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Brazil Trip 101: Rio de Janeiro – Hang Gliding

One of the must do activities when dropping by the city of Rio de Janeiro is to view the city from the sky, flying on artificial wings. One of the reasons why someone like me can fall easily in love with the city is how its long stretch of beaches are so close to its lush green hills. Both enveloping the city in between both vibrant with the fusion of its new cityscape atmosphere and its old, traditionally Brazilian fun-loving culture.

We took our chances with the Associação Brasileiro de Vôo Livre located along the Praia de São Conrado. It was a bit tougher to commute towards though as there were no direct buses from the city centre. We took a bus to Leblon and a 20 – 30 minute taxi to reach São Conrado. From there, a short walk along the the shore, you’d spot the team of instructors lounging, fixing up their gliders, and entertaining their guests.

 

Brazil Trip 101: Iguaçu Falls

Upon seeing Iguazu, the United States’ First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt reportedly exclaimed “Poor Niagara!”

Overview

Cataratas do Iguaçu or Iguazu Falls is huge complex of waterfalls along the Iguazu River dividing Argentina and Brazil. The Iguazu is a cataract waterfalls, meaning it is a huge and powerful waterfall, which is apt since the name Iguazu has been derived from the indigenous Tupi language meaning “big water”.

Argentina’s side of the Iguazu Falls. Best viewed from Brazil.

The falls can be seen from either Argentina or Brazil. Having an amazing natural wonder parked just in their backyards, both countries made sure that airports, hotel facilities, roads, and transportation are set up for the convenience of tourists that would visit the falls. Oh, regarding what Eleanor Roosevelt exclaimed and having personally seen both Niagra and Iguazu, I definitely agree.

Brazil Trip 101

Background

Brazil is an emerging, Portuguese-speaking South American nation known for its soccer, housing most of the Amazon rain forest, the Samba, Havaianas, and the Christ the Redeemer statue overlooking the city of Rio de Janeiro. You get to hear a lot about their more famous cities like Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and Brasilia.

Economically, Brazil is growing at almost the same rate of economic development seen as a country with potential to eclipse the combined economies of the current richest countries. Like Russia, China and India, it is viewed to be in a similar stage in terms of economic development. However, despite massive gains in their economy, they also have social problems  particularly in the gap of wealth between the rich and poor. This disparity is one to note especially for those travelling to Brazil.

Planning out the flights

Planning our trip to Brazil took 3-4 months. As with most trips, you would have to consider your budget. Your budget will dictate whether you fly in during Brazil’s tourist off-peak or peak season. Peak season is usually during the Carnival which celebrated 46 days before Easter. It is a weeks worth of celebration, pageantry, music and dance. It also means higher cost of local flights, and accommodations. Our group opted to travel a few weeks after the Carnival.

Yearning…

… for the sight of the unending horizon
… for the smell of the salty air
… for the sound the rushing wave
… for the feel of the calm water
… for the taste of the laidback life
… for the sea.

… for the sight of the swell
… for the smell of the beach
… for the sound the surf
… for the feel of the rush
… for the taste of the bliss
… for the sea.

CDO-Camiguin-Iligan Tour

Gone to CDO-Camiguin-Iligan last November 14 up until the 18th. Our itinerary is seen below. Acknowledgement to Sars for preparing and keeping us all in schedule and within budget.

OUR ITINERARY
1 night Camiguin, 3 nights CDO, day tour Iligan

W – 14
AM
4:45 AM – Departure
6:10 AM – Arrival
3 hrs. Land Trip + Ferry to Camiguin
Lunch and Check in @ Camiguin

PM
Tour: Sunken Cemetery, Katibawasan fall, Ardent hot springs
Dinner

Th – 15
AM
Breakfast
Boat to White Island
Lunch then check out

PM
3 hrs. Land Trip + Ferry from Camiguin
Check in CDO hotel, malling
Dinner @ Countryside steakhouse
Dessert @ Candy’s Café

Boracay Sprain Pain

Got back from a summer trip to Boracay a few weeks back and it was alright. People might start saying that I wasted some thousand pesos for a trip to beach with a lot rain. Just to clear things, I did not go their for the sun. I have a lot of that already here in Manila. I really just wanted to get to the beach, rain or shine. It really did not matter to me.

Some highlights of the trip:

1. It’s always best to have a Piso fare ticket when you know you’ll be missing your flight. I got to the check-in counter 30 mins before the actual flight. With 3 seats left and 4 of us that needed to board, the lucky person who had to rebook and pay an additional PhP 1008.00 was the late comer that had to travel all the way from Diliman at 6am and faced the daily commuter traffic.

2. Five shots of Baccardi 151 = 15 shots of what Boracay’s Cocomanga’s had to offer. Got a free shirt and, supposedly, my name engraved in their Hall of Fame. Didn’t get to check that one out though due to highlight # 3.

3. Skimboard until around 7pm on the last day of your vacation and stop only when you get your right ankle sprained. Just be glad though that you still had to ride more times than the person who got sprained on his first ride (ei BJ! hehe…). 🙂 Also, be glad that it happened on the last night. You did not miss out on the pasalubong shopping and good eat-all-you-can dinner your travel buddies enjoyed while you were in your room with a cold compress.

4. Walking on a sprained ankle the next day and catching a flight in the next 2 hours is tough! At least, I got to ride a wheel chair when I reached the airport, great consolation prize for the work I had to do going up and down tricycle, boat and van.

All in all, it was a trip worth remembering. I still got the sprain though I was able to bowl a 121 game the following day. Reflecting on trip, at least I now understand why some people are scared of getting hurt. It’s painful. But to decide on whether you prefer to enjoy that short moment of bliss and suffer a great deal or remain unscath for the rest of your life but never really fully enjoying all blasts of emotion even for that short period, I’d rather prefer to go sprained for 3 weeks.

I will have to save up this July. August will definitely be much more heavier on the pocket plus I can’t afford to be late on that flight! 🙂

Reflections at a cliff’s edge

Man hesitates too much, thinks too much, fears too much… Oftentimes, it takes just one step off the cliff to realize how free you really want to be. In the end, you champion over your fears and champion yourself.

What does it feel to simply let go? I discovered how it felt like to  jump off a cliff putting aside all hesitation, fears and anxiety that comes with human nature.

It was last week that we went to Tali Beach in Batangas. It was a different kind of experience since there really wasn’t much to do. So, you get do to a lot of thinking.  There is part in Tali beach where you are allowed to jump off this cliff that was about 5 – 7 meters high. You’d have to walk through a small pathway beside former President Ramos’ house (supposedly).

Surf’s Up

Just got back from a weekend in San Juan, La Union where me and some friends from the office took the time off to experience a surfer’s life. Thanks to Stan and Kian, we got pretty good accommodations, an excellent surf instructor and waves that were enough to help us learn the basics.

Like any beginner, I was not able to stand on the board (beginners always get the long boards since it’s easier to learn on them) even after trying for 30 mins with Kian. Jan had the instructor first. When it was my turn, I was able to ride my first wave all the way to the end!!! It was so cool, and I couldn’t hide my smile. I was able to ride a couple more times, and fell a lot more times. It was so much fun though. Yes, even the falling part. I guess I had the instructor for 30 mins as well.

During the afternoon, Stan let us borrow his short board (which is easier to paddle but harder to balance). We all tried it out but none ever got to ride it. I think I almost did but only up to a kneeling position. Of course, Stan and Kian got to rode well. At night, we had some Boracay mix, and spent the rest of our consciousness star gazing. I was pretty tired that day so I did not last long in gazing the black abyss.

The next day we rented 2 long boards but the waves were pretty fierce. Getting out to the sea was tough enough, and riding the waves was rare and hard! I was able to ride once but did not get to stand. I stood up too late. I also got a heavy beating when I hit the sand under the sea and I thought I heard my neck crack a bit but I ended okay. I just hope my brain functions well this week as I am on night shift at work.

All in all, it was a pretty swell weekend. I am definitely going back! I just need to earn back more money. To those who might be thinking of going out to surf, I spent PhP2,500 and it’s worth it!

Pico de Loro – Conquered

Gone up Pico de Loro today with Kian, Martin, Mo and Gregg. Kian was the only person I know when the day started and I’m glad got the chance to meet the other 3. They are good natured people and very friendly. People with beliefs and stand by them. I rarely meet people like that nowadays.

Anyway, here is a run through of the things I realized during this experience: