Getting Home on a Native Outrigger - the Banca

My family and friends are always asking me 'Greg, how do you get home?' So when I tell them, they don't believe me. Therefore, I thought I'd share part of my adventure of traveling home...
To our undiscovered island. Enjoy the video!

What am I traveling on?
It's a banca boat. The banca boat is a traditional boat made of native materials: bamboo, coconut wood, and some local plywood. Instead of having oars, we are powered by an inboard diesel motor.

What type of accommodations do banca boats have?
​We get to sit on wooden planks (or if you are lucky, then you get a plastic chair).
The boat is covered to protect you from the rain and sun, but we don't really have any windows (except for the Captain's position - so he can steer us toward our destination).

Can you eat on the boat?
Yes. Some boats offer affordable, light snacks, drinks and coffee, while on the weekend, the boat is much smaller. Therefore, no snacks. 

What is the price to ride from Catalan to Tablas Island?
P300 (Philippine peso) or US$7.

How long of a ride is it on the banca boat?
About 2 hours and 45 minutes.
​Perfect for getting to know your fellow passengers, enjoy the view of the passing islands, read a book, or take a nap.

​Can people smoke on the boat?
Technically the answer is 'no'. 
I think if you sit at the very back of the boat, then you might be able to 'light up'. But never inside the boat with other passengers.

Do I need to make reservations?
No. It's first come, first serve. So plan to be at the Catalan jetty port/pier at No Later Than 8am (the same for the return trip from Tablas Island), pay your P300, sign the manifest, pay your P50 port fee to set sail at 845am (yes, this time is 'Filipino time').

​Please share this with your friends. Better yet, come try it yourself!
Don't let life's experiences pass you by.