At 6 a.m., Ping quietly started the car. Under a still-drowsy sky, we headed to the port. Today was finally the day for island hopping. Our destination was Gigantes Norte island. In the rather relaxed car, eating sandwiches we bought at 7-Eleven for breakfast, we passed time with sleepiness and anticipation mixed together.
When we arrived at the port and tried to park, trouble happened. The front tire was unexpectedly punctured. Everyone got out for a moment and we took the tire to a nearby repair shop. Thinking that this was also part of the journey somehow made us laugh.
During the waiting time, we each spent time our own way. Rachelle and Ping looked around the souvenir shops, and I bought a cute magnet that said 'Gigantes'. Bem and AJ were basking in the sun while fiddling with their phones.
I started talking with Bem. 'What are you doing now? Working? Or studying?' She laughed and jokingly replied, 'I don't have a job. Right now I'm just lazing around at home.' She's always joking, and her cheerfulness is a relief. I had a deeper conversation with Rachelle — about my trip around the world, my work, and even methods for studying English. She teaches at the police academy and, believe it or not, lectures in front of 120 students. On top of that she also teaches English to foreigners, which is truly impressive.
Listening to that, I remembered my own experience teaching Japanese on Preply in the past. My English ability and lesson preparation were still immature, and I gave up quickly, but that is also a part of who I am now.
In the waiting room I sat next to AJ, and we got excited talking about airplanes. He's an aircraft engineer and said he inspects as many as eight planes a day. Differences between AIRBUS and BOEING, wing shapes, window design, the difference between manual and automated inspections... his knowledge amazed me. When I said I had noticed that AIRBUS seats are roomier and he told me that was correct, I felt a little proud of my own sense.
Finally our names were called, and we boarded a Filipino-style catamaran made of bamboo and wood and went out to sea. Feeling the spray, my heart raced at the sight of the shimmering emerald-green sea.
When we arrived at the first island, I hadn't been wearing a swimsuit, and with no changing place I had to sneak off to a secluded spot to change. A little adventure.
While touring the islands we took photos, dove into the sea, and climbed cliffs. Rachelle loved photography and asked Ping to take shots many times. AJ and Bem were the type to enjoy the moment more than taking pictures. I liked that atmosphere too; it reflected each person's character.
I put the DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro underwater for the first time, but on the next island I noticed it had broken. Water had gotten in, and I also lost the strap stick. I was shocked, but being able to think 'I'll just buy another one' might be because I'm traveling.
After that, encounters with emerald pools and fish continued. The sweetness of coconut juice, the world seen through goggles. Everything was sparkling.
Lunch was in the island's local style: heaps of clams, crabs, fish, soup, and bananas. Everyone was eating with their hands, so I tried it too. It was my first time eating a meal with my hands. While laughing, Ping taught me how to open a crab.
In the afternoon we visited two more islands, and then a cave and a lighthouse.
In the cave we went in with flashlights and enjoyed the crystalline glow.
At the lighthouse children were selling shells, but we didn't have small change and couldn't buy any, which made me feel sorry.
At dusk we went to a beach near the pier. While watching the sky change from orange to indigo, we ate peanuts that Ping handed out.
Thinking that those were valuable treats for the children, I was once again reminded to feel gratitude for the journey.
At night, the three of us — Bem, Ping, and I — toasted with Tanduay rum and powdered juice. We shared stories about our lives and our thoughts.
Then everyone left words in the 'LifeTips' notebook I had brought. AJ wrote, 'Even airplanes take off against the wind,' Rachelle wrote, 'Choose to be happy always,' and Bem, true to herself, wrote, 'Tanduay every ok.'
At night Ping invited me to the sea and opened up about her past. Memories of nearly drowning, the night she tried to end her life, and the reasons she is still alive now. The word she said, 'YOLO (You Only Live Once),' symbolized everything about that day.
It started raining at 1 a.m. and I fell asleep. Tomorrow we had to wake up at 5:40. Yet my heart was quietly warm. This day became an unforgettable day in my life.
