My friend has an engineer husband who has been working in Saudi Arabia for more than 2 decades now.   Jill used to recount the many sacrifices  and problems they had weathered because of her husband’s absence from his family and to make up for everything, he richly provided their needs sometimes to a fault because the children grew up spoiled.   There is always a price to pay!  His husband David, has been working in a big oil exploration company in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia and marcellus drilling has been a part of his life.  Although it is hard for Jill to understand the nature of his job but one thing is clear, the work concerns oil and petroleum which abound the rich soil of the province.

Natural gas undergo processing and it is commercially extracted in oil and natural gas fields which yielded positive benefits by producing abundant supply of energy derived from gases explored.  One exploration company that deals with huge projects that covers numerous countries with vast reserves of oil and gas is  UG Oil and Gas Center.  The company’s deals expertly and extensively in non stop  exploration activity of  digging and exploring vast natural and mineral resources.

Being part of an exploration team means going to hard to reach places in search of oil reserves and it also means a handsome pay for Jill husband.   Their children’s future is the reason behind all those sacrifices and David continuously works hard enough to learn global unconventional resource exploration.  The stock knowledge acquired through the years serves as consolation to his lonely life away from home and his family is his inspiration while his company his source of his wealth.

He will be old and grey and will retire soon but UG Oil and Gas Center will unceasingly span the globe exploring for profitable resource find and millions of people will benefit from it.

Vacation is undeniably an opportune bonding time with family and we enjoyed all the places we’ve been to.  It  brought us to lots of  interesting places and  had us experienced activities we have not dare tried when we were young.  Part of our itinerary is to experience river water rafting in Davao City, island of Mindanao but before the real thrill, we consulted Wikipedia and accordingly ”Rafting or white water rafting is a challenging recreational activity using an inflatable raft to navigate a river or other bodies of water.  While in the office, we were assured that experienced guides and professional life guards will join the group and I asked few questions before I finally let go of the payment for a group of 6.   The package is quite expensive but never mind.. it will only be once in a lifetime experience.

Our children were very much excited with the thought that they are going to do it  finally.   I was included while we were planning our itinerary to river rafting adventure, however, I backed out after seeing the video clip.  I don’t think I can actually survive that adventure fearing I might drown for I don’t really how to swim.  A life vest might not save me enough because I might panic so I better not take the risk.  Understandably it was the young blood who are risk takers!

So a group of 6 was formed, my 3 children, a nephew and a friend and my husband who was concerned of just letting the youths on their own joined too.  I know that he is also apprehensive but his concern for the group outweighed his fears.  Good for hubby for he knows how to swim so it would not really be that hard for him to adjust in the water.

signing waiver

As advised, they should be in the office before 7am for rafting orientation.   They were asked to sign a waiver since it is considered as an extreme sports and their helmets and life vests were distributed.   Initial rafting orientations ensued and they were then transported by jeepney to the starting point  for the 13 km of adrenaline rush with more than 15 rapids.   Upon reaching there, they were given another basic rafting orientation and were taught on how to put on their life vests, the basic rafting techniques and different rafting lingos they will hear as instructions.

rafting orientation.. teaching them how to paddle

the 15 km. water rafting thrill

high five  after challenging rapids

break

It was more than 3 hours of water rafting and braving the wind and heat.   They were really exhausted and famished and when they reached the end of the line, lunch was served. It was an experience to cherish!

thumbs up!

Helmets off and thumbs up to their guide Mr. Onin for one great rafting assistance!