Saturday, August 29, 2015

Show your Sparkle #Happiest5k

I have no words to describe how epic, fun and deliriously happy last Saturday was. I have never been a staunch supporter of marathons as my frail frame and feebleness make me unfit to be considered a runner. But Color Run has changed all that. I have never been this thrilled to get unabashedly sweaty and dirty. ( okay that doesn't sound right at all but I'm telling you, it was totally worth it )





Gatch with his signature face tattoo

Color Run is not a timed event which makes it enticing for walkers like myself. It is dubbed as the #happiest5k on the planet which celebrates healthiness, happiness and individuality. What makes it unique is that you will be doused in colors as you make your way through each "shine" color zones. And to top it off, a $1 from every registration will go to the Coalition Against Bullying for Children and Youth (CABCY), a voluntary organization founded in 2005 to spread awareness on bullying. Having fun while helping the community? Now this is an event that will surely get my "like"

CIMB, a leading Asian bank sponsored the Singapore leg again this year. This is the biggest installment in the series for Southeast Asia and we are the fortunate ones in the region to experience it firsthand.



Registration started last June 15th, my friends and I were able to score a discount( thanks to CIMB ). Runner's loot packs were given between August 14th-16th. The race pack has the following :
Color Run Shirt
Color Run Hanky
Runner's Bib
Wrist Band 
Color Run Tattoo and Safety Pins
Face Paint  
Vitamins
Discount Coupons




The event was held in Sentosa Island and runners were given a free ride to the monorail ( saved us S$4). Walking into Beach Station, there were thousands of people from different walks of life all dressed in white. The atmosphere was vibrant and full of energy. Unicorns and tutus everywhere. Music was blaring and people were chatting happily and snapping photos of each other while dressed in the most creative Color Run shirt they could possibly pull off. Note to self : Tap in to my inner stylista and be unafraid of doing DIY). Wear wig if you must. I decided to wear the hanky as a turban ( taking cue from TS' 22 ),painted a heart on my left cheek And decided to wear the tattoo on my right arm. 







Bag deposit section was provided. There was a booth for food/beverage and colorful portable cubicles were lined up to accommodate thousands of runners.The run was supposed to commence at 16:00 pm SGT; we stood there patiently in the starting line , feeling warm under the scorching heat of the sun. It was 30 minutes past 16:00 and we were literally sweating, raring to start the run.Took about 4 waves and then we're finally off. The trail was along the beach side which was an awesome route,a perfect backdrop to take photos. 




Every kilometer has a designated color to it. I jogged a little throughout the first kilometer while being doused in Blue powder. By the second kilometer, we were showered in pink, I was already stretching my still lethargic limb when I decided for a pit stop to buy 100plus for an extra boost of energy. Upon reaching the 3rd and 4th Kilometer; we were all plastered in colors. We were jumping around and throwing high fives to random strangers ( literally ). To make the most of out of orange and green, my friends had this brilliant idea to lie down and roll on the floor covered in powder. The rest of the crowd followed suit and it turned into an instant rave party. Before we knew it, were were already at the finish line. 
















The after-party was considered the best part of the event. People were covered in dirt, sweat and powder yet everyone seemed to exude shine and sparkle. DJ pumped up the volume upping the ante of the party factor by playing Swedish Mafia, Calvin Harris and Guetta. We were bopping our heads into infectious party music, jumping, screaming and dancing like crazy. It was 6pm and I was living in the moment, taking part in the biggest sober rave ever! 











Yay!! Another one off the bucket list! Color Run will definitely place high on my most unforgettable events to date. It was a fun experience shared with friends and people who wouldn't mind getting a little messy to celebrate healthiness, happiness and individuality. It’s a race for anyone who has sheer confidence to let their shine on. Insert cliche, sometimes you have to get a little dirty on the outside to feel better on the inside. So sweat, sparkle and shine! A pretty good combo indeed!


Capping this entry with the before and post run photo.












Monday, August 24, 2015

Travel Diary : Tioman


The three (3) days spent in Juara were nothing short of wondrous. We wasted no time and hastily lounged at the white sandy shores, bare feet and carefree as the sea breeze. We spent almost every second playing in the sand like young lads thrilled to dip our toes in the warm salt water for the first time. Sun was up and its heat was just enough to get that instant beach glow. We were relentless in our pursuit to make the most of what the island has to offer. Juara has 2km of amber-white stretch of beach sand. The Jetty is smacked in the middle between cerulean waters and a lush forest. Its picturesque view will leave the photography enthusiasts preoccupied to capture those IG-worthy snaps. The village is a perfect mix of isolation, serenity and beauty that will keep you compelled to admire its unspoiled solemnity. 




Kimono  - Stylestaple




There are a number of beachfront accommodations which you can choose from. Be mindful should you wish to book on peak days as they get easily filled. Rainbow Chalets have 8 colorful cabins : Three(3) air condition and five(5) fan cooled rooms - no frills, simple and basic accommodation. The cabins are elevated and right on the beach.The front wooden porch were adorned with shells and corals facing the lovely stretch of the beach.Personally, I think they have the best beach view and spot in all of Juara. August is a peak season and the sold out ferry tickets suggest that most of the resorts will be crowded yet it's an entirely different story in this side of the island. While all of the accommodations were fully booked, we felt as if we have the island all to ourselves; an ultimate private beach escapade. 




To reach Juara is not an easy feat. But nothing comes easy is worth having eh? Same rule applies on prime beach destinations. If you're traveling from Singapore, there are buses/coaches which can take you straight to Mersing. The journey to the jetty including the time you need to allot for immigration and queue should take about 4-5 hours depending on traffic.The Mersing Jetty is close to the town where you can find familiar establishments and cheap hotels for overnight accommodation. If you are taking the ferry, normal price is RM70 for two-way. It's about an hour and a half going to Tekek. Note that the departure times vary depending on the tides. After getting off at Kg Tekek, you can rent a taxi or for the robust ones who love adventure and hiking, you can choose to walk to Kg Juara. Most hotels/chalets will offer Taxi service however, you may also do so and arrange them at Tekek. Taxi normally costs at RM25 per pax/way and will take roughly 30 minutes to reach Juara. 




While we didn't get to watch sunset nor sunrise throughout our stay, watching the night sky offered the same level of experience or say better at the least. To be able to witness a clear sky during this season is more than a blessing. The sound of the waves crashing onto the shore was in harmony with Bob Marley blasting moderately from our speakers. We were lying there oblivious of the darkness which surrounded us. All of the elements to make up the perfect beach getaway were there. It was a perfect night of camaraderie, music and starlight.



Our adventure continued until the next day when we all decided to hop onto a speedboat and ventured to the vast waters with nothing but life jackets and cameras in tow. It was far from a smooth ride and my gripped was tighter this time. We were taken to Mukut and was advised to stay for an hour to marvel at Kg Waterfalls. It was a twenty-minute trek to reach the falls. While the other tourists opted to stay near the stream  and savor the cool waters; we decided to climb a little higher to the edge of the falls. We were cautious of our steps as the rocks tend to be slippery. After a couple of snapshots and diving stints orchestrated by my brave friends, we were then taken to Salang for a quick lunch and souvenir stop. The rest of the trip was spent mostly on and under water. Tioman is known for its corals and diverse sea creatures including 2 species of marine turtles. Fact : Even with the snorkeling gear and life vest on ; I couldn't stay under water for more than 15 seconds.( Someone please teach me the proper breathing exercise). It was a great experience though in fact I might have spotted Nemo during my random underwater attempts. The sea water was just clear and there were a lot of colorful creatures abound. 















We headed straight back to the island and spent the rest of the afternoon playing dodge ball, basking under the sun,lazing around our private little beach, climbing rocks and embracing our inner child while seizing the day with our #yolo #blogger shots.With sun-kissed skin and a renewed mind, body, we bid goodbye to Juara on a Sunday. Short vacay yes, but the memories, experiences and bonds we created from this getaway will be without a doubt imprinted in our memoir.


White Shorts : Zara 
Top : Forever 21
Sandals : Grendha

A friend said : 

"It was fun!Refreshing! I remembered stuffs that I've forgotten; like how much  I loved the beach and the night sky. I remembered the desire to own a beach resort. This trip made me forget my problems. I forgot all the reasons why "I can't" and remembered all the reasons why "I can". It was definitely an eye opener".  - Jonats

Just when we thought we reached the cap of our epic adventures, the last straw was when we had to walk from one country to another. Yes, we did walk from the Malaysia border, crossed the bridge and managed to reach Singapore in an hour. It was a bit exhausting yet there's a sense of fulfillment to be able to do something out of the ordinary for the first time. 

Tioman may not be everyone's cup of tea but it's certainly mine. Sure, it may not be at par with Maldives, Boracay and El Nido. It's a place for anyone who is keen to rediscover their inner sea-self. It's a place to re-live the art of seclusion. An idyllic sanctuary under the sun far from hustle and bustle of city life. A slice of happiness yet to be discovered by many; a remote tropical bliss perfect for those who have an ache for wanderlust.



                                                                                                Photos by : Jezreel Rombaoa & Kevin Gatchalian

♥,
Jhesy