Monday, March 13, 2017

Batangas - Bacolod RORO Adventure



The Solo Travel (Homeward bound)


Date: Dec 21, 2015
Port of origin: Batangas City
Port/s of destination: 
      > Calapan, Mindoro
      > Roxas, Mindoro 
      > Caticlan, Aklan
      > Dumangas, Iloilo
      > Bacolod City, Negros Occidental (final)

Date: Jan 10, 2016
Port of origin: Bacolod City
Port/s of destination:
     > Dumangas, Iloilo
     > Caticlan, Aklan,
     > Roxas, Mindoro
     > Calapan, Mindoro
     > Batangas (final)


         So okay here we go…......     After a short hiatus to short travels, my feet are aching for some 
REAL adventure. Yes, I mean REAL! And what better way to go than a drive using RORO(Roll On 
Roll Off) back to my hometown SOLO. You read it right SOLO. :) So it's a double adventure so to 
speak  ---- a first on a drive using RORO and a first on SOLO travel. Way to end 2015!!


So off I go early morning (4am) on a Sunday Dec 20 heading to Batangas port.  Leaving Kapitolyo 
spanning C5 and onto SLEX and Star Tollway, I reached Batangas Port at around 6am. I was a bit 
scared, more of like a first timer jitter. I lined up outside the port together with the other cars and 
trucks. I am not sure if I'm filling in on the right line. I managed to ask a truck driver and confirmed
I was in for the right line (the line for trucks & private vehicles were in two separate lines).
Whew, sigh of relief….. Finally I am soooo into this.


     After seems like eternity, I was
finally allowed to enter the port at past 
10 & was onboard Montenegro lines 
at 11am. The sea was relatively calmer, 
inviting for a quiet retreat away from 
the lights and buzz of the city. Passing 
across lots of big and small islands, we 
arrived at Calapan Port after 3 hours 
roughly around 2 in the afternoon. 
Beating the afternoon heat, started 
the first leg of my land trip of Oriental 
Mindoro and drove towards Roxas port. 
After more than 120 km on a long, 
paved and winding road, I arrived in 
Roxas port at almost dusk.  While processing for the ticket purchase, I have to wait until 8 for 
the confirmation. The process (or the lack of it) seems to be a clear problem, not to mention 
the monopoly of one shipping company that operates in the Roxas port. There is not much 
decent place for waiting passengers and drivers, except for a few eateries outside the port gate. 
After submitting requirements (ORCR, payments, etc), I got onboard Montenegro lines and 
left Roxas port for Caticlan at around midnight.


Mirroring the poor condition at the port area, the
situation on board is far worst... 😩  Packed with 
passengers, there are almost no seats left for others 
and many have to contend standing and/or sleeping 
on the floors. roamed around the ship and every 
nook seems to be filled up. I saw people sleeping on 
any space that they could find. I was looking for my 
own "decent" place to sleep. I can't find one so I have 
to contend to sitting while sleeping. It was tough, 
given that it is so crowded, but  the breeze kind of 
calmed me a bit. I managed to get an hour of sleep, 
which is certainly not enough if you are driving 
afterwards. 

We finally arrived at Caticlan around 4:00 AM and 
with hardly enough decent sleep,  I summoned all 
the strength I have and drove past the busy port. It was dark and creepy but I managed to be alert, 
holding on to the remaining mental strength have.  

After an hour drive, the lack of sleep slowly trickled on me. Instinct dictates one thing --- REST!!! 
So as soon as I reach Kalibo, I drove to a nearby convenience store to get a dose of a much needed 
caffeine and quick power nap. After the needed rest, I headed to Dumangas  which is  a 4-5 hour 
drive from Kalibo. Roughly half past 10 in the morning, reached Dumangas port and secured port 
and cargo ticket which was at that time boarding vehicles to Bacolod. Montenegro lines left Iloilo 
at exactly 12 noon. I reached Bacolod at around 2 pm. 





















At last, Home Sweet Home!!!!


Route
Fees
Remarks
Batangas City - Calapan City
   129 (Port)
1,536 (Cargo)

Roxas City - Caticlan
3, 072 (Cargo)
       50 (Toll)

Dumangas - Bacolod City
1, 029 (Cargo)
     129 (Port)
       12 (Vehicle Pass)

                                  Total
5, 967


Route
Fees
Remarks
Bacolod City - Dumangas
     800  (Cargo)
     375.50 (Terminal)

Caticlan - Roxas City
3, 840 (Cargo) 
     129 (Port)
       50 (Toll)


Calapan City - Batangas City
1, 536 (Cargo)
    129 (Port)


                                  Total
6, 859.50