The tail end of the cold front on a holy day teased my senses more
in going to the big island in Babuyan Group, Calayan Island. The boatman said
that afternoon, as he looked up in the sky: "There is an advisory from
Taiwan that sailing is not permissible." Then a cold gust of wind touched
my cheeks and made those little braids of my hair shift.
The next attempt
the day after was promising. It was a small-big boat. Not small bancas. Not a
ferry. It was like that boat in the waterworld movie. It was like a cargo boat.
I was looking for the wooden seats that are usually at the middle. There was
none. It was mysterious at the beach. Positioning all the merchandise to fit in
the boat reached the daybreak.
The waters close
to the shoreline were ruthless. The sun was starting to blaze. The boat was
fullpacked. With bicycles, merchandise, and people. Toploading at the border of
this boat was the very last thing I would like to do with no floaters. As the
boat sailed, the sea became unruffled like an untouched swimming pool. It will
take five hours to reach Calayan Island in the Babuyan Group, wherever that is,
as I travel with no map and let me say, with unawareness.
The men of the
boat would balance themselves in the bamboos not like walking on a trapeze but resembling
a walk in the air. Look, no hands! In as much as I would like to do that do, I
have to plead guilty that I dread being next to or beng in the ocean. Dreams of
drowning have haunted my desires to be a great swimmer.
The splatter of
waters at this side where I toploaded drenched me. I should have preferred to
stay at the center or anywhere else but here. I thought, maybe, I was destined
to be at this side. Those rides at theme parks where you soaked with water can
never be compared to this real thing.
If I will have to
do it again, I will still opt to go to Calayan Island via Claveria Cagayan, journey
in a real water world manner of transportation. This is the authentic ride. A
fleet thru the Babuyan Channel in the infinite sea is a concoction of fear,
excitement, zeal, and willpower.
Touchdown Calayan
Island. Sun-blackened, dripping wet, and euphoric.
***********************************
The trip to
Calayan Island was in April 2012
2 comments:
Is that the Sentinela Cove in the 4th pic? I miss that place. Nice braids Heiz!
yes earl, you know sentinela so well!! :D thanks, and i miss braiding my hair this summer.
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