Taking a break from the Bangkok posts because I really wanted to start writing about Bicol.

Back in June, we went with our friends on a long-awaited trip to Bicol. Our friend Mary Ann has family and a house in Gubat, Sorsogon, and her mother had always wanted us to visit. Finally, after many years and a pandemic, we made it.

Of course, no trip to Bicol is complete without a visit to the beach! So off we went to Lola Sayong’s, where we found good food, great coffee, and terrifying waves.

So, idiot that I am, I had no idea that the waves would be so strong in Bicol. I should have known better, really. Every time there’s a big typhoon, Bicol is one of the regions that gets hit first, since it’s facing the Pacific Ocean. Also, we went to a surf camp, so that should have been another clue! But we were so excited about finally being at the beach together, about the sunshine and the sand and the warm water.

It was lovely, tumbling in the waves, splashing in the warm water, struggling with the sand stuck in our swimsuits. I was worried Lucas would get scared by the waves, but he loved running into them and getting knocked over. We warned him about the undertow, and I explained how you could get dragged under. I showed him how, as the waves on top were crashing onto the shore, underneath the water was already pulling away, and that’s what was dangerous.

I didn’t realize how this was exactly what would happen to us. We didn’t realize we were getting pulled further and further away from the shore. The waves were so strong that our feeble attempts to swim were pointless. Lucas had his water wings on, but Oneal and I, and our friends Trish and Ronnie, couldn’t reach the sand anymore. We had to call for help.

Our friends who were on the shore called for help, and next thing we knew there were surfers beside us. We held on to the surfboards and they paddled to shore. Lucas was happy because he got to ride the surfboard!

We sat on the shore for a while, recovering from the ordeal. But soon enough Lucas was back in the water, staying close to shore so we could see him. Eventually we got hungry, and our delicious lunch made us forget that we had nearly drowned.

Misadventure aside, Lola Sayong’s is a lovely place where you can just chill, swim (safely!), have good coffee and good food, and nap. I’d love to go back! Also, their smoked tinapa is absolutely delicious.