Another journey I will never forget. Another day of discovering places around and rediscovering what's inside of me. I went to the island Guimaras via Pulupandan last week. It took me 30-40 minutes to travel from Bacolod City going to Pulupandan wharf. For only Php 75, you can already take a ride on a pump boat with a larger passenger capacity from Pulupandan to Guimaras. There are only two trips available from there to the island, 8:00 AM and 12 noon respectively. It was past 7 AM when I arrived there. I was waiting for a friend hoping we could be on the same trip together. But 7:30 AM, the passengers are all waiting and all the tickets were sold out. "Wala pa gani 8 malakat na?", well, I guess it was Saturday and a lot of people are going home for their weekend vacation. Some were natives of the island who travel everyday for business and personal transactions. My friend missed the trip and I was on the boat texting that he could get the 12 noon trip. The boat took off the station past 7:30 AM not the usual 8 o'clock trip.
With the fresh sea breeze, you'll feel the start of your journey going to the island and as the engine starts, you'll be smiling when you see the travelers around you getting ready for the trip. Oh, I forgot one thing, I should wear a lifejacket for safety. I was one of the last passengers who went up to the boat and everyone is wearing their lifejackets as they went up to the boat. I could not find one in the station earlier and I started looking if there is an available one. Jackpot, I got one! But I could not even use it. Guess why? the lifejacket is not functioning. I grabbed it proudly and went up to the boat. As I find a good place to sit on, I saw their lifejackets all over the place, not almost all of the passengers are wearing them. I also dropped mine since I could not use it anymore and a lady told me "Pwede mo na da bilin lifejacket mo, nacheck naman na sang Coast Guard". I sat in the middle part of the boat near the edge where passengers used to passed along going to their seats.
Everything started well as we depart from the Pulupandan wharf. Enjoying the island views and the blue ocean would take your breath away. Normally it would take 45 minutes to an hour to travel going to the island depending on the weather and sea condition. 15 minutes passed by and we were almost in the half part of the sea and I said "Hay, salamat, lapit nalang!". But the boat started to slow down trying to defend the roughness of the sea.
Oh, wow! Sea water is splashing over my face and tasting the salty water in my mouth reminded me that I'm not there yet. I wanted to tell myself that everything will be fine but your senses would really hit you and tell you something's going to happen! I kept calm by holding back on my seat with my face looking fine as if everything is okay. I felt comfort when I heard a lady said "Okay na ni gani kaysa sang last". On my mind I replied "Really?". I guess it was just normal for her to comment on what's happening maybe to make everybody feel calm. It was a nerve racking experience. Others slept while some were awake trying to overcome sea sickness and some didn't feel well. I guess I don't have to elaborate when I say "...some didn't feel well" , wouldn't you think?
On the way to the island will give you a view of Inampulangan, Nalunga, and Nadulao Islands. Overseeing the islets decrements your stress and fears. It took us more than a hour to reach the wharf located in Cabano, San Lorenzo, Guimaras. Unlike any common wharfs, you have to hold on to a bamboo pole held at both ends by the boat crew and step your way out through a narrow path going to the sea shore.
Different transportation means going to other parts of the island are waiting at the Cabano station. Jeepney is one common options you can choose from. Fares vary depending on your personal transactions.
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