My co-worker John and I motorbiked all over Bantayan Island. There were very few cars, trucks, buses, and no cabs (only motor-tricycles), making this a prime spot to rent a motorbike.

Over the course of a day we easily went from Santa Fe up to Kota Park at the tip of Madridejos, back down to Bantayan proper, and back over to Santa Fe.

It wasn’t a great beach day due to a typhoon rolling through, so it was definitely a day for motorbikes. The waves were so bad all of the ferries back to Cebu were cancelled that day.

We thought we were going to Madridejos. However, given it had recently rained and there was a woman coming the opposite way taking it slow over the road that was now just mud and puddles, I slowed down. John missed these cues and the next thing I heard was a slide as motorbike hit pavement. I hit the brake and skid a little bit myself without tipping over.

I turned around and saw John getting up from the ground. One of the plastic hand-guards tore off from the bike, but he was ok though very muddy. I’m sure he was glad one of my first reactions was to take a photograph.

After a slight recovery we managed to bike into a very close town which, much to our surprise, ended up being Bantayan. Somehow we missed a turnoff. And with that our misdirection and misfortune ended.

The owner of a guesthouse very graciously let John shower and wash the bike, and even got her son to show us where we could repair the damaged bike.

And again we were on the road. There was enough cloud cover that it was a perfect temperature especially with the generated wind from the open air. This time we took all the right turns, and when we asked one of the locals “which way is Madridejos?” — we were already there! I suppose it was a little smaller than we expected.

After buying a new pair of pants we went to the end of the city and the end of the island — Kota Park.

It had a decent beach with a pier extending far; low tide exposing the rocky coral.

It was easy to spot the tourists – us and a group from Manila. It’s always easy to tell if someone’s from Manila based simply on the way they dress.

Whereas the locals were gathering small shells and crabs along the exposed coral.

Or just enjoying the time outside.

At the end of the pier was a colorful building with multiple stories, supplying a great view and a little fun.

It was about an hour back to Bantayan proper where we were able to visit the wharf and the market just before night fell.

Yep, someone lives on that tiny island right there. But this is a boating island with plenty of fishing, which wasn’t too successful that day due to the typhoon, but fishermen were out from around 11pm to 1am collecting fish that looked like miniature blowfish.

So late one camera was out of batteries and I couldn’t take a proper photo with the other. It was time to sit on the beach watching the stars — we had a boat ride the next day at 4am.

Joseph was the one who offered the lowest fare — he wasn’t trying to pull a fast one on the tourists. In the end my friend and I both benefited much more than originally expected.

He was our guide for the first night. He motorbiked us around. He showed us where to get housing when our choice fell through. And the next day after offering us breakfast at his home, he showed us where to rent motorbikes.

We stayed the first night at Tickety Boo, which was mostly disappointing and the bathroom smelled horrendous. While visiting Joseph’s small home, his non-running-water-bathroom was far better. I suppose not all luxuries work the way they are supposed to.

Now, when I say he offered us breakfast it got us thinking — without a doubt going to be rice. Definitely eggs. Maybe some kind of meat..they like their sausage here!

When we got to his place, he served us a very simple plate of bread and one coffee each. You know what? I’m not even a coffee drinker, but that was the best coffee I’ve had. Then we found out it was the simple 3-in-1 Nescafe you can buy in packets along any roadside stall.

It was a simple room with one bench for John and I to sit on while his family sat on the various other chairs and cribs nearby. One netted window provided the ventilation.

Joseph’s son enjoyed playing with my camera.

Several visitors were interested in the unusual guests.

Including Joseph’s older son.

Who, much to everyone’s amusement, jumped into the crib.

After the breakfast Joseph showed us our motorbikes and offered his home as a place to stay for the night. We knew we would only be there a short while as our boat left at four in the morning, so we agreed and embarked on our motorbikes.

That night we returned and I did manage to sleep a short while. Joseph provided a small fan for the both of us. I slept on the wooden bench with a blanket underneath while John slept on a small mat on the floor.

Then the mosquitoes came through the netted window. Several bites on my leg later, I ended up covering myself in the blanket. It was hot, but no skin was vulnerable.

At four we woke up and Joseph showed us where to get some very good fresh bread. He waited until John and I secured tickets and paid our terminal fee to get to the boat — this was the first ferry leaving since the typhoon rolled through.