Today my daughter and I will travel back to my hometown, Sta. Josefa Agusan del Sur the home of my parents. It has been a while now that I have not visited my parents and Sam always remind me of visiting them this summer because she had a promise with her Lola to visit them every summer. I was separated from my parents when I got married to a Cebuano. After the wedding, I decided to move to Cebu and take a new life together with my husband. The separation was not easy. It took me sometime to adjust the life from single to married home away from home.
When going to our province, it will take us about 10 hours by boat then another 5 hours by bus to reach Sta. Josefa proper. We use to travel by boat for economic reason. Travelling by boat is cheaper than plane.
My husband bought us tickets for 2. Our schedule to depart will be 7pm today via Cokaliong Shipping line, so we still have enough time to prepare in the morning to do some errands like buying something we could eat or use while on travel. At night we had our clothes pack-up. I could not forget the happy face of my daughter that sooner she could visit her grandparents and kuya Andrei as she promised for them.
Cebu port is 3 rides away from where we stay. With the traffic situation in Cebu, we opt to take ferryboat rather than jeepneys.
The ferryboat ticketing office is located at the back of Our Lady of the Rule Church. When it's school time, the line is too long and it took you sometime before you get the ticket. Today, we are fortunate enough to have a short queue.
Few years back, when I was working in one of the schools in Cebu City, I usually took ferryboat going to the city because it would just take you about 25 minutes to reach the city. I like travelling via ferryboat because you won't experience traffic and pollution. The fare at that time was Php 10.00... too cheap. Right now is;
- Php 14.00 regular fare
- Php 12.00 students and SC
- Php 10.00 children below 12 years old
While we are heading to the waiting area, I saw these banana que and pinaypay... it is a fried banana with sugar. It is one of my favorites. I bought 2 pieces for Php 10.00 only.
The boat was not too crowded. It departs even if didnt reach full capacity.
WHILE AT THE FERRYBOAT....
While on our way, the sea is so calm, the clouds is clear and blue. You could see a lot of ships docked at the coastal area.
Good thing I was able to capture this one of the big ships of Gothong Shipping lines. This was probably travelling from Manila to Cebu.
I took this photo using Samsung J5Prime and adobe lightroom cc app. I like it very much.
Our travel going to city went well. We took a short ride going Pier 1. We were so lucky to have ride the electric jeepney going to Pier 1 terminal for free. Good to know that the Cebu local government has initiated this project for the benefit of the people most especially to those travellers with many luggages. It really help a lot and it is so convenient.
WHEN AT THE PORT TERMINAL...
Yes, we've reached terminal 1. Before going inside, I told Sam to watchover our luggages. With so many people around, you might have forgotten some of your things.
THINGS TO DO AT THE TERMINAL
- Check your luggages if its complete.
- Tell you company to watch over your things closely.
- Don't bring restricted materials, otherwise the police on duty will hold your luggage.
- Follow the signages.
- Go to the terminal fee booth and pay.
Php 25 for adult
No fee for children below 12 - Have your luggages checked at the x-ray machine, dont include the food especially water.
Lastly, after thex-ray area, check again your luggages if its complete.
Go directly to the gate where the shuttle bus are parked. Be sure to stay at the gate assigned to you depending on your destination. Read on updates as flashed on screen for your guidance.
always prepare your tickets and IDs.
At long last, we're now boarding at our assigned ship Filipinas Butuan Cokaliong Shipping lines.
In fairness, the surroundings are clean, well-ventilated and there's a big screen TV to watch news and TV programs. There is coffee shop, store and dining area which is opened at 5pm and close at 10:30pm.
If you're staying at tourist area, you can also borrow bedsheet and blanket. Just present your ID and ticket.
After we arrange our things, we took our dinner, place our bedsheet and take our rest. Good thing, our deck has outlets where we could charge our gadets. Sam really had a good time while playing her phone.
REMINDER:
DON'T LEAVE YOUR DECK WHILE SHIP IS STILL DOCKED. ATTEND YOUR PERSONAL NECESSITIES WHEN IT LEAVES THE PORT.
DON'T FORGET TO PRAY FOR SAFE TRAVEL.
" TILL TOMORROW FOR PART 2 OF OUR TRAVEL. THANK YOU FOR READING."
