Me: Malayo ba dito yung Sta. Monica church? Yung may malaking bell? (Is Sta. Monica church far from here? The one with the big bell?)*
Tricycle driver: Malayo din ma’am, sa Panay na po yun. (It’s far, it’s already in Panay.)
There I was, riding a tricycle going to the public market in Roxas to find some delicacies that I can eat for breakfast. I found in some blogs that I should try baye-baye when I’m in Roxas. It’s like a pinipinig delicacy. You see, this trip is all sorts of excitement and being scared. Scared of what lies ahead and scared of not knowing anyone along the way. But that’s the very core and very reason why we travel alone at least once. To see how far can we make it, and have all sorts of misadventures that’s one for the books.
I booked this flight last April 2016. Piso Fair! **Actually, I didn’t know where to go back then. It just sounds like Iloilo is a good place for solo travellers, and for first time solo travellers. So I booked it.. roughly P650 roundtrip (around $13). I was ecstatic that time because finally I can try solo travelling! Yay! But turns out this trip almost didn’t push through because of some external forces we can’t really control. But in the end, all’s well that ends well. Let me share with you why..
Searching in the internet, I found that Isla de Gigantes is accessible via Iloilo and Roxas City. I decided right then and there that that’s the place I want to visit! But months before, I found out it’s not possible because my flight to Iloilo is around 1PM and the boat that leaves in the port for Isla de Gigantes is at 2PM. Schedule can’t really permit it. I can still continue to explore Iloilo city but we just went there last January (just in time for Dinagyang). And 3 days in Iloilo alone? I don’t think it’s a good idea. So instead of thinking of other stuff to do, I decided that I’ll just miss my flight because first, it only costs P650 - no harm in missing it. Second, I’ll just use my vacation leave credits for much anticipated vacations and travels.
But while I was on the edge of giving up, Cebu Pacific miraculously sent a schedule change email which entitles me to rebook** my flight on my preferred date, and on nearby ariports for free! Like spell lucky!!! The stars aligned and just like that, I was able to rebook my flight on my most convenient time. I decided that I’ll rebook my Iloilo flight to Roxas City because I read that Roxas city is nearer in Bancal port in Carles Iloilo instead of the Iloilo proper. Going back to Manila, I still took the Iloilo airport. From there, I can explore both cities and Isla de Gigantes.
March just got busy because I was also trying to draft an itinerary for some upcoming travels. I already got a tour package on my Isla de Gigantes tour. Everything was all set! Got my swimsuit ready. The only thing missing is a tripod because I am travelling solo and therefore, it’s a hassle to always ask people to take my pictures. (LOL! blogger probs)
As I was about to buy some stuff for the upcoming and most awaited first solo travel ever, I woke up on a Sunday and found out that I have mumps!!** Like where the hell did I get it? I know that I have the strongest immune system so I was really shocked and kept praying that it will not last long enough to overlap with my travel.
My face got bigger and bigger almost everyday. I am already losing hope. I’m pretty much sure that even if I decided to go, the cabin crews might not let me go inside the aircraft because mumps is highly contagious. But me being persistent, I still packed my stuff and got ready for the flight. Like nothing’s ever gonna stop me from this travel. Packed my meds, all the beach essentials, and on the day of my flight.. surprisingly, my face started to go back to normal! Though it’s still swelling, at least it wasn’t that scary big. I read that the first 5 days of swelling is the most contagious stage.. but I was on my 7th day and the swelling’s starting to tone down.
And there I was.. walking in the airport hallway like nothing is bothering me. Successfully went inside the aircraft. the plane is half full.. and this is my first time to fly with the plane not full. And from there, I started to feel all sorts of feelings again. I know deep within myself that travelling is one thing I will never get tired doing. Whether solo or with other people. I decided that I’ll travel long term at least once in my life. Not now, of course. But probably on my late twenties.
So what I can say? I successfullly landed at Roxas Airport. It was still early in the morning and the clouds are quite dark. Thankfully, it didn’t rain during my stay there. IF you will ask me, this solo travel is an eye opener. I’ve experienced a lot. Sleeping with the locals, touring solo, and I’ve even had the longest scariest night of my life. I would probably draft another blog post for all the things I learned. will I travel solo again? Definitely!~
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