QuaranDestined

ONE

I filled my lungs with the cool, fresh air upon stepping out of the plane. I looked around and smiled to myself. I have just arrived here in Basco Airport but the place is already bragging to me its beauty. There are lush greens everywhere, and Mt. Iraya is standing mighty on one side as cotton candy-like clouds droop over its top.

Nandito na ako. Sa lugar na dati nakikita ko lang sa mga vlogs at pinapangarap ko lang na mapuntahan. At last, I was able to set foot here in the province of Batanes.

I took more pictures with my single-lens reflex or SLR camera before I went to the registration area where I have to pay tourism fees and other stuff.

Paglabas ko ng airport ay lumapit ako sa pinaka-unang tricycle driver na nakita ko. "Magandang umaga po. Sa port po sana ako papuntang Itbayat."

The trike driver stared at me for quite a few moments. Maybe he's wondering if I am really sure, since I am alone and the place is far.

"Ma'am, may guide na po ba kayo doon?" nag-aalala niyang tanong.

I nodded. "I contacted him bago pa po ako pumunta dito."

He smiled as if he was relieved. "Mabuti naman po at may nakausap na pala kayo. Ang pagkakaalam ko po kasi ay dalawa lang ang tour guide doon."

Napangiti rin ako kasi ramdam ko naman na genuine 'yong concern sa akin ni kuya. Tinulungan niya akong ilagay sa loob ng tricycle ang hawak kong travelling bag. I'm also carrying an ocean pack bag on my back. Hindi ko na 'yon inalis sa pagkakasukbit sa mga balikat ko at pumasok na ako sa loob ng tricycle.

Hindi naman din pala kalayuan mula sa airport ang port papunta sa Itbayat - the last inhabited island in the northernmost part of the Philippines.

While waiting for my turn to ride the boat, I messaged Kuya Mike, the guide who will tour me around Itbayat. I gave him a heads up that I'm already here in Basco. Though, to reach Itbayat, I need to endure three to four long hours of sea travel from here.

Magandang umaga po sa inyo mam. Itatanong ko po sana kung ayos lang po ba sa inyo na may kasama sa tour at paghahatian niyo na lang po ang babayaran. Pasensiya na po masama po kasi ang pakiramdam ng kasama ko kaya ipinakisuyo sa akin ang guest niya.

Mahabang text message 'yon sa akin ni Kuya Mike. At may kasunod pa 'yon.

Kung hindi po kayo komportable mam ay ililipat na lang po namin sa ibang araw ang tour ng isa pang guest.

Napa-isip ako. I think, okay lang naman na may kasama rin ako sa tour. First, of course, I'm gonna save up some money since we will be sharing the expenses. Second, ay may makakasama ako at makakausap the entire journey. Who knows, maybe I could gain a new friend here.

I messaged Kuya Mike that it's okay with me. I also asked him if he already informed the other guest about the shared tour, to which he replied, alam na po ni ser at ayos lang din po sa kanya mam.

Ser. Sir. So lalaki pala itong makakasama ko.

I stood up when I saw the boat is starting to board passengers. Hanggang sa makasakay na ang lahat at nagsimula nang umandar ang bangka - which the locals call falowa.

At first, waters were just calm and I'm even taking pictures of random things and the surroundings from my seat. But as we are going farther from the port, waves started to rock the boat. Itinago ko na sa loob ng dry bag ko ang SLR dahil medyo pumapasok na rin sa loob ng bangka ang malakas na tilamsik ng tubig mula sa mga alon.

The waves grew bigger and wilder as we cross the sea. I tried looking outside to see how it looks like. OMG. My heart pounded hard! Parang lalamunin na pala 'yong falowa sa sobrang taas ng mga alon! Parang mas mataas pa nga sa mismong bangka na sinasakyan namin.