Last year’s holiday was a bit of frenzy, but a good one, so this is me not complaining. If we weren’t on a boat, we were on a plane. Jumping from one island to another; one country to another. Even jumping from one island to another within the island itself! It was actually quite a feat.

But then again, the Philippines is an archipelago so that’s kind of how it goes.

So on that Saturday in June, our third day in Siargao, was a day of rest.

Early in the morning, my sister and I went for a walk on the beach, which felt more like an overdue exercise because by the end of it, I was practically wheezing and I’m not even asthmatic! We wanted to go to the tip of our side of the island. We could see its outline from afar, jutting out into the water. A tiny peninsula of rocks and coconut trees.

What we failed to see was that it was exactly where it was — far. Very far. Which may or may not sound like a complete exaggeration but I’m no athlete so I stand by what I said. Leg cramps and all.

We totally underestimated the time and the distance it took to get there, alright.

Multiply that by two, for the return trip.

Albeit accidental, that was it. That was my physical workout for the year.

Meanwhile, Raven spent her morning soaking up the sun, playing on the beach. Such a beautiful sight to see.

In the afternoon, my younger sister and nieces had booked a surfing lesson with some local instructors who came to the resort so they could ride some “baby waves” that were perfect for beginners.

Aeva’s instructor was the resort dog.

Jeff decided at the last minute to give surfing a go. The staff had to radio out all the instructors they knew who were available to drop in at such a short notice. Thankfully, they found one and his crash course began.

Apart from the gashes he acquired on his knees, he said he had fun but reckons skating is still way better.

*Raven at 7 years old