Those words pretty much describe how I am. Overbold and audacious. At times, I think, I am the daredevil himself. Nah. There I go again, over exploiting the words I know, being extravagant in self grace. Haha. I'm kidding.
Nonetheless, I've read this passage somewhere, and it stuck:
I'll do EVERYTHING once. Twice if I like it. Three times just to make sure.
Cliff diving, I done it 5 times. In varying levels of difficulty, or should I say, height.
April 7 2012 was a Saturday. And it was high time to high dive.
We have reserved our slots in Boracay Beach Club (err Ariel's House) a day earlier. And at 11:30 AM, we were off to Obama, registered and signed the waiver, and waited for the boat ride to Buruanga.
At 12 NN, a two-deck (40pax capacity) boat arrived. We had to wade ourselves to neck-high waters since the ride could not get any nearer to the shore. Sea grass/sea weeds/sea plants clung to our skin, hair, and skimpy clothes that we had on. And I opted to reserve seats at the lower deck since - for someone who loves the beach too much, I can be very wary of too much sun.
It took around an hour going to Ariel's Point. Aboard the boat, we were served with drinks, water, sodas or beer, depending on our preference. If there's a party bus, I dubbed our ride, "Party Boat." They were playing alternative music, one I instantly loved. We ordered water and had beer afterwards.
When we reached the cliff diving site, we were greeted with several people diving from 5m, 8m, and 15m high. Just watching it was exhilarating enough. And I was filled with excitement at the prospect.
When we docked and looked for a place to stow our belongings, a couple was standing at the 15m dive board. And I realized late that the man was proposing to his lady-love. Now this left a giddy smile on my face. Then, he was taunted to jump over 15m into water. Splash! We see the new fiance already 15m away from his new fiancee, waddling across towards the ladder. All the while noting the lady fiancee giggling and teasing the friends, "Oh you sneaky sneaky you."
We were told it was the second proposal in the place. The first one took place at the 8m dive board. And both jumped after the girl said yes.
First off, the 5m dive. This was only slightly higher than the jump from Manalmon's (12 feet high) monkey bars. Being the impatient person that I am, I took the first dive.
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| Handpainted balyena. ;) |
My ears were ringing. I had to equalize the pressure after being dipped a few meters underwater. It is my greatest fear to have seawater coming into my nose, and that's the downside of diving. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed it that I jumped 3 more times from the 5m plank, once from the 8m dive board.
Then the folks.
I have to tell you though. The girl friend who jumped off the 5m board took it hard. Her legs looked like it came from some hazing. Blue and violet all over. Perhaps she took a wrong fall. Nonetheless, it is reiterated in every diving board: DIVING IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. Life guards were present a few minutes after arriving. But when they saw that every diver knows how to swim, they left.
We had lunch. Buffet. But we were not too hungry. Perhaps the adrenaline was still pumping in our veins.
We had a couple of rhum cokes. We were told, the more you drink, the higher you jump. Haha.
Snacks were served. Camote cues, and rhum coke, well, they do rhyme.
Other activities that were being offered at Ariel's Point are the following:
- Snorkeling
- Kayaking
- Canoeing
I passed these items off since I've done them all at different life times. Besides, I was having too much fun at the raft, people were exchanging places since it was overloaded and we were sinking. I stayed on my spot, at the edge, away from the sun and holding on for dear life. I had to sit when the water level at my side is low, and had to stand up when the raft sinks. Oh dear children.
I went to Ariel's Point for the 15m. Then I shall do by my promise. (I especially chose the one-piece suit for my diving expectations.)
At 3:40 PM, we were told that the boat will leave in 20 minutes. Under the time pressure, I have to gather my wits. And we went to the 15 m board. I was about to go first. But my knees were buckling extra. People were prodding me. Jump! Go! Go! Go! But I got stage fright. So I let my companion jump first. And after letting out a coupla profane words, I jumped.
My anxiousness got the better of me. I felt the jump was shorter than the 5m time. As it was, I was way more conscious of the impact than I was of the free-fall itself. I was glad I did it though.
It takes a little insanity to jump off the 5m. And even more off the 8m. But it took a whole lot of courage jumping off the 15m dive board. Good thing I got off unscathed, save for some pain in the buttocks and a slight tear in my new swim wear. Teehee.
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