sun, sand, surf and sunscreen

Last weekend I had the time of my life as my friends and I went to Crystal Beach Resort located in San Narciso, Zambales. The trip was supposed to take place three weeks ago, but the wait was definitely worth it. We were invited by my friends' schoolmate, Mac Ramos, who is also the resort's operations manager.

Just to give you an idea how close Mac and my friends are, Mac has mentioned that sleeping is going to be a bit of a hassle. We actually felt a bit worried about the place as we drove to the resort, but all nervous thoughts flew out the window when we arrived. It was such a beautiful place--no, it's paradise. It's the perfect getaway for the adventure seekers, honeymooners, families, or even those who simply want to relax. The beach was a wide stretch of sand, and the water was a clear blue-green. There are swings on the trees that sway gently in the breeze and as for the cottage we were provided, it's definitely sleepable. It even has a kitchen but we didn't have to do the cooking anymore since we could ask the resort's cook to cook the food we bought at the nearby market.




The place was so beautiful that one can actually spend the whole day outside. As we were waiting for our lunch to be cooked, we all hung out at one of the huts nearest the beach. Everything was so beautiful that I drank everything in: the warm sand, clear azure waters, the blue, blue sky, the sun shining down on all of us and the cool sea breeze blowing. I closed my eyes and smiled to myself. Ahh, this is the life! I could stay like this forever.

We had a delicious lunch of hot rice, inihaw na tilapia, ensaladang talong and ripe mangoes. It was so delicious that everyone had seconds. After lunch, we sang (actually just my friends) on the videoke until the time was right for swimming.




The resort is also known as a surfing destination, so there were many surfers on that fine Saturday afternoon trying to catch a wave. Unfortunately it wasn't that windy enough so they spent most of their time paddling and practicing their moves near the shore.

Aside from swimming, we also got free surfing lessons from Mac, who is also a certified surfer. He taught us the basics of surfing which are quite simple, but difficult to execute. If you haven't exercised for a long time like me, you'd understand. I think out of the four times I've tried to stand on the surfboard, the first one was the most ok and that wasn't even very ok as I've wiped out on step two (crouching). As for the rest? Well, I wiped out on all of them. But hey, I still had a lot of fun even though I didn't get to stand up on the board. That only means that I have to exercise more. ^^




Pine trees... at the beach? Mac says they're good as windbreakers.

Since it was such a spectacular day, the sunset was equally spectacular. It was a cloudless day and so you can easily see the blazing ball of fire dipping oh, so gently into the azure sea, making way for the first stars of the evening. The time was so perfect for walking along the shore just thinking about life and how beautiful it can be.

I would have joined the others for the bonfire after dinner but I was so wiped out (literally and figuratively) and crashed in the cottage at about 9pm. The others came back a little bit before 12. For some reason it was so cold inside the cottage that we all woke up at about 4am, arguing and laughing about the blankets, makeshift blankets and having no blankets until finally one of us got up to turn off the electric fan. Aah, peace.

Sunday was a replay of Saturday, and I couldn't ask for more. But instead of swimming, I opted to hang out in the hut nearest to the shore and just watched the people as they swam, surfed and whatnot.

I didn't want to leave the place, but go home we must. But before we went home, we had lunch at dude's pizza which is owned by Mac's brother (who's also the resort manager). the place was small but intimate, and it screamed SURFING! there was a counter with a real shortboard top, the wall on the left was a mural of a surfer riding a big wave, and the right wall was covered with messages from the celebrity surfers who came to their resort: Jericho Rosales, Heart Evangelista, China Cojuango, Jackie and Dyan Castillejo, etc. There were even pictures of them as they signed the wall.

We had three large pizzas: Dude's Special, Bacon, and Pepperoni Overload. We also had some potato fries with gravy and an order of Longboard Pizzadog, all washed down with ice-cold glasses of coke. our bunch was as hungry as hungry can be, and all the food were wiped out within a matter of minutes. But even we're not that hungry, well... ;-)

Acknowledgement: The pictures posted here are courtesy of my friend Layla. Thanks girl! ^^

Promotion, promotion! Crystal Beach Resort is perfect for family and company outings, surfers/adventure seekers, camps/retreats, beach weddings, conferences, alumni homecomings, and a whole lot more. Entrance fee is 100PHP per person, and accommodation ranges from 900 to 2,500PHP. Bring your tents if you're more adventurous--you'll only have to pay for the entrance fee, and that already includes the free use of the showers, toilets, parking, basketball and volleyball courts, and obstacle course. Other amenities such as billiards, pingpong, darts, internet and videoke include a minimal fee.
Surfing lessons are 200PHP per hour, per person. Surfboard rentals are 800PHP available for the whole day.
For more information, log on to www.crystalbeach.com.ph. It is advisable to book in advance (especially in the summer). Call (02) 941-9004, and look for Ms. Jean Ramos.