The Do Over

Chapter 2

        It’s ten in the morning and the sun shines hot. After they finished their breakfast, we head out to the shore and looked for Manong Bert. Manong Bert was the owner of the boat that we rode last year for island hopping. He’s so kind, and funny, and he always make us laugh, plus he really knows the place so well. He always had this trivia behind every island that we went. That’s why we told him that if we come back next year, we will ride in his boat once again. And we did! He said that if we come back again, we just looked for him at the shore in front of the beach access path which is located along the hotel that we checked in.

        As we walk alongside of the beach, I saw Manong Bert’s boat resting at the coastline. I remembered the name that is written on his boat, it was Linda. He said his wife’s named Linda, and she passed away two years ago before we first ride in his boat. He told us that he needs to work so hard for his three children and all he wants was to give them a better life. We were so touched by his story, that’s why after the island hopping, I kind of gave him some extra money but he refused to take it. He’s such a wonderful father!

        

        I pointed out my finger at the boat, “Looked, ‘di ba ke Manong Bert ‘yun bangka?” We saw Manong Bert sleeping at a chair. I think he is waiting for a passenger and fell asleep.

        “Manong Bert! Manong Bert!” I called but he doesn’t seem to wake up. “MANONG BERT!” I screamed.

        And he jolt, “Ohh? Ayy may pasahero pala. Sasakay kayo mga ineng?”

        “Manong Bert ‘di niyo po ba kami natatandaan? Kami po ‘yung naging pasahero niyo last year,” I explained.

        He furrowed his eyebrows like he’s recalling something, “Ayy oo natatandaan ko na. Kayo ‘yung mga magaganda kong pasahero na tiga-Maynila,” he jest to us.

      “Si Manong talaga, nambola pa,” Bry grinned at him. “May dala po kaming mga bagong pasahero Manong, nadagdagan po kami,” Chloe utter.

        “Tara sakay na kayo mga iha’t iho,” he said while helping us getting up to his boat.

        And when we finally get in the boat, we took off and sailed the beautiful island of Boracay. It’s a three hour island hopping. Our first stop was the Crystal Cove, it was a private island consist of 2.5 hectare based on Manong Bert’s trivia. There’s a two coves in it where you can swim or snorkel or just walk around the 2 hectare island if you dare to. We went down to see the first cove, and it was a rocky down hole via a steep staircase. It was a high tide though, so we didn’t get to walk out of the cove, but the water was really clear. After that, we headed to the second cove. We walk for a little bit to get to the other side of the island. The second cove was bigger than the other one and it had to be accessed from the water. We only took a lot of pictures, groupies and selfies. Talk about cam whore-ing. Haha.

        An hour passed, we went sailing again. We passed at this Crocodile Island where from afar it really looks like a crocodile. Manong Bert said that it’s the best diving site in the island but the current here can sometimes be strong. He also said that he will take us near the Crocodile Island later for some snorkeling time after we grab out for some lunch, and off we went to Picnic Haven just across the Crystal Cove to have our lunch because we were so famished.

        After eating, we took off and go snorkeling near the Crocodile Island. We immediately jumped out off the boat and swim. ‘Medyo excited.’ We feed the fishes with our bare hands and it was coolest thing ever. And as you dive into the water, you’ll see the reefs dancing through the waves and it has lots and lots of fish in different sizes, colors and shape. You know, sometimes we have to appreciate the beauty of our world. It’s really amazing!