Living in a country with tropical climate and abundance of water sports, makes it very easy to indulge in the beach and explore nature through a tiny fisherman’s boat. Thus, a plan to drift off to sea for a very much need R&R was hatched.
Island hopping is liberating. You will lose all your inhibitions, your sea & motion sickness, tension, stress, and fear of the water. However, me being me, morbid thoughts came rushing in. Thoughts like "Is this banca strong enough?" or "Will I reach my destination in one piece and alive?" or "What if this banca suddenly capsizes?" You can't blame me for thinking these thoughts, going up and down the banca alone was already life threatening for me.
The banca, also known as a "pumpboat", has 2 large outriggers usually made of bamboo to give it the necessary stability. As each banca has its own personality, so has the journey. There is something so raw, exciting, and at the same time exhilarating about sitting in a wooden, rugged boat where you can see the fish swimming, your face gettng wet from the splashes of the tides, and the open view of the sea that makes your horizon like blue infinity.
