Boracay Vacation--May 2008

This writing is kind of late, but still I want to write something about our Boracay vacation last May, along with my friends--Frank, Jo, Ichu, Eunice & Mimi. We have planned that for so long and when the set date finally came, there's a typhoon, a strong typhoon. All's set and we got frustrated. Since we are planning to travel Batagas-Mindoro-Caticlan route, my friend Frank contacted her parents in Mindoro to ask if sea vessels are allowed to travel. Unfortunately, they're not, and there were almost 300+ passengers stranded in Roxas Mindoro awaiting coast guard's signal to travel. We got desperate. How could this be? This has been long planned. We're thinking to forget Boracay and go to Sagada instead, yet the typhoon is heading north so it's impossible to travel upnorth or we will encounter landslides along the way. Still we didn't lose hope. For the last time Frank called to Mindoro and good news the travel has resumed. So after our work at around 2 pm, we packed our bags, rode a taxi and a van bound to Batangas pier. We are trying to make it to the last fast track trip to Mindoro but it was past 7 pm when we arrived at Batangas pier so we're late for that. We decided to board the ship which is about 2 to 3-hour trip to Mindoro because the sea at that time was a bit unruly. I admit, this was the first time for me to board a ship and I was terribly afraid. When I saw the waves banging the sea wall and the vessels, OMG, I felt I would die. But I tried to be composed, and Frank assured me everything would be fine. Once inside, I was relieved. We chose to occupy the class-type part of the ship, a lot of sofas, where we could not feel the movement of the ship. The travel was so slow. We took some time spending the night outside watching the sea even if it's dark. We can't see the moon because of the weather. All we could sea were the splash of waves against the ship and a few flickering lights from one or two nearby islands we passsed by. I said a prayer to myself, " God I don't know how to swim, please make our travel safe. Please let us come back home safe." Somehow I felt fine. When we went back inside, we're dead tired and everyone fell asleep, with me waking up from time to time. At 11:30 pm we reached Mindoro and from there we rode a van to Roxas. It was a 4-hour travel--the road is winding so I can't sleep at all. I can't see anything outside--it's pitch black. Finally we arrived at Frank's place. We just refreshened ourselves a bit, stretches our bodies then headed to the pier for another (at least) 2-hour travel bound to Caticlan. Our travel was fine. I was able to sleep. Frank awakened me saying, "We're here Crissy! Look at Boracay!" When I opened my eyes, it's still a bit far but I could sea the beach. It's sooo clear!! I said my thank you prayer and got myself ready for a 3-day-2-night stay that would leave me a happy memory of Boracay. Sure, I would love to come back here some other time, and hopefully it would leave me a sun tan, but minus the typhoon. ~wink~



Our first day in Boracay--after taking a quick breakfast we headed for the beach.


Our stay in Boracay was worth braving the typhoon. I knew the Lord took us under His wings as we travel the stormy sea. Indeed, if we put our trust in Him with all our hearts, without any doubts, He will deliver us.




Camwhoring inside a cave in Crystal Cove during our island hopping.




Taken before we crawl the caves of Crystal Cove. Yes, you've read it right--we crawled until we get our knees and back hurt. (Ouch! That left me a scar on my left knee.)