A November Weekend Break to bear in mind
Prologue
Malapascua is an island part of Daan Bantayan, North of Cebu. For Cebuano’s Malapascua is not an unusual location as it is very understood to flaunt a next-to-Boracay Heaven without being overvalued and also as tourist plagued as Boracay is. Mosting likely to Malapascua is a 5-hour bus ride from Cebu City where you will be dropped to Maya, area in Daan Bantayan where you can catch a 45-minute boat flight from there to the white sand coast of Malapascua.
Day 1
5:45 AM Saturday early morning
We got our backpacks and also gone to the North Bus Terminal, where the assembly place is. The arranged time was 6 a.m. Irik as well as Karmil were the initial to get here there.
5:45 AM Saturday early morning
We were the 2nd to get here, Glin and also I at about roughly 6 am. We waited for the remaining of the group to show up, Fatrik as well as Cilishti. The supplies as well as our food were with Cilishti. Fatrik was to aid in bringing them.
6:45 AM Saturday morning
Still no indication of either 2, the 4 of us were impatient to reach the weekend ahead of us as well as still no Cilishti or Fatrik in sight. Karmil, Glin as well as I after that chose to get a bunwich to fill our empty stomachs while waiting for them. Meanwhile, Irik impatiently called Fatrik in the office just to confirm that Fatrik was still asleep. Someone was asked to wake Fatrik up.
7:10 AM Saturday early morning
Cilishti and also Fatrik got here bring the materials which contained 3 big water containers each complete with 5 litres of drinking water, canned goods, fast food, a camping tent as well as some hammocks.
7:20 AM Saturday morning
We were after that ready and also were in good spirits preparing to board the bus toward our November-weekend-to-remember Journey in Malapascua. The memorable high quality of that island experience can be associated to some ridiculous, amusing and also memorable things that continued to torment our trip throughout. This is how all of it started.
Episode 1: Bus Driver Battle. The bus chauffeurs had this contest whose bus to board and also even a bit vigorously persuaded several of us to board one more bus which resulted in getting us and also our possessions so topsy-turvy that the fifty percent people boarded this bus and also other half boarded the other bus. However became able to settle on one bus. Whew, what a truly a chaotic way to start an island journey.
7:30 AM Saturday early morning
The bus we picked begun its engines as well as we were lastly heading in the direction of Maya. While the bus continuously headed in the direction of the North, we were additionally content to gladly watch reruns of Commando as well as Rambo at the bus’ plasma TELEVISION. Also though we moaned at the antics of Arnold Schwarzenegger as well as Sylvester Stallone, we were nevertheless blissfully inhabited with the views and the “classics” we were viewing. Quickly we got here at the jetty in Maya where pump watercrafts bob in harmony at the coast. We got our valuables knapsacks, litres of drinking water, tinned products, beverages, camping tents, hammocks as well as all and also boarded the soonest pump boat for our island destination.
12:00 NN Saturday and also the Rest of the Day
It was really a rough watercraft ride as there has actually been information of an approaching storm. For us new to such solid existing and thick waves, it was truly simply so magnificent to stare right into the vicious dark blue eco-friendly sea. Nevertheless, the boat trip was loaded with our incessant babble and gurgling enthusiasm that continued to surprise the other travelers. As the island of Malapascua came nearer and nearer right into view, the water became tamer and the waves were no place to be seen and also not long after, the sparkling white expanse of the Malapascua Southern Coastline winked a welcoming radiance.
We disembarked through a 1-foot wide plank and touched our toes to the hot, fine as well as immaculate white island sand. We reached concerning past twelve not actually caring what time it was but our hungry stomachs demanded food. Heading towards the Exotic Beach Cottages- the least expensive coastline front accommodation, we passed along a few of revealing swimwear clad vacationers sunbathing along the coast. It was then when it ultimately dawned that certainly our island getaway has actually formally started. Upon getting to the cottage, we deposited our belongings as well as unanimously agreed to feed our tummies initially. We proceeded to Cocobana, a bounty coastline resort supplying a selection of mouth watering foods at a hundred plus per offering. We after that hungrily ate our food meaningless of the skies soaring rate for every order. Even faucet water was sold at 7 pesos per glass without ice. Perhaps it is due to the fact that fresh water as well as electrical power are so tough ahead by. Malapascua has no electrical power during the day as well as powered by generators throughout the evening. Electricity only lasts from dusk at up until concerning 10 or 11 pm.
After eating, we began to establish the camping tent as well as hammocks that we brought along and also sagged for a while. At about 4 pm, we proceeded to the Sunsplash drifting bar, nearly 25 meters from the shore. We were just in time for the happy hour where all beverages can be acquired at half the cost. We lazed for a long while, sipping rum coke and taking in the mid-day sight of the island. When we were simply remarking concerning just how wonderful it is being away from everything else while leisurely appreciating the calm as well as wonderful little chitchats, guess who boarded the drifting bar … it was our employers, Nik as well as Tobi, all set to take their afternoon swim. We later figured out that they are regulars at the island nevertheless.
After a while we determined to head to shore once again where we dipped, swam and unwinded into the mid-day water. The sand was really so white and the sight was so unaffected that even a straightforward mid-day swim might alleviate all your worries. After that simply as time flies so swiftly it was time for dinner once more, we were compelled to take our supper early as the lifestyle at the island is simply as early as it would certainly once more be lights off. We altered our wet garments as well as prepared yourself for dinner. We consumed at Ging Ging’s, a yard eatery which shows off residence cooked Filipino food. The prices were affordable as the food were also just like regular home prepared food. Yet don’t get us incorrect, the food was okay yet they were not what we were really looking for. That night, there was a town nightclub to prepare for their future feast party, however we made a decision against it as going there would need a lengthy walking towards the various other end of the island. Most of us elected relaxing session near the coastline.
A resting bag was laid near the coast with some easy chair and also a camping tent and also we started putting the gin and biting lemons and consuming convenience food as well as at the very same time counting dropping stars, Glin and I have actually counted an overall of concerning 10 dropping stars that night. Cilishti and Fatrik were appreciating a foolish video game concerning things in a store with each other with Karmil and Irik. All of us laughed our hearts out and contentedly enjoyed the exciting as well as insanely good night we are having.
We after that prepared to retire after two hrs of enjoyable– excited to rest our weary bones. Just as we were about to sleep, the audios of slapping here and also slapping there, itching below and also there awakened our sleepy selves. Oh, did I state that the island likewise are plentiful with a billions of blood sucking insects? In fact every cottage has actually an installed insect web at every bed as a determined act to ward them off. Yet still, I presume their mosquitoes are hybrid or have just been conditioned by the mix of blood they have actually sipped from immigrants, to residents to even us. Not surprisingly, they have actually gotten past the insect internet and also have never ever discontinued to draw our blood till early morning.
Day 2
The second day was another enjoyable loaded lazy day; we got up really late in the morning, not caring what time it was and also ate breakfast which the owner of the home planned for us. This is when the 2nd episode of our a-November-weekend-to-remember journey began.
Episode 2: Island trip. A local called Jun-jun provided an island trip for 600 pesos that would certainly last for 2 hours which we graciously decreased for one more offer of 500 pesos for an endless time presented by an additional local that took place to overhear the first island tour deal. By after that Windil that was scheduled to arrive came as well as with each other with the rest of the group prepared for the mid-day ahead. We were really delighted for the afternoon in front of us as well as we were so thrilled to discover the rest of the island as well as to go snorkeling over some recognized boat wrecks.
Come lunch break, the food was fantastic as a freshly caught fish was sold to us as well as was natively yet delightfully prepared by none less than the owner of the home. After taking lunch and also enjoying the mid-day siesta, 2 o’clock came as well as our scheduled island tour will begin. A big tube of Sunscreen was passed around, sunglasses prepared, hats as well as caps along with goggles as well as snorkels were lugged. We mosted likely to the coastline eager to board the Yahoo, the boat we are to make use of for the trip and also to invest the mid-day snorkeling as well as checking out, just to discover that the Yahoo is still happily anchored at the shores of Maya. Such a disappointment, yet that can not succeed in washing away the excitement of the group; especially Cilishti’s that back then was halfway to being extremely drunk.
After deliberating what to do, we once more proceeded to the drifting bar, since it was not yet time for the Pleased hour; we just rested there and expectantly awaited any indications of the boat. After getting on such excellent terms with the local bartenders due to Cilishti’s unabashed kindness, we gained from them that the neighborhood called Basik, whom we bargained with, concerning our island trip, was a little bit of a scatterbrain and also we entrusted our prepare for the mid-day in her hands. What a waste, without a doubt! The good news is someone in our group was persistent enough to bargain with one more watercraft proprietor for our desired island journey however their watercrafts also were still in Maya so we waited and also waited at the floating bar up until it ended up being so straining to the eye to scrunch up your eyes for an incoming watercraft.
That was when we believed to forego that doomed island trip. We resumed our bar hangout and also some swam while the others simply took a seat as well as killed the moment with limitless gazes towards the island and also still reeling from the truth that our island journey was never ever going to become a reality nevertheless the prep work as well as the enjoyment and also the countless squirts of the sunlight block we used.
Late mid-day came and also we headed back to the cottage where some regional masseuses have actually waited on an hour or two. By the way, I neglected to tell you that we have set up with some citizens for a mid-day massage therapy of a hr per individual to be done after the planned island journey, yet the island journey was cancelled so we waged the massage. That’s when the 3rd episode struck.
Episode 3: Masseuses battle. We found out that while we went to the drifting bar, the masseuses were having this great dispute due to the fact that we bargained for the rate of the full body massage therapy from 200 to a hundred and fifty and several of the masseuses agreed so they could have customers. But, the various other envious ones were so furious as well as mad and were planning to report us to some neighborhood authorities because of the reduced rates. That was when we concluded, that we sure might mix some excitement of an or else boring masseuse’s life.
Yet, Boy, was the massage therapy heavenly, yes it was … It was equally as relaxing as it must be. The massage therapy absolutely took care of to work our tensions away and ebbed all the disappointments from that terminated watercraft trip.
After the massage, we were again psyched up for the evening. Eager to take away the thoughts the impeded island excursion behind us, we consumed our dinner as well as filled our minds with prepare for the evening ahead. That evening we prepared to visit Maldito’s a famous local bar which boasts a huge platform of pillow with cushions where you can practically do whatever you desire. A big level screen monitor is strategically positioned before it. Existing back, you can either enjoy TV, watch individuals playing billiards or check out the coast while slackly drinking your drink. We played billiards, chuckled a great deal, postured for pictures, consumed pizza and ordered unlimited shots of tequila, rum coke and baileys and also simply had a helluva great time with the amazing breeze blowing and also the envigorating sensation of interesting satisfaction. By the method, did I mention that Cilishti was left since the mix of alcohol she earlier drank and the relaxing massage certain did place her to rest? We regretted leaving her behind though as Maldito’s would certainly sure have been triple the enjoyable if Cilishti’s boisterous laugh loaded it halls. However 2 or 3 hours, it was time to head back to the cottage again as the wind was virtually intolerably very cold despite having all the alcohol and also the bliss.
On the means home, we fulfilled Cilishti at Sunsplash, a restaurant where she ate late night dinner. We joined her for a couple of minutes as well as some stayed et cetera headed back to the cottage to prepare for the long evening of being insect food once again. Indeed the mosquitoes never ceased to disappoint us. They showed promptly, just when we will drop off, the humming begun along with the continuous slapping of skin and insect. However that evening, Irik and also Windil made a decision to combat versus our dreadful bedmates, they got an entire pack of insect killer as well as some repellant cream. That was when we were able to ultimately rest at tranquility.
Day 3
Early morning came and also it was time to go residence. We ate a leisurely breakfast as well as packed everything up afterwards. A tornado was threatening to blow but still we are headstrong in our decision to go residence and also to resume our much enjoyed office work. Nah … not truly, we were so worried to be stranded at the island with having actually eaten all our supplies and also with extremely little loan left. So we stubbornly made arrangements to go home in spite of the climate.
We got in touch with a local watercraft man and also he educated us that the pump watercraft can not obtain us to Maya as the coastguard would not permit pump boat journeys as a result of the coming close to storm. They stated that they could just take us to Talisay instead, an area a bit far from Maya but we could additionally get a bus from there towards Cebu City. So we agreed, we ran our belongings brought our knapsacks and also proceeded to what I might call the bumpiest and also scariest watercraft flight I have actually ever been to. The waves were hungrily washing at us, while the wind whipped incredulously. We sure rejoiced to have actually lastly reached Talisay active after an hour or more. Thankfully none people were with nausea as it would have finished the exhilaration of that boat trip. Upon getting to Talisay, we then discovered that episode 4 hit.
Episode 4: Never Trust Fund Anyone. We were deceived again. We discovered out that it was simply allowable to take a trip from Malapascua to Maya but the boatmen who suggested the Talisay course simply needed passengers in going to Talisay where an immigrant pair awaits their solution. That was truly underhanded yet we were just so happy to lastly have overcome the large waves so it was a little alright also if a boat flight from Malapascua to Talisay took longer than a boat ride from Malapascua to Maya.
After Talisay, we boarded the bus in the direction of our normal life again.
That 3-day weekend break experience and also episodes in Malapascua sure did heal our boredom of the daily workplace regimen and renewed our passion towards life. It is so amazing exactly how a solitary island trip can bond individuals like all seven people did as well as can be as enjoyable loaded as it was. It is such a marvel how a 3-day relaxation renew your positivism towards everything and gladly claim that when points obtain too rough or as well monotonous, all it takes is just a jump to the bus as well as a 45-minute watercraft flight to really feel so alive, so young therefore restored.
Note: The author decided to change the names of the persons in this write-up to shield their interests. But if you would want to reveal their real names, you can simply transform a few consonants and vowels to make them appear a lot more civilized.