Good afternoon and welcome back to VibePinas! Today was about pure, unfiltered fun and making the best of our beautiful mountain surroundings in Ginatilan. As many of you know, we’ve been working hard on our home here, but today I decided it was time to stop the work and start the play. I’ve always been a fan of the "DIY" spirit, so I decided to transform a natural pool into my very own mountain swimming pool.
Now, this isn't your typical resort pool with crystal-clear blue water and tiled edges. This is a real mountain pool—a bit muddy, full of life (including some very curious tilapia!), and surrounded by lush greenery. Jessa thought I was crazy, especially when she saw me getting ready with my full swimming gear, including my goggles! I think she expected me to just dip my toes in, but I was ready for a full "mountain dive."
The water was a bit "cloudy," to say the least, but that’s part of the charm. I jumped right in, splashing around and even attempting some underwater exploration. Jessa couldn't stop laughing at the sight of her big Norwegian husband diving into what was essentially a fish pond. Seeing her and Liam’s reactions—his little "YEAHs" and her infectious laughter—made the whole "muddy" experience worth every second. It reminded me so much of being a kid again, where the dirt didn't matter as long as you were having fun.
After my swim, we settled in for a simple but incredibly satisfying mountain meal. We had boiled bananas (saba) and some local salted fish (ginamos). It’s organic, healthy, and exactly what you need after a day of mountain activity. There’s something about the fresh air here that makes even the simplest food taste like a gourmet feast.
Living here in the "bukid" (mountains) has been a transition, but days like today prove that the simple life is truly a "happy life." We don't need fancy amenities to be content; we just need each other, a bit of creativity, and a willingness to get a little bit dirty.
If you want to see the "unfiltered" footage of my mountain dive or Jessa’s hilarious reaction to my swimming "skills," come join us.
Thanks for watching, and I’ll see you in the next one!
