And oh... the crowds...

Inside Manila traffic and consequently air is horrible almost everywhere. Although distances are short you spend hours in the car or taxi without moving. The two metro lines doesnt help a lot and buses and jeepneys didnt really feel like a substitute either.

And then our beach getaway coincided nicely with Easter break, the BIG travel week of the year when as good as everyone in Manila escapes the city, for a visit home - or an escape to the beach, for example Puerto Galera.

Step by step we made it down with the crowds:
Step 1. At snail's pace down the four lane southern super high way.

Step 2. Finally reached the port town of Batangas.
Part 1. Do the boat ticket line (luckily at least this part could be done by only one person).

And it sure helps to have cool kids, used to being dragged around here and there as they are.

Step 2, part 2. Once you get the ticket, get all family into the line (?) to pass the bottle neck security check and get into the waiting hall, necessary to be able to reach further steps.

Step 2, part 3. Inside the waiting lounge there were a couple of others ahead of us. Nothing to do but find a spot on the floor - preferably close to a ceiling fan - and wait for our turn.

Step 2, part 4. Eventually let out of the waiting lounge, to the waiting bunch on one of the piers. Step by step, and truly amazing we didnt see one single person being upset or trying to pass the line. Definitely a different style than both Latin America (screaming/pushing) and Vietnam (ignoring/squeezing), although I kept thinking the Philippines is some kind of cross-over culture between the two continents.

Step 3. On board! And it really was worth it all (see below).

Hana and Kai, so brave throughout, passed out almost immediately, gently waved to sleep by the fresh breeze and movements of the boat.