Our Ginatilan Getaway: Part 1

Hellow there puppies!

Sorry to have been a little silent for the past days, the hooman had her hands full with work (again!) . So without further ado, we give you Part 1 of our Ginatilan Getaway…

Last May 1, Friday, was a non-working holiday here in the Philippines. We celebrated Labor Day, and instead of going through their daily work routines, the hoomans decided to take us along for a two-day trip of plain leisure and all out relaxation.

We headed to a place called Ginatilan, which was about four (4) hours by local transport. In order to get there, we had to take a bus from the South Bus Terminal.

We woke up as early as 4:00 AM in time for the 6:00AM trip.

By 7:30 AM, we were already on our way

We arrived in Ginatilan by 11:00 AM and proceeded to take a 5 minute walk towards the coastal areas, where manang Joyce’s private rest house was located.

Upon arrival, I surveyed the entire area and was rather pleased.



Here is a view of the corner of the island as seen from our beach



Beautiful and virginal Ginatilan is well known for its waterfalls, but when we arrived, we fell in love with its pristine beaches

Without a minute to spoil, manang and I proceeded to test the waters. Aside from us, there was only one more group of people who were there. I courteously introduced myself to the locals, who were at first a little petrified to see a smiling dog with extremely huge incisors.

Manang spent a lot of time convincing people that I was as harmless as a clownfish. She even had to humiliate me in such a manner to prove her point…

See how she treats me in front of so many people? You could imagine the level of mortification I went through.

By 1:00 PM, the hoomans had finished preparing our meals and we all had a hearty lunch. A little later, everyone slapped on their sunblocks and went back to the water for some after-meal swim (isn’t that supposed to be bad for the health?)

Here are the three angels who planned out this wonderful vacation. Manang Joyce (sitting on rock) was even kind enough to let Poopie and I sleep with the hoomans in the room- how cool is that?

In order to prevent the rough waves from crashing into the house, they built this sea wall by piling (and maybe concreting) large rocks which were scattered all over the area.

Amidst all these frolicking and horse playing, a lonely soul stood still and silent. We call her- “the gate keeper”… BOL!

Poopie, as you all know, loathes the water, except perhaps, for drinking. Unlike me, she hates taking baths, swimming or simply getting wet.

Sometime during mid morning, the hoomans brought her to the beach (forcibly) while she was strolling along the sand bar. She fought hard and strong and ran out drenching wet with her tail tucked in her bumbum.. hehe.. Of course, the hoomans, being primitive creatures as they are, failed to digest all these and repeatedly “forced” her to “enjoy” the waters. Poopie had to fight back, of course, and their story ended with a large “pooper scratch” on manang’s leg. I hope they finally got the point.

Manang Joyce’s house had two storeys and a roof top with a breath taking view of the ocean and the mountains.

I, in particular, was very thrilled to be afforded the independence to decide where I want to go and when. I had practically, access to every nook and cranny. I even managed to go to the roof top without adult supervision (don’t worry, it is very safe).

Aside from enjoying the beach, we were finally able to enjoy one thing that we had not seen for a long time… watching the sunset

At around 5-6PM, the waves started to ebb. Watching the skies slowly lighting up as if it were “burning” was mesmerizing.

By this time, Poopie had vomitted twice because of the long trip. The cold sea breeze was likewise a little too much for her petite frame and so she had to spend the entire night wearing a jacket.

Not even the cold night wind could quell the inner diva in her.

This is my first time to stay overnight in a beach and live the life of beach bum hoomans.

I spent some good hours sleeping under the moon that night, waiting for the skies to clear up and the stars to line the heavens.

I wanted to make a wish then. I wanted to wish for dogs to have the same experience I (and Poopie) did: to live and roam freely, but without the hunger pangs and the occasional worry of where to seek shelter and to spend cold nights by choice and warm ones under blankets of hugs and kisses from people who love us.

There was one lone star, and even if my inner gutt told me it might have been pretty Venus, I made my wish.

Good night, Ginatilan.