We settled down on the boat back to Iloilo; don’t forget we had to stop at Cuyo Island again, more swimming and eating chicken again.
Iloilo had a boat to Cebu that evening so we saved a bit of money not having to get a hotel room. Another day of wondering around the town on the motorbike. I had one and the only incident of a near accident when I wanted to make a U turn in heavy traffic and my helmet obstructed my view and I started to make the turn and a jeepney almost clipped us. Ya, it was my fault but there was plenty of room to spar but none the less it showed poor judgment and I got the evil eye look from the driver. We arrived in Cebu in the morning and back to the beloved Belavista hotel. Now I wanted to go to Bohol coz I hadn’t seen that yet but Maricel said that I would have to go alone coz she aint going without getting married first. I was thinking that she was a real trooper on these 2200 kilometers of adventure. I looked at her and knew that I could not find a better partner in my life time. How could I go on without her? I was in love yes, but love is not enough, we were best friends, we were married without the papers. I was sure that marriage is taking a chance and that there is no guarantee it will work out. But we were together and I wanted it to last forever. Doubts, yes, they say if you have any doubts don’t do it. But doubts are natural; I had never been married before. Marriage past me by many times in my life. What made this different? Her personality and independent ways that still fit into my world. Maricel wanted me to live and retire in the Philippines and we in our adventure we were looking for a place where we could live and retire.
To be continued: page 19
