Because I have a new theme, thanks to my friend, Andro, I will be having a new feature too here in my blog called STRANGE[R] ENCOUNTERS.
It is as simple as this: I met these individuals as strangers (locals who do their own thing) then we bid “good-bye” as friends. Happy that they became part of my journey.
So let’s start with these two brothers:
Joven and John Robert love my hammock
Strangers who became my friends: Joven and John Robert
Meeting: Yato Island, Guimaras
Date: July 2010
Inner Island where the mangroves where devastated during the great oil spill in Guimaras, year 2006
I was doing my Western Visayas Php250 Challenge when I found myself exploring Yato Island coming from Negros Occidental. A boatman told me that I can camp in the island for free and so it got me excited. The boatman brought me to Yato and was welcomed by Joven. Joven, 15 years old, became my guide in the island. He then called his younger brother, John Robert. They brought me to places I never imagined exist in this place, like what I call the Yellow Rocks. Showed me different sea creatures.
Yellow Rocks, Guimaras
Sea Creatures at Yato island
Unforgettable Experiences:
- At the first meeting, we spent the afternoon trying to get to know each other under a dilapidated nipa hut (where the first photo was taken). Since I can’t speak their dialect, most of the conversation was by sign language and laughter. They were asking where I came from. These kids haven’t been to a city (there’s no city in Guimaras) and don’t know where Manila is, so I brought out my Philippines map and explained how I was able to get to Yato Island. I can see the awe from their eyes. I guess Joven captured the message very well and told me that he wants to do the same when he grow up. I said to myself, that’s what I came here for.
- Joven wanted to try sleeping on my hammock, so we exchange places. I slept on the papag (makeshift bed) while he went inside my hammock. He even offered me his blanket and pillow. I had a very deep sleep.
- I noticed that John Robert’s slippers are already broken. So even if I was on a tight budget (Php250/day, all-in), I bought a pair for him before I go on with my trip. I even treated him a bottle of cola.
John Robert sporting his new slippers (look at the smile at his face)
This is my addition to the “Unforgettable Human Encounters on the Road,” a blog carnival by Pinoy Travel Bloggers which is hosted by Marky of Nomadic Experiences.
You can also check out our past entries by clicking the blog carnival logo.
PTB Blog Carnival
___ ___ ___
STRANGE[R] ENCOUNTERS is a new feature on JourneyingJames, recounting the encounters I had with the locals in the places I visit. It’s my aim that the reader would meet the individuals I will talk about. They have become a part of my journey here on earth.
We met and said “hello” as strangers; we bid “good-bye” as friends.
great naman to! This is the one you told me na ung bata na gusto matulog sa hammock mo hehe.
great photos of the sea creatures. and i like this new theme. simpler.
It’s great showing em up the ropes of traveling (literally too the ropes of the hammock) and them showing you their place. Kids at the far bends of the country needs inspiration from someone that could push them to dream more. Hope you made a lasting impression to them to achieve and dream of seeing the world beyond their own.
Great new theme and “strange(r) encounter feature” too.
i updated my unforgettable experience bec of your comment, i added the “inspiration” you are talking about (the first experience).
thanks marky!
ayos!! you’ve really made him smile..
Wow! Danda-danda the new theme! Dami ata natin nagfaface lift ng blog lately!
Go lang ng go! And a new section pa! Congrats James!
thanks eileen! its time to have a new theme after a year. sino paba ngfacelift ng blog?
wow. nakakatuwa naman sila..
pero I really wonder what kind of sea creature are those?? hmm
isa lang ang alam ko dun e, yung una na nakakain, mahal ang per kilo nun.
yung iba i think soft corals
This is what traveling is all about. Nice story sir. Meeting new stranger made your travel more meaningful. I love it. And the yellow rocks are so cool and the sea creatures made me wander and I want to see it in person also.
thanks zhian! i dont think you will the yellow rocks in the net, haha best kept secret yan.
visit guimaras!
Love your new series! And of course, your blog’s new layout, it looks so much better now. Congrats to your friend Andro!
thasnk aleah! nice blog entires ha.
This is what would make readers go back to your blog kuya… beautiful and real life stories
Love it. More Strange[r] encounters. I hope to blog about similar stories too.
woohooo! then be sure to visit back theia, hahaha i know you read naman always.
yup, share your strange[r] encounters too! and enjoy macau! haha (pabalato)
Your new section is heart warming
Keep it up
thanks kat! be sure to read the following strange encounters
wow!bagong bihis ang site ah! good job james!:) i still remember your guimaras experience, nice to meet locals din noh?
yup, after a year na ganun yung blog them ko, its time to have a new theme. thanks to my friend, andro,
yep, meeting the locals, befriending them makes the trip awesome and memorable!
when i was at guimaras, kuya gerald 09084748122, a tour guide from guimaras island was so very accomodating din with us together with my guest from davao. that was a very rainy visit and he even offered us to accomodate at his home just in case trips to iloilo will be cancelled. and just talked to my friend from dumaguete last night, he could show u around dumaguete for free po if walang kang kasama dun.
thanks for sharing chique! makes the trip unforgettable right?
why is it that people who has less, offer more?
thanks for that! someone also offered to tour me around, thanks!
will be looking forward to more of this series
thanks flip! im always inspired on your meet the nomads series.
james, level na talaga tong site mo! i love the new look and the new feature. it’s about time there’s a spot for this. i am pretty sure you have met so many amazing people already while on the road. time to give credit their kindness and lessons you have learned. thumbs up to Journeyingjames.com
thanks for noticing the new look. a friend offered to fix my blog. haha
continue traveling sir, hope to see you on the road sometime
Awww ang cute nung mga bata. Katulad nga ng kasabihan “The people make the place”, talagang masayang makakilala ng mga bagong kaibigan. And it’s also great na nainspire mo sila.
By the way, I love the new look of your blog. Very elegant. ^_^
indeed, people make the place. sabi ko nga
“When you visit to a new place, find the time to befriend a local. If you don’t better stay at home”
thanks joan!
I think Strange(r) encounders is a wonderful idea. I love this story. You never know who you meet along the way that may or may not pay an influencial difference to your life. *Thumbs up!*
thanks char! i guess when we talk about the experiences we had with the locals that we met, that the thing that binds each traveler.
that’s the heart and soul of every travel experience.
i love it when you said that “that’s the reason why you where there”! To give hope and inspire people : )
Traveling really makes you see things in different perspective. It will makes you feel humble and grateful. Keep it up James!
thanks jek… i cant wait to visit the island again… i miss my friends in yato. i hope i instilled the desire to travel to those kids.
i just fell inlove –> journeying james.
to whom? or to yato island?
to you!!!! and to joven and john robert…. =)
*blushing* thanks!