Leyte-Cebu Expedition (January 28-February 1, 2015)
This travel was my very extreme travel experience so far since we went two places
in Visayas region. I thought this will never happen due to distances of our
destinations.
So to start, what are the things
we need to consider? Of course leave credits, budget, destination – somewhere
that makes you satisfy, plane tickets, BUDGET and companion. A former college classmate
(Faithzaira) and good friend of my introduced to me where she is right now. She
is in Leyte right now with her relatives. At first, I don’t want to go there maybe because of the location and humors. She insisted to visit
her and have a vacation. At first, I was not convinced but when she sent pictures
I was amazed with their beaches. I keeps on receiving messages from her telling
I should go there and take a vacation and since few months when we last met –
in Cebu.
Since the last time I had
vacation was September when I and my mom went Palawan – as my birthday gift for
her. I decided to visit her add some thrill with the vacation. After few
conversation, and advised me that we’ll visit Canigao Island which is in Matalom,
Leyte. Just one ride from her place. I am pretty sure that the place is safe since
she’s been there already with her cousins. This time, I informed her that I
wanna go back to Cebu sine we can reach Cebu via RORo (Roll On-Roll Off) from
Leyte and visit also Bantayan Island. Again, this travel was extreme since we
rode plane, travelled by land for about 4 hours, rode a boat for almost an
hour, rode RORO to Cebu, and rode bus again for 4 hours going to Hagnaya and
RORO again for an hour to reach Bantayan Island. Almost
two months prior my expected flight, I was lucky and I booked affordable
airfare through AirAsia. I booked my airfare Manila to Tacloban Airport for
only 545.00php and Cebu to Manila for just 560php. Bongga di ba? It’s just
1,100php (not bad if you’re on tight budget).
A
day before out flight, we planned what are the things we need to bring,
polished our itinerary and of course BUDGET. Were lucky since we received our pays
for the double pay last month and of course our tax refund. Good thing because
we had enough budget hahaha. Since our flight to Tacloban was 5:50 am, I
offered her for sleep over because we need to be at the airport by 3am.
DAY OF OUR FLIGHT – DAY 1
Yeah!
I finished preparing my special pork barbeque for our picnic in Canigao Island
past 12 midnight. We woke up from our
power nap around 1:30am and started preparing ourselves. We decided to commute
that time since my regular taxi driver was not available for some reason – my
flight is too early (hahaha). We
arrived at airport around 3 am to secure also good seat – window seats.
Left
Manila on time. Due to zero
visibility in Tacloban Airport our flight was delayed for about 3 hours. Our
flight diverted to Mactan Cebu Airport since our plane need to refuel and
praying to have good weather coming. Our first day was totally messed. Faith
and I had conversation after landed if we can still land in Tacloban or we will
here in Cebu and proceed to Bantayan Island since the management of AirAsia
offered us that we can disembark in Cebu airport and ride ferry going to Ormoc
to reach Tacloban. However, they will not compensate the possible fare. Ginnie
and I were both positive that we can still land in Tacloban that day since we
don’t want to ruin our itinerary. After almost an hour, the Captain of our
plane explained the situation and again, safety of their passengers is their
main concern. I understand that it’s beyond their control. And so there! Got a
permission from traffic Controller of Tacloban Airport that we can now land
there. Finally, after almost an hour circling in Tacloban Airport we safely
landed in past 11 in the morning. After I got my checked-in tripod, we headed
outside the airport and rode a jeep that can drop us to Duptours Van Terminal going
to Matalom (50php each). We reached Duptours Van Terminal and then find good
seat – again we seated at the back of the van since we don’t to move time to
time if there is passenger. Ginnie and I were both hungry since that last time
we ate when we were inside the plane and ordered 2 cups of coffee and a small
box of cookies (6 pieces) for the two of us. This time, we rode almost 4 hours
the van from Tacloban to Matalom, Leyte. I felt sad when I saw how this
province affected by Typhoon Yolanda a year ago. Sitting inside the van and
travel for 4 hours was a SACRIFICE!!! I really hates travelling by land for
more than 2 hours. I’m not very comfortable in my position (para kasi akong kiti-kiti sa van di ko alam kung anong position
hahaha).
 |
| (chips and coffee that we purchased while our flight diverted to Mactan Aiport and refueling our aircraft) |
After 4 hours, we finally reached Matalom Municipal and
wait for Faith, Van and Phoebe. While waiting for them, I bought a loaf of
Gardenia, 10 pieces chicken neck (5 php each), 1.5 softdrinks etc. We walked
for about 5 minutes from the main road going to wharf where we boarded and rode
the passenger banca which will bring us to Canigao, Island. Were all excited to
ride that big banca and dock as sooner.
Now Boarding ....
 |
| (Selfie daw muna with Faith and Ginnie) |
THIS IS IT! CANIGAO!
 |
I was amazed with what I saw on
our way to beach. Oh my god! After our flight got delayed, diverted to Cebu and
sacrificed for 4 hours travel inside the van --- WORTH IT! I was very excited
and jumped when we reached the shore. Canigao Island was not a well-developed
island that’s why the entrance fee is very affordable (I don’t want to use
cheap since the island is not). When we arrived, there were passengers going
back to the wharf. Basically, in our original itinerary we will just have a day
tour in Canigao and headed to Bato or Hilongos that night and proceed to Cebu
City. Unfortunately our itinerary for first day was ruined due to delayed. Since
I’m the In-Charge for the Itinerary, I decided to stay overnight in the island
since we are already there also were all tired. When we settled our things, we
just started fixing our stuffs and foods. That night the only source of our
light was my laptop and sulo (torch). We rent big tent that night since were
all tired from a very tiring day.
SAND BAR, LAST DAY
IN CANIGAO – DAY 2
We enjoyed our stay in Canigao
that night. To start our last day, we decided to walk around. Since its still
morning, you can walk until the mid-area of the sea. I was surprised since
there’s a lot of migrant birds that morning.
I appreciated Canigao because of
its fine sand and very great ambiance. We ended our last day in Canigao with
lots of experiences and memories that we can bring in Manila.
 | |
| Sand Bar! |
After we packed our things and
prepared ourselves we headed to Maasin, Leyte City proper. That day, I craved
so much to Jollibee Spaghetti and Chicken Joy. To satisfy myself, I asked Faith
if there is nearest Jollibee outlet where we can eat lunch and also satisfy
with foods.
We
departed at Bato Pier at around 8 in the evening and had soft dinner to prepare
ourselves for almost 6 hours boat ride bound to Cebu.
DAY 3 (Cebu City
and Bantayan Island)
We
arrived at around 4 in the morning in Cebu Pier and then headed to Cebu North
Bus Terminal to catch the first trip of bus bound to Hagnaya. We
rode bus for more than 4 hours from Cebu City to Hagnaya. When we arrived in
Hagnaya, we suddenly went through the shipping information desk to book our
tickets. After an hour roro ride we arrived in Bantayan Island and grabbed
tricycle which brought us to Abaniko Hotel.
NOTE:
Catch early as much as possible bus ride going to Hagnaya
since travelling time is about 4 hrs from Cebu City. The first trip is at 5 am
and the bus leaves every hour.
From Cebu Pier catch taxi and jut tell to driver to drop
you at Cebu North Bus Terminal.
From Mactan International Airport catch taxi going to
CNBS.
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