Planning (Zamboanga Trip)

NOTE: I started writing this post weeks days before our actual departure for Zamboanga.

June 30

I am planning for a trip to Mindanao with my friends from the DFA. The last time I did something similar was for my (former) co-teachers in 2007. With my teacher group of four, I was made the default tour planner because I was the most domestically traveled. hehe. The 2007 adventure started in Cebu, continued in Bohol and Dapitan and ended in Zamboanga. It was fun going through the tourist spots with friends, but going to previously visited places did not excite me anymore. I prefer going to new places, but, I tell myself that I was doing it more for them than for me. There was joy in sharing the beauty of the Philippines with others. This time for the DFA peeps, it's just going to be Zamboanga City as our destination, but I am looking forward to this. We are thinking of including Basilan since it's just a one-hour boat ride from Zamboanga. I have  not gone to Basilan, so it's going to be new to me. I don't look forward to it, however. There is the issue of security to think of. I shall wait for the my dad's advice on this.

The idea of having a new set of people joining me in a trip is exciting in itself. I will have to be overly hospitable, which is something, strangely enough,  I do with much effort. But I should do what I must.

August 7

 To get all my travelmates all psyched up for the trip, I sent them an email on August 7, 2012.

Dear friends,

I look forward to traveling with you to Zamboanga and Basilan and touring around the city which I have the pleasure of calling mi ciudad . It’s my honor to have a group of fine ladies and gents in my hometown. Speaking of my home, which will be your home for three days unless you decide to take a hotel or motel (as the case of Alan) instead, I also look forward to hosting you there. It’s a middle class home, so don’t expect a mansion. Hehe. I don’t worry much that you’d be overly picky since I think most, if not all, are ‘cowboy’ as we say it in Philippine English.  I trust that rich kid Jason will be just as  happy as a kid with a balloon. Hehe.

For our security, I suggest we don’t post anything announcing our trip on Facebook  or other social networking sites;  we’ll never know how a simple info might be put to our disadvantage. We could post pictures after we have arrived safely in Manila, however. To be truly safe in any travel, we must be cautious and listen to advisories. I usually listen to my father, he was a former intelligence guy with the Marines. If we don’t hear anything on our Basilan trip, I would surmise it’s a go; otherwise, let’s make do with the city. We have to ensure everyone’s safety. Ok lang ba ‘yon? 

On Thursday, I’ll be sending out an itinerary for your comments. I shall try to include everyone’s interests. Timmy would want to do some food tripping and touring, while Alan would like to acquire some indigenous textiles. Jason would want a biking trip (Jason, parang wala ata ganon pero will think of something). I reckon Andrei would be happy with a good coffee (May 3-in-1 sa bahay. Our coffee maker is broken. We could go to coffee shops pero walang Starbucks or anything similar doon). Candy is just happy to be in Mindanao. Period. Hehe.

In going around, we will be taking public transport most of the time. Note that there are no cabs in the city. Our beat-up aircon-less car is a sedan.  So if we ride in it, two small-bodied individuals take the passenger seat, and that leaves the bigger-bodied people like me to the backseat. Yes, Timmy, backseat tayo. You, too, Jason. Hehe.

There, feel free to ask anything.

I am really looking forward to having you there.

Warm regards,

After August 7

Two Thursdays came, and I was busy; thus, I was not able to send a proposed itinerary. I got home Thursday evening, August 16 and was met by news reports of a twin bombing incident in Zamboanga City. My initial concern was, "Will they still push through?"

The next day, I sent out our itinerary still.

August 17

ZAM-BAS ESCAPADE!!!

ITINERARY

19 AUGUST 2012 SUNDAY

0330       CHECK IN AT AIRPORT TERMINAL 3

0415       DEPART MANILA

0555       ARRIVE IN ZAMBOANGA

0630       BREAKFAST AT HOST’S RESIDENCE

0700       REST

1100       LUNCH

1200       TRANSIT TO PORT

1245       DEPART ZAMBOANGA FOR BASILAN

1330       ARRIVE IN BASILAN

       ISABELA CITY TOUR – Cost of Basilan Tour is approximately PhP 500/PAX            inclusive of fare, terminal fees, light snacks and security adventure

1645       DEPART BASILAN FOR ZAMBOANGA

1800       ARRIVE IN ZAMBOANGA

            1900       DINNER AT PASEO DEL MAR

                                Cost of Dinner is approximately PhP 120/ pax.

            2030       RETURN TO BASE

20 AUGUST 2012 MONDAY

                0600       BREAKFAST

                0700       TRANSIT TO PIER FOR STA CRUZ ISLAND

                0730       DEPART FOR STA CRUZ ISLAND

                0800       ARRIVE AT STA CRUZ ISLAND

                1130       DEPART FOR ZAMBOANGA MAINLAND

                1200       ARRIVE AT ZAMBOANGA MAINLAND

                1230       LUNCH * ( DOWNTOWN )

              1400       TRANSIT TO SINUNUC – YAKAN WEAVING VILLAGE AND BRASS CRAFTS CENTER

                1430       YAKAN WEAVING VILLAGE AND BRASS CRAFTS CENTER

                1600       TRANSIT TO LA VISTA DEL MAR

                1700       EARLY DINNER AT LA VISTA

                2000       BACK TO BASE

* IF MY PARENTAL UNITS CAN GET US TO AN EIDL FITR CELEBRATION, WE SHALL HAVE LUNCH THERE.

21 AUGUST 2012 TUESDAY

                0730       BREAKFAST

                0830       TRANSIT TO PASONANCA PARK

                0900       PASONANCA PARK

                                Outdoor Activity. Come in comfortable clothes and footwear.

                1130       TRANSIT TO LUNCH VENUE

                1200       LUNCH

                1300       LAST MINUTE SHOPPING AT BARTER CENTER

                1400       BACK TO BASE

                1630       TRANSIT TO AIRPORT

                1700       CHECK-IN AT ZAMBOANGA AIRPORT

                1850       DEPART ZAMBOANGA

                2030       ARRIVE IN MANILA

The response I got from my travelmates is still positive. No bomb explosions or security issues would stop us from going. We are all set to go.

Travel mates

A cliche: "It's not about the destination; it's how you get there."

No. It is still about the destination. hehe.

But the getting there part could be just as memorable as the destination especially if you have good company travelling or commuting with you. Just what makes a good company? I can't seem to answer this as I, myself, do not think I am a good travel companion; however, my being a 'not good' travel mate highlights the goodness in others. No travel story is ever good without conflicts; same goes for stories! Travelling in groups especially a group trip that is well planned shouldn't go wrong UNLESS you have companions who can't seem to jell well with the group. These people should be last seen at the terminals or detained at the immigration! hehe. I am lucky, though, that the people I travel with know how to adapt and are sensitive to others. Travelling in small number is always preferred; the group's manageability should always be considered.

Since I cannot talk about my experiences as a good companion, I shall base my list on my observations done on whom I call good travel mates.

1. They smell good most of the time. It is quite acceptable to sense a slight change in odor towards the latter part of the day.

2. They are game!

3. They aren't bossy. Inang demokrasya should prevail!

4. They are sensitive and adaptive.

5. They are physically fit for long walks and running.

6. They have their own money!

7. They are literates. Map-reading 101 grade should be at least B+.

8. They are attentive.

9. Their stomach clocks are synchronized with others.

10. They are never late.

This list may still be improved or increased. My commute and travel have mostly been done alone. If and when I get to travel in groups more often, I would probably know more, and eventually take on their good traits to become a better travel companion.

Now, who wants to take me to the moon?

Viajero

Now, this blog post can also cater to the rich! I am talking about planes, after riding planes! If you are among the ultra rich who have their own planes, go to forbes.com or something else. hehe

I recently took a trip to Malaysia. I won't be talking about commuting in Malaysia, which is, by the way, a whole lot more convenient than in our sweet Manila; instead I want to talk about the trip from our airport.

 A KL street

Going home, after being away for some time, is something to look forward to. I could never get tired of looking out of the plane to see Manila's 'smoggy' yet welcoming skyline. The adage 'no place like home' has never been more true to a person whose identity was stamped as 'tourist from the third world' for a brief time. But this label I am proud of! I was a tourist; I contributed to my host country's economy, and it was not just a cheap contribution if I may add. It was hard-earned money. My tourist money made me see their country's beautiful spots which happened to be just about every nook and cranny of Kuala Lumpur. This got me thinking about Pinas. When we landed at Ninoy Aquino International Airport, I looked around hoping to be impressed by what I would see. I wanted to see beauty, and I managed to see some. The Filipino in me wanted that the same impression I got from KL should also be what foreign tourists would feel when they visit our country. The airport, though not as modern, was clean and cold;  the airport's security and information personnel were helpful. Good enough I said.

In KL

Out of the airport and into Manila, I conditioned my mind into thinking like a tourist. My question was, "If I were a tourist who was on a first-time visit to Manila, what impression would the city streets give me?" The route I took led me home in Paranaque. The answer to my own question was sad. The streets reflected what we are as a country. Along the way, there were efforts to conceal eyesores using billboards and superficial painting. Would my impression change had my house been in Makati or in Quezon City? I don't think so. I feel bad for my country. But when I heard the jeepney horns and laughter and saw ladies with plastic bags running across the streets, I was quickly reminded of the charm my country had over the others. Despite our poverty, we are able to laugh boisterously at just about anything; our dinners are filled with laughter and stories; beautiful men and women populate the streets; our freedom is not restricted. When I think about these, I feel glad I am home although I cannot completely stop myself from hoping....

Where to now?

Destination. Where? Getting there might be one problem; going where is a more difficult problem. What is there beyond the picture?

There is a time in your life when you start asking where you want to go. Sure you have ideas, but everything is always clouded with mixed thoughts. We think positively but we cannot discount other possibilities. Which way? How do we get there?

A trip to town, to market, to school, to mall - all these are defined destinations. Do we make one for our life?