Between the 22 years in the NAVY, living in Puerto Rico the Philippines and sailing around the world as a merchant seaman I thought my “Bucket List” was pretty much signed off. Where could I go? What could I see? And what was left to do that I’d not done before? Wandered the ruins of Pompeii, drinking wine at a wine festival in Athens Greece, standing in the middle of the street hung-over the next day during an Earthquake (My very first, but not my last) Sleeping on the ship in Guam when we were hit by another ship, wait that was another earthquake not a ship. But after living in California I was used to them.
How about Hurricanes, Cyclones and Typhoons both on the dirt and at sea, by the way on the dirt is much better then at sea. Being anchored in Bergen Norway above the Arctic Circle in the month of January and actually enjoying it. Peeing off the side of the ship the next day and watching it freeze before it hit the water. (Hey we all did it, it’s a sailor thing.)
South America, Africa, the Caribbean, all of Asia, all of Europe, North Africa, India plus little islands in the Indian Ocean. Oh and North America! What could be left to do? I was sitting at a floating bar on Subic Bay watching this guy flying over the water in the air held up by a stream of high pressure water. It occurred to me that I’ve never done that, and it looked like fun. But then I was having cocktails at the time. But no, I really want to do that, and I’m jack jawed that they waited to invent it until I was in my sixties. But it’s on my “Bucket List” I still want to do it, and I want to visit the Temples of Angkor Wat in Cambodia.
My “Bucket List” is a lot smaller now, but on Monday March 9th while talking with my 12 year old Granddaughter Heather Colleen, she showed me pictures of her on a Zip Line flying through the trees in the Subic Rainforest. That instantly was added to the “Bucket list”, but with the caveat that she and I do it together, I saw her smile and she said; “Lolo, (Tagalog for Grandpa) that’s a deal”. March 26th is her graduation so we are now set for our adventure on the 27th it’s a go. Note that these plans were made during breakfast. So there is no way I can blame cocktails for this decision.
As we approach the Zip-lining date it now becomes a typical Pinoy exercise in herding cats attempting to line up the schedule of my granddaughters parents, my other daughter and my grandson and my buddy Don and his wife. The Normandy invasion was easier to plan than any outing in the Philippines. It could have been just my granddaughter and me, but even you know that was never going to happen, did I fail to mention my niece Shey-Shey and her mother would also be joining us? That is a total of nine or ten human beings synchronised into one moving part. Break out the beer! Don and his wife can’t make it.
Wednesday I was in the hospital most of the day for an outpatient procedure, and then I was informed that I had a dental appointment on Friday. Let me think for a minute, cancel my time with my granddaughter, or the dentist? I’ll eat steak next week, because it’s not nice to spoil a 12 year old girl’s day after you’ve made a promise. There is a special place in hell for guys that do that.
It is Friday morning and my Granddaughter spent the night at our house; hmmm, did she think I’d bail out of the trip? When pigs fly, I’m in the mood for a new adventure.
Off to Subic to the Tree Top Adventure area, this is at the top of Cubi Point right behind the old Naval Hospital on base. There was in the two cars me and Mayang, Her sister Clara and my niece Shay-Shay.in my son-in-laws car Him (Chris) Our daughters Hanna and Yhen and the grand kids Jaden and Colleen I think that’s nine of us. Breakfast at Vasco’s on the water (It’s on the way) and then our adventure begins.
My report: priced right, well maintained, clean and ample parking and STRICT safety rules, which I was glad to see. Then the shock hit me; my bride Mayang decided that she wanted to ride through the tree tops and zip line too. With a grin from ear to ear I was pleased with that. Now there is a height requirement just like at Disney World but we met all the requirements except for my Grandson but then he’s only two and one half. Maybe next year he will?
Okay, my Bucket List is checked off for this item, I really enjoyed it and would do it again. The Tree Top Adventure has about seven different attractions enough to keep you busy most of a day. I provided the tickets for the rest of the family and after my Canopy Ride and Zip Line (Pictured here) I sought out a very large shade tree and commenced to nap. When I awoke close to me were a few other gentlemen about my age following my example.
My Bucket List has a few more items to be checked off before I shuffle off this mortal core. But I’ve been blessed with travelling all my life and saw more than anyone really needs to see, but there is always room for a little more. Because it was a family day, no adult beverages were consumed by this writer.
That one is also on my bucket list Paul. As I mentioned on a post earlier last week, there is one here close to me that is a very long and high ride. But owing to the fact that I completed my 68th orbit around the sun on the 4th rock from it last December and knowing that you will do the same in June, There are considerations I take into account. Namely that my bones are more fragile now, take longer to heal and some time hurt for no reason. taking this into account the Tree top Adventure and zip line in the rain Forest is far more Sensible to me than Dangling a thousand feet in the air between 2 mountains. A fall from either would probably have the same result but still I would rather be a bit closer to Tera Firma and have less time to worry about how bad it was going to hurt. Also there is the remote chance that a fall from the Subic Adventure might not be my Final fall. So the Subic zipline is on my bucket list in the distant future. ( I am in no hurry to complete my Bucket list )
Joe;
There is a reason it’s called Terra Firma (Ground) because the More firm it is, the less terror you’ll feel. A lot of people don’t know that. I should run a cable from my mountain to Texas Joe’s but getting home would be the problem carrying all that safety gear. Stopping would not be easy either now that I think about it.
But the Tree Top Adventure can’t be a big deal; if both my wife and I did it. But it was fun, and as I’ve said: “I’ll do it again.”
Still have not done a zip line, but will soon.
Mike;
I recommend it, it was fun.
Been to that 2 years ago Paul, pretty nice. Also did one in Davao 3 years ago
Roger;
My granddaughter has been to a few of them here on Luzon, and that motivated me to try it, I couldn’t look like a wuss in her eyes. (lol)
No matter how much we have seen and done, there will always pop new things up, that can be added to the bucket list.
Me….No list, i don’t know why, for sure there’s things i want to do before i check out, so in a way it’s a list, but never written,
That water thing you mentioned, looks like a thing i would like to try one day, Looks fun.
Quote:”The Normandy invasion was easier to plan than any outing in the Philippines.” Ha ha ha….spot on. We can plan for sure, but it will not be carried out as it was planned – never.
I am finished planning anything when family are involved, let them plan – i just follow 😀
Axel;
Any outing in the Philippines is like herding cats, and we all know you can’t do that. I never literally wrote a “Bucket List” it’s something in the back of your mind that to you want to do. Like the earthquake in Greece, you can’t plan that. I’ve found the best way to move the crowd in the direction you need them to go is with the promise of food. (Such as breakfast at Vasco’s) Food is the positive motivator.
Hi Paul looks like I will have to try that next time I’m in Subic, every time I go there I have a good time
And it’s so relaxing in Subic planing a trip to vigan soon long drive from Manila but I’ve got plenty of
Time here in the Philippines, keep up the posts Paul you do a fantastic job that makes a lot of people
Happy just reading your adventures , Derek in sunny pasig.
Derek;
I think you might enjoy it up there on Cubi Point, there are other things to do also like visit the JEST Camp and learn how to live off the rainforest.
Vigan is well worth the trip, it is quite a take in.
One of my favorite!(Ziplining)
Joyz;
As it just became mine, I really liked it.
Roger Craft, try that one in Tagaytay.
Sir Paul.
Still awaiting your e,mail address that was wiped out on my lap top. Jokes backing up the i cannot send.
Ankor wat also on my list will do it later this year Done the killing fields last October and was carrying on to Ankor Wat but calls from the office cut me short as i had to return to home base.
[email protected] Frank I e-mailed it to you 3 times
Mr. Paul T. Another good topic. Just like you, the “great uncle” was very good to provide me with various “exotic assignments” like Morocco, Djibouti (before the arrival of US forces there), the Mediterranean, East and West Africa, Bahrain (prior to the arrival of the US Navy white ship USS La Salle AGF3), Southeast Asia, Central and South America, and the last one was Mindanao. “Uncle” was great no matter what others says..always there to provide us “sand crabs” with necessary back up from the military. 🙂 On my bucket list right now: The Province of Aurora in the Philippines. Have a good evening there in DinBat.
Jose;
And don’t forget Massachusetts now that was manna from heaven. The Navy took me to a lot of places, but the merchant marine took me to the rest. It’s been a great ride so far.
Of course, Massachusetts and Rhode Island..quahogs and little necks. Man, they don’t know what they’re missing. Thank you for reminding me, Mr. Paul T. Son and daughter graduated from UMASS Dartrmouth. 🙂
Paul.
Nothing received did you use [email protected] ?
Frank;
My e-mail was not affected by whatever caused yours to crash so yeah I have your number and by the way that is my e-mail written above in the comments.
Hey Paul, I have not Zip lining…..yet. My daughters said it’s fun. They did it few years back when they went to Costa Rica. It’s still on my bucket list, this year maybe cross one go mine….go to Colorado and watch a concert at Red Rocks amphitheater.
Mars:
I’ve spent time in Costa Rico, but there was no zip lines back then, but the Coffee Train over the mountain to the Pacific side was spectacular, I’m pretty sure it was good going the other way too.
Mr. Paul, thank you so much for sharing your stories. I enjoyed reading it. I am still filling up my bucket lists and waiting for the time to unload it one at a time, hehehe, as my retirement gets closer. I will be zipping down a little near by you, Cavite. Hope to pay you a visit with a bottle of San Mig sometime.
Eugene;
A Zip Line and then a refreshing beverage after is the crown on a great day, Cavite is but a short drive away from the wonders of Subic. Let’s do that beer.
Well done…I just found this post. It’s a fun experience for sure. We did a zip line at Camp Sabros in Mindanao in 2008 (just feels like last year), and it was really great. I seem to remember also ending that day with a few refreshing beverages. 🙂
Jim;
The refreshing beverage is what made the zip lining doable in the first place, albeit I didn’t consume any prior to the ride, but I was looking forward to rewarding myself later.
I doubt that I’ll be doing anymore zip lining. Got my fill courtesy of our good Uncle. Of course we lacked the gadget that allows you to roll along the cable. The forward motion was done with your own muscle power. The first was over water during basic training. I got over OK, but the guy behind me froze up halfway across, The guy behind him didn’t see what was up and crashed into him. Both ended up in the drink.
The second was during an international patrolling competition in Germany. This was a double line. You stood on one and held onto the other. We crossed over a nice little alpine valley but didn’t have time to enjoy the view. ( I can’t remember if the “bad guys” were chasing us, or we were chasing them.)
Marlyn wants to install one on our hilltop ranch. To me, that would be a maintenance and liability nightmare.
Take care,
Pete