From the Other Side of Malapascua | Travel Chronicles 3

We always see Malapascua Island, better known as Logon by the locals, as a tourist destination. Foreign and local tourists flock the island. But that was before the pandemic. I hope tourists will once again visit Malapascua to help its economy.

More often, the trips we plan ahead don't happen. But we are determined to have some fun in Malapascua. To just chill. We are hiring a van with a driver to take us to Maya Port and wait for us there till we come home from the island. This is just a day trip, so we left early. Must be about four o'clock in the early morning. The only thing that's not sleepy is our dog, Tiger. He is agitated and can't wait to get on the van. With diapers, of course. Can't risk stinking a three-or-four-hour trip. After the excited chatter, everybody wants to get some sleep. It's a smooth, uneventful, sleepy trip to Maya. We wake up for food and rest room just like the big northbound buses.

Inday, my wife, is a local Mayanhon, so she let a couple of relatives know we're passing through on the way to Logon. The sun is on the horizon as we arrive at the Maya Port. We are all surprised by Inday's niece who brings a basket of fresh crabs for us. This is Maya. You immediately feel the hospitality. The sense of family. It is the warmth that tempers the chilly early morning sea breeze.

Sarah Jane and Tiger at the Maya Port. Oh those beached fishing boats look like toys!

Getting into a pump boat that's exclusively hired for our trip is a bit tricky with other pump boats on the dock. We make our way to our pump boat through another pump boat, through makeshift wooden ladders and bamboo poles. Be careful. The water's a bit rough with the wind coming in with the sunrise. Eventually, we are all in our boat and ready to go. Our dog on top of the engine cover, looking ahead like the captain. I swear I see him smile. Tiger never falls asleep the whole trip on the boat.

Isn't that a happy, naughty face?

The boat turns right before we reach Malapascua, cruising about a hundred meters from the shore. We see people starting to swim early. Some are carrying diving equipment from their boat to the shore. They have probably just returned from diving with thresher sharks, which are plenty here in Malapascua.

We circle the island until we are back to the South side, the shores facing mainland Cebu. We've been here before. Then we make a U-turn back to the North shore where there is peace and quiet. The side which is facing Carnaza island to the North and Leyte island to the North East. Here we finally find our beach.

No other boats nearby, and no other people on the beach

Unloading the food we have brought for the trip

Sarah Jane in action

Done unloading and smiling for the camera

Under the shade of a cliff and bushes growing on the rocks above

The sun is getting warmer, and we can't wait to dip in the water. But first we have to build a fire for the grill.

My brother Dominic readies the charcoal and fire for the grill

We are having fun in this deserted beach all to ourselves

But seriously, I don't think Tiger likes the water too much. Maybe it is just too cold for him.

Tiger decides he likes the sand better.

A perfect camouflage for Tiger but for the orange harness

Tiger is curious. Some people were here before us. I just wish they don't leave any more garbage like this.

Some hermit crabs are probably grumbling at this disturbance of their territory. Sorry, Mr. Hermit, this is just a day trip.

Another islander who has been staying in the city for too long

A city girl sneakily uses her cellphone only to find there's no signal.

Love birds in the shade of some wild Talisay growth

Nature always surprises me. It has a way of making you forget those stressful things at the office. It makes you focus on the now. You have to be present at the moment in order not to hurt your feet on the sharp rocks. When your thoughts drift away, the sea breeze brings it back to the now. And the sound of the gentle waves on the sand is just so, "Who needs headphones?". Mother Nature is such a healer this way.

Nothing tastes better than the food you helped cook. And no chef is better than hunger itself. And have we demolished the food we brought here with the help from the two-man crew of the pump boat. Not quite. I think we have brought too much food. Well, That's better than going home hungry. Without a restaurant, no resort, nor a tiny sari-sari store nearby, I'm sure we would be hungry if we did not bring enough food. But suddenly it's time to go home.

Inday doesn't want to go straight back to Maya. She tells the two-man crew to circle Chocolate Island from the North side because she wants to see Paji Island (that's the name the locals call the island) up close. I don't know why, but being an island boy, I know that strong winds blow from the sea in the afternoon. It's a natural phenomenon we call unos. This is the worst time to be sightseeing, but it's too late to warn Inday. And the crew grants the request without a hint of hesitation. Just willing to please a customer.

The waves get bigger. The wind stronger. And that's when we realize not one of us is wearing a freaking life jacket. Everybody grabs one each and quickly wears them. We do come up close to Paji but not too close because it's quite dangerous with these waves. The wind subsides just as the boat reaches the west side of the island. The cavern on that side is marvelous.

Greatly relieved, we finally proceed to Maya Port.

Maya Port seems longer now that we're heading back home.

Sorry, Doodz. I know that water bottle is heavy, but you got the stronger back.

Oh my, I think we're a bit late for the choicest dried fish at the Maya wet market.

Don't bother bringing them to the store, Manang. We're getting it straight from your drying mat. Happy seller.

Home we go. Satisfied but wanting more.