PHILIPPINES

Mindanao Island

Sandakan, Sabah, Borneo – Zamboanga City, Mindanao, Philippines – By
ferry

Due to engine problems, the ferry from Borneo only reached the port of
Zamboanga City at around nine p.m. Still, the time was eleven p.m. before we got
off the boat. The going was particularly slow, as it seemed one and all wanted to
get off first. Passengers further had to wait until transportation arrived, taking
them to the immigration office. While waiting, one had to be vigilant as small kids
hopped onboard, scavenging for whatever was going – might it be unattended
luggage or leftover food. They were like monkeys, clambering up and down the
side of the ferry. It was pretty amazing to watch them operate - they were as
quick as lightning, and even onboard security had no chance of catching them.
They were under and over the sleeping bunks without the guards seeing them.

Eventually, I was off the boat and at the immigration building. A queue snaked
from one end of the building to the other. People were pushing and shoving (I
wasn’t sure where they wanted to go, as no pushing or shoving was going to get
them to the front any sooner). Inside, the building was hot and stuffy. Passports
fanned faces dripping with sweat, to no avail.

By the time all was done, I set off with only a headlamp into the eerily dark streets
which revealed a few homeless people, two full hotels, and one pricey one. Only
on the fourth try was suitable accommodation found. It was thus 1.30 by the time
I closed my bedroom door.