The Cebu Bohol Trip (Part 1)

Okay. I decided to blog about the trip that I just took last October 18-24. I think its really one of the best trips I've ever had. Since this'll probably be the highlight of my year, I have decided to write about the whole trip divided in different parts [hence the Part 1 in the title]. It's not just about the places I went to or the sights I've seen that I'll write about, but also the things that I realized and discovered during this trip. And there are a lot of those

Prologue

I almost didn't make it to this trip. Things in work surfaced that threatened my leave plans. I was given a big, critical task that has never been done before. When I knew I wouldn't be able to finish it, I immediately talked to my manager about it. I was expecting that he was gonna make me chose between my responsibility to this task and my vacation, which will lead me to a work vs. self showdown. Luckily, that never happened. He just said that I prepare necessary documents for the turnover task to a poor unfortunate soul. I was glad to do that. So, after being waylaid by IN008 Service Point GIS Address, I will finally be able to take a long awaited and well deserved vacation.

Day 1

Manila to Cebu to Bantayan

'Twas till dark, silent and cold when I woke up to the sound of the alarm from my newly purchased iPod Touch [naks, nagyabang pa hehehe]. 4:00 am. There's still a lot of time to catch my flight at NAIA 2 Terminal, 7:30 am, 3 and a half hours away. I live in Bicutan and I've prepared all my stuff the night before, no hurry. I decided to take a cold shower to wake myself up and get my blood going. I finished preparing at around 5:15 am. As the song would say "...my bags are packed and I'm ready to go..". Still too early I thought, I gave my dad another 30 minutes. While waiting I took my morning drug called coffee. 5:45, I woke up my dad so he could drive me to the airport. I got there at around 6:10 or so. Dennis and Jess were waiting for me outside. We all checked-in together. We eventually met up with Liska and Aaron at the departure area. Cue the How I Met Your Mother theme music. We boarded the plane past 7. It's been a very long time since I last rode an airplane. I've forgotten how the cabin looked and smelled, how seats were arranged and how much weight overhead storage cabinets could hold. I sat down, strapped myself in, then I heard those familiar phrases..."Good morning everyone this is your Captain speaking..." At exactly 7:30 am, we took off..I've forgotten how I find airplane take-offs very exhilirating. This is usually the part where most people close their eyes, hold on to their loved-ones or the arms of their seats. But me, this is when I lean back, listen to the sound of the plane, and enjoy the feeling of being  pulled away from the ground. This is gonna be a good vacation.

An hour later, we landed at Mactan Airport. Last time I was in Cebu was I think 3rd or 4th grade. Long time ago. I've forgotten how it looked like. All I can remember is the bridge connecting Mactan to the main island. We made our way out of the airport and got on the van that'll take us to Hagnaya Port where we'll take a RORO that will bring us to Bantayan Island..specifically Santa Fe Beach Club. On the way we were mesmerized by how large and imposing the coast line of Cebu is. It looked really beautiful, but that doesn't compare that what i'll see later (we'll get to that part later). We also went to a famous bakery called Titay's. We ate barbecue and a local food called Poso. It's basically sticky rice wrapped in banana leaf.

It's roughly a two-hour drive to Hagnaya Port, so after finishing what food we have and a little chitchat with each other, we all decided to get some quick naps and recharge us for the days ahead.


It was already lunch time when we got to Hagnaya Port. The port looked crude and old. The seats were broken, everything is handwritten. I realized how backward our marine transport facilities are in our country, compare it to the busy harbors of Singapore and Hong Kong, or the majestic port of Sydney or the iconic San Francisco harbor...our ports look like hell...the RORO we got on looked old and rickety...but nonetheless, I welcomed this new experience [yeah..awesome right..being seated beside the bathroom with no flush and whose door wouldn't close? great!]. I tried not to mind that. I just held my breath, literally and figuratively, I know I'll soon be rewarded.


After an hour or so...we got off at Bantayan Island port where a person from Santa Fe Beach club was waiting for us. He drove us to the place where we'll stay till Tuesday. As I alighted from the vehicle...Lo and Behold, the reward that I've been waiting for...

The sight was just breathtaking. There were very few people, the sand was white, soft and fine. The water-- crystal clear. It was low-tide...so we could see seashells and rocks here and there...sandbars here and there....and a clear sky...This is gonna be a good vacation...


I thought to myself...I'm not really a beach loving person...but this place is just...awesome. I've always wanted to see different sights in other countries....but I suddenly realized that there is so much to see in my own country, so many places to see...to take pictures of..to tell stories of...


After half a day of travelling, we checked in to our room, ate a late lunch and wasted away the afternoon around the beach. But with a beach like that...no time is really being wasted...we enjoyed the clear cool water, threw sandballs at each other and attempted to build a sand castle/tower, in which we epicly failed. We stayed there till sundown.


Eventually we got tired of being hit by sandballs of different sizes. We opted to eat dinner at the beach club, took our showers and changed into our sleepy clothes. I was sleepy the moment my head hit the pillow..I was able to make only one sleepless mind thought "This is gonna be a good vacation..."

END OF PART 1