Have you ever seen a rock swim? Well neither do I! So if you know any other rocks out there— Give me their number. I can't swim! I can only sink ༎ຶ‿༎ຶ
Okay, okay okay! Let's start from the top! So a year back, my family and I packed our bags early in the morning, armed with snacks, swimsuits, and sunscreen (well, I didn’t need sunscreen, but hey, better safe than sorry!). Haganaya resort was a long drive away, and I couldn’t wait to see what it had in store.
My family set up our spot, on one of the mushroom looking tables, then proceeded to lay out towels and unpacking our cooler. I rolled out of the bag, eager to explore.
First on the agenda? The long slide! Oh, you wouldn’t believe how huge it was (like don't get me wrong, I understand it's average sized but I'm only a few inches tall! Of course, it's going to look huge!)
Getting to the top was an adventure in itself. Usually, I'd ask help from my siblings but they were a bit too— occupied already lmao.
I got a bit jealous as kids and adults alike climbed to the top, squealing with excitement as they whooshed down at lightning speed. Of course, I literally rushed to try! So I had to hop on those long steps up to the top!
I was determined to become the first rock to conquer the slide! As I reached the top, I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. The view was incredible—I could see the entire resort from up there, the pools glittering in the sunlight.
Then it was my turn! I waddled my way over to the edge of the slide but I accidentally slipped and off I went! A bit unprepared but hey, it's technically what I wanted?
Let me tell you, sliding down felt like flying!
The wind rushed past me, and the water splashed all around. You can literally hear my small high pitched nyas! It was so fast that I barely had time to process what was happening, but it was the most thrilling experience ever. When I finally reached the bottom and landed in the pool with a splash!
I was gurgling underwater!
Though I can't say that I floated ༎ຶ‿༎ຶ
After the slide, it was time to check out the pools. There were so many to choose from some were shallow with little fountains spraying water, while others were deep and perfect for swimming. But, uh, here’s the thing: rocks can’t exactly swim.
I rolled up to the edge of one of the bigger pools, watching as everyone else splashed and floated around with ease. It looked so fun! I thought, “How hard can it be?” With a little nudge, I plopped into the water... and sank like, well, a rock.
My family burst out laughing as they fished me out with a pool net because it was too deep for me to get out of. “Pou, you’re definitely not built for swimming!” one of them said, grinning. I couldn’t help but agree. But hey, just because I couldn’t float didn’t mean I couldn’t try to enjoy the water.
Determined to enjoy the water anyway, my family borrowed a floatie from the resort.
The floatie, however, was a game-changer. I was finally able to relax in the water without the fear of sinking straight to the bottom.
I even made it to the jacuzzi, where the bubbling water made me feel like I was in some kind of rock spa. I spent a good hour rolling around in the bubbles, dodging them like it was some kind of game.
(You can literally see how tiny I am. Mom tried taking closer pics but the phone got wet ಥ╭╮ಥ!!)
I almost forgot to mention, there were these odd statues around it.
I honestly couldn’t stop laughing.
What I didn’t expect was to be greeted by a giant gorilla in floral shorts. I mean, who needs a welcome sign when you’ve got this absolute unit towering over you? And the best part? He’s rocking a t-shirt that says, “I ❤️ Hagnaya Beach Resort.” Talk about confidence. He’s basically the unofficial mayor of the place.
But wait, it gets better. As I wandered around, I spotted what can only be described as a dino-guardian peeking through the trees. Its expression? Equal parts “I’m watching you” and “I'm judging you.
It was lurking behind some trees like it had a personal vendetta against me. Its eyes followed me, silently judging. I don’t know what I did to deserve that kind of energy, but I swear I felt guilty for something.
I stood there for a solid minute, wondering if it was judging my outfit or just contemplating its own life choices. Either way, 10/10 for dramatic flair.
And then, the pièce de résistance—à mammoth.
Yes, a mammoth.
Just casually hanging out like it didn’t miss the Ice Age memo. It’s got these massive tusks, and I swear, it looks like it’s grinning at you. Like, “Yeah, I’m here. What of it?” I couldn’t help but laugh every time I walked by it. It’s like the ultimate photobomb waiting to happen.
Honestly, these statues might be the highlight of my trip. Forget sunsets and sandcastles—Hagnaya’s got prehistoric creatures and a gorilla with attitude. I think I’ll be laughing about this for weeks.
Look at this! This one is from San Romegio though. These were back in 2017! Pretty old. You can barely see me in those pictures. I was the size of a pebble. Compared to now, where I've genuinely grown a good two inches! Do you know how awful it feels when you're the eldest yet your baby siblings literally tower over you? ಠ ೧ ಠ
That trip was definitely one for the blog, and I can’t wait for our next adventure. Maybe next time, I’ll figure out how to float!
Final Thoughts: Would I Go Back? Absolutely.
Despite my questionable swimming skills (or lack thereof), this trip was easily one of the best. The water, the laughs, the statues—I wouldn’t trade those memories for anything.
Maybe next time, I’ll figure out how to float without needing a pool net.
…Maybe