Friday, 4 July 2014

A refreshing trip

I finally had a holiday trip after three years. Just me and my friends which was a refreshing break for me. Despite missing my hub and lil Joy at home, I am really thankful for the trip. It was filled with laughters from great friends, tons of rest and undisturbed sleeps and it's 5 days without being needed by anyone, no acts of service required, no hugs to give, no clingly koala bear climbing all over you while you try to read a book.


The place that I was visiting is Philippines specifically a small island call Malapascua at the tip of  Cebu Island (or at least that is what I thought). The Journey requires a 3 hours flight, 5 hours bus ride, a half hour boat ride and 10 to 15 mins of walking on the island. There is no fresh water supply on the island so we bathed with salty water for 3 days. Drinking water is precious. Nonetheless, Malapascua is still a nice quiet island with great diving sites. It does not have the best beaches but the people on the island are really friendly and helpful. We got lost so many times and almost everyone we asked took the trouble to walk out of their house to show us the way in pitch darkness.


Unfortunately, Malapascua was affected by the hurricane a few months back and it was a shock to me when I see the plywood houses. It's really very different from seeing it on TV on the news when they were newly built and seeing them in real after a few months of staying in. Their rubbish collection point is a hole dug in front of their house and they just burnt it off. In the midst of these, there are dozens of kids running around bare footed in the sand with broken glasses and rusty bits of nails and fence. This is a pic of the living area outside one of the better houses. Cock fighting seems to be a big thing around the island.



I could not help but make this decision that I will bring lil Joy to Cebu when she is older. I want her to see it for herself, the lives of other kids in another country. I hope to teach her to be generous with her time and resources to do what she can for others when she grows up.

Singaporeans complains about transportation? Really? Look at this. Remember our 5 hours bus journey on the first day? We had a bigger bus but it was packed during the last hour of the journey, we are all squeezed up like sardines but the ride is still happy. Everyone moved in and squeezed further in so all can fit (apparently there are no ghosts at the back of the bus in Philippines.. which Singapore buses have). Bus conductor was so helpful with everyone, young and old. It was a very happy 'bus-squeezing' experience but we did not attempt it on the way back due to time constraint and I do not do very well with the fumes on the road of Cebu city.


All in the all, the trip has given me a good break and a clearer perspective of life. Of all things, nothing is more important than health and love of our love ones. I came back recharged and ready to continue with my old life with a refreshed attitude.

2 comments:

  1. the living conditions pale so much in comparison to ours, and yet you find that the residents are still contented and happy with their lot. such a stark contrast to our society!

    - Cayce

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    Replies
    1. Ya, we all feel that the people there are generally happier and more sincere. Reminder for me to be contented.

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