Must visit, Masbate Island

Going to Masbate felt like going to another country. The language barrier made the island somewhat familiar but unfamiliar. My friend’s prepared itinerary made us find our way, but I’m fond to remember it as “life is like an island trip full of surprises”.

At Masbate Port, the  tricycle driver offered 100 for 4 persons going to the public market, a less than one kilometer ride. We declined, and walked just outside the Port  and the regular fare was 25 pesos only.

In the UV, Jef sat on the passenger seat. He twice requested from the driver to drop us off at Dimasalang public market. We were at the rear seats laughing because the driver was not responding to him. I was tracking our location against our destination using Google Maps. Eventually, we were at Dimasalang public market and the driver did not drop us off until I told my friends that we have arrived.

At Dimasalang public market, we ate lunch at a carinderia. We bought canned goods as our emergency food. The grocery owner spoke Tagalog and gave us some ideas on what it's like getting to the beach. The canned goods were a bit old and rusty but not expired. We were careful at picking what to buy. The people must've have been healthy since canned food is not patronized.

At the port, we hired a boatman who could understand Filipino but couldn't speak it well. It was a struggle of negotiation we never imagined to be. The sea was rough and we're not wearing life vests. I don't know how to swim so I was thinking how to survive in case the boat topples over the waves. Kuya boatman was laughing at us as we shouted in fear.

At Porta Vega Beach Resort, there were many campers with their tents pitched. We looked for resort accommodation. Most of us do not have any idea what the place was like. We asked the sophisticated lady partying in a resort. And she asked us how we got there. "By Google?," she gave a perplexed and concerned look. “They might still accept guests,” she said while pointing to the small entrance going to the neighbor's mini-resort.

 Porta Vega Beach Resort

Pristine...

The resort’s only house was already booked. We were offered a cool art cottage and a big tent. The cottage does not have its own CR. We walked to the resort’s caretaker’s house to wash or to the camper’s public CR. All four of us slept in the tent because the second floor cottage felt stuffy with our bags stored inside for safety. In the tent, we talked a lot about our college memories that have somehow faded in the almost decade time that quickly passed.

Tent accommodation with some exclusivity

Hammock with a view

In the morning, we island hopped at Naro Bay Islands. We found the beach stunning. The high tide was a plus factor. We had the beach for ourselves. We stopped by an island that has a well. There were locals fetching and loading water on their boats. It reminded me of the time I visited my grandma when she lived in Aroroy. We washed dishes without soap to conserve water. Her house was near a gold mine but life was hard for them.

After island hopping, we returned then left Porta Vega Beach Resort. It was ironic because we didn't swim in the beach, only strolled. The sea was still rough but less scary. We told Kuya to buy life jackets to ensure the safety of his future boat passengers. He was cheerful all the way.

In Masbate City proper, we ate lunch in front of the public terminal. The small store buildings reminded me of that time in December we visited my Lola. My father and I got stranded in the city so he let me sleep on a spread of carton boxes in front of a store together with other stranded kids and passengers. It was night time and I was only ten so I couldn't remember which building it was and if it still existed.

After lunch, we randomly booked a hotel that was near the port. After checking-in, we rested for a bit then went to Buntod Reef. We were so amazed how close the reef was to the city proper yet it's well preserved and pristine. It was a bit crowded though. We agreed that the reef was beautiful but we could have appreciated it better had we gone there before Naro Islands. The Naro Islands were exotic best after all. We hung out only for a bit and decided not to swim anymore.

Buntod Reef

The next day is always the time to leave. We were checking-out when a hotel staff stopped us from leaving due to a missing towel. We were all shocked because we were rushing to leave for the next scheduled fast craft. We all know the number of towels was correct before leaving the room. With a bit of arguing and the staff insisting she has a picture for proof of the room before we checked-in, we agreed to get our bags inspected. The staff apologized and allowed us to leave. Someone else might have entered the room and messed up with the towels that had been counted. Still, the incident gave us a fugly (funny but ugly) Masbate memory. In trauma response, whenever I booked a hotel I always group the towels together and count them before departure!