Very Large Things

I mentioned earlier that I loved the great out doors. Actually, its wild animals that I like. And what could be more fascinating than some of the biggest of a certain given species! Things that CAN eat you (cue diabolical laughter).

There are a great many species on the Planet Earth. Over 4 million. And that's not counting the extinct species. Today, new species are being discovered (just as many are becoming extinct). But, many of the larger variety that are truly monstrous and veeeery fascinating have been discovered many many years ago! People just didn't know about them -or wild life programming has only now began to cash in on the benefits of filming gigantic versions of what we take for granted as 'regular' species.

Sure size is no big thing for us homo sapiens. The elephant is pretty big. The Girraffe too. The Blue Whale..! The great White Shark. The whale Shark. We all know these things to be big. Our minds are programmed to accept these subjects at their size. But what if you run across, say a rodent the size of a goat? Rats are rodents. That sort of changes things now, doesn't it? There IS such a rodent. It is the Capybarra of South America. They grow quite big. They are the principal prey of what is considered to tbe the largest snake in the world: the Green Anaconda (which we know to be big).

But what about the largest fresh water fish? The world's largest dog (if you want a more domestic approach), or the largest fresh water Stingray? I have here some images of what Mother Nature can come up to when she's feeling a bit of inspiration and playful mischief and decides that people need to be surprised or freaked out every once in a while. The fascination for most humans stems from this fact.

Well, we've got the Arrapaima (largest freshwater fish -did I spell that right?), some dog, a big alligator snapping turtle, a stingray, giant catfish, and a few other things that you may not have realized existed. I also threw in some illustrations and figures of some extinct species as well.

If you have to ask: Why? Mothe Nature would probably simply say: Why the bloody hell not?! (Followed by cackling laughter)

What this probably says about me though, is that fact that I'm extremely fascinated with wild life (the more exotic, the better) and the fact that I could still be ten years old. Sometimes.

Growl.

I've been out of the blogging scene for quite sometime. The reason is simple. I simply forgot about my blog. And the times that I do remember that I have one, I'd always forget how to get back into my account.

If not for my friend, I'd never have been able to find this little treasure trove (or garbage dump) of thoughts and ideas!

So.

A new blog then.

The thing I wrote about Boracay Sands Hotel was a short recollection of the experiences I've had during the development stage of the resort hotel. Someone even actually checked my blog because of it?! Her name was Tanya. I couldn't quite respond to her because my system wasn't working properly (or it was secretly making fun of me) but she asked if the hotel had great facilities.

Hmmm. I'd say that, if I'm honest the hotel has pretty good facilities for a three-star hotel: restaurant (serves breakfast buffets too and occassional outdoor dinining on selected evenings), swimming pool, etc.. Its all in the previous blog.

The thing is, its not the facilities that bring a smile to the weary traveller's face -its the ambience and the way the hotel is made. The feel inside and outside is just classic and light. There is also a sense of granduer, though not to the point of being snooty or oppressive. It is definitely sophisticated though and reflects an inlcination for fine tastes.

It is great value for people looking for a refined atmosphere at a relativel affordable cost.

Its in front of the beach.

There is a boat and shuttles -transfers by land or by sea are through special arrangement with the front desk -or contact your friendly travel agent for details on your transfers.

Watersports are accessible by special arrangement at the FO. Diving too.

There's so much to do really, guests will hardly have time to breathe! But when they do want a slow day, there's the beach front for lounging and -if the sun gets too hot- the in door pool for a nice cool dip. Day OR night. And while you're swimming, drinks by the pool?

Like the previous blog said, the tag line is simple: Perfect.

For my part, I like being at the hotel because it allows me a change of scenery, all the internet I want (I don't get to go online in Manila a lot because I'm just too busy moving around) because I do all my work in one place (the hotel!) and there's something about getting a massage by he beach that reeeeeeeally relaxes most human beings. Must be genetic. Or most most people are intrinsically hedonistic (in a good way of course). The great thig about it is, its good for you.

Its not a laid back sort of destination for me though. I acually have to help run the hotel: everything needs constant checking, the staff have to be motivated often (its good for the internal culture), amenities and facilities need to be repaired and replenished every so often.. then there're the meetings, discussions, concerns.. Its really like running a ship -or a hospital! You're on call 24 hours! Its exciting though.

I do occassionally have to leave the hotel for meetings -there are other business interests on the island that I have to look after. But maybe I'll talk about those some other time. The thing is, running the hotel takes most of the day already so meetings have to be either schedued at the hotel or at night when arrivals are few and guests require less attention (i.e. they don't order so much, or are sleeping or just want to go out for the night life). By this time, the accounting office is closed, the rounds are done and the kitchen is making final preparations for the breakfast buffet the next day. Stuff like that.

Then, I can go on to my other appointments -usually at our local office (away from the hotel) or at a friend's hotel.

Before I forget. My favorite part about going to the island is when the plane lands (I love the final approach) and the boat ride. Its just really invigorating for me.

Yep. People get their high in different ways (I'm sure most of them are much cooler-sounding than mine) when they go to the island but the end result is the same: they all get satisfied one way or the other.

I think I'll stop there before I start talking about my love life or something.

Oh, and my one regret? Since I love cars, its that I don't get to drive there.

The picture in the blog? That's me (I'm the one on the right in the white striped shirt) with the architect. Talented fellow that one. I secretly believe he's an alien from another world but he always denies it.

Ciao.