How to survive a typhoon

I am typing this blog sitting at the dining table in my condo, but although I’m sitting still I still feel like I’m swaying. Let me elaborate. It all started with a trip to the beach...

For October break me and some of the other teachers decided to go on a trip to the beach to relax after a quarter of hard work. We left Manila on Friday morning excited and raring to go at 5am (you have to start early to beat Manila traffic). There were 7 of us going on this fateful trip. Me, my roommate Meg and 5 other teachers from school. So we drove to the port and had a safe trip across the water to Mindoro another Island. The resort where we were staying was beautiful. I don’t think the photos here can do it justice!!

The weekend was great, very action packed!! On Saturday we took a hike into the jungle to look at some waterfalls. Our guide a Pilipino called Roger walked at such a pace that we thought we were going to pass out. It was worth it though; we arrived at some clear falls with a deep pool.  Freezing cold but perfect when you’re sweating like a pig! Sunday was snorkelling day. We took a boat to a reef called coral gardens, the snorkelling was fantastic.

banana boat fun!

Our whole group on a hike. From left to right Sam, Kelli, Katie, Me, Sharon, Meg and Leo

Here we are taking a refreshing dip after a long and hot hike

Philippio fishing boats on the beach

The beach at our resort Tamaraw

A Philipino boat (only a bit smaller than the one we travelled in during the Typhoon!)

Me and Meg by the waterfalls

We were all having a great trip but on Monday we woke up and the weather had turned, the sea was no longer a mill pond and the sky was kind of overcast. No problem we thought, lets continue with our day. We went banana boating in the morning which looks really fun until you do it. The problem is that when you fall in its hard not to fall on top of the other people on the boat with you. I seriously bruised my leg and almost killed Katie, I landed on top of her and she couldn’t get to the surface!  That afternoon the weather got worse and worse, the wind picked up and the rain lashed down. By this point the surf was huge, over the course of the evening it just got worse.

We went to bed that night praying that God would clam the storm over night, as we were due to leave BY BOAT the next day. It turns out that a super typhoon (that’s right super the worse for 20 years) had hit the north of the Philippines and we were feeling the effect. The typhoon aptly named Megi (much to Meg’s amusement) could apparently change path at any moment and come south towards us. So how do you get across the South China Sea when there is typhoon? Just follow my simple guide and you too can make it home in one piece.

Step 1. Sit near the front of the boat where you can see the horizon at all times. You may get soaked but you are less likely to be sick.

Step 2. Wear your life jacket at all times, it may be covered in mould and not fasten at the sides, but that baby could save your life.

Step 3. Do not be lulled into a false sense of security by the clam water in the cove where the the boat is anchored, when you get into open water the boat (and can a mention this is a tiny boat not a ferry) will literally get air off the waves because it is so rough.

Step 4. Do not look at the other passengers. You will either see fear in their eyes as they see their life pass before them or more likely they are throwing up!

Step 5. Pray hard!

Step 6. When you reach the port on the other side do not assume you will be able to get off. The water will be so rough that they will not be able to get the boat into the dock and will have to make 3 attempts to moor.

Step 7. Make sure you take a set of dry clothes to change into at McDonalds on the other side where you can enjoy a big Mac and thank the lord for his protection and laugh at your near death experience.



Me Sharon and Leo before we set off on our journey home. Can you see the fear in our eyes?!



TUnfortunately for me this guide has just been written so I had to try to work out what to do alone. I may joke but this was actually pretty scary, I’ve never been in such a small boat in such rough water. Fortunately the crew, particularly the driver was clearly very skilled and kept us all safe. I praise God for his hand of protection over us.  I don’t think I’ll go to the beach again for a while!!