Sunday, May 5, 2019

Big Red Boat! - Sailing With Your Special Ones

After our latest summer adventure at Burias Island, there were a number of parents in ASD communities asking us about how our special one managed to handle long boat trips so we thought about writing another stickies for boat trips.
 
outrigger boat going to cagbalete island in mauban quezon
Outrigger boats are common in the Philippines so it's good to help the kids get accustomed

Just like any other new stuff we introduce to our special needs children, we believe the key is to be gradual.  Before we went on our first boat trip, our kids were already used to long trips by land so even our special one could already sleep in the car whenever we travel. 
To help prepare our autistic son, we let him watch kiddie shows about boats and sailing.  One of his favorite was the “Big Red Boat” by The Wiggles.  Watching the show with him also proved to be helpful as we acted out the songs or danced with him to keep him engaged.  Another technique to help him prepare was to play boat toys with him and let him see those toys float around in a pond or pool.  The objective was to get him curious enough and excited enough.  One more thing to try is the kiddie boat rides in theme parks.  These boat rides are close enough to the real thing but relatively safer.  The kiddie design of these rides will also help a lot.
outrigger boat going to cagbalete island in mauban quezon
A smaller boat took us to the island when the water was already too shallow for the outrigger (Cagbalete Island in Quezon)

Our first boat trip was by a big ferry boat of 2GO Travel from Batangas to Caticlan port.  We were on our way to a company outing at Boracay.  The ferry was built to feel a little like a cruise ship so it even though it was 10-hour sailing, it was comfortable on board.  There were comfy double decker beds for the economy class.  Full set meals, shower rooms, and other amenities are also available on board so we didn’t have any problems with the kids.  The crew were also friendly and very accommodating.  Besides, we sailed overnight so a big bulk of the time on board was spent sleeping.  Before boarding the boat, we sang the familiar Wiggles song “Big Red Boat” to him so imagine his smile and excitement when we were about to board.  It is important to talk to your special ones just before you go on your first boat ride.  You have to make them feel that you are going to do something fun and exciting.
2go travels ferry from batangas to caticlan port (boracay)
Sitting comfortably in one of the recliners on board the 2GO vessel


2go travels ferry from batangas to caticlan port (boracay)
Lots of chairs to hang out on the ship's deck

2go travels ferry from batangas to caticlan port (boracay)
The "lobby" of 2GO ferry going to Caticlan Port (Boracay)

2go travels ferry from batangas to caticlan port (boracay)
Kids were curious and enjoyed playing on the double deck beds!


Our second boat ride immediately followed after the first one.  It was the 20-minute boat ride from Caticlan Port to Boracay Island.  It was a small outrigger boat and it was our kids’ first time to ride that kind of boat.  Our special one especially loved how the sea water sprayed onto his face occasionally during the ride.

outrigger boat from caticlan port to boracay
The short outrigger boat ride from Caticlan to Boracay Island


After that trip, we knew that he was already comfortable with boat rides and he already knew what to expect.  Our next boat ride was the following summer when we went to the Hundred Islands for the first time.  It was an hour sailing on board a small outrigger boat from Tobuan, Labrador, Pangasinan.  We felt reluctant at first but we were surprised at how he sat still during the whole trip, savoring every minute.  But of course, I was holding onto him the whole time to make sure he was safe.  We had several other outrigger boat rides the following years so the 2-1/2 hour sailing from Pasacao Port to Burias Island no longer worried us.

outrigger boat at pangasinan (hundred islands)
Outrigger boat from Tobuan, Labrador, Pangasinan to Hundred Islands

outrigger boat at pangasinan (hundred islands)
At one of the islands at Hundred Islands in Pangasinan



outrigger boat at pangasinan (hundred islands)
Enjoying the boat ride!

Like any other activity, safety should be of utmost importance.  Remember to wear life vests when riding outrigger boats.  It is worth the investment to buy your kids their own life vests that will fit them snuggly and comfortably because the ones available in outrigger boats are usually very loose for the kids and they will most likely come loose in emergency situations.  These are the life vests we have for our kids:


life vest
We recommend buying your own life vests that fit comfortably and snuggly


 Also, if you yourself do not know how to swim, it is a good idea to purchase your own life vest as well that will fit you snuggly and comfortably.  The life vest pictured above has straps that go between the legs so the wearer will be more secure.


This may sound morbid, but whenever I ride boats, especially with my family, I scan the vessel and make an emergency plan in my head.  I look for the location of life saving devices and also look for structures that will less likely sink in case of a catastrophe.  One item you can include in your mental list is the bamboo outrigger.

outrigger boat going to cagbalete island in mauban quezon
Outrigger boat going to Cagbalete Island in Mauban, Quezon



outrigger boat going to cagbalete island in mauban quezon
On board and ready to go!

outrigger boat going to cagbalete island in mauban quezon
Almost there!

Lastly, heed the warnings.  If it is not safe to travel by boat, then don’t.  Check the advisories of the coast guard and also the weather.  Aside from the news, my personal choice for checking the weather online is Weathergaines.  Here you will have visual information on the weather situation as the site has tons of real time satellite images and analysis.  Also, it is important to listen to your boatman when he says that the waves might be too high to travel.  Nothing is worth compromising your safety, most especially that of your family.  Always keep safety the no.1 priority so you’ll be able to enjoy more with your family!

Share with us your travel experiences with your special ones!

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