Jumping in at Iligan City: G-Force Rocks!

Christmas Time in the Philippines is not complete without exchanging gifts with friends, families, etc. It has been a part of everyone's culture in my country that when there is an occasion, there should always be a celebration. And one of that is having a Christmas Party.

Filipinos love to feast whatever celebrations in the month calls for, whether it be a birthday, fiesta, wedding, thanksgiving, Christening, farewell, relocating to a new house, New Year, etc. We feel the essence of love, the presence and togetherness as we enjoy celebrating the occasions with our friends, families, cousins, relatives, neighbors, loved one, etc. It is already part of our culture. That is why,  last December 20, 2014 (Saturday), we had our party. It is called the "G-Force Christmas Party".  Why "G-Force"? Because I spent the event with my "Gorgeous" (the adjective of how I describe our group) circle of friends  who are precious and important to me. We held our party at Iligan City which is part of Mindanao.

 

Why Iligan? Because we want to experience something new. And indeed, we really, really experience something new. All the places that we have been were unplanned, but shall I say that I enjoyed them so much!

The call-time is 6:30 in the morning and all of us should reach the meeting place where the van will pick us up on or before 6:30 and so I did. Evening of that day, I just can't sleep. It is because I am overly excited.

 

It takes about 3-4 hours travel from Cagayan de Oro to Iligan City, but we didn't noticed the time because all of us were having a sort of "Sing Along" in the van. The music are extremely great. All are my favorite songs, both classic and the latest ones were played.  My friends are enjoying too. We sing at the top of our lungs. Boisterous laugthers and unstoppable loud noises are everywhere. It is a sort of, "Who cares?!?".

We had three places of excellent invites that we have experienced landing:

First, we had our first stop at Maze Parks and Resort where we had our simple yet meaningful Christmas Party celebration. It is where we enjoy submerging ourselves in the cold water. It is also where we had our exchange gift and of course, eating time!

 

The area is tremendously huge. There are lots of cottages and mostly are "reserved" (already taken for occupants). Ours are P350.00 only. It is big.

 

Almost everyone in there are celebrating Christmas Party too. There are lots of people. Children, young and old adults are present. And all of them are enjoying the cold waters just like we do.

 

The pool caters for various ages. Children's pools are the coolest. There are countless kids swimming there. Adult's pools are just so-so. Not too many people and not too few.
 

 

What I love most is the time when I take the slide. It is wonderful. Actually, that was my first time and so I was never acquainted. As I was taking the last drop, it so happen that I drunk little amount of the pool's water. That is indeed hilarious. But that was indeed fun!

 
 

Second, I wasn't expecting that the tide would drive us to the place called the "Nature's Park" where the "Crocodile Park Botanical and Zoological Garden" as well as the "Maria Christina Falls" are awaiting for us.  This time I am super excited because I really love the nature so much and I know it is about time for me to discover something new. I have realized. This is a sort of an educational trip as well.

 

The crocodiles are like lifeless. I wonder if they ever move. They are super big and scaly. If they could ever stand, probably almost all of them are 9 feet long. They look scary because it seems like their stare are ready to take a bite. The baby crocodiles are the cutest. They are like lizards. They are tiny.

 

 

It is my first time to see the ostrich. Its long neck is an advantage because it can see views way up there. The duck is attractive. His color is purely white. I remember seeing the duck as the dove. But the most furious are the snakes. There were two of them. The one is like transforming his skin. I love to disturb them to see how they react, but I think it is not a good idea because I know my friends might be afraid. The moment I see the snake, there is that feeling that I would like to fight with them with a sword. Hahaha...what a weird thinking!
 

 

Third, since we are running out of time, we directly went to the place where the beautiful "Maria Christina Falls" is situated. It is also my first time to see the falls. I have seen them many times in pictures in some Social Study books in my elementary and high school years. Seeing the falls for real, it is a fulfilling adventure.

 

I want to capture the view in the near site, but we don't have the opportunity to do it. They said that the way to get intimate to the falls are closed. But nevertheless, I enjoyed a lot. The falls are like coming its prime start from the clouds above and it flows to the bottom. Its water drips down low and the sounds of the waters flowing in the river are suggesting me to take a rest and unwind for some time. Hope I had the time to go up close-and-personal of the falls but it is okay. At least, I am filled with much happiness on that day.

It is a wonderful feeling to see what nature can give for us. I have realized that I have to really work hard and even strive to study harder so that I could land a job with good salary after college so that when I have lots of money, I will let my family to travel places that they have never been.

Traveling makes me write a book. There is a sort of "ignition" that is happening in me. It is like there is a fire burning in me to do the composition now, as in now! It is a kind of determination that inspires me to see life in a greater chance of opportunity and that being with nature inspires me to love life even more and to thank God more, who is the Giver of life because of the opportunity that I have seen His wonderful creations with love and happiness in my heart, with my circle of friends who also inspires me everyday.

The experience is immeasurable. It can't be paid by money or luxury. Simple things like being with nature and with the people that I love (my friends who is my family) are worth-remembering. It is life-determinating!

And the most that completes my day is because we have made meaningful circles such as these:

 

I had a lot of fun! Thanks that the sun cooperates!