This was one of those days where the phrase "a vacation within a vacation" sounded like a dream, but the reality of getting there was more of a marathon. We’ve been on the road for months, driving from the south of Mindanao all the way up north, and honestly, we were both starting to feel the miles. Jessa had been talking up this place called Siargao Island—she claims it’s the number one tourist destination in the Philippines. I suspect she might have been exaggerating just to convince me to go, because I wasn’t exactly thrilled about adding more travel to our already massive road trip. But, here we are.
The journey started at the port, and let me tell you, it was a test of patience. We spent nine hours just waiting for our turn to board the ferry. When the moment finally arrived to drive the car onto the boat, we faced what I’d call a "near disaster." The car wouldn't start. It turns out Jessa had left the lights on while we were waiting, and the battery was completely drained. After all those hours of waiting, I thought for a second we’d be stuck on the pier. Luckily, we managed to get it sorted, but I’m definitely not letting her live that one down—even if I have to take some of the blame myself!
The boat ride was supposed to be about three and a half to four hours. By the time we were mid-crossing, I had been awake for over 30 hours straight. When you’re that sleep-deprived, the beautiful ocean views start to blur together, and all you can think about is a real bed. I was running on pure fumes, coffee, and the hope that Jessa’s "paradise" was actually worth the 40-hour wake-a-thon it was turning into.
We eventually pulled into Dapa, the main port in Siargao. It was around 5:15 PM by the time we finally reached our accommodation. I was at the 36-hour mark of being awake, and I felt every single one of those hours. The place looks decent, but I didn't have the energy for a full tour just yet. My immediate priorities were very simple: find some food, relax for five minutes, and then pass out for at least twelve hours.
However, as many of you know, life sometimes throws a curveball when you least expect it. While we were getting settled, something happened—something I wasn’t prepared for. I don't want to get into the full details right now because I’m still processing it myself, and I need to focus on what needs to be done. It’s certainly not what we expected to happen on this trip, but it’s the reality we’re facing.
Thanks for following along, even when things get a bit messy and unpredictable. It’s all part of the journey, I suppose.
