Inflatable Island 2017 Trip of Happiness

Just last June 16-17, me and my officemates went to Inflatable Island in Subic for our company outing slash incentive trip. It is a first for us to go out of town with our bosses actually (since they are based in Singapore, and its usually just us employees). They decided to pick the dates that will fall on Fri-Sat, so as to avoid the Friday night traffic in Manila and the too much crowded beach dilemma on weekends.

 If i'm not mistaken, Inflatable Island just opened to the public last April 1, 2017. Beforehand, only bloggers are allowed to be there to take photos, enjoy and make videos to promote the place for their opening day.

We left our office in BGC at around 6:30am and arrived in Subic at 9:30am.

This is us, first batch.

Since we arrived there a little earlier than expected, while waiting for others, we took photos first.

This was our cabana. It can fit up to 15-20 people or 15 + the bags. haha You don't have much choice I think as all the other cabanas are of same size. If you don't want to avail this, they also provide lockers which you can avail at a bit cheaper price.

We actually availed the Spray Pass. Which is from 2pm-6pm. In fact a lot of people chose that. Two hour pass based on our experience is not enough, especially if you're not that athletic, or you're not a good swimmer and afraid to fall into the water (just like us at first)

While our Inflatable Island pass will only start at 2pm, we can  dip in the pool already on the other side, which is the Samba Beach. There is a borderline between the beach area and the inflatable island area. But since the sun is scorching hot that time, we just chose to take photos at the Bali Lounge.

Since it is already lunch time, after the photo-ops we decided to order food. We really did not bring much except from chips and water, and alcohol for those who drink (unfortunately, there is a corkage fee, so everytime they want to drink alcohol, they even have to go back to the car and drink from there. Hassle I know.) 

The food there are okay, normal, everything you expect when you buy in resort. The price was also okay, not too cheap nor too expensive. It just so happen that your choices are limited from 3-4 I think.

30 minutes prior to our schedule, we were called for an orientation. Yup to discuss all the rules and regulations during our stay in the Inflatables area.

Yupp, that's all of us! :)

Ready for the challenge! This is just some of us, some are already there at the stating point.

All the obstacles looked easy from afar. But we are very much wrong. The moment we stepped on the very first obstacle of the inflatables, it was much harder than we thought. The waves are also a bit crazy during this time. We finished the first half after 1 and a half hour, because we are no swimmers, and we're super afraid to fall at first. Reason is when you fall down, there is a tendency that you might be dragged under the inflatables because of too much pressure, so we really did our best not to fall.  

Of course my office mates who are swimmers are already ahead of us, team non-swimmers like us and our two boys (who are the only swimmers who waited and helped us get through each obstacle) remained together till we finished. So in the end, we have lots of pictures that only us were there. haha We also figured out that its wrong to bring our GoPro with us since we don't know how to swim, it just became a hindrance that we also have to save it alongside everyone. haha (but hey, if not for the gopro we won't have photos and videos during the obstacle)

After taking our merienda, we wen't back to finish the remaining obstacles. This time, we are already confident that we can do it, lol We just finished all the major obstacles as it's nearly 6pm already. 

On the way back I felt like something was missing there, and after browsing their Facebook page, I realized that the floaters on the shallow part of the water before the inflatables are no longer there.

Over-all the experience was great. We did everything we never though we would do in spite of not being able to know how to swim. haha

Tips:

1. Bring your own rash guard and cycling shorts, and aqua shoes too if you have. Our knees hurt so bad because we cross the obstacles while sliding and kneeling.There are times where you need to climb up or roll or jump, so its best to be safe also with what you wear. 

2. Put too much sunblock, the heat is too much.

3. Choose Spray Pass 2-6pm. We noticed we were only few remaining when it was already past 4pm. We nearly had the entire inflatable island by ourselves!

4. Need not to worry if you do not know how to swim, just like us. Just have the guts that you can do it and you will. They have a strict policy of wearing the life vest while inside the premises of the inflatable island, there are also a lot of lifeguards everywhere where you can ask for help, just like what we did. haha

 Since we are also here with our boss, we had to do an overnight stay at a nice hotel. You may check out Subic Bay Peninsular Hotel which is just a few minutes away from Inflatable Island. They already offer accommodation + Inflatable Island packages. 

You may reach them through:

Subic Bay Peninsular Hotel

http://www.subicbaypeninsular.com/

Canal Road, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, 2200 Zambales

(047) 250-72-74

Inflatable Island PH

www.theinflatableisland.com

Subic Bay Waters, National Highway, Lower Kalaklan, Olongapo City, Zambales

0917 132 7878

Till my next trip somewhere,

xx