Well, there are the usual busloads even planeloads of Chinese tourists, but they seem not to be too keen on these boat tours. They're busier on 'table tours' - hopping from table to table at the casinos, so let's leave them at that hehe!
With this tour, you will also be offered a dizzying number of options, combining either of 4 to 6 destinations. These are (the usual) places to see: Crocodile Island, Punta Verde, Cape Engaño Light House and Anguib Beach (others like waterfalls or caves can be hiked from a boat destination).
In addition, you can also choose your take-off point: whether at your resort (if beach-side like my Country Inn By The Sea), or at the San Vicente Port or wherever else there is a shoreline!
Like anywhere, they do have rules, guidelines and conditions that you must agree to, and you are properly briefed about them. These are the usual pro-environment actions, respect for local customs, traditions and surroundings, etc.
Well, I too had my own conditions, and, it looked like I turned the tables around, they were a bit surprised, when I started my litany hehe. These were:
1. Omit Punta Verde
2. No steep or rope climbing, anywhere
3. I must be back at the resort by 12NN or latest at 1PM
4. I decide when to proceed to next spot OR back to resort OR abort the tour
5. I decide if we should accept any other person to ride with us.
Let me explain why I had those rules cleared with the boatmen and resort staff - since they're the ones who contacted the boat operator for me:
Item 1. I did my quick research last night. Punta Verde is an indigenous community of sorts. For a meaningful interaction, you need time when visiting such communities, to get a real feel of their area, their way of life. So, since this was just a morning run, useless for me seeing the village. I find it disrespectful going to an indigenous community just to take pictures then leave. I need a whole day for this. At least I have something to look forward to, on my next visit.
Item 2. Ah, di ko na kaya yan! "Tanders" na ang iyong Dear Pinoy Traveler haha!
Item 3. This is an important consideration. Me being from the Visayas islands, and having toured many islands, I learned that ocean waves start getting rough and big in the afternoon. I don't know the science there, but it is true. I am a swimmer (varsity pa nga, bench warmer lang), but I do not like being in big rough waves. Hint: In case something bad happens, he who swims well suffers a lot - kasi matagal bago ka mamatay dahil magaling ka lumangoy!
Still on Item 3 above, 12NN to 1PM for me is lunchtime anyway. So, I better be back by then, lest the hypoglycemia kick in again! Anong baon? Eh di you'll have to deal with the above paragraph! No can do! This is the northern edge of the country. Seldom do you hear Mang Tani say "banayad ang karagatan" or "maaaring maglakbay ang maliliit na sasakyang pandagat"!
Item 4 is very important to me. In some of my tours, I have encountered boatmen or drivers who also went to "tour around" on their own with the locals (at one time I even caught one na tumagay pa!), such that, even if I already wanted to go, they won't yet kasi busy pa on their own daldalan or whatever. Good if there is a real licensed tour guide as these things can be avoided.
Still on Item 4, sometimes, especially boatmen say "okay pa yan" or "okay lang yan", even if you think your boat is already being devoured by gargantuan waves! Ah, usually they (would) know better. But, kung ikamamatay or ikahihimatay ko naman ang takot, I should have the final say, right? If I say "uwi na tayo", uwi! Don't wait for me to say "takot ako"!
Item 5 springs from lessons learned during my travels. Some drivers and/or boatmen would agree with you to make a "special trip" or "pakyaw" where you are (usually forced as there is no apparent other choice) to pay for what should have been the entire capacity of the vehicle or craft. Then, because their craft/vehicle is virtually empty, they would have the nerve to call for other passengers or tourists to hop in and pay too - under your nose! This is what I call... "hintayin mong gawin kang tanga ng isang tunay na tanga"! This happens, and so far, only in the Philippines - as far as I am concerned!
Okay, all conditions agreed by both parties, we started moving. Now you might be imagining everything above occurred in an august ceremonial hall with lawyers and judges... hindi ganyan hehehe... everything transpired just at the lobby of my hotel, between me, the 2 boatmen and the front desk staff. Verbally pa hahaha!
Boatmen and hotel staff suggested food but I said "no need, just be sure we are back here for lunch". Da! Well actually, to be honest, in fact, sa totoo lang... I asked hotel staff to pack some breads and chichirya (yes they have), bottles of water, and bottles of coke [all good for the 2 boatmen and I]. Plus, cans of SML (that they even placed inside a styro box) only for me! Asuuu! Only for me daw! Shhh na lang kayo dyan, ano ba naman makatikim ng 1 SML each sila boatmen while waiting for me, right? The boat won't veer to Batanes or Taiwan because of that! But hush na lang kayo... bawal sa kanila yan!
And lastly, take note: I was the only passenger - which means I hired the boat just for me, myself and I. Mahal, but what can I do, walang kasama eh :(. Oh, on that last sentence, I have a separate story about a certain "Mrs. No"! Abangan.
So, all set, let's go to my Sta. Ana Boat tour Experience!
(in my next stories... I mean, hehe!)
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41 42 43 44 Forty four stories just 4U!
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