The Adventure With You: A Photo Narrative

 

My boyfriend and I took a photo of our feet on the white sand of Stilts Calatagan Beach Resort upon our arrival at Serenity Beach, Calatagan, Batangas, April 13, 2022.

The second week of April in the Philippines is Holy Week. It is a time for all Filipinos to spend time with their loved ones. As a college student, I take this time as an opportunity to spend my week with my loved ones. My family and I, together with my boyfriend, planned a getaway vacation for the second week of April because this is the week when everyone is free. Since we wanted to go on vacation with our three dogs and our loved ones, we decided to arrange a do-it-yourself vacation. We arranged everything on our own without the help of any travel agency. My family and I then chose Stilts Calatagan Beach Resort because it is only 3 to 4 hours away from Manila.

I took a picture of my boyfriend at the Main pool of Stilts Calatagan Beach Resort, Calatagan, Batangas, April 13, 2022.

Upon arriving at the Stilts Calatagan Beach Resort, we decided to arrange our things first and then have breakfast. After having breakfast, we decided to swim at the beach and then at the beach resort's main pool. I asked my boyfriend to pose, and I'll photograph him while looking out at the pool. After taking a picture of him, we talked about how beautiful the view of the pool was from where he was relaxing. I also asked him how he felt about the beach and the pool. He then replied, "I am not comfortable swimming at the beach, maybe because I am accustomed to swimming at the pool." I added: "Me too. I feel like the water on the beach is so salty and my eyes and nose are hurting, but you know what I like about it? " He then replied, "What?" I replied, "By just looking at the beach, you will feel peace, you will feel that you are really in the province." He agreed.

I took a picture of my boyfriend after we went kayaking at the Destiny Beach of Stilts Calatagan Beach Resort, Calatagan, Batangas, April 13, 2022.

After we swim in the swimming pool, we get back to our cottage to eat lunch. My family and I talked about how hospitable the staffs were and how peaceful the place was. After we eat lunch, we go to the third beach of the beach resort to do kayaking because some of us have never tried kayaking, especially me and my boyfriend. I asked my boyfriend while kayaking how he felt. He said, "It is fun and, at the same time, exhausting because you need to paddle." I then replied, "Yes, it is but it is worth it. You know why?" he then asked. I said, "it is because it is like a paradise. I enjoyed the sound of the waves. I like the peacefulness of the area."

I took a picture of a sunset from the South China Sea at the Serenity Beach, which can be seen on the other parts of the beach of Stilts Calatagan Beach Resort, Calatagan, Batangas, April 13, 2022.

After kayaking, we decided to go back to our cottage. I asked my boyfriend to go to the nearest beach in the beach resort (Stilts Calatagan Beach Resort has three beaches) from our cottage and take a picture of me and our dog, Erwan, who is a birthday celebrant. I then returned to the cottage to eat after taking some pictures. My boyfriend stayed on the beach, and then he went back to our cottage to eat dinner and get ready for our camping trip. While arranging our tent, we noticed a sunset that could be seen from afar and then took a picture of it.

I took a picture of my boyfriend early in the morning at the Serenity Beach of Stilts Calatagan Beach Resort, Calatagan, Batangas, April 14, 2022.

The next day, early in the morning, I asked my boyfriend to go on some of the boats at the beach resort because I was going to take a picture of him. After taking pictures, we then sat on the wooden chair and talked about how much we enjoyed yesterday’s experience at the beach resort.

I took a picture of my boyfriend early in the morning inside our tent where we slept after looking at the peacefulness of the place and listening to the sound of the waves at Serenity Beach of Stilts Calatagan Beach Resort, Calatagan, Batangas, April 14, 2022.

Following our brief conversation, we planned our breakfast, and I told him that I would like to have a coffee. We then decided to go to the restaurant at the beach resort to consume our breakfast with coffee. After a long walk from the restaurant, we then decided to wait and rest for a while inside the tent. I was wondering what he was thinking in the picture above, but I never tried to ask him because maybe he was thinking of something important or maybe he was reminiscing. I wanted him to spend that time thinking about something. After waiting for about 20 minutes, our breakfast arrived.

I took a picture of my boyfriend, who went for a walk with our two dogs early in the morning at Serenity Beach of Stilts Calatagan Beach Resort, Calatagan, Batangas, April 14, 2022.

After having breakfast together, I then asked him to walk on the shore with our three dogs so they could also enjoy our vacation. We have a short conversation about planning if we are going to swim or not. We then decided not to because it is a hassle considering that we only have a few hours left before we depart on the beach resort.

I took one last picture of my boyfriend at Harmony Beach before preparing for our departure to Stilts Calatagan Beach Resort, Calatagan, Batangas, April 14, 2022.

We both agreed to take care of our three dogs rather than go swimming, and we let everyone know that they were free to enjoy at the beach resort. We also let them know that before an hour of our departure, they should go back to our accommodation for us to get a picture at the center of the beach resort. After taking our last pictures at the beach resort, we departed at exactly 12 in the afternoon.

I took a picture of my boyfriend at Tanawin sa Gulod Restaurant before having lunch, Tagaytay City, Cavite, April 14, 2022.

While heading back, we planned to eat lunch at any restaurant in Tagaytay City that serves Bulalo. We then chose Tanawin sa Gulod Restaurant and decided to dine in. While waiting for our food to be served, we took pictures around the area. In the area, you will see the view of the Taal Volcano, which is one of the nice things about the restaurant. After taking pictures, we then eat and then hop into our vehicle to go home.