Pink Memoirs

It was a chaotic afternoon! Amidst all the bodies pressed against each other, a glimpse and then boarding the 17th century replica of the Galleon Andalucia, was a truly awesome experience.

Galleon Andalucia has moored in Catagbacan Loon Cruise Ship Port yesterday at around 3:30 in the afternoon, here in Bohol. This is the ship’s climax of its Philippine voyage. Galleon Andalucia is a 51-meter-long vessel and has six decks with a floor area of 320 square meters, three masts with seven sails, and is about 400 feet high. Her splendid glory stood tall among all the other things (and people) present this afternoon.

On her arrival, she was greeted with festivities, dancing and a reenactment of the Blood Compact. Andalucia has cruised from Seville, Spain last March 24, had stopovers in China, Hongkong, then Manila, Cebu and Bohol. It will sail to Samar before its home voyage to Spain passing Singapore and Sri Lanka.

We were at the port at 3:30 this afternoon and people were already lined up at the gate, eagerly waiting to get inside. But unfortunately it took us about three (3) hours to board the galleon!!! And boarding the ship took only less than 10 minutes!!! What’s worst was that it was already getting dark!!! So guys, my photos are really bad, hope you don’t mind. But still I am sharing some of it to all of you!

The crowd actually was controllable had the police took over and asserted (at least) some authority and cordoned the entrances. But they only concentrated on the small gate. That’s why all the people had to squeeze in and everyone wanted to get in first. The crowd too lining up beside the ship were all busy taking pictures.

My son, who named the galleon “Dora’s Pirate ship” was the one who was very excited! That mess hall at the background, he even went inside and said, “Mommy, let’s eat!” Then one of the crew who heard him, took him and gladly had a photo memory! Here it is:

This is my favorite photo! I think of all the kids on board, my son was the only one who dared to cross the ropes (the unauthorized places), that’s probably why the crew noticed him.

It was an amazing encounter really, despite the heat, the humidity and all, we had fun, at least on the last part. We do hope that Galleon Andalucia would come and visit us again! Bon Voyage Andalucia! Viva Espanya!

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