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:
> 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, I 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.
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, I 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. I 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 I 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, I 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.
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. I 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 I 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, I 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
|
