It was painful to even be thinking that Federer would be swept in 3 sets.  I was strangling an officemate in my mind for even predicting earlier that Roger would lose.  And alas he did.  But not in straight sets as I would find out the morning after.  Nadal had to dig very deep to put away Roger in 5 sets.

I knew Roger wouldn’t give up the Wimbledon title easily having gotten used to bringing home the trophy for the last 5 years.  But last night wasn’t his night.  A lot of forces were at work; history, youth, drama.  In the end, the small errors that Roger usually gets away with has accumulated and led to his loss on centercourt.

I tried watching the replay earlier, but knowing the outcome has somewhat tempered the otherwise compelling match.  Roger as always was gracious in defeat.  In hindsight, I’m glad I didn’t get to watch the live action.  I don’t know if I’ll be as controlled as Roger was with his emotions.  If winning the title can make him cry, how would losing it affect him?

It’s a sad day for Roger Federer fans, but like the rest of his fans, I am still proud to be a card carrying Roger fanatic.

ooOoo

Let’s reclaim the title next year Rog.  Although Wimbledon is the grandest of tournaments, it’s not the be all and the end all.  There’s still the US Open and the Tennis Masters Cup to defend.  I hope your loss in your own stage brings back your primal hunger for winning and finish the year in a very high note.

Remember, you’re still the number one player in the world.  That alone is a reason for you to hold your head up.

El Nido is a pain in the butt.  You’ll know what I’m talking about when you get there after 7 hours of pot-holed roads.  Ok, to be fair, there are stretches of nicely paved roads, but you kinda take those things for granted considering the hefty chunk of money the government bites off of your payday.  What should get every local tourist’s goat is that of all those pork barrel funds given every year, why not pave the roads properly, all of it?  You kinda wonder whether this is a punishment to local tourists who take the more scenic route instead of patronize Asean Spirit (at around P12K roundtrip, who would?).

But there is a silver lining to all of this.  And somehow I am torn between wanting a nicely paved road and keeping it as such, so that the place remains not-so-accessible thereby slowing the march of commercialization.

To those who have never been to El Nido, you need to go there– it’s PERFECT.  And it’s not only for the rich.  You just have to weather the 7-hour ride to get there (like I did).  There are a lot of dirt-cheap pension houses if you’re in a tight budget.  If you can gather enough number of travelmates, it becomes very affordable.

Pictures after the jump.

Oh well.. Pictures.

If these pictures won’t tempt you to save up and visit the place, nothing else will.