The (Anti-)Solo Traveler Diaries (Visayas Edition): The Long (and Hard) Way Home

If you've been following my (Anti-)Sole Traveler Diaries series, you might be wondering in my last post why we're taking a bus on our way back to Manila instead of riding a plane like we did on our way to Bora.

This is because the Team Grade Six decided to book a one-way plane ride to Caticlan. Probably because the promo is only available for Manila-Caticlan and not on Iloilo-Manila. Or maybe they intended to forego the Caticlan-Manila ride to save money.

Whatever the reason may be, they are about to learn their lesson the hard way. Siyempre, damay na rin ako sa bad decision nila bilang kasama ako sa trip, 'di ba?

As I have mentioned before, Dingle, Iloilo is four hours from Caticlan by bus. But because I'm starting to get sleepy (my MP3 player could not help me perk up this time), I started to take pictures of the scenery from the outside of the window.

Once we're in Caticlan port, we wait for the bus driver to book the RORO (roll-on, roll-off) ship tickets for his passengers. While waiting, we decided to take our lunch at an eatery near the dock.

Note: for those who are unfamiliar with this mode of transport, most, if not all, bus trips to Visayas and Mindanao get by through the RORO ships -- ships that lets vehicles get in and out of the ship by 'rolling.' Thus, the term 'roll-on, roll-off' or RORO. This mode of transport allows buses to travel into different island destinations, albeit longer (a trip to any Visayas destination can take up to 24 hours).

Upon getting the ship tickets, off we board into the RORO, heading to Roxas, Oriental Mindoro.

We're riding up there!

Caticlan port as viewed from the ship

Onboard the ship

It was almost nightfall when we got to Roxas. I did not bother to take any more pictures from this point on, because flash photography is battery-consuming and we do not have easy access to power outlets during the entire trip (for charging batteries).

We got into the bus again for a road trip to Calapan that spans another four hours. During the trip (and even as we head to Caticlan), I was mulling my thoughts of getting down in Calapan, ride my way to Naujan, my father's hometown, stay at my grandmother's place and remain there until May. However, thinking that the idea might spell major logistical nightmare, I postponed my plans.

It's practically bed time when we get to Calapan, so it was no surprise that we have to be waken up for us to know that it's time to get off the bus again. We obliged, although we were like zombies as we walked off the bus.

Fact about me: I find it hard to fall asleep again after my sleep has been interrupted. So I remained wide awake during the entire ship ride to Batangas City, and even as we rode our way to Manila.

We got to SM Fairview (bus driver was persuaded to take us to SM Fairview instead of getting off at Cubao) at past 12am. It also marked a new day... which is also my 20th birthday! Because of that, the Team Grade Six sang 'Happy Birthday' to me before reaching our destination.

I was dog tired when mom and I got home. But I did not mind. I had a hell of a good time, and was able to do new things before I turn 20. Good enough for me. :)

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So that ends the Visayas edition of The (Anti-)Solo Traveler Diaries series. On my next post, we're heading back to Luzon, to one of my favorite destinations in the Philippines. I'll give you a clue: I've mentioned that place somewhere in my Bora-Iloilo documentation. Enjoy guessing!

Oh, let me remind you that please feel free to comment in my posts for questions or anything. You may also shoot me an email at navyisthenewpink@gmail.com, like the Navy is the New Pink page on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.

The (Anti-)Solo Traveler Diaries (Visayas Edition): Boracay to Iloilo

Back in Manila, Team Grade Six are required to come to school at 6am, since their classes start at 6:30pm or 7am. Because of this, they are obliged to wake up early in the morning to come to class, especially those whose first teaching class starts at the said time. Those who have their first teaching class at a later time may opt to come later, but most of them still come early to prepare their materials for class.

It was no surprise, therefore, that some of the team woke up early despite all the shindig the night before. After all, it's time to pack the bags. 'Cause we're leaving Bora and heading back to Panay Island, specifically in Iloilo.

Some of them (mom included) woke up so early that they managed to squeeze in some shopping along the shops at the beach.

Yet the shutterbug in us could not be stopped from taking more pictures, even as we are about to leave the lodge.

Vanity shot before leaving Bora. The shell necklace was a spanking-new purchase courtesy of mi madre...

A shot in front of the lodge.  

Unlike the motor boat that we rode on our way to Bora, we left the island at a more comfortable ferry boat. The way I see it, the boat was a bit like a run-down version of SuperCat.

Smile!

Upon landing in Caticlan, we searched for the first bus that will leave for Iloilo, and went up from there. Of course, I get the window seat, because that's my favorite seat in any vehicle.

Another window view pose...

Whoops... Even the pimple was captured...

Four hours and one stopover later, we got down at the town of Dingle. The area where the bus stopped did not have any prominent landmark, save for a bamboo-made waiting shed and some huts. Oh, and two pick-up trucks waiting for us.

The two pick-up trucks are owned by the family of one of the team members, Mrs. Maravilla, who was born and raised in the town. She arranged the house that she and her siblings built for her parents for us to stay in for two more nights.

Back story: every time that the team will go on a vacation or to an out-of-town wedding of one of the colleagues, they make it a point to visit the homes of one of them. Case in point: there was one time when one of their colleagues got married in my mother's hometown in Pangasinan. The day after the wedding, the team decided to visit my mom's place in Lingayen, even if it's a few towns away from the wedding location.

Back to Iloilo... it was quite a long ride, with a stopover at the town plaza. We ended up at a strip of dirt road lined with mahogany trees. The house where we will stay is at the end of that road strip.

A view from behind the windshield of the pickup truck

I found out later on in our stay in Dingle that these are actually coffee plants...

Trees all around...

Which leads us here. Taken from the 'end of the road' house, as I call it.

It's rest time for all of us for the rest of the day, because the following day would turn out to be a jam-packed one.

The (Anti-)Solo Traveler Diaries (Visayas Edition): Boracay Night Lights (and Some Feeling Model Pics)

The jetty port as viewed from the boat

We arrived in Caticlan at around 5pm. Just a few walking distance from the airport is the jetty port that will transport us to Boracay.

The signature window view pose. You'll see more of this later on.

The waters as viewed from the boat.

Upon arriving at the island, the caretaker of the lodge that we booked was there to fetch us and bring us there. Along the way, we passed by a grocery store to buy some foodstuff.

I can't remember the exact name of that lodge, but as far as I could remember, it's a four-storey house with three to four rooms, each having two or three beds. Anyway, once we're there, we unpacked our bags and took some rest.

Pagpasensyahan ang mga hita... :P

Nightfall came, and it's time for some wandering around the island. It was the first time I understood how vibrant Boracay can be at nighttime. However, most of the activities are at shore, and the waters itself is unusually quiet.

Boracay Lights -- without the proper settings

With flash. Because mom always insists on having flash in every photo.

Which is perfect for some vanity-cum-cam whoring moments.

Fallen straps and sandy slippers.

Talikod-genic?

Panira ng moment yung dalawang mama sa background.

And I spotted some unusual stuff. Like this sculpture on a watermelon.

One word: Awesome!

It makes sense that the watermelon sculpture is placed on a tray of seafood.

So that's it for our first night in Bora.

The (Anti-)Solo Traveler Diaries (Visayas Edition): My First Plane Ride (with tips)

No, that's not our plane. That's an Airbus-type plane, best for international flights

When I was a kid, almost everyone I knew (myself included) dreams of riding an airplane. Most of us would get envious whenever some of our classmates would talk about their experience while riding a plane.

I knew that time will come and I'll ride a plane. I have no idea that I'll do that a few days before my 20th birthday.

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My mother is a Grade Six teacher at a public school near our place. Every year, she and her friends (hereinafter known as Team Grade Six) go somewhere as an excursion. During these vacations, all of us three siblings have the chance to go with her -- for instance, my brother Harley went with my mother in their trip to Puerto Galera a few years ago.

In 2009, the destination is a little more grand -- Boracay. That year, my mother decided to take me along as her birthday gift to me (I even greeted myself a 'Happy Birthday' while on our way home, but more on that later on). I was stoked when she told me that -- especially when she told me that I have to get a replacement of my lost school ID as identification for my plane ticket. By the time I got my ID, I always look forward to riding an airplane.

The 'departure date' came, and the Team Grade Six met at a nearby mall just after it opened at 10am, and rode two chartered FX taxis (meaning renting the entire vehicle for an agreed fee) on our way to NAIA Terminal 3.

Hello, NAIA, we meet again. After 11 years...

Off-topic story: I've been to the airport once -- when my father arrived from Saudi at the end of his work contract, my family were there to fetch him. Unfortunately, we did not see him there -- only to find out that he did not see us as well and decided to take a cab on his way home.

The check-in counter

Upon entering the terminal, I wandered my eyes all over the place and realized the many issues that surrounded it. There were facilities that were not fully functional, and there were areas that looks and feels 'haunted.' I understand that, because Cebu Pacific was the only occupant there at that time. As of my last visit in Terminal 3 (more about that in the later posts), some of these areas are now occupied by other airlines (Air Philippines and Japan-owned All Nippon Airways), but still not fully occupied. The latest update is that Cathay Pacific, Delta Airways and Emirates will start its operations in Terminal 3 next year.

Waiting for our turn in the counter.

Tip #1: Come to the airport two hours before the flight. Every travel book, travel blog and even airport officials have been stressing this tip. Because if the hassles of thorough security checks is not enough to make you come early, I don't know what will.

Plus it comes with great perks. In our case, we came at the check-in counter at around past 12pm. Our flight was at 5pm. When the counter attendant announced that our flight will be delayed, one of the team asked if we could be assigned to an earlier flight. Long story short, we flew at around 3:45pm. Four words: more time in Bora!

Spell: I'm a Cebu Pacific passenger!

Tip #2: Hold your boarding pass securely. It's called 'boarding pass' for a reason -- you can't get through the airport gates and inside the plane without it. That, and, in case of international flights, your passport.

No, my music player is off. It's just that I forgot to take off my earphones...

Tip #3: Follow the instructions of pilots and flight attendants. When they say 'turn off your electronic gadgets,' do so. I almost went into trouble when I insisted that I took pictures from the window while the plane is taking off. Luckily, I wasn't caught or anything, but after that experience, I learned not to turn on anything during takeoff.

The upside, however, was that it preserved the memories of my thrill while seeing everything from up above the skies, at approximately 20 miles from the ground. 

From the plane window, before takeoff

Manila skyline, taken during takeoff

Can somebody tell me exactly what place this is?

Also this one...

And this one, too!

For those who said 'Boracay' in my question in my previous post, you guessed it right!

From that day on, I always look forward to flying to more destinations around the world. Surprisingly, I'm never fazed by the news of air travel-related incidents. And really, if only I'm 'pretty' according to flight stewardess standards, I'll give up my work and law studies just to see the world. Just like Colette Valois of Pan Am fame.

Colette Valois (played by Karine Vanasse) Photo source