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Preparing for a Christmas bus trip to Cebu

A bus waiting for passengers at the Roxas wharf in Oriental Mindoro
A bus waiting for passengers at the Roxas wharf in Oriental Mindoro

It’s been ages that I haven’t embarked on an honest to goodness trip that takes about a day to travel! That’s why, for my New Year holidays back home in Cebu from Makati, I’ve decided that I will hop on a bus on Christmas Day for a trip via Mindoro, Panay and Negros. The die is cast!

Say, why this leg? While I’ve done the masochistic Luzon – Visayas – Luzon Loop before, a brutal trip that brought me to this islands and provinces, I really just want to sit it out and experience again that long journey that just seems to take forever. Of course there’s the easiest: book a flight, but journeying on land and sea, experiencing inconveniences, strange smells and sleeplessness is just too inviting for me that I just have to grab this opportunity. The tradoffs are, however, well worth it:

  • beautiful sceneries
  • those stunning Iloilo churches
  • delectable food
  • and perhaps, a brief sidetrip to Guimaras that I haven’t really visited, even once

Besides, its not your usual trip from Manila to Cebu!

Passengers that just arrived in Roxas, Mindoro Oriental from Caticlan
Passengers that just arrived in Roxas, Mindoro Oriental from Caticlan

Initially, I was mulling on two other routes that I have gone to before: the Samar-Leyte leg via Bicol and the Masbate route via Pilar, Sorsogon. These, especially that Mt. Mayon is nearing eruption, expected to be bigger than what I have experienced a few years ago, is too appealing but on the other hand, the delays and other possible negative impacts of such a cataclysm might derail this trip.

My plan is really to arrive in Cebu during the day as one of the critical points of this travel is catching up with the RORO or boat schedule. I was particularly concerned that if I will arrive in San Carlos, Negros Oriental on the evening, I might get stuck for the night due to unavailability of fastcraft or ferries that will take me to Toledo, Cebu.

Passengers bound for Caticlan on their way to board the RORO in Roxas, Oriental Mindoro
Passengers bound for Caticlan on their way to board the RORO in Roxas, Oriental Mindoro

To avoid that, I have to know the Roxas (Oriental Mindoro) – Caticlan (Aklan) RORO schedule. The earliest (or latest), the better. A check with several websites indicated that it is 0830H but, unfortunately, the ones posted seemed to come only from one source and was reposted. I also can’t travel on this time because it will already be too late for me.

With a few more searches, I finally got the contact number of Montenegro Shipping (036 2887373) at their Caticlan office and inquired about the schedule. To make it to the midnight trip to Caticlan, I decided that I should leave Makati at 0900H, hop on a bus bound for Batangas pier, take the RORO to Calapan and then another bus or vhire going to Roxas.

Three days more and I’ll be off to my journey to Cebu by land and sea. And no, Boracay is not part of my itinerary.

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8 thoughts on “Preparing for a Christmas bus trip to Cebu”

  1. yaha! pagkalingaw..welcome to cebu bai…ya ha!

  2. merry christmas and a happy new year fellow blogger/traveler

    wishing you more travels sa 2010

    -flip

  3. Fellowship, feasting, giving and receiving gifts are all the buzzwords in a Christmas setting. Make your Christmas a one to cherish for years!

  4. nomadic pinoy. yep, great but very tiring road trip. happy holidays 🙂

  5. marco

    CommentaryI am a Man and look for a very serious Woman. I am Spain but I live since long time in Germany.
    It’s no easy to describe yourself in some words…is much better know and tried the person… but well am going to be honest writing what I really think and feel…and the reason why am in this page. First sorry about my English, is not the best…but am learning the language. I’m a very romantic man, honest, and faithful…I love the kids, love the outsides. the beach, mountains, the cinema, music, dance, sports…I love to swim is my favourite sport. I like walk in the beach in a night with my partner, rent a movie and stay at home together… go out for fun…drink something and dance… or a romantic dinner… I think that the marriage need to keep the love live…with details…variety….to not fall in the routine. I love details…share my partner how I love with simple things…and surprise him not necessary in special occasions… I don’t like relations for short time…I believe in the marriage and think that is for all the live… in good and bad moments…specially in bad.. I think the family is very important too…for both ….I love my son and they are part of my live and always will be. am Catholic Man and try to have god in my live.. but am young in my soul, and I have mistakes…but as possible I try to do the right things following the religion. what I want is found the love of my live to give him all this love that I have in my heart…and be love
    The second thing its that I want find the woman to live in Philippine I look the next time for travel to her Country and I want just to have a contact and when God me help, to have my relationship.
    My skype is marant2009 and my email is nicemadrid@yahoo.com, I am in Latinlove.org with the name MAR9032
    Thanks for your attention

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