Titicaca ferry

Strait of Tequila, Lake Titicaca, Bolivia, April 2015.

Ferry ride

How to get into the Pajero?

Between Luzon and Mindoro, June 2010.

Flying Filipinos

Taking a ferry ride in the Philippines comes with its own entertainment program. Before a ferry sails out of the harbor the local kids try to get onto the ferry and when they succeed, they jump from the main deck into the water.

Please note that the flying Filipinos are keeping their sandals in their hands.

Photo and video from the Abra de Ilog (Mindoro) - Batangas ferry in June 2007.

Making the best out of 3rd class traveling

During ferry rides in the Philippines most drivers stay with their vehicles. Some party (see above), some relax above their trucks.

Don't think the different forms of relaxation have an influence on the driving styles.

Photo from the Abra de Ilog (Mindoro) - Batangas ferry in June 2007.

Cute sister is watching you

'1984' Photo taken on the Sorsogon (Luzon) - Samar ferry in April 2007.

Banca beggars along the highway

The Philippine archipelago comprises 7107 islands, but interestingly you can drive the somewhat 2,500 km long Pan-Philippine Highway (Maharlika Highway) from North (Laoag City, Luzon) to South (Zamboanga City, Mindanao) by using two ferries only. The first ferry is cruising between Southern Luzon and Northern Samar and takes about one hour. The second ferry is sailing approximately four hours between Southern Leyte and North-Western Mindanao.

At all four piers you will encounter ‘banca beggars’ asking the passengers to throw some coins overboard.

Photo from Matnog, Sorsogon in April 2007.

Can you imagine the noise?

A ferry trip in the Philippines always comes with entertainment. On big ferries you will have performing artists and on small ones you will find at least the usual karaoke (here called ‘videoke’) equipment. On such ferries many new stars are born every 3 to 4 minutes at the cost of 5 Pesos (10 US cents). You will love it, especially when such cruising lasts for more than four hours... You will also be surprised to learn that most Filipino passengers can relax by having to listen to more than 100 decibel.

Photo from a ferry cruising between Southern Leyte and Mindanao in April 2007.