided to wear my life vest para naman mas relaxed ako and since I haven't swam in months, my hand and feet coordination was very poor. So note to myself - if planning on going to beach destination - do laps in the pool the week before just to reawaken that part of my body and brain!