I’ve heard stories from my friends about their own experience at Maxima and I felt the thrill as they gestured how they crossed their arms above their chest as they take the giant slide or how they stood up on that diving board and jumped with might despite their nervousness. Some of them mouthed about their canopy walk experience and how their bodies shake as they wrestle with the hanging bridge. They sounded like they really enjoyed it and told myself, why just hear from them when I could actually experience it myself? And so, when my choirmates decided to give it a try, I couldn’t say no.

Our Samal adventure started Friday night (April 30). A cargo truck (and the reason for that is a long story) drove us from the Davao City to Samal Island and headed to our first stop: Mahan Garden Resort. We spent the night with giggles and cheers celebrating April’s 18th birthday. Our wishes were bestowed upon her through the pink roses each of us handed to her and a cake given to her by her boyfriend. The night progressed with us chillin’ out on the sand, under the moonlight breeze with bottles of beer waiting to reach our tummies. We didn’t stay up late though because we all knew there’s a much bigger adventure waiting for us the next day.

I greeted the Saturday morning (May 1) with a pocketful of sunshine. Woke up around 5 o’clock and took a snapshot of the sunrise by the beach. I’ve wanted to do that, but because I didn’t had the luxury to unwind at the beach anytime I want to, so I never had the chance. But that day, I just couldn’t miss the opportunity.

By 6 o’clock am, we were all wide awake. I knew everyone was excited to whatever adventure was waiting for us. After breakfast, we were off to our second stop: Maxima Aquafun Resort. The road going there was bumpy considering the cargo truck that was carrying  us, but we all didn’t care. After a good 20 minutes or so, our faces beamed as soon as we saw the huge blue sign board at the entrance carrying the name of our destination. Each of us paid 200php for the day tour. After our registration was set, we took a stroll down (which is a tiring one by the way) to the free tables and chairs and settled our belongings. Since it was still early, we didn’t waste any minute to splurge down the sea while it is not yet crowded.

Same as what the others did, I tacked my life vest on and fired up my very own Maxima adventure.

The diving board was the first activity that we all tried. Looking at it, I felt my body jerked out of nervousness because I knew for myself that I suck at swimming and I’m a certified heights phobic. So you could just imagine the fear enveloping my every living cell. The only consolation I had was, I had a life vest on and that I would never drown despite the 120 ft deep blue sea that you’ll land into. Each time I attempt to walk that narrow diving board leaves me shaking. I backed out on my first and second attempts because I was a coward chickenshit. But I realized, I was wasting the chance to finally conquer my fear and so, on my third attempt, I finally gathered up all my strength. Scared as I was, I slowly walked down the board. There was a point that I felt I couldn’t hold it anymore that I had to fold my knees down and sit while I was in the middle of the board. I wanted to go back but my friend blocked the way leaving me with no choice but to finally jump off. I stood up even if my limbs wouldn’t cooperate, faced the wide sea and whispered a prayer of guidance…after three deep breathes, I closed my eyes and jumped off the board. As soon as my body landed and floated back above the sea, I screamed.

YES!! I DID IT! I REALLY DID!

Surprisingly, it was fun and I wanted to try it again one more time but I wasn’t able to because there’s still a lot that I had to try.

I was more excited to take the giant slide. And while I was also nervous, I had more guts to try it compared to the diving board. The slide was 40 meters long and the edge (or the mouth, whatever you call it) was 5 ft away from the water surface on high tide and 12 ft on low tide. It was still high tide then, so I knew there’s still a massive body of water to catch me. It was my turn to take the ride. I sat down the starting point of the slide and was instructed by the operator to cross my arms around my chest to avoid any accidental position changes. I felt the excitement rose up to my head and yes, I was actually smiling. I wasn’t scared though, I was just nervous. As soon as I said I was ready, the operator pushed me down the slide and I glided all the way down. I was screaming the whole time and I bet you would too if you were in my place. It was a very quick ride and like what my boyfriend would say it, it’s like we were thrown like a bullet from a cannon’s mouth. My legs hurt as it touched the sea. It must be because of the pressure from the slide. Indeed it was a worthy ride. I did it twice and I couldn’t get enough.

I had never done snorkeling before, but I so wanted to try it. I tell you, I am not a fan of discovery channel (I know, lame!), but I do watch anything that has to do with underwater adventures. I am always amazed with the wonders beneath the sea. Which is why, I was really very happy that finally, I could have my own chance of seeing this extraordinary beauty myself. The day tour fee that we paid comes with a fifteen-minute free snorkeling. I couldn’t hide the excitement but I was kind of frustrated because fifteen minutes is too short. But then again, better to have a quarter of an hour than nothing. Complete with snorkeling apparatus, I paved my way viewing the creatures underneath the sea. It was beautiful and definitely breathtaking. I saw different kinds of fishes but unfortunately I can’t name them (because I don’t know their names..haha!). I was hoping to find Nemo but I didn’t. I couldn’t get over my snorkeling experience and I wished it didn’t end.

My boyfriend and I wanted to try the canopy walk but  we weren’t able to make it to the cut-off time. Cut-off was only until 5pm. It was already 4:30pm but the line was still long. Next time, I will definitely try!

Well, that ends my Maxima experience. It was even more fun and memorable because I got to spend it with my choirmates turned friends and of course with my boyfriend (which by the way was a day before our 43rd monthsary.... =D).

I can say, this was one of the best life experiences I ever had and yes, I’m definitely going back.