It is becoming increasingly easier to get off my arse these days and go to the destination I have said I would travel while on this life hiatus I had put myself into.
Waking up at four thirty in the morning on a Monday to prepare for my first ferry ride in this three boat journey into another Island I have not visited, or so I thought. I had already booked a room for the night the previous night so I had to arrive at Bacolod from San Carlos. Taking the northern road to complete my circumnavigation of Negros Island since I took the mountain road the previous trip on this island. See previous post. It is fair for me to say then that I had to continue with my journey as I circumnavigate the whole island as intended and completion required me to head to Bacolod using the path north.
For some reason there are always things changing around Toledo. Last time I went to get my ticket I didn't need to bring my motor registration papers to the Coast Guard but this trip I had to get the ticket before they allow me to buy the ferry ticket for the bike. Also they require you to have a photocopy of it so you can leave it with them for them to give the ticket. Weird because on the two islands Negros and Iloilo you just go there and they don't even sight the registration paper. Lucky for me I had an old photocopy of it when I was give my temporary plates.
The ferry ride this time however was close to seeing an old friend again. Staying inside the cabin because the top part, the open part was already full so I was forced to sit inside. I didn't mind because I was hungry and didn't have time to get breakfast. 2 minute noodles solves most things in life that require no finesse to get the job done. Slurping it down because it tasted good, then again food always has that good taste vibe to it when you are hungry and the stomach craves something warm.
Arriving on the port I moved down to the cargo hold downstairs ready to take the bike and zoom out of the boat. Of course I had already charted my path over the northern Negros island. Early in the morning the city of San Carlos was already buzzing with life. It is a city and I have to say it has a better city planning structure than what I can see of Toledo. I am too critical on things around me... Maybe I need to chill some more. Oh well when you are just a beneficiary of someone else's work you just take what you get and move on and see if you can make things better.
San Carlos to Bacolod - The northern half of Negros Island.
My first impression of the ride to the north is the green ocean of agricultural mono cropping however the wind swept movements of these long grasses are mesmerizing not to say the least. The undulation of the sea green rhythmically pulling the eyes to the soft gentle swaying caused by the breeze blowing, at the time I had thought was fairly nice warm temperature as it was about seven in the morning or close to it. Don't quote me on the exact time.
A common thought ran through my brain as I covered countless kilometers on the road a vast expanse of green seas forming waves upon waves of undulating seascape of green green life at the same time a smaller voice kept repeating mono and how the industrialization of agriculture is not something I really like. But. I am drawn to the simplicity and one sidedness of the endeavor to maximize returns. At what cost I do not know since after all I have no knowledge of what it was this place did a long time ago.
Useless thoughts I say to myself since I am just here to cover the road with my presence...
Leave no trace.
As I rode further into the northern part of Negros I get a feeling of dryness in the air and lots of smoke. It is interesting how some of the barangays have signs proudly proclaiming they are an area who do not tolerate smoking yet the place is on constant smokey haze from the burnings occurring there prior to sugar canes being harvested. I wonder if the those rebels people keep telling me about between San Carlos to Dumaguete are from the north of Negros who are fed up with how their lives re being made unbearable by the rich few who cut forests and other natural things in order to grow sugar cane.
Expect these big beasts carrying tons upon tons of harvested canes.
Hmmm wonder when sugar cane became a crop here in the Philippines. Prehispanic or post?
Coffee break.
It's always a positive when I come across a cafe on the road. I mean coffee.... I want it inside me... It could be a bag of tea... Both would especially be good free.
LOL, random.
It takes me a long while to get to Bacolod city because I find myself stopping frequently. It was so damned hot on the road. I admit I had some reservations on riding a bike that day because I was not comfortable but then I told myself, if there is no suffering there is no achievement. Or something like that. It was enjoyable though especially when there was a nice shade to stop under and get some cool breeze when it came, rare but I took it when it presented itself.
Random thought- seriously having some hints of depression in my head as I write this post.
I remember clearly at one part of the ride on a very treeless bit of the whole journey I found myself singing at the top of my lungs "Forever More" by Side A band and crying inside as I remember my ex wife on our wedding dance. The miles come and go as is life and its events, life changing ones, appearing and then disappearing leaving holes inside you where you re left wondering where it had gone all wrong....
Bah.
Music sure has an effect on the mind and soul...
Whoa big round about with a buiding.
The boat ride across to Iloilo. - Next post cos this is getting too long LOL
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