KINDLE FOR PC: A Feel for the Real Thing

Kindle for PC is almost like the real thing

Welcome to the future.

Call me a late bloomer, but it’s my first time to actually say it.

I’ve registered 70 books in GoodReads last week to be read the entire year. I originally wrote 20 books, but it was unforgivable, if not primitive. The problem is, I don’t have books anymore having stopped buying for two years now. So I only estimated an average of 1 book per two weeks. Not bad considering I can only read in trains and jeepneys because my quiet time is dedicated to Bible-reading. This leads me reading only old titles and opening the anciently stocked ones that have never been opened since their moment of purchase.

But it’s still not enough. I have to get more.

JsP bought a Kindle last January. He has been posting stuff about it in twitter ever since. I had no idea what a Kindle was. I actually thought it has something to do with flames and some artsy-fartsy video thingy (Jyp being a videographer and a good one at that), but when Stn started talking about it as well, alarm signals about books rang somewhere in my subconscious.

Kindle options for readers

I still don’t have a Kindle (the machine) if that’s where you think this is leading. I am actually gonna talk about the Kindle software for PCs which I downloaded after learning from Stn that it actually exists.

It’s heaven. It’s the new, er, thing. It’s nice to read books and get to choose the color of the pages and letters (Kindle only has three options: white paper, sepia and black and white, needless to say, those suffice) and the number of lines per page and the font size and the kernelling and the... I can go on forever.

Scrolling is easy with the arrow keys. I can bookmark without having to buy bookmarks! I can highlight without buying highlighters. And I can erase them! (I think... Though, I’ve never tried it yet.) I can scan words and right click on a word to see the meaning of a certain word! Huwaw! I don’t have to carry a dictionary with me (as if) all the time or pretend to know a lengthy word that will make me look smart if dropped in a conversation. I just have to be connected to the internet.

Portability is nothing like the real thing. It’s currently installed in two PCs for me, and the other one is in my laptop, which is a 15-inch one that I obviously don’t feel like carrying with me all the time.

Kindle Paper

Kindle Black and White

Kindle Sepia

Kindle for PC can be downloaded for free so there’s no need to hack or steal or scour the world wide web for pirated stuff. Amazon gives the readers three free ebooks to start with. I was glad they gave Pride and Prejudice for free (though I can easily get it from Project Gutenberg anyway). Speaking of which, you can download Kindle books in Project Gutenberg. They have options for Kindle users.

Three free ebooks upon downloading Kindle for PC

Kindle currently has three models. I am salivating over Kindle DX ($379), but it’s too hefty for me. It has a 9.7” screen, something its predecessors don’t have, but basically, the functions are the same. Kindle Wi-Fi ($139) has no 3G functions, so there’s no connectivity unless you read in hotspots. Kindle 3G ($189) has 3G.

Converted to peso, I am saving up around P9000.00 at most for WiFi-3G. I still have PX,000.00 to go, since the anniversary of the church is upcoming and I have to buy everyone Amber Pichi-Pichi. Hehe.

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Cheap Transpo to Boracay

Boracay Frisbee

For those trying to get the cheapest way to go to Boracay, please note that it is not impossible with gifts of patience, wit and internet connection speed.

I booked my flight during the peak of a seat sale in Cebu Pacific. That’s an advantage in planning all your trips. Normally, they have seat sales during holidays like Xmas, New  Year, Chinese New Year, etc. For promos, like their page on Facebook and follow them on Twitter to get updates. Last December, they had this crazy Piso Sale for domestic flights. I was so overwhelmed I couldn’t make up my mind on what seats to buy and to where. The moment I got in, all the seats I wanted were gone. So you better have dates in mind and places to go as early as now. The next Piso Sale could be anytime soon.

Every single person I was going with in this flight already had their tickets booked and was waiting for my final decision on my itinerary.  My friend, Edl is a flight attendant in CebuPac and was calling me frantically about their flight schedule and was asking me if I could join. She called me during the final hours of the seat sale. It was cheap and logically, she wanted me to make up my mind fast because the seats were being taken and the prices surging. It was during the CebuPac seat sale that I bought my tickets in PAL.

I prepared P2300 for my tickets. I failed to pay on my first month so I had to pay the surcharge of the credit card company for another few pesos. My friends paid almost P3500 for their airfare. Teehee. My best friend hated it. I told you, patience is a virtue. If it doesn’t get you CebuPac seats, it gets you Philippine Airlines. For the rest of the transpo allowance you need to know, I made a rundown of all the expenses you might incur. This is if you are:

• Travelling alone
• Landing in Kalibo
• In a hurry but wants to travel cheap

Airfare	P2500 – P3500
Taxi to the airport	P120 – P200
Tricycle from Kalibo to jeepney/shuttle terminal	P80 – P100
Shuttle from Kalibo to Caticlan	P100
Boat from Caticlan to Boracay	P120 (unless you’re a         local – and I am! I mean, I          was…)
Tricycle/Single motorcycle to your station of choice	P20 (single) / P20 per seat         for tricycle
Total (one way)	P2940 – P4040

Going back? I don’t know. Just pray. I said going to Boracay, not going to Manila.

My friends took a special shuttle from Kalibo to Caticlan. Like I told you, if you are travelling alone (frugally) you cannot rent one whole shuttle to yourself, unless you’re uber rich, at which case, you’d have bought an earlier flight straight to Caticlan instead of Kalibo.

CebuPac also offers flights to Caticlan, just look for them in their website.

Part 1: Manila to Kalibo Flight

Part 2: Kalibo to Caticlan

Part 3: In and around Boracay

Part 4: Boracay to Manila

Extras: Jet Ski Experience

           Cheap Transportation to Boracay

           Boracay: Then and Now

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Boracay to Manila (Part 4 of 4)

Last shot before walking away

Morning: Prayer, “jogging”, lots and lots of photos

I started the day right. Woke up at 4:30 to pray. Somehow, the effect of the wind blowing against my face (I was asked to pray at the veranda for noise elimination reasons) made me feel closer to God (of course, it’s an exaggeration), but the fact that I was enjoying my nth hour in Boracay made me fill 10 minutes of my prayer with thanksgiving.

Ch and I wanted to jog early. I told her I’d wake her up at 6. I finished prayer a little before that, went back to my side of the bed and slept. We woke up at around 7. We did not jog.

No decent breakfast for us.

“We should eat brunch. It’s cost-effective,” I suggested, mentally accounting the remaining money I had in my wallet.

We took early morning photos and enjoyed it until the rest of the gang caught up with us. We made a dash back to the hotel and took a swim. GnA and Pau borrowed a bench somewhere so we didn’t have to rent one.

I couldn’t leave Boracay without any activity. I had to at least try something. I wanted to try them thrilling ones, where I could fly, be flung above air or be thrown off deep waters.

Apparently, the group had the same thought in mind. Their ideal Nki activity: sailing.

Ch shopping

I expressed my appreciation for it, but had inner reluctance. If you have been reading my Boracay series, you would know I did sailing before and being being Jeo’s daughter, I did quite some sailing. But being with friends would be different. Plus it would cost me P120. I would feel its importance in my life.

We sailed for an hour. Ch, GnA and I jumped into the water. The waves were becoming more and more enormous, so we decided to climb up the boat. By then, I was tired.

Andok's!

The group broke into smaller groups. We took a hearty meal in Andok’s, which offered cheap but decent meals. Edl and the rest ate somewhere else. The couple, Rlf and Mnq went with Ch and I. After that, another decision to split was reached. Some wanted to get a massage, some wanted to walk around (I think), and we wanted to swim some more. Mnq, Ch and I took the plunge and swam for around 30 minutes when GnA was making hand signals to us from the shore.

He was dying to ride the Jet Ski (not his first time) ever since he got there, but it was too expensive and he had no one to split it with.

“If, really, I have enough budget for that, I would go with you,” I apologetically shouted back from where we were swimming.

 Apparently, he had planned everything and negotiating with me and Ch, we went with him. The entire Jet Ski thing is written here.

2:30 pm and we were inching towards our final moments in Boracay. Ch and I went together to shop pasalubong. I don’t mind buying people souvenirs of the place they didn’t go to, but I tried withdrawing from my bank and couldn’t get any money out. So I had to choose carefully the people to give anything to. I only chose five, myself included.

Ch and Mrv on our way home

I need moneeeeeey

Final moments: Wrong ticket info, flying shuttle, back in Manila alone

Edl was strictly adhering to the schedule. Being an FA herself, she knew how to estimate time. I obviously don’t have that. She insisted we leave at 3 pm to get to Kalibo Airport on time. I declared myself free from that hassle since I was flying back alone, approx. 45 minutes later than them.

God knocked me in the head and instructed me to check my ticket again.

They were all scheduled to leave 7:00. I knew my flight was at 7:35.

Wrong. I checked the ticket – thank God I did – and saw the time to be 18:35.

“Mrv, 18 minus 12?”

“16?”

I shivered. Suddenly, it was SG all over again. I whispered my time to be earlier than expected.

“You said you’ll leave later than us!”

“I know, I know. I thought as well.”

Getting my Bible to pray

I prayed to God. Spoke in tongues as discreet as possible. It was 3 pm and time for my afternoon prayer. I prayed hard. I was setting the right atmosphere even while we were in the tricycle.

I only exposed it when they overheard me talking to the shuttle driver to let the van fly as high as he could because my flight was at 6:30. Pau didn’t like it, but we had no choice.

Montenegro boat

I was last to check in. I got in the boarding area ahead of everyone and settled my emotions down. I was confident I was going to make it anyway, but I vowed to myself never to miss details of my flights ever again.

I commuted home. I was broke already, and had no budget for a taxi ride. I texted Ch I arrived in Manila, told my folks I was coming home, and took a longed for sleep on my ever beloved bed.

We flooded the news feed in FB the next day.

Part 1: Manila to Kalibo Flight

Part 2: Kalibo to Caticlan

Part 3: In and around Boracay

Part 4: Boracay to Manila

Extras: Jet Ski Experience

           Cheap Transportation to Boracay

           Boracay: Then and Now

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KALIBO: Sleeping in a shuttle (Part 2 of 4)

KALIBO: Memories, shuttles and strangers

I arrived in Kalibo around 2:40 pm. I wrote the details down and even if this serves at posterity et journal, I will keep those notes to myself.

I rode the tricycle to the jeepney terminal to Caticlan. After haggling about the fare, I managed to get one who lowered the fare down to P20 less. He suggested I take the shuttle instead of the jeepney. I felt he was lying, but I was in such a hurry I didn’t mind. The shuttle cost P20 more, but faster. Time was my only treasure. Arriving two days later than my friends, I could not afford to lose more time for this trip.

I was third to fill the van. They needed 11 or 12, so I knew I was to wait a bit longer. So much for that P20. A guy sat at the far corner of our row. He looked decent and posed no threat.

“Kuya, anong oras na?” (“Big brother, what time is it?”)

He must be deaf. He didn’t reply. He just felt his puruntong and said a curse word in English before muttering to himself that he left his cellphone. He alighted the van and took a tricycle. I think he went back home. Good for him I asked for the time. Bad for us, we had to wait for another passenger.

10 minutes passed and the same kuya came back. He sat at his side of our row again and smiled. “You were asking for the time? It’s 2:45 (not the exact time I forget kasi).” I said thanks.

The van was slowly filled and he had to move beside me. My bag was taking up space so he put half of it on his lap. Then it was time for me to pray. He didn’t mind. We chatted for a while, with me slightly letting off the fact that I had been visiting Kalibo and Boracay before. I slept during most of the trip. I only woke up whenever I felt the vibrations of my cellphones to receive Ch’s texts or my mom’s calls. I would also wake up whenever we would pass by areas where my dad blasted the rocky mountainsides.

First sight of water

With the first sight of water around 4:32 pm, vacation mode kicked in. I was giddy already. I never slept again. Kuya was in his deep slumber and a few minutes more, we were in the Caticlan port.

The girls I saw during my check-in back in Manila were also there. I wondered if they took a shuttle somewhere else. I looked for traces of the Britons. Zero. The girls were lining up for the ticket. Kuya was gone. The lady guard politely told me to buy my tickets (yes, tickets) when I tried entering the post without one. I had to buy at windows 1, 2 and 3. Yes, windows 1, 2 and 3. I saw kuya again. He was queuing on window 1. I asked him where the windows were. He made a gesture that he was lining up to it. I cannot write here the favor I received, but I really thanked kuya because I only paid a small amount for the boat ride. More than half actually. He, apparently, was going to Boracay as well. I followed him to the pump boat. Crossing the small makeshift bridge to the boat, I handed him my luggage. “Parang close na tayo ah,” (“You act as if we’ve known each other for ages!”) he commented but he had no choice but to take my bag. I sat in the second row and kuya went to the back row. I think he got mad at me. I didn’t care. I was getting closer to Boracay.

From Cra's FB

Boracay: Flying Fish, Slammer’s Burger and sand

Earlier, Ch texted me that they’d do the Flying Fish ride. I said I was expected to arrive around 5:30 anyway so they could go ahead. I didn’t know what that was. If I did, I would have begged them to wait for me.

Everyone alighted at Station 1. There was only one station now, unlike before. I waited for everyone to go down before seeing kuya approaching me to get my bag (up to this moment, I still didn’t know his name). “Let’s go.” He wasn’t mad at me after all.

I was supposed to go to Station 2, D*Mall, where everyone was already waiting for me. Kuya and I walked towards the gate of the port.

“Aren’t we supposed to take a tricycle?” Kuya was going to this Holiday Hotel, a few minutes away from D*Mall.

“Yes, but I prefer that.” He motioned for one of the single motorcycles to come.

OK. I know what you’re thinking. Why should I ride that when I could get a tricycle? Well, a tricycle has to have 5 people in it before it can go. If you’re in a hurry, you will have to pay for every vacant seat. That’s P20/seat. Times 5. You do the math. I didn’t have P20 for inexistent passengers.

There was no helmet, so I hesitated, but for the sheer feeling of travelling frugally, I managed to conquer any fear and hopped on.

“Kuya, this is illegal in Manila!” I screamed at the driver as he sped through the road.

“Well, you’re not in Manila!”

My kuya friend got down to his hotel, and I almost got hit by an incoming bike. I continued my journey to D*Mall. I didn’t catch kuya’s name. I am so good at connecting to people. I don’t even know his face. He was wearing shades most of the trip. I think I can recognize him if he wears the same shirt. But I forget that as well.

I called Ch to say I was in Boracay already. Basically, the conversation went on like this:

“I’m here. Where are you. Can you find me a place where I can watch the game?”

“(Gibberish). We’re here at (gibberish).”

“Where?”

“Here at (gibberish).”

“Where?”

“Slammer’s Burger.”

“Slammer’s Burger. OK.”

“No! Slammer’s Burger.”

“OK. Slammer’s Burger.”

“No! Slam-mer’s Burg-er.”

“OK! Slammer’s Burger!”

“No!”

I hung up. “Text me,” I texted her. It was driving me nuts.

I asked one guard, who was very friendly, where Slammer’s Burger was. He pointed me to a direction. No Slammer’s Burger. I asked another one. Pointed to another direction. I went there. No Slammer’s Burger. I approached a couple of tinderas (vendors).

“Jammer’s Burger?” they blindly asked me back.

“No, Slammer’s?”

“No Slammer’s. Only Jammers.”

It was fronting the beach. I got so tired that I threatened no one I’d just sit down there, put down my things and camp. No more hotels with friends. I was getting annoyed.

“We’re here at Bite Club,” Ch texted. I repeated the process, got lost a bit somewhere before GnA accidentally saw me and muttered a small curse.

I dropped my bag and ran to them. Seeing them after all the travelling alone was very much welcomed. I wanted to embrace them all!

“Hi, Ike! Can you fix this camera?”

They obviously missed me.

Part 1: Manila to Kalibo Flight

Part 2: Kalibo to Caticlan

Part 3: In and around Boracay

Part 4: Boracay to Manila

Extras: Jet Ski Experience

           Cheap Transportation to Boracay

           Boracay: Then and Now

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Boracay: First and Last Night (Part 3 of 4)

First and last night: Cooold water, no game, Pearl Harbor, best friend bonding, earthquake

No game was aired. I was looking forward to watching the football game in Boracay, but it was impossible. We took photos of the sunset and took a dip later in the afternoon. The water was cold. My body felt bad immediately. But the water was so nice I didn’t mind. We heard of an earthquake occurring in Manila. Personally, I didn’t mind. Some of them did. No calls from my mom, so I knew it was dismissible. Her calls are my alert warnings. Very entertaining. Especially whenever she puts in something theatrical in her texts, highlighting her being histrionic. Afterwards, we headed back to the hotel, showered and watched Pearl Harbor. Edl kept on going back to our room to ask us to go already.

“But I wanna know who will die!” cried Ch.

Hartnett died

“Someone will die?” I grumbled.

“Yesss.”

“Guys! You didn’t go to Boracay to watch Pearl Harbor!” Edl protested.

“But, I’ve never finished any movie! This is my chance!” Ch continued.

We were unmoved ‘til the end of the film, where Hartnett died. Oops. (Oh, c’mon. You must have watched it already! You’re not, well, us.)

Supper was done in a fancy restobar. I didn’t eat, because Rlf earlier gave me ¼ of their lunch at Jammers Burger. I ate it and it was huge enough to last me two more days. I was good. The kamatis tasted nasty though. It was like felt paper in my mouth.

Everyone was almost done when Ch and I arrived with Mnq and Rlf. When it was time to order their drinks, I walked away. It was also time for my evening prayer and I prayed at the beach. It was super nice. I walked back to get the camera.

“I’ll just shoot.” Before they let me go, we did some more picture-taking. Ch went with me. We walked around to look for food. She was hungry and felt that the food there cost ¼ of a plane ticket. We saw the fire dance. I took lots of photos and we headed back to a grilling station, Ch bought a hotdog stick. So Boracay. We looked for rice. We went back to the restobar and asked for one order. P35 per serving. We walked away.

Boracay moon

We went as far as D*Mall Plaza to look for cheap rice. We got nothing. She just ate her hotdog as is. Then we took photos and walked all the way to Station 1. I recounted to her my memories of Boracay. How it felt weird to be back. We sat on the beach and talked about everything. It was a nice bonding with my best friend. The last time we were together in a beach was when I turned 16.

Some foreigners (drunk ones) played around near us. A girl was screaming etc. Small brawl. I wanted to sleep on the beach.

Sittin on the Station 1 beach (How come it looks brownish?)

Ch and I headed back. No one was around anymore. We saw them buying shawarma somewhere. We found it too expensive and bought cup noodles instead. I was aching for coffee. We saw a Starbucks outlet. We went to a sari-sari store and bought a 3-n-1 sachet.

Everyone headed back to the hotel to eat and have some bonding. No drinks. We ate chichiryas (junk food) and our hot cup noodles. Past 11, and everyone was zombie tired. We slept before 12.

It was my first and last night.

Part 1: Manila to Kalibo Flight

Part 2: Kalibo to Caticlan

Part 3: In and around Boracay

Part 4: Boracay to Manila

Extras: Jet Ski Experience

           Cheap Transportation to Boracay

           Boracay: Then and Now

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Boracay: Flight to Kalibo (Part 1 of 4)

Before I go on with my continuation of the series of blog entries dedicated to this paradise called Boracay, let me give you glimpse of a flashback. It dates back to the early 2000. The day was completed by a sip of fruit juice from this local restaurant called Jonah’s. It served fruit juices and shakes. The rest of the earlier hours were dedicated to island hopping and sailing late in the afternoon to watch the sunset.

“One can actually enjoy this place in one day,” said I, who, in my high school brain, was getting bothered with teenage ennui. “It’s possible. Just get the earliest flight, schedule all the activities ahead, and leave in the latest flight possible.”

This principle rang in my head for years.

Hence, my quick flight to Boracay.

My itinerary was scheduled on March 21, 1:30 pm. It was marked in my planner ages ago without me knowing what was in store for me this March (A.C.T.S. etc). I was to meet Ch and the rest of the “gang” in Boracay, in the middle of their own itinerary that I originally had nothing to do with. They got there Saturday, two days ahead. I was coming in Monday.

My flight back was Tuesday. 6:30 pm.

NAIA TERMINAL 2: Girls, boys, a book and smoke

I got to NAIA Terminal 2 around 11:30 am. Way too early for my flight. The reasons are so irritating to recount, I dare not try to write them down. I checked in behind a group of Filipinas, barkadas obviously, who almost wore bikinis to the airport already. What slightly annoys me in a group of friends is that it creates a faux sense of power to everyone in the group. Like they own any place they set foot in, provided they do it together. I’m guilty of this. That’s why I don’t like it when I’m alone and the group does not include me.

I sat at the farthest corner of the boarding area as possible. I sat opposite a San Miguel engineer who was in his mid 40s and forced myself to read. I brought Bonifacio’s Bolo with me, probably to inspire me to write for the trip. But with too much historical ranting and I was walking around T2 again.

A few minutes after the call to board, as I was walking towards gate 8, I saw smoke near the runway. No one paid attention. Apparently, I was the only one who actually thought fire on runways is bad. I looked around to convince myself that at least one soul saw it. No one. Every one went about their businesses like it was a typical flight day. Maybe I was the weird one. When I got to the boarding gate, a group of Britons (a group of around 7) lined up in front and behind me, sandwiching me between them tall boys. I was fifth to the last and felt small around them.

Check the article about the fire here.

Having checked in a bit early, I had the choice to sit at the window side. It was an advantage I never wanted to miss. Being too excited the previous night, having had a short appointment very early in the morning, I looked forward to taking at least a 20-minute nap on the plane. I’m not particularly window-crazy, but seeing where I’m going is also nice. At least the next time I fly back, I can tell the pilot we’re going the wrong way if ever.

The Brit guys were starting to become unbearably noisy in front and behind me.

But when I got to my seat number, two ladies were already sitting in our row, and being banged by the Brits around me (pardon the language, please), I couldn’t manage to reach my seat. Lady 1 asked me if I preferred the window seat, to which I curtly replied, “I prefer none. You’re free to take it.” It wasn’t a lie, I have to say. It was the truth. Though I questioned her question, I didn’t care anymore because the guys were causing too much disturbance raucously looking for their own seats, and I wanted to just sit down and be quiet for my sake. Good job to me, the moment we all settled down, I realized they were all seated around me.

No offense to my UK friends, the best non-Filipino people I know are all from UK, but the guys were so rowdy during the whole trip that I didn’t remove my shades to hide my eyes from rolling. The guy behind me kept on kicking (unintentionally) my seat (his legs were too long I kind of pitied him) and kept on saying so many green jokes.

I made a friend, my seatmate, who was nice enough to bear the noise around us casually. I met her again during our last-minute shopping in D*Mall Plaza, but I forget her name now. So much for friendship.

Part 1: Manila to Kalibo Flight

Part 2: Kalibo to Caticlan

Part 3: In and around Boracay

Part 4: Boracay to Manila

Extras: Jet Ski Experience

           Cheap Transportation to Boracay

           Boracay: Then and Now

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Jet Ski: More than a ride

It was not my idea, but it was my long-time dream. I have been salivating over it ever since I set foot on the island. Never tried it. Always wanted it. Thanks to GnA's passion, I only paid a small percentage of its already discounted price.

We were supposed to check out at 12, but the other room extended to 3 pm so we had three more hours to do anything. The idea was that GnA, Ch and I were to share the allotted time, with GnA taking 10 minutes alone. He paid for 3/4 of everything anyway so it was logical and fair.

Ch, Cra, Nki, GnA

We paid at their office the full amount. It was a few yards from our hotel. GnA and I went upstairs and chatted with one kuya there, while waiting for the next guide to pick us up. I asked kuya about kite surfing. I told him I want to learn and try it. Then GnA and I thought about surfing. I told him about Rsh' adventure in Ilocos but the waves are only good ‘til May. Then the conversation shifted back to kite surfing. All of our questions were answered by the casual kuya. He was good natured and was kind enough to tell us about the instructor who died last year because of an accident, which made GnA and I shrug and thought twice about trying any other water sport. Then we asked about the safety of the Jet Ski thing. OK, corny. It was just a Jet Ski, but we had to at least ask. We were assured by kuya. GnA has ridden a Jet Ski before and asked if the controls were the same. No they're not anymore.

"The former controls make things worse. In a case of a crash, the driver would accelerate instead of stopping right before the moment of impact. So they changed it." Good. At least we don't have to undergo their old ways. It’s easier to break before colliding against another Jet Ski. Perfect.

Speed boat to the floating dock

We had to take a multi-cab to Station 1 to meet-up with the speed boat that would take us to the Jet Ski area. Cra and Rx went with us to take pictures from the floating dock. All five of us sped through the clear waters of Boracay at the height of the sun's heat. We got there in less than 2 minutes and alighted in the floating bamboo dock where we were greeted by the kuyas operating the whole thing. We sat on one of the benches and watched as the rest of the "drivers" played on top of the water. I saw one kuya holding a Sony HD camera. "Huwaw, sosyal!" I muttered to Ch as she noticed the same thing as well. He was filming for a couple (a foreign guy with a Filipina-looking girl holding on to him). We got our floaters and one kuya particularly enjoyed strapping them on to me. I slightly pushed him away and did it myself.

Still hesitating at first

That kuya invited us to test our floaters by jumping to the water. I first hesitated, fearing I might get too tired to climb up again since the crazy waves during the sail took most of my energy. I could barely walk. I just wanted to sit. But I still jumped in, following GnA who was already floating away all the stresses of the remaining few hours in the island.

The first to ride were GnA and I. Ch was still conditioning herself, in a continuous trance of hesitation to ride it. I think I just pressured her into coming with me. I felt bad, but I knew she'd enjoy. I was ecstatic. One kuya rode with us first. He taught us how to operate it, telling us the dangers and the areas that we were allowed to drive in. GnA was sitting directly behind him and understood everything. I couldn't hear much because of the waves and my distance from kuya. I think he said something about falling off the water or crashing on to other drivers. Something about it being our fault if we die or something. I was hesitant to hold on to GnA at first, but my grip kind of increased. I muttered a small prayer and recalled Peter on top of the water. If he could do it without floaters, why couldn’t I. So I started to let loose. A bit.

Kuya left after a semi-circle trip within the allowed area. Clockwise. We were not allowed to do otherwise. GnA, the moment kuya stepped off and felt I was secured enough behind him, accelerated crazily within seconds. I screamed at him. He couldn't hear me, of course. I held on to him harder. He might have forgotten I was there. A big wave hit us. I hit him hard on his nape.

Enjoying it with GnA

"Are you doing that on purpose?"

"Just hold on!"

He was insane. Then I remembered I was supposed to not fear anything. I mean, I paid for it. The thrill of it was the main ingredient of the ride.

"This is buoyant anyway right?"

"Yes."

Floating until the next free Jet Ski was back

I thought hard at this.

"O well. Go on. Do as you wish."

He was slow on some parts but each time we passed by the floating dock, he would increase speed to "show them." I held on as he increased speed. Then as he was enjoying it, and I was relaxing a bit, he stopped and told me it was time to switch.

"Now?"

"Yes."

He stood up and sat behind me. I was kind of nervous at first. He taught me the accelerator and the break. The only two things I needed to know. I rest could be forgotten.

Kuya teaching us first

"OK. Here we go."

I think I spent 30 seconds trying to feel the thing until I felt what GnA felt when he was trying to fly me off earlier. I increased speed. Increased all the more and felt the liberating feeling of driving without speed limits and other vehicles on your way. The only thing that bothered us was the size of the waves. It was mid noon already and the large waves that hit us during our morning sail were nothing compared to the new ones coming in.

We almost overturned as I never took into account the waves when accelerating.

"Nice! Nice!" I heard GnA calling from behind me and it was a license to go faster. I finished a couple of rounds and thought of Ch.

"Don't be too fast on her please."

"Yes."

GnA showing off (haha)

Parking the Jet Ski was harder than I thought. I couldn't do it to the point that the kuyas were frantic at getting at us, and I slightly crashed into the speed boat nearby. A small whole was bored into our Jet SKi and everyone was furious. I got off and calmly sat down.

Ch replaced me and GnA repeated the process. I was scared for her first, but from what I saw, GnA was true to his word. They weren't challenging the waves that much.

My turn to try to kick GnA off the Jet Ski

When it was time for Ch to drive, we saw them switch. Then the kuyas with us became agitated and two of them jumped into the nearby speed boat. One Jet Ski seemed to have overturned. If we didn't see Ch and GnA switching places, we would have thought it was them. It was a Korean couple, I think. I wasn't thinking anymore. I lay down the bamboo floor and just relaxed. I knew Ch and GnA were safe.

After a couple of rounds, GnA brought Ch to the dock and had the vehicle on his own. He looked like he was enjoying and the kuyas signaled him that the time was up. We couldn't believe it. It felt too soon to be 30 minutes. But GnA was parking the Jet Ski already so I suppose he accepted the fact it was over.

Ch and I jumped to the water again. The water felt nice because it was cool to the body.

Notice the hole at the bottom left (hihi)

One kuya kept on bothering me. He said he saw me before. Clueless, I said maybe. I shouldn't have said that. I thought he really knew me since I lived in Kalibo for a couple of summers and have been to Boracay a couple of times. I asked him where he lived. He said in the island itself. False assumption. He wasn't from Kalibo. I shut up. He jumped into the speed boat with us and bothered me along the way. GnA teased me. I wanted to punch him in the face (kuya not GnA).

GnA teaching Ch

What a way to end the trip. I asked GnA and Ch if we could buy a Jet Ski. We could use it in Manila Bay. And, as expected, no one took me seriously.

Part 1: Manila to Kalibo Flight

Part 2: Kalibo to Caticlan

Part 3: In and around Boracay

Part 4: Boracay to Manila

Extras: Jet Ski Experience

           Cheap Transportation to Boracay

           Boracay: Then and Now

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