Day 1
Well, it’s 11:51 in the evening of October 27 on board Super Ferry 9 bound for Iloilo. Got me a stateroom for the missus, Tim, Justine, and Colleen. They’re asleep now---happily I should say---given the aircon, tv, and a solo bathroom at their convenience! Unfortunately, leaving the others behind is giving me pangs of loneliness…okay, okay---guilt! Specially after I heard that Carl was crying after the send off entourage was on their way home. If Chesca was very vocal about her protest regarding her being left behind and Ringo’s unemotional aplomb, Carl was deadpan and detached about the whole situation---so we thought! Anyway, Chesca and Carl were supposed to be part of the trip. Unfortunately, I got late in booking for a six bed cabin. Why not economy or tourist? The fare is cheaper, yes, but you’ve got no privacy at all! Not to mention a common bath and a negligible air-conditioning system! Besides, it’s a 21 hour boat ride so might as well travel with some style!
Well, it’s 11:51 in the evening of October 27 on board Super Ferry 9 bound for Iloilo. Got me a stateroom for the missus, Tim, Justine, and Colleen. They’re asleep now---happily I should say---given the aircon, tv, and a solo bathroom at their convenience! Unfortunately, leaving the others behind is giving me pangs of loneliness…okay, okay---guilt! Specially after I heard that Carl was crying after the send off entourage was on their way home. If Chesca was very vocal about her protest regarding her being left behind and Ringo’s unemotional aplomb, Carl was deadpan and detached about the whole situation---so we thought! Anyway, Chesca and Carl were supposed to be part of the trip. Unfortunately, I got late in booking for a six bed cabin. Why not economy or tourist? The fare is cheaper, yes, but you’ve got no privacy at all! Not to mention a common bath and a negligible air-conditioning system! Besides, it’s a 21 hour boat ride so might as well travel with some style!
Day 2
Aside from the above mentioned perks of going stateroom are the “no line” meal and the reserved table. Looking at the long queue at the economy and tourist I do believe I made the right choice. Sad thing is---the food sucks!
I had the chance to roam around the facilities. According to Jasmine the Front Desk, the best Super Ferry boats are 15, 16, and 17. So far, the best SF boat I got to board on was #12. The presence of escalators says that it is a big boat! It is unfortunate that there isn’t a new boat travelling the Iloilo route, so, we ended up with #9. You can tell that it’s old just by looking at it! Not much to entertain your self in except for the karaoke bar in the dining area and the over priced convenience store!
The prerequisite for the room is a private bath, so it’s either cabin or stateroom. When I took the rounds of the place, I stopped by the common bathroom and though it may not look too shabby, the smell was something else! Another justification for the rooming I chose!
We arrived at the port of Iloilo at 7:35pm. Since disembarking was not favorable with two kids in tow plus a laptop, a big suitcase, and a trolley bag, I decided to get a porter to do the heavy lifting @ Php 200. I was not in the bargaining mood and settled with the guy mainly because of his gently manners. The van fare was hefty at Php 150 considering that the meter only got to Php 55 from port to the Century 21 Hotel. Anyway, it was a nice cool van and Ceasar was a smooth driver. I eventually decided to hire him again for our trip to Dingle tomorrow.
After cajoling Tim to get in the elevator---boy, he really broke the silence of the hotel with his tantrum---we finally got to settle in. SM Delgado was just around the corner and I did some last minute addition to our travelling provisions.
Tomorrow afternoon we will be setting off for San Matias, Dingle.
Day 3
Brrrr! Was the aircon COLD! Woke up with my throat parched!
Jhoy and Justine was already awake by 7:15am. After a Jollibee breakfast, a fast drop by at SM Delgado to replenish supplies (normally consisting of water, diaper and a whole lot of junk food), and ordering room service for lunch, we set off for Dingle.
We arrived at San Matias around 1:30pm and was met by Lola Ayak, Auntie Judith, and Auntie Ne-ing all of whom gave us a tearful welcome accompanied by a litany of Visayan I could not understand.
We were suppose to go to the cemetery late in the afternoon but it rained and we decided to there tomorrow instead.
The highlight of the afternoon was Tim getting attached to a chicken! Tim has been fond of chickens for so long it was a real treat for him to actually hold one. Good thing about this chicken is that she doesn’t care how many times Tim grabs to pick her up---she just lets it be without pecking back! My worry is if Tim decides to take the chicken home with us!
Also with us during this time were Noynoy and his children Kayla and Francis, Jurome, and Kuya Roming.
Aside from the above mentioned perks of going stateroom are the “no line” meal and the reserved table. Looking at the long queue at the economy and tourist I do believe I made the right choice. Sad thing is---the food sucks!
I had the chance to roam around the facilities. According to Jasmine the Front Desk, the best Super Ferry boats are 15, 16, and 17. So far, the best SF boat I got to board on was #12. The presence of escalators says that it is a big boat! It is unfortunate that there isn’t a new boat travelling the Iloilo route, so, we ended up with #9. You can tell that it’s old just by looking at it! Not much to entertain your self in except for the karaoke bar in the dining area and the over priced convenience store!
The prerequisite for the room is a private bath, so it’s either cabin or stateroom. When I took the rounds of the place, I stopped by the common bathroom and though it may not look too shabby, the smell was something else! Another justification for the rooming I chose!
We arrived at the port of Iloilo at 7:35pm. Since disembarking was not favorable with two kids in tow plus a laptop, a big suitcase, and a trolley bag, I decided to get a porter to do the heavy lifting @ Php 200. I was not in the bargaining mood and settled with the guy mainly because of his gently manners. The van fare was hefty at Php 150 considering that the meter only got to Php 55 from port to the Century 21 Hotel. Anyway, it was a nice cool van and Ceasar was a smooth driver. I eventually decided to hire him again for our trip to Dingle tomorrow.
After cajoling Tim to get in the elevator---boy, he really broke the silence of the hotel with his tantrum---we finally got to settle in. SM Delgado was just around the corner and I did some last minute addition to our travelling provisions.
Tomorrow afternoon we will be setting off for San Matias, Dingle.
Day 3
Brrrr! Was the aircon COLD! Woke up with my throat parched!
Jhoy and Justine was already awake by 7:15am. After a Jollibee breakfast, a fast drop by at SM Delgado to replenish supplies (normally consisting of water, diaper and a whole lot of junk food), and ordering room service for lunch, we set off for Dingle.
We arrived at San Matias around 1:30pm and was met by Lola Ayak, Auntie Judith, and Auntie Ne-ing all of whom gave us a tearful welcome accompanied by a litany of Visayan I could not understand.
We were suppose to go to the cemetery late in the afternoon but it rained and we decided to there tomorrow instead.
The highlight of the afternoon was Tim getting attached to a chicken! Tim has been fond of chickens for so long it was a real treat for him to actually hold one. Good thing about this chicken is that she doesn’t care how many times Tim grabs to pick her up---she just lets it be without pecking back! My worry is if Tim decides to take the chicken home with us!
Also with us during this time were Noynoy and his children Kayla and Francis, Jurome, and Kuya Roming.
Day 4 and 5 to be continued tomorrow...
