To Begin With (Day 1 in Iloilo)

To begin with, the group didn't have the chance to meet up for a pre-climb (a meeting before each trip to discuss the itinerary that will be followed; usually one - Elsadai for that matter - is tasked to research on everything such as beautiful spots, transportation details, etc.). Kuya Bong, the group's unofficial leader was out of the country. This perhaps was one of the early signs that the trip would take on a different path. We didn't communicate at all before our departure in Manila. I remember it was only me and Ron messaging each other about what terminal we would take. It was as if the guys, or perhaps the First Generation guys, were just used to traveling without knowing much about the place. They just pack and go. Ready to let memories play down its tune.

Mark, our American travel buddy whom we met in Macau last year, was the first one to arrive at NAIA. I got there next after having three u-turns with Jeff. I remember I texted Kuya Bong, "Andito na kaso U-turn muna. Ayaw ko ma-nosebleed kay Mark". I admit that I also get to experience that 'nosebleed' thing. Minsan kasi ang sarap lang mag-Tagalog.

One of my FEW good photos during the trip

The other guys arrived quickly except for Ate Van and Kuya Dex. It was unusual for Ate Van to be late but for Kuya Dex, it was a given. He is the LATE Dexter Navarro, anyway.

We were all in a rush to board the plane, thinking that we might be late. After all the passengers boarded, we realized that we had been waiting for fifteen minutes. Fifteen became almost an hour. Another sign, I guess. As a tradition, we opened our snack bag (this time it was Jeff's comfort food bag for me) even before the plane took off. Masyado lang talaga kaming PG, hindi makapaghintay.

We were just laughing on the plane despite the delay. As soon as the plane left Manila, I borrowed Mark's Lonely Planet Guidebook about the wonders of the Philippines. I was already on a major Viajeros trip and yet I was thinking of another prospective destination for us. I just got so addicted to the idea of having regular travels with them. It is only during a Viajeros trip that I can be out of my comfort zone. Ang sarap ng pakiramdam. I think I've proven enough that I am not always the maarte sister of Tien.

Forced Ron to take this photo

As we landed in Iloilo around 2:15pm, we didn't waste any minute. We quickly headed to the exit after getting our luggage. I knew it would be the start of yet another adventure. ROUGH ADVENTURE.

Right at the moment we stepped out of the new airport in Iloilo City, people working for shuttle and taxi service greeted us. It was time for Becksie (the negotiator) to use her powers - beauty and aggression combined. We decided to go to Isla Gigantes first before Guimaras. From the airport to Estancia, the land travel is about 3 hours if you hire shuttle vans. If you take the ordinary bus, it will be longer.

Arriving at Iloilo International Airport

Time to negotiate

To go to the town called Estancia, where the port going to Carles (Iloilo's last town and where Isla Gigantes is ) can be found, one needs to either take a cab from the airport to the bus terminal or hire an air-conditioned shuttle straight to Estancia for P2,500. It was originally P2,900 but Becksie haggled pretty well. But P2,500 was STILL quite expensive to us. So, as agreed by everyone, we took the shuttle to the bus terminal in Tagbak for P500. From Tagbak we could take the ordinary bus. It was pretty much like what we did in Cebu City to reach Maya port going to Malapascua. I was dreading it, actually. I knew I would smell poop again. But I SHOULD NOT COMPLAIN.

Arriving at the terminal in Tagbak, I was indeed reminded of the Northern Bus Terminal in Cebu City. I saw Ceres ordinary buses again. It was exactly the same scene as the one in Cebu. A scene wherein a fussy girl would say, Oh-em-gee, amoy poo-poo shet!!!

Reminiscent of Northern Bus Terminal in Cebu City

The first thing we did before eating lunch was to ask how much the bus fare going to Estancia was. We were all surprised to hear the that it was P180++. Computing everything, we knew that it would have been better if we had just taken the shuttle to Estancia at the airport. To cut the story short, we hired another shuttle van for P1800. Talo talaga ang aming unang pagtitipid.

It was a 2 1/2-hour travel inside the van. It wasn't even air-conditioned unlike the first one. The van needed to surrender soon. We couldn't help but linger from time to time about our wrong decision to go to Tagbak, but then again we decided to just let it go. Some of us took a nap while some chose to talk to his/her seatmate during the whole drive. We just had one quickie stop-over to pee. Thanks to Manong's driving skills, we reached the pension house before becoming starvation central.

Time to retire

According to Ron, this was a Kimmy Dora shot.

We checked in at this pension house called "Endielina's". Manong said that local celebrities stay in that place. Napaisip tuloy ako kung sinong artista ang pupunta sa pinaka-dulo ng Iloilo. We immediately left our bags in our room and headed to the restaurant area. Perhaps one of the jologs moments we had during the trip was when we killed time waiting for our food by guessing the TV commercials we saw on TV. It was really embarrassing. The guys went all-out! But then again we find happiness embarrassing ourselves when we're outside our profession. We become another person when we're traveling together. The maarte becomes rough. The Martha becomes tough. The jologs becomes sosyal.

Lawyer, Doctors, Manager...playing a crazy game

After that awful dinner (Kuya Dexter didn't like it so it must be really that bad), the girls just had a quick touch-up then off we went to our first stop - PERYA or in sosyal English - FERRY.

My island look about to come out

Sto. Nino everywhere

The game of chance

Hit and Miss

Kikay kit and the open-mouth moment

The 'Ferry' experience

Mark's first 'ferry' time

"Viajeros goes bariotic." This was the start of the series of unexpected events in Iloilo. Smile now Viajeros. The next day would be different. It would be the beginning of THE CLIMB.

Iloilo Surprises Viajeros (A Teaser)

The Viajeros -Iloilo Group in Isla Gigantes Sur

I don't even know how to start telling the story of our Iloilo trip. From the most inexperienced Viajeros, I describe it as a cruel way of introducing one amateur traveler to the real essence of rough traveling and yet it's rewarding and worth experiencing. It's something that I can be proud of most definitely. From the first generation Viajeros (Kuya Bong, Kuya Dexter and Ate Van), it's one for the ages. Whatever that means.

The days we spent in Iloilo were all unforgettable to us. Many firsts, actually. The fact that we didn't have our 'pre-climb' (a meeting before every Viajeros trip) made everything more exciting and unpredictable.

I have seen and experienced wonderful things during this whole trip because of my co-travelers, Kuya Bong, Kuya Dex, Ate Van, Ate Lynn, Mark, Ron and Becksie. Without them, I would have given up easily somewhere on top of the rocky mountain in Isla Gigantes Norte. Without their cheers, I would not have had the courage to dive in the ocean and would not have climbed that rock to witness the beauty of that mystical and elusive salt water lagoon called "Tangke" in Isla Gigantes Sur. Without their optimism, I would have lost my mind on the boat as we risked our lives to go back to Estancia. And without them, I would have been the same person. I keep on getting better, more daring and more grounded because of these guys and their love for traveling.

Ate Lynn

Mark

The first generation (Kuya Dex, Kuya Bong and Ate Van)

The youngsters (Becksie, Moi and Ron)

Kuya Bong. He is the King of Calmness. I don't know how he keeps himself composed all the time. His close to death experience on the mountain deserved a much louder curse but we didn't even hear a thing.

Kuya Dex. His crazy optimism kept us wanting for more actually. He also knows how to sting us with his blabs. He is Mema (me-masabi lang) according to Becksie. And yes, we agree! But without him, we would not have been to "Tangke". Trips will be boring without Kuya Dex and his Eddie Gil humor.

Ron. His movements are always synchronized and graceful but his singing made me snap on that mountain. However, I enjoyed keeping him as my travel buddy during the trip. I hope he knows that he is as arjud as I am.

Mark. He finds happiness waving and smiling at people who call him kano. I admire him for understanding the language barrier between him (using colloquial English) and Kuya Dexter (using the formal and academic English).

Ate Van. She was the only one who was able to bring lots of stuff (Victoria's Secret Heavenly Lotion, Off Lotion, extra clothing items and the skill of braiding her own hair ala Lara Croft) on the island. It is written in Martha's book to bring important stuff when traveling. She shares the throne of being the Royal Calmness with Kuya Bong.

Ate Lynn. The doctor of the barrio. She snaps only when needed. She talks political issues when drunk. She calls me the princess of this trip. She takes care of me in a very different ate way.

Besksie. My new BFF. She cried when I told her something special on the mountain. I actually see Tien in her. She eats a lot like Tien. She loves seafood like Tien. She walks like Tien.-very boyish. She owns a pair of long and beautiful legs like Tien. My BFF indeed!

To you guys, SALAMAT! This sosyal traveler is becoming jologs one step at a time. More trips to come! More locals to meet! More travel memories to share!

***

To our families and dear friends, who prayed for our safety, thank you so much.

To the residents of Barangay Asluman, Isla Gigantes Norte, who welcomed us with Iloilo warmth, SALAMAT.

To Tatay Nilo and Nanay Desiree, our parents in Isla Gigantes, Kuya Joseph and his family, SALAMAT sa kabutihan ninyo sa amin.

To Kuya Boy and all the boatmen, SALAMAT dahil sinigurado ninyo na kami ay ligtas at buhay.

To Buddy and Hensel, SALAMAT dahil hindi ninyo kami iniwan sa isla kahit na dapat isang araw lang tayo magkasama.

Praise the Lord for his mightiest power. He kept us all safe.

***