Oh! Dear, Alibijaban Island: You’re Full of Surprises!


After my nap, Emak, Eman’s twin, brought me to an around-the-island tour. This 12-year old kid knew how to start and operate an outrigger banca. Well, I wasn’t surprised because I learned it when I was 10. I did not intervene the way the steered the boat, I just let them do all the maneuver. I was carefully observing, then I thought, “These kids know what they are doing!”. Also with us were Eman, Raniel, and Jep-jep who served as Emak’s alternate in navigation.

Alibihaban Cave

At one moment of the boat ride, Emak told me to inform him if I would like to stop for us to dive. I said, no worries, we can continue. However, Eman insisted to stop and then the rest of the gang suddenly jumped. It was 10-feet deep based on my estimate yet Raniel, an 8-year old, had able to reached the sea floor. He beat me this time because I learned how to dive when I was 9. But I learned to swim when I was 7.

…and Raniel knows how to smile

We headed to the floating cottage next. Unfortunately, all we saw were ruins. The roof was not there and the side seats were missing. It appeared like more of a floating raft than a cottage. Thanks to Typhoon Luis and I partly missed a moment of that trip. And since we still had a raft to stay, we made a stop and allowed the kids to play.

..and they know how to wacky first before knowing what wacky means..
My companions, Raniel, Eman, Emak, and Jep-jep really know how to make the most of their fun

We also navigated in a narrow channel bordered with lush mangroves.

Going into the Inner part of Alibijaban mangrove area
A channel in Alijaban’s mangrove park

Outside the channel was a really amazing seascape. I immediately took a photo before the kids ruins the calm surface of the sea.

Just another beautiful scenery
Rany, Kuya Randy’s youngest knows how to photobomb

When we arrived from the awesome 360-degree island tour, I returned to the bench under the tree on the beach to rest, while the kids hadn’t had enough of their swimming.

Kuya Randy also served me some snacks and I was really thankful. He also asked me to stay but I humbly refused. I still had a duty the following day. However, I promised to return with some company.

Kids enjoy this activity all year round

[For a complete DIY travel guide to Alibajaban Island, check my other article entitled: “Alibijaban Island: A DIY Travel Guide“]

What do you think? Would you like to come with me? Let us plan it! Or, let us meet and together board a bus to get there.

[Note: If you want to view a better resolution of the photos herewith, please click on the photo]

Eman and his friends.

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