Went to Bantayan Island in the Northern part of Cebu last weekend alone. Until something amazing happened.
I travel alot. I would normally travel alone and just meet up with friends in the area. But this time. I decided to really be alone. The entire trip. Something I havent done.
Just thinking about the experience makes me want to burst out in tears. God is so amazing. The feeling is priceless. I feel very blessed despite of everything im going through right now. I feel that when you are in a place of solitude, you can then realize that there are thousand other things to really be thankful for.
Started my trip with a good 4 hours trip from Cebu City to Hagnaya Port.
A/C bus is only for 160php.
I was able to sit beside this good fellow. Probably in his 30's who just arrived from Manila and visiting his wife and 4 month old baby in the town of Hagnaya. He met his wife in Bantayan while he was doing apprentice ship in one of the shipping lines few years ago. He was amazed that Im all by myself.
Arrived around past 1pm in Hagnaya Port and it took another good hour of boat ride to the beautiful island of Bantayan.
I started to use my monopod and started taking pictures of myself. Well. The struggle is real when traveling alone. You just cant get a good picture everytime. Haha. On the way there. Played my song for the weekend - Love me like you do by ellie goulding. Took pictures and updated my twitter, iG, swarmp.
The only thing i did prior to going to the island was to make a resort reservation at Anika Beach Resort. The newest in the island. And i was very very impressed by their service and everything in between. Was picked up by the resort service upon arriving in Sta Fe Pier and headed straight to the resort for check in.
Reality started to kick in as I waited for one group of 3 people who were also booked in the same resort. After they arrived. We headed to the resort which isnt that far. About 5mins from the port.
Immediately, right after check in. I decided to go by the beach and took some photos. Called some friends and shared my first few hours of experience so far. The place is a paradise. Not a lot of people like in Boracay or even Bohol and Palawan. It was very peaceful.
While I was at the beach. I started to check my @zach_poz twitter account.
And ive noticed something intersting. One of my twitter friend/follower - Geno (non poz) (doctor) was in island as well. So i checked his twitter feed and stalked his iG. And to my surprise. We were both in the same boat, picked up by the same van, and checked in the same resort. What are the odds? We were just talking in twitter a few days ago about volleyball and now we were in the same island.
I didnt really recognize him while i was waiting for him along with his two other friends (partners) in the port before heading to the resort.
So i messaged him and told him im the loner guy they were with in the van earlier.
It was very unexpected.
As i walked along the beach. I was amazed by how the locals live. It was very laid back. It was very simple. Nothing more. Nothing less. But i can say they are happy. Kids started to wave at me from a far as I continue to walk in the sea shore.
The room I got was just a small one. 1,500php. But it was very worth it. With all the basic amenities. Clean bath, shower and very very comfy pillow.
The rooms are actually made of container cargo trucks. It was amazing.
And its only a few steps away from the beach.
While having dinner. I guess people from the resort would usually see couples or group of friends staying there thats why they would usually be amazed that Im just alone traveling. Had a good dinner. Prices were okay. Not bad. And they have big servings. Something that made me and my tummy very happy.
After dinner. I took a pedicab and went to Sta Fe Market. Where the pubs and other restos are located. Tried this itallian pasta in Cafe Del Mare. And had a few shots and went back to the resort around past 9:30.
Not really getting used to sleeping that early and the silence is very deafing.
Geno and I finally met around past 10pm while I was in the beach listening to the waves. Had a few conversation about how weird it is to finally see eachother while not really planning for it. After a few chitchats. We called it a night.
The morning after was just amazing. Had a good and heavy breakfast as always. Since im really a breakfast person. And started to ask myself what to do and where to go the entire trip.
Geno and his two couple friends were so nice that they even invited me over for island hopping to Virgin Island.
Something that I really want but since Im alone. I put and "X" to it in my things to since coz itll cost me more $$$ going there alone.
There was a lot of hesitation if ill go with them or not. #1. I dont really know his friends. #2. I just met him last night. #3 im not good with meeting new people. Im not very sociable after being diagnosed. I just somehow lost all the self confidence right after. #4,5,6. The reasons are endless.
But I decided to tag along. Virgin Island is just so hard to say NO to. Again. I dont know what to expect.
But things went okay. They were all so nice. Very friendly.
I really went out of my way in dealing with things i havent done in a long time. And it all started by deciding to go with a bunch of strangers. Something that I havent really done.
Played beach volleyball. Went snorkling. Went swimming. Stayed and jumped from here :
And i ended up having this:
But everything that day was all worth it. No regrets.
God is just amazing how He would just show and introduce you to people that would make your trip worth while. His timing was very perfect. Everything just fell into place. I went to the island alone not knowing what to expect. And returned home very blessed and fullfilled.
Im amazed how God uses people to give you life lessons you will forever be thankful for.
"Life starts at the end of your comfort zone" a quote from one of Geno's friends.
Now, looking back to the place where I was after being so miserable living a life with HiV. I would not have experienced all these If i chose to end my life during those wicked days of my life. I would not have realized that life is indeed more than sickness and problems. That life is beautiful, amazing, full of surprises. That no matter how bad your situation is now, it will soon pass. It will soon come to an end.
As I write about this experience. I cant help but cry. Ive cried since earlier while leaving the island. I cry not because im sad. But because im very overwhelmd by so many things right now.
Thank you Lord. For letting me live and experience life like I have never experienced before.
My battle with HIV is not over. But at least now i know that I can surpass everything. I know that Ive come a long way. Stronger than ever. Im a changed person. I learned to finally live by the time life itself placed a deadline in me.
Im inspired by E and M. Geno's friends. They look very good together. I may not find that kind of relationship. But at least Im very much thankful that other people did. And for that im very grateful. Its a different feeling being happy for other people than being happy for yourself.
I'll continue to breathe again. I'll strive to learn everyday and continue to be amazed by God's wonderful creation.
Thank You! More solo travels coming right up.
- Z
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