SENIOR BYAHERO
Thirty-four hours! That’s what the ticket said how long it takes to travel by sea from Manila to Cagayan de Oro. Most people would rather take a two-hour Manila-CDO plane, but not me. I am a senior who enjoys unconventional travel and I got plenty of time to enjoy a long voyage by sea, something that I had been itching to do for such a long time.
It’s a good thing that you can now buy a ferry ticket online. As a seasoned traveler, I know it is cheaper to get dates on a weekday, far from the usual holidays, and several weeks, even months, in advance, and that’s what I did. Checking the 2GO website, I found a Manila to Cagayan de Oro ferry schedule where a tourist cabin with free meals onboard costs only less than ₱2,000. I chose a date, typed my personal details including email address and mobile phone number, then I was asked to type my Senior Citizen ID number, and after some validations, automatically got a 20 percent discount. My ticket price finally went down to a little over ₱1,700. I paid online using a credit card, and after a few minutes, a copy of my ticket was sent to my email address.
Northport Terminal
My original departure time from Manila was 7 p.m., to arrive in Cagayan de Oro 5 a.m. 34 hours later. A few days before departure, I received a text message from 2GO that the new departure time from Manila will be at 11 p.m. The message also added that passengers are advised to check in at least four hours before departure.
On the date of the departure, I was at Manila’s Northport Terminal four hours early as advised, with my backpack and travelling bags. The check in procedure is similar to flying on a plane. First stop was paying a terminal fee of P104.50. When I was about to pay, I was told Terminal Fee is free for senior citizens with valid ID. Great. Next stop was security check, then check-in counter where I had to show the printed copy of the ticket sent via email. At the check-in counter, I was advised that senior citizens must get clearance first from the clinic before being allowed to board. I went to the clinic, and was asked by the health personnel if I brought my maintenance medicines and if I have a travelling companion. After replying yes to both, I got a health clearance, and was finally allowed to check in.
Climbing MV Masagana
The Northport Terminal is quite huge and spacious, possibly to accommodate thousands of passengers during peak season. I was directed to occupy the priority seats for seniors and PWDs, but I opted to sit next to the glass panel so that I could take a good look at the massive MV Masagana ferry that would take us to Cagayan de Oro.
It was raining when we were called to board the ferry. A jeepney came to ferry passengers to the ship entrance which I thought was an elevator that would take us to the lobby. I was wrong. It was about a four-storey climb of a staircase on the side of the ferry. I carried my backpack and bag in the rain. No wonder they needed health clearance before boarding.
Shopping options
Inside the ferry
Things soon got better when I reached the lobby. Dripping wet, I was ushered immediately to my cabin, which was actually a double decker, with TV, full air-conditioning, a sink, plenty of sockets for charging, and a nice view of the sea. Not bad for only ₱1,700. I took a hot shower in a shared bathroom then hit the bed immediately.
The next day and a half were spent exploring the facilities of the gigantic MV Masagana ferry. It has a shopping area, a convenience store, a beauty salon, several videoke rooms of course, and several dining areas. Free meals were served at the cafeteria, and seniors again got priority lane. It’s a good thing that I brought instant coffee and disposable cups. There is a hot water dispenser near the cabin and I can have hot coffee, even cup noodles, anytime of the day.
But I spent most my time at the open deck. It was the best place to watch the sunrise and the sunset on the vast horizon. I also spent the time identifying the islands that we passed by. Many years of travel gave me the experience and knowledge to know the islands just by looking at their shapes. The peak with gentle slopes is Mt. Halcon in Mindoro, the one with several jagged peaks is Mt. Guiting Guiting of Romblon, and the small island with seven volcanoes is Camuguin.
Watching the sunset
Taking the 34-hour ferry to Cagayan de Oro has allowed me to slow down, to relax and to enjoy the sea. The view of the islands that we passed by has also allowed me to remember past adventures when I was still young, when I could still scale the peaks and swim on the surrounding waters.
The long journey by sea has allowed this old man to reflect, to live in the moment, to be thankful for the past and the glories they brought, and to be ready and excited about the new journeys ahead.
(The author recently retired as an engineer in an auto manufacturing company. He was a regular contributor to MB's Cruising Magazine. His taste for adventure has not kept him from travelling, usually via not-so-usual routes.)