I drifted. Flat on my back on an inflated tire tube, slowly moving across the silent waters of the Siitan River. On both sides of the bank, soaring limestone cliffs rose, flanking me. It felt surreal. Then the current started to get stronger, propelling me faster than I would’ve preferred.

Snapping out of my reverie, I looked around and found that it was just me, the rumbling river and the mute limestone sentinels.

Where the heck were my companions?

► EXPLORE: QUIRINO PROVINCE TRAVEL GUIDE

Inside an open-aired jeepney forging through a rain-streaked road, a group of travelers huddled and tried to cover as much skin as possible. It’s a cold and gray December morning and the 500-foot elevation of Maddela, a town in Quirino Province, isn’t helping ease the chill that’s creeping through our bones.

I watched, transfixed on the empty road we were traversing, contemplating on what lay ahead in the coming days.

► EXPLORE: QUIRINO PROVINCE TOURIST SPOTS

SHORT HIKE TO GOVERNOR’S RAPIDS

After an hour of taking in the cold wind filtering through our jeep, we got off the main road and slowly lumbered our way through a muddy trail. The jolt and shock of the uneven path awoke my companions; sleeping time’s over, we’re here, our driver announced.

Our arms were aching all over and we were all wet. We just came ashore from the raging waters of Tibiao River, riding kayaks, flipping over, swimming back to our kayaks and doing everything all over again. It was the last day of our Antique tour and a giant metal cauldron filled with water and fired from below was waiting for us on our return.

►CHECK OUT: ANTIQUE TRAVEL GUIDE

EN ROUTE TO TIBIAO WHITE WATER RAFTING

Our day started at the Zipline Inn. From there, we took a quick van ride to the nearby Kayak Inn where Tribal Adventures offers kayak eco-adventure rides at the adjacent Tibiao River.

After gearing up with helmets and life jackets, we chose specific paddles that felt comfortable on our hands. And off we went to the river with our guides hefting each of our kayaks on their heads like it was nothing.

Ice cold water splashed through our whole being—shocking and drenching us completely, as our bright red raft attacked the raging waters of the Song Phraek River. With no briefing whatsoever, we were suddenly plunged headlong into a wild ride. Our only lifeline, a rope tethered across the boat and footholds at the bottom of the dinghy.

Thailand’s weather has been uncooperative since yesterday; our Phang Nga Bay day trip was marred with scattered rain showers. And it only got worst as we navigated the rubber tree-lined road up to the Phang Nga River Lodge for our whitewater rafting adventure.

►CHECK FOR AFFORDABLE HOTELS IN PHUKET

Kneel, push, stand and start surfing, or rather, paddling! Yup, we’re paddling over a surfboard in Paoay!

Stand Up Paddle Boarding is really not a new sport though. It’s an ancient form of surfing that originates from the surfing capital of the world, Hawaii. Called Hoe he'e nalu in Hawaiian, the sport emerged once more as surfing instructors started practicing it in order to better supervise their students.
The sport is much easier to learn than surfing as it really does not require one to ride a wave. Paddling Boarding can easily be done on placid waters, with a rider easily mastering the board in an hour or so. It is interesting to note that women have the advantage over this sport as they have a lower center of gravity than men.

I slapped on an orange-colored life vest, put on a helmet, secured my waterproof camera and picked up my yellow paddle; I’m as ready as I can be for a ride at North Luzon’s mighty Chico River.

Our jeeps descended on a zigzagging dirt road down to Malaking Bato, and met our next highway, the Chico River. The rafts were untied and inflated while we were briefed by Sir Argel; the group was divided into those willing to get dunked down the water and those who are not really good swimmers. We were taught the proper way of paddling, how to get back to raft if ever we get thrown off and how to get out of mini whirlpools. Mini whirlpools eh? That decided it; I chose the non-swimmers group even though I know how to swim.