ANNEchainedMELODY: Holy Week @ Isla Reta

This year's Holy Week was quite different from the past years. We normally stay home during this time of the year since our late Grandmother wanted us to spend this time to pray & reflect.We normally go to Sto. Niño of Prague Shrine for our Way of the Cross every Good Friday. I remember we've been doing this with our family and relatives ever since.

But this year, we unexpectedly spent it at Isla Reta with a bunch of other families there who happen to have their vacation at the island also. We actually planned it earlier with my cousins only, but ended up having my mother & two aunts along with us. We also had my cousin's girlfriend Maricel along with her sister Gladys and my friend Tina Mercado who kindheartedly took our pictures with her state-of-the-art camera.

We left home early on Maundy Thursday to catch the 9:00 am boat trip. Imagine how excited we were as we arrived at Sta. Ana wharf around 7:00 am. The boat actually left earlier than the scheduled trip because it was already full even before 9 am.

As soon as we jumped off the boat, I immediately checked out our reserved dorm-type room located above the canteen(w/c costs P3,000/night) while my cousins tried to find the best spot to put up our tents. It was cloudy when we got there so we immediately took off our pants/shorts & shirts to reveal those swimwear underneath and off we go to the tempting clear waters.

The room was fine, just meant to provide a better-than-tent place to sleep. It was just an open space filled with around 15 beds. The room has no door and no safety cabinets whatsoever so it's not safe to leave valuables there. I suggest you bring along your wallets, cellphones & cameras when you leave the room, unless somebody you trust is there to watch over the place.

We occupied the big room for just one night since most of our companions are going home the next day. On Friday night we just divided ourselves in 3 tents and unfortunately had a "wet sleep" due to the heavy rain.

Here are some of the pictures...