Time and money play factors on every travel. Some people, who have money, have less time or no time at all due to work. There are those who have less money but plenty of time. But in between, there are those who have both but wouldn’t want to spend that much to enjoy life.Don’t let the money hinder you from seeing the world. There’s always a way.
Sailing the Philippine seas is an alternative way to travel on a budget. For a one-way fare of Php 900 (tourist class) via 2Go Travel, you can get to Caticlan, the gateway to the world famous island of Boracay in Aklan and other islands in the Western Visayas Region. The fare includes bus ticket from Manila to Batangas Port and a bunk-bed dormitory type of accommodation in the ship. This is cheaper than a regular airfare which would cost you approximately Php 3,000 (one-way).
Now the problem with budget is solved but how about the time? Some say traveling by sea is a waste of time. It’s not. It’s a matter of using your time wisely and knowing how to have a good time. This is what I discovered in my recent trip.
Darkness filled the sky with only the myriad of stars and the moon as light. After passing by a security scanner and the canine check at the Batangas Port, I entered Cebu Ferry 3 of 2go Travel along with colleagues in the media. I thought I was in a hotel. The atmosphere in the candy-colored lobby was inviting.
At around 8:00 pm, the ship left Batangas Port for Caticlan Port. We settled our things at the cabin room, which has two double decker beds that can accommodate four people.
It also has its own comfort room and LCD flatscreen.
You get these for a one-way fare of Php 1,100.
The cabin room was pleasant. It has a cabinet for the luggage or backpack.
Lifejackets were also within reach at the upper cabinet.
Dinner was served at the Mezzanine Lounge overlooking the sea and the lobby. Other guests chose to eat at the Horizon Cafe and at the Island Fiesta Cocktail Bar.
The night was young. We didn’t doze off after dinner but enjoyed an acoustic night with the band called Simply Acoustics at the sundeck lounge of the ship.
Yes, you read it right. Partying while in transit was possible. The music played in the air blended well with the last quarter moon and the sea breeze.
Here’s how people party in the ship:
We called it a night when the clock struck at 12 midnight. It’s time to rest and recharge.
Alarm clock was set at 4:00 am but my eyes wanted to remain shut. I forced myself to get up at around 5:30 am to capture the sunrise. I was late. The sun was already awake when I got to the sundeck lounge to shoot. Nonetheless, it was simply inspiring.
The sunrise reminds us that it’s another day, another life to live to the fullest. Cebu Ferry 3 was already within the vicinity of Caticlan at around 4:30 am but it has docked at the Caticlan Port at around 8:00 am.
Am I off to Boracay once again? Nooooooo…. Move over, Boracay. Caticlan is not only a gateway to this famous island but to a mystic island which holds a lot of mysteries, folklores, and legends–Antique.
Travel Essentials:
- Passenger Terminal Fee (Batangas Port)- Php 30.00
- Travel time from Batangas Port- Caticlan – 8 hours
- Schedule Batangas-Caticlan via 2go Travel: morning (8:00 am daily except tuesday) and evening voyage (8:00 pm except wednesday) Boarding: 7:30 pm Departure: 8:00 pm Arrival: 4:30- 5:00 am Docking: 7:30 am-8:00 am
- Schedule Caticlan- Batangas Port morning (8:00 am except thursday), evening (7:00 pm daily except tuesday)
- Contact: info@2go.com.ph/ +632 528-7000
- Website: http://travel.2go.com.ph/Accommodation-Facilities/
- Other route schedules: http://travel.2go.com.ph/schedules/schedules.asp
*** Special thanks to 2Go Travel (a union of passenger and freight vessels such as Negros Navigation, SuperFerry, Cebu Ferries and SuperCat), Provincial Tourism Office of Antique, and Kairosolutions, for making this trip possible.