Let's prepare for our Boracay trip...

[winayf]

by hook or by crook...

basta...di ako maka-comment at this time!

*finally tapos na 1 week detention sa meeting room!!!!!*

[winayf]

uwi na po kami..ingat!

i need rest..been sick the whole week..

[garyq]

afrasay: OK I will get ferry skeds. Bka si UNgas nakuha na rin from Drexx but I will also get it to compare notes.

[Drexx]

05Mar2004 (UTC +8)

Ungas, sorry talaga at hindi tayo nagkita. To make it up, here's my bag of tips and tricks to make you win in your Ro-Ro ferry rides

1. Prepare a few copies of your car's OR/CR in advance. You'll need to present them a few times at every port: once for the Coast Guard, once for the ship authorities, and sometimes to the port guards. If you're not the stated owner of the vehicle, secure a letter from owner stating you are authorized to drive the vehicle.

2. Starlite Ferry Inc. is one of the two ferries I've experienced. They have fairly decent ships, by Philippine standards. To minimize the stress of worrying if you are not going to make it on your preferred schedule, call them at least 8 hours in advance. The phone numbers are 02-724-3034 & 02-721-0263 for Manila; 043-723-9965 & 043-722-0162 for Batanggas; 043-288-1088 for Calapan. Their website is http://www.starlite.ph but it's next to useless.

2.5. BTW, check out the weather report before you begin your trips.

3. Try to reach Batanggas and Caticlan ports as early as 7:30am. This tactic would give you the most daylight hours while travelling. It is less stressful for the 1st timer and tourists like you can see more things as you pass by.

4. Top up fuel at Batangas City. If I remember correctly, mas mura duon kaysa sa Mindoro *but* more importantly, you need every second you have in Mindoro to race against other ferry passengers gunning for the succeeding Ro-Ro port.

5. Upon reaching the Batangas port for the Ro-Ro ferries, you need to pay a little over PhP 100 to the Philippine Ports Authority. You'd need to pay again when coming back from Caticlan port. Then there are also terminal fees for every passenger you have: P10 in Batanggas but P20 in Caticlan. I don't recall paying terminal fees in the Mindoro ports, as there were no real passenger terminals there.

6. Line-up as soon as you can for the Calapan ferry in the port. Every other vehicle that arrives is a competitor for the limited ship space. Remember to bring your picnic food and drinks with you, as the food stalls are a long walk away. Toilets are humanely nearer and relatively clean.

7. There's a slight chance that an orcish looking humanoid will approach you in your car. The one I saw was friggin ugly and had rotten and colored teeth and imaginably equal bad breath. He was shabily wrapped in house shorts and a shirt and had slippers. He will claim that your car may not get in the ferry 'coz of the long line of passengers, unless you bribe the Bureau of Customs through him. He may sometimes be spotted hanging out in from of the Custom's building eyeing out stupid-looking prey. Pay no heed to such lowlife. Better yet, avoid him as you may not resist the glow of your short sword of Orc-slaying and use it on him (ala Frodo 'di 'ba ). A ferry ship can accomodate from ~18 to ~30 vehicles, depending on size. So if you count the number of vehicles in front of you and you're within 15, you're very safe!

8. The ferry schedules say they have ships departing every hour in the Batanggas-to/from-Calapan port but it's not true. The total ferry departures are only about twice per morning and two more in the afternoon --if you're lucky, that is. They don't leave in the evening. And their schedules are *not* set in stone.

9. The Batanggas-Calapan ro-ro ferry fare for the vehicle+driver cost P665, plus P110 per additional passenger. The ride is 2 hours, but factor in also about 30 minutes to load the ferry or to unload it. There are no cabins in the ferry ship, but a free-for-all collection of seats in an airconditioned lounge. You can choose to run your engine and stay inside you car during the whole ship ride, but I strongly discourage it.

10. Make sure that you *don't lose* your ferry tickets! If you're going to use a similar ferry in the succeeding port, show them your ticket and you'll be given the "reserved" line upon arrival. Otherwise, you'll be lined-up with the rest of the other ferry passengers.

11. Enjoy the wind in your face as you sail across the sea. Oh man, it'll be so awesome!

12. Upon reaching Calapan, turn-on your engines and go! I strongly suggest that the vehicle with the best navigator take the lead. The lead driver is responsible for avoiding the obstacles in the road, maintaining highest safe speed, and guiding the rest of the convoy with his lights and turn signals. You need to race against other ferry passengers so that they don't crowd you out in the succeeding ferry ride. Cheap trick: know your vehicle's max torque at what rpm so that you know when to shift in the winding mountain roads --you'll know what I mean when you get there

13. In this fun run, a great navigator is your best asset. Though signs maybe plenty, they're not enough for the busy driver weaving through all the pedestrians, tricycles, jeepneys, and trucks. Besides, the driver should not be navigating at all! If you have the Philippine road map (available at National Bookstore), choose the route avoiding the coastal towns and head for the mountain roads. You have 4x4's that have gobs of torque, right? Use them to your best advantage! Cars won't be able to keep up with you 'coz of the road inclines and potholes. Dudes, in here my Hilux bested out an Evo, and a tricked-out Corolla, another but simpler Corolla, an automatic-tranny Isuzu Rodeo, and a new Honda CRV! The towns my navigator picked (a balance was taken 'coz we did a night run full of police check points): Calapan (you need to make that right turn towards a sabungan to get out of there!) > Naujan > Victoria > Socorro > Pinamalayan > Gloria > Bansud > Bongabong > Roxas. It was about 130+km and we did it in exactly two hours.

14. If you have to stay in Roxas port for the night, avoid the smaller-than-a-motel rooms closest to the stupid karaoke joints. They're full of talentless drunks yelling their hearts out. The non-aircon rooms are only P350 per night and is typically for two only.

15. The ferry ride from Roxas to Caticlan will take about 4 1/2 hours. The vehicle+driver fare is P925 plus 210 per passenger. Again, there are no cabins, but I do suggest that you have suntan lotion on you when you go on deck and enjoy the fresh cool air Ready you cameras as dolphins swim with the ship (I think they go for the scrap food) and see the flying fish staying in the air for several seconds!

16. Relax, slow down, and enjoy the rest of your drive. You can drive around if you want, but Kalibo (capital of Aklan) is about 65km away, east of Caticlan. I can't really tell you anymore about good places to go to in Caticlan 'coz I really don't hang-out there My mom's hometown, Libertad (Antique) is southwest of Caticlan, and only about 30+km of rough road.

17. The trip back home to Metro Manila has the same route and fees. It's just that the only ferry to Roxas from Caticlan is at 8am.


It's worth the trip and adventure. And I'm gonna do it again. And again.

[garyq]

drexx: Awesome man! Excited na kami!!!

[afrasay]

Thank you very much drexx. Ang dami natin advnce party. Mayrun pang isa, si Nightrock, advance party din. :D

[wreckless]

this i gotta learn..

Cheap trick: know your vehicle's max torque at what rpm so that you know when to shift in the winding mountain roads --you'll know what I mean when you get there

because im not really sure na alam ko na. ;)

WOW..parang AMAZING RACE..

13. In this fun run, a great navigator is your best asset. Though signs maybe plenty, they're not enough for the busy driver weaving through all the pedestrians, tricycles, jeepneys, and trucks. Besides, the driver should not be navigating at all! If you have the Philippine road map (available at National Bookstore), choose the route avoiding the coastal towns and head for the mountain roads. You have 4x4's that have gobs of torque, right? Use them to your best advantage! Cars won't be able to keep up with you 'coz of the road inclines and potholes. Dudes, in here my Hilux bested out an Evo, and a tricked-out Corolla, another but simpler Corolla, an automatic-tranny Isuzu Rodeo, and a new Honda CRV!

[afrasay]

yon yun pag arankada ka, bago ma feel mo wala ka nang hatak pero high RPM kana yan yun max torque mo.

[Ungas]

Got the info from Startlite Ferry c/o Vicky:

• Requirements:
• Official Receipt
• Certificate of Registration
• Authorization letter from the listed vehicle owner
  
• I will reserve 4-5 vehicle convoy for our group. We will drive upto Sta. Clara, Batangas port early Monday (19th) morning.
• Starlite Ferry offers package trip Batangas to Boracay Php850.00 per head with free packed meal. Our passengers can avail of this promo. While drivers are already included in the vehicle fee.
• Transit fees to be paid at ferry boat.
  
  Batangas - Calapan Ferry (ETD) Fees: SUVs Php770.00+Php110.00 including one driver. Passengers Php110.00/person (2 hour boat ride)
• 02:00AM / 02:30AM
• 06:00AM / 06:30AM
• 10:30AM / 11:30AM
• 03:30PM / 03:30PM
• 05:30PM / 07:30PM
• 07:30PM / 11:30PM
• 11:30PM
  Bold time ferry's ETD return trip
  
  Calapan - Roxas Mindoro drive (2-3hours)
  
  Roxas - Caticlan Ferry (ETD) Fees: SUVs Php725.00+Php200.00, no free driver ticket. Passengers Php210.00/person
• 02:00AM / 08:00AM
  Bold time ferry's ETD return trip
  
  Caticlan - Boracay boat ride (10-15minutes)
• Boat Station #2

[afrasay]

ang galing ng logistics...thanks mr. Prez.

pede ba sa 10:30 am trip tayo para maliwanag na and hindi mahirapan ang mga bata (kami yun ah hindi sina janna and kenneth) :D

[garyq]

afrasay: i think better kung earlier tayo coz before when we go to PGalera di nasusunod yung sked ng ferry and unahan sa seats talaga.

[Ungas]

For me, any time trip will do. Di naman kasi natin maaabutan yung Roxas-Caticlan Ferry. We really do need to stay and wait at Roxas, Mindoro.

Or, take the early morning ferry at 06:00AM, then roam around Puerto Galera, then down to Roxas before nightfall.

[wreckless]

Originally posted by Ungas

Or, take the early morning ferry at 06:00AM, then roam around Puerto Galera, then down to Roxas before nightfall.

this is cool!!
mag-Galera muna tayo bago mag-Boracay..
hehehehehehe..

[garyq]

good idea. Good places to visit based sa EZ map, Talipanan Beach, Tamaraw Falls is very interesting (been there) & Ponderosa Golf Club(good view). There is also the picturesque Najuan Lake between Calapan and Pinamalayan. Can we have a tentative itinerary? Mag Bo-Boracay ba muna papunta o pabalik? Sana may sked na para my wife and I can adjust our trip sa mga relatives so that we can join you.

[Ungas]

Ferry reservation for Starlight is 19th Batangas-Capalapan & 20th for Roxas-Caticlan route. My wife got only a week off for this trip.

Beast will probably cut out after 6 days and return back to Manila.

[afrasay]

Nice idea. Puerto Galera, game! Kaya lang we have to leave Manila mga 2:30 am to catch the RORO. Eh kung pabalik kaya ano sa tingin ninyo?

ungas - "My wife got only a week off for this trip."

istorbo talaga ang pag-aaral sa bakasyon :D

BI ba?

[Ungas]

Pwede rin gawin kung pabalik na lang para di pressured sa ferry time slots. O nga eh, sagabal talaga pag-aaral.

[size=1] Baka mabasa ni odell, tamarin lalo mag-aral yun[/size]

garyq::: We need you to confirm if you will need extra cottage? afrasay & wreckless will share one unit. My family will need one and use the 2 bedrroms alloted.

[garyq]

Prefer sana namin ng wife ko pabalik na lang para we can attend to business first and may flexibility kami to join you guys kung saan man yung plano nyong puntahan. So decide na kayo kung ano itinerary natin. You can stay overnight sa Roxas City, Capiz sa amin. Sagot namin dinner and breakfast and of course tulugan. Regarding accomodations we made arrangements na before pa when we planned the trip last Feb. I will c kung pwede baguhin. Anyways Sa BS#1 lang kami so we can always meet up for whatever. Are you guys going to Bacolod o we stay sa Panay Island lang? Kung sa Boracay lang tayo then we can go straight there and spend the week there. Tue-Sat. Kami we have to go to Capiz kasi but we will meet up with you guys uli.

Afrasay: definite na plans niyo going to Bacolod or ano ba balak niyo?

[Ungas]

Temporary Itinerary (subject to change without prior notice)

Monday (19th)
- 06:00AM - Meet at Petron SLEX for convoy trip to Batangas port.
- 09:00AM - ETA Sta. Clara, Batangas line up for ferry route.
- 10:30AM - ETD Batangas - Calapan ferry.
- 01:00PM - ETA Calapan port.
- 01:01PM - Bahala na route... Or take Drexx's route: Calapan > Naujan > Victoria > Socorro > Pinamalayan > Gloria > Bansud > Bongabong > Roxas.
- 04:00PM - ETA Roxas, Mindoro. Look for a hotel room to stay for a few hours.

Tuesday (20th)
- 12:00AM - Wake up and get everything ready.
- 01:00AM - Line up for Roxas - Caticlan ferry.
- 02:00AM - ETD Roxas - Caticlan ferry.
- 06:30AM - ETA Caticlan, Aklan.
- 07:00AM - Look for SAFE pay parking spaces where we could leave our vehicles for safe keeping.
- 10:00AM - ETD Boat ride Caticlan - Boracay.
- 01:00PM - Accomodations and cottages reserved.
- 03:00PM - Relax & enjoy the days to come.


garyq::: Dun na lang natin pag-usapan yung plan after Boracay. Don't cancel your rooms if you have already reserved for it. Mahirap na daw kumuha ng cottages ngayon.

[wreckless]

Originally posted by Ungas
Ferry reservation for Starlight is 19th Batangas-Capalapan & 20th for Roxas-Caticlan route. My wife got only a week off for this trip.

Beast will probably cut out after 6 days and return back to Manila.

si Joy lang naman yung nag-aaral d ba??
hehehe..siya na lang mag-isa ang bumalik!!
(sinabi ko sa kanya ito kagabi..
nag-OO naman!!
joy: 1 week lang ako pwede..
me: e di ikaw na lang ang bumalik..
joy: OO nga ano??)
hehehehehehe

malamang ganon nga ang mangyayari kapag nag-enjoy sina
Janna at Kenneth.