It is really sad that a place will be labeled as a place you should not get into. I mean, it instills fear even one hasn't gotten there yet. This travel out of work is really something that excites me; a place not usually visited yet is supported by our project. I want to share what I saw in the place. Hence, I have here a 2-part blog post.
 |
| Zamboanga Airport |
From Manila, there is no direct flight to Sulu. One has to travel to Zamboanga City then ride a fast craft or a usual cargo and passenger vessel to go to Sulu. If a fast craft is taken, it will take 4 to 5 hours to arrive Sulu. However, our visit is a day before the end of Ramadan, only the cargo and passenger vessel that ships cargoes and people from Zamboanga City to Sulu is available and it takes 10 to 12 hours to arrive Sulu.
 |
| Inside the bus at the Zamboanga Port |
It is really interesting to know how people travel from Zamboanga to Sulu. The port of Zamboanga is big and going to the ship needs us to be boarded by bus. The ship that we take is both a cargo and passenger vessel. There are at least 3 accommodation available in the ship, double decker open air area, double decker airconditioned area and cabin that can room 4 people.
 |
| Open Air Accommodation at the Ship |
The tickets booked for us are at the open air area since the there no cabin rooms available due to maintenance. The open air area is hot because it is near the engines but cool when the ship starts to sail. One has to keep his belongings close while asleep since the place is very close to each passenger whom you don't know. Unfortunately, I can't understand their dialect since I am a bisaya, I can't make any conversation unless they also speak bisaya or tagalog. That is just a way to make myself comfortable, by starting a conversation with the locals. On the other hand, one of my colleagues wants our stay a bit comfy and private so he checked the cabin area and spoke to some crew if we can at least stay there. According to the crew, the only problem is the air-conditioning yet we opted to upgrade our tickets from the open air to the cabin.
 |
| Vintage Feels at the Cabin Area |
The cabin is so cool; the temperature and its vintage feels. We are told that the air-conditioning might turn off or fluctuate any hour of the trip. We didn't mind just to make our stay a bit comfy and private. Hey, you might think we can't survive staying in the open air - we just need to secure our belongings and at least comfortably asleep while sailing because the following day will be long enough for our job. :-)
While the ship is sailing, I found it very interesting that it is not a bumpy sea. There are stories I heard and read that evening sailing will be a bit rough. Well, I supposed it is because of weather conditions. Gladly, our trip has a fine weather, thus we experienced smooth sailing.
 |
| Cabin Room |
While lying in bed, at the upper deck of the double deck, I am feeling the excitement that at last I will be able to dock in Sulu and without anxiousness. Weird, isn't it? Many has been telling worries about me going there especially my parents. But I assured them of my safety since we will not go there if it is not. I am thinking of how loud will cannon blasts be if there is ongoing battle; how do people live their lives in the place; is there a peaceful sight to see; is there something beautiful in the place; are the people kind; and many more in my mind. Since our sailing started at night, we are expected to arrive Sulu dawn of the following day. By then, a good not so well sleep, inside the MV Mary Joy 3 is the feels at the moment.
 |
| The Cargo and Passenger Vessel of MV Mary Joy 3 |
Thank you for your visit in my avenue,
www.ten7avenue.com be back for the Part 2!
No comments:
Post a Comment