Gilligan (and the Skipper too)

Underground River, Palawan, Puerto Princesa, Philippines


We woke up extra early to go to the Underground River. There were 20+ of us in the van and about 18 of us had flights that afternoon. (This is will important information later.) We get to the docking area after a two hour drive, so it's around 9 or 10. Our tour group is pretty far down the list, so we decide that it's a good time to eat lunch so that we don't waste time. We walk to the resort that provided our lunch, and walk back, hoping it's time for us to board.

Apparently some boatmen are refusing to go because of the waves, and to slow things down even more, they're only allowing four people to a boat rather than the usual eight. With the first of our flights at 5:30, our guide is saying there's a chance we might not go. Thousands of miles to see this Underground River, and he's saying we might not go?! Well, my mom had a few words for him. Others agreed, and I'm sure were thinking the same thing, but still.. inappropriate.

After a bit of a wait, and lots of uncertainty, we all make it to see the Underground River. And it was incredible. Beautiful.

But the real adventure came afterwards. The ride over was already a little rocky. And the trip back, well, it was getting past the break that was most tricky.

The boatmen kept anchoring the boats closer to the cliffs, so fighting the waves both from the shore and the side of the mountain. They'd run towards the ocean, but the boats kept coming back. Some were filling with water. Another broke down, and just kind of sat there. With it getting worse, we were wondering if we were ever going to get off that island and make our flight. My dad and uncle, former and present boatmen, respectively, had to help get those boats back in the ocean.

Well, we made it on ours. We were the last of our tour group that had a flight to catch. We jumped out of the boat and into the van that was taking us back to our hotel. It was 3-something. We had a two hour drive. And the van that was taking us could only fit 3 more people, leaving my mom, my aunt and my uncle behind. We just crossed out fingers and hoped they'd make it back in time. The three of us, my dad, my great aunt and I took van number one, and were going to pack everything and meet them at the airport.

It was about 5:30 when we got to the hotel. We packed up all our stuff and headed to the airport. Our flight was at 6. We checked in our bags. But problem: We were still missing 3 people. We told the airport staff they were on the way; that they were close. Five 'til, and we had about given up. It was the last flight out for the day, and we'd have to wait until around 10am the next to fly out. It wouldn't have been a big deal, except for the next day was Tuesday, Balikbayan Day at my church, where we'd meet the Executive Minister. Just as we folded and as the airport staff walked out to get out luggage off the plane, we saw it. The oversized van came steaming in, and they we caused a whole commotion and they called to the staff, telling them to leave our stuff on the plane. We ran through like madmen. And ran through plane, to our seats. At the back of the plane. Last row. Everyone staring.

Well, I wanted a more exciting trip.