*Photo credits (the nicer, more professional looking ones) go to Alexius Wee of Exhilarate Fitness Studio.
Hubby couldn't make it at the last minute because he had to rush to Miri, though in the end he couldn't get a flight because it was 'cheng beng' (Chinese all souls day) and ended up coming to the beach for the next morning only. So I had to drive the kids up myself, it was a 1hr 45min drive. I've never driven such a long distance because I'm so worried about falling asleep at the wheel and/ or getting lost!! But we followed my friends' cars so I'm proud to say we got there in one piece! Lol!
After settling into our rooms, (we got a lovely little cabin right in front of the beach with two beds downstairs and two more in the attic/ loft) the kids went off to play sand at the beach and collect sandfly bites while we got ready to Zumba!!
Since it was high tide, there wasn't much space on the beach to Zumba, so we danced on the Tarmac in front of the office! The blasting music and dancing maniacs attracted quite an audience! Our instructor Catherine and her hubby Alexius transported the sound system and huge speakers from the studio all the way up to the resort!
This was our first time Zumbaing outdoors and though it was a little overcast, it was still very hot and tiring. We had to stop for more breaks than usual. It was a whole lot of fun and Alexius took plenty of gorgeous photos and shot videos to compile into a music video later!!
That night, we had a barbecue and steamboat with delicious food all bought and prepared by our lovely Zumba buddies! After the kids went to bed (the kids' new friend Kimberly slept over!), I joined the party next door! It was a fun night of listening to them talk nonsense and laughing my head off! Of course some coffee liquor made everything funnier! Lol!
Then we saw some people releasing flying lanterns and I remembered I brought a whole pack of them and forgot to let the kids play with them. So I got them out and we had a magical lantern session. It was a first for some. It's nice to release them at the beach, as there are no obstacles and the breeze lifts them up real high!
So we were heehawing past midnight and decided we had better get some shut-eye before having to wake up for sunrise Zumba at 6:30am!! Otherwise it would become zombie Zumba!
I totally did not hear my alarm the next morning, and only woke up at 6:30am! I jumped out of bed and got ready in record time!! After waiting for others to awake and finding an extension cord for the sound system and sorting out dance space, we started at 7:30am.
This time we danced on the sand and the instructors were up on a wooden deck! It was gorgeous! We were Zumbaing on the beach amidst breathtaking scenery! A rising sun, clear blue skies, coconut trees, the beach, turquoise waters and islands in the horizon! It was really like something from an MTV music video! Lol!
The only cons were the heat and glare of the sun later on and the sandflies, but it was so totally worth it! Everyone was stoked! I'd do it again in a heartbeat, anytime!
Anyways, after some photo taking and swimming in the pool, it was time to go home :(
We had a buffet lunch at Sematan town and then started the long drive back. Google maps helped me this time...
It was such an amazing trip and everyone was on Facebook that night and the whole of the next day sharing photos and commenting on them! We were so busy! Lol! The professional photos taken by Alexius were the best! Amazing colours and angles! I can't wait for his music video to be 'released'! Hahaha...
This fantastic trip would not have been possible if not for the hard work of the lovely ladies in the organizing group and our awesome ZINs Catherine, Daffodil and Carole and the studio manager Alexius. So thanks guys, for a marvelous time with amazing people! Can't wait for the next trip!! ;)
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