One of my high-school “barkada” is off for San Francisco after a 2 week vacation in Davao City.  There would be a no better send-off than to go island hopping.  Being as family oriented at our age,  with all the kids in tow, a couple of my friends organized an island hopping trip to cap-off the balikbayan’s family vacation.

We rented a boat from Island Banca Cruises to be able to tour Samal.  The 1st stop was a snorkeling spot.  Heading off to the 1st stop under the perfect weather was reinvigorating.  Staring at the calm blue water with the sun shining bright and the blowing cool wind filled me with unexplained calmness and serenity.  Banter also filled the air, the sound of the engine roaring nor the loud music playing couldn’t stop us from endless chit-chat.  When we reached the snorkeling spot, everyone dabbed on their sunblock and jumped in the water.  Fishes and corals were seen on the spot.  And when everyone had their fill of snorkeling, we headed off for Isla Reta.

We traveled for around 20 minutes again and reached Isla Reta.  By then, everyone was hungry.  Fried lechon, lechon paksiw, sinugbang bangus, spaghetti, barbeque and fruit salad were served.  Another glutton-lunch for me again!  While eating all the sinful food that you’re not supposed to indulge in all the time, a constant echo in my brain was also telling me to start a healthy diet ASAP.  I am growing bigger every week and my battle with the bulge will be a story for a future post.  For now, let me just share my island hopping experience.

After lunch, the boys drank a couple of beers to complete the meal.  *burp.*  More chit-chat, shameless picture talking and soaking in the scenery ensued.  We packed our things around 3pm and paid the Php 75.00 per head day tour fee.  We then headed off to the Vanishing Island which is nearer to the docking wharf before going home.  More picture taking, chit-chat and soaking in the water.  If it wasn’t for the high-tide and the island submerging in the sea for every minute longer we stayed, we would’ve spent more time in the island.  We reached the Pearl Farm marina by 5pm.  All in all, it was a perfect day to spend with friends you don’t see much anymore but feel very much comfortable with, as if you’ve been talking daily when you see each other again.

I hitched a ride going home which took us around 20 minutes with light traffic, from the marina wharf to the Davao Imperial Hotel.  Thank God for friendship and simple pleasures.