For a little more than two weeks, I visited three regions, seven islands, six provinces, nine cities and uncountable number of towns. I saw unending horizon of swamplands, bustling cities, sleepy towns, thundering waterfalls, deserted beaches, crumbling forts, old and modern churches, white sand shores, waves that can kill, underwater paradise and ultra-massive rock formations you’d never believe was possible.
I rode planes, buses, jeeps, tricyles, ferries and boats, but mostly I walked. I traveled alone, I traveled with friends. I met new people along the way and not a few left an impression on me.
It was a tiring journey, full of mistakes and errors, which on hindsight I would gladly commit again. It made the trip more expensive but it also made it a lot more memorable than usual.
Here’s a rundown of the Postcards I’ve sent along the way.
DAY 01: Lechon de Cebu
DAY 02: Ozamiz-Iligan-Ozamiz
DAY 03: Sun Finally at Lanao del Norte
DAY 04: Waterfalling 101 at Iligan
DAY 05: The Colors of Diyandi Festival
DAY 06: Trek Jump Swim
DAY 07:
DAY 08: Farewell Iligan City
DAY 09: Breakdown
DAY 10: Back on Track
DAY 11: Sunset Supposedly
DAY 12: Biri Rocks!
DAY 13: Dawn to Dusk at Biri Island
DAY 14: Almost Home
DAY 15:
I saw a great sunset today. The overcast sky opened and streamed down rays of golden light into a bay bordered by lush islets. A boat was anchored on its glittering waters and it was simply magical.
Unfortunately all I can do was look. I was on a busload of humanity from Tacloban City en route to Calbayog. I was sandwiched between two people; my camera bag on the floor wedged between my two numb feet and my huge backpack sitting on my lap covering my face.
So instead of that fiery sunset, all I can give you, dear readers, is a photo of the bus I rode for more than seven hours in total discomfort. I got a bit of a breather as the crew changed a flattened tire, I instantly whipped out the only camera available to me, my phone, and snapped a few photos.
ON THE ROAD: 15-DAY VISAYAS & MINDANAO SERIES POSTCARD SUMMARY
LECHON DE CEBU | OZAMIZ-ILIGAN-OZAMIZ | SUN FINALLY AT LANAO DEL NORTE | WATERFALLING 101 AT ILIGAN
THE COLORS OF DIYANDI FESTIVAL | TREK JUMP SWIM | FAREWELL ILIGAN CITY | BREAKDOWN | BACK ON TRACK
SUNSET SUPPOSEDLY | BIRI ROCKS! | DAWN TO DUSK AT BIRI ISLAND | ALMOST HOME
After almost giving up on this trip, I somehow found my groove back after taking the advice of my fellow travelers. They said these delays and stops happen for a reason, a good reason.
Wander Shugah particularly said that since I’d be passing by Tacloban City en route to Biri, I might as well stay there overnight and enjoy the city. Her advice to slow down actually made sense. Why was I rushing things? I am Lakad Pilipinas after all, I don’t rush things; I walk and take in the details.
My first destination as I reached downtown Tacloban was the San Juanico Bridge. The two-hour night shoot proved to be a stress and depression reliever. I can’t wait to go back tomorrow and walk all the way to the other side of the longest bridge in the country.
