Philippine Travel Notes

We ended with this pic in our previous story , right? The Floating Swimming Pool of Brgy. Cagutsan. Like us when we arrived, you may now be asking where's the "swimming pool" and how does it "float"? Well, I was not at all joking when I said THAT is the "floating swimming pool", marked by the two rows of bamboo rafts that act as the two ends of the 'pool'. The distance between them is the pool's length. Can you see it now? I mean, can you imagine it now? I know I know.., like I first did, you may now also be thinking "what kind of idiotic gimmick is this"? But when I learned of the real story behind this "floating swimming pool", I felt lumps in my throat, and as if someone or something was wringing my chest ever so tightly, it sent chills to my arms and spine... Let me first show you "the swimming pool", as I stood at one of its ends (one of the bamboo rafts).., As barangay officials (and some kids...

To continue from my previous post , I was on the way to Sierra Islands - just to island-hop, plus to see and swim in what they call a "floating swimming pool"! Do you know what it is? We'll see, just read on! The ride from Catbalogan Port was already full of wonderful sights. You know where 'Sierra' is? Here: Those in the red circle are the "Sierra Island Group" or " Sierra Islands ". But locals just say "Sierra"! It is comprised of a number of barangays belonging to Catbalogan City. Blue arrow was our boat's route to Brgy. Cagutsan which takes almost two hours (110 minutes)! Panoramic calm waters -in the morning! Going to any of the islands for business or leisure would usually require chartering a boat (pakyaw). Why is that? Ah, commuter boats cater to islanders' schedules, as there is no regular touristic activity on the islands yet, i.e., boats leave the islands in the morning and return to the islands early afternoon...

I have been to Catbalogan many times since I was a kid, though seldom do I get to their seaport. I am guessing, the last time I saw it (Pier 1) was back in 2014 , when I (starvingly) got off a boat from Cebu! But this morning I had an accidental opportune time to have a bit of a closer look at the surroundings of the port's two piers called Pier Uno and Pier Dos. I didn't go there to specifically see the port. I was just 'passing by' to board a boat (which was late) on my way to the Sierra Islands. That is why I said it was "accidental", since waiting for the boat led me to see/experience things around! So, I'm thankful! 7:22AM, from Del Rosario St., we entered the always-busy Curry Ave., that leads straight to Pier Uno! I was happy I wasn't late for the agreed 8AM departure of the little boat going to Sierra Islands, even if we still had to find that 'place' where we could park our cars 'safe and secure' while out on the islands! ...