It was a two hour boat ride to get to Bucas Grande Island.

Two hours of close contact exposure to the deafening sound of the motorboat’s engine that by the time we got to our destination, my ears were ringing. But at least we got there safe and sound. (Too much sound.) Especially after the initial delay as we were told that the boat that was supposed to take us on this trip was broken and the tour guide had to quickly organise another one.

It wasn’t much of a big deal, as I found we were actually quite a chill group of travelers. The time we should’ve left the mainland was instead spent with the kids playing at the beach and the adults chatting with the locals.

Once again, it was another beautiful morning in Siargao and we were all keen to go to Sohoton Cove, the place that my younger sister shrouded with so much mystery. She was the only one who had been there before. The rest of us were simply happy to follow her lead, albeit with a lot of questions that were all basically answered with “You’ll find out when you get there” which was so annoying because I am one curious cat.

Where are we going?

What’s in there?

Is it just like, an island or something?

As soon as our boat arrived, we waded in the warm shallow water to meet it. I always love that bit. I love the feel of the powdery sand on my feet as my slippers make that sloshing sound in the water. It’s nice when it’s sand or seagrass. But when it’s rocks or corals or worse, sea urchins, that’s a different story.

As a Filipino, wearing slippers and wearing it well whatever the terrain is somewhat of an inborn talent. Your toes naturally hold on to the straps for dear life.

The journey was spent without much talking as there was no way we could hear each other above the engine noise. I remember just looking at the left outrigger slice through the surface of the sea, shadows of the boat and reflections of the clouds painted on the water which made for a relaxing imagery that can be quite soothing to an overthinker like me.

A floating hut greeted us on our arrival at Sohoton Cove National Park. A wooden structure in the middle of nowhere that served as a registration centre for tourists before they could hop on smaller boats designated to take them through the mouth of a cave that leads to the cove.

Yep, you read that right: A cave. A low one whose opening you could barely see as it identified as an islet. And it’s only accessible when the tide is low. Because, duh.

Our little boat very slowly and carefully went inside the cave; our guides using their wooden paddles to steer the vessel away from low-hanging stalactites while instructing us all to duck down. It was only then that I understood what the helmets were for.

After several minutes traversing in the dark, the other end of the cave opened up and out into the most stunning view of a bluish-green lagoon surrounded by lush islets on both sides. It was like closing your eyes and opening them to paradise it almost felt like a rebirth.

It was a maze of islets I was happy to get lost in so long as the guides knew what they were doing, which I trusted they did.

Our first itinerary: swim with jellyfish. Stingless ones so you’re pretty much safe, until further notice.

This was the part where I was like, Should I do it? Should I not do it? because I’m probably the most adventurous person you’ll ever meet in all your lifetimes.

I sat on the boat and watched the jelly blobs below teasing me. Taunting me. Calling me a chicken via telepathy.

Fuck it, I’m going in!

And boy, did it feel sooooooo good I had to force Raven to come down and grab her own chance for this once-in-a-lifetime experience. She’s kinda like me sometimes, this kid. And in that moment, I knew I needed to step up as a mother to expand her world and her capabilities. And so I bribed her with 50 bucks.

“Dollars or Peso?” she asked. Smart.

When it was established that she was getting the amount in Australian Dollars, Jeff attended to her as she gingerly swam to me, her oversized life jacket jutting up behind her head as she touched, held, and swam with the jellyfishes that locals believed were enchanted.

We all ended up having such a wonderful time.

I wish we stayed there longer. The water was cool but the sun was warm on my shoulders. Floating on my back and looking at the skies above, I couldn’t help but feel good to be alive. You know what I mean? Not in a morbid way. But nature has a way of making you feel… happy. Not that I was sad. But being there and being one with everything in that magical world, it felt really nice.

And so we moved on and ticked the next items on the tourist list. The guides took us to the entrance of Hagukan Cave, aptly called because of the snoring sounds created by the lapping waves. Apparently, it is also luminescent inside, the stalactites reflecting back light sources into a greenish glow I didn’t personally see for myself as I couldn’t be bothered to go in.

Jeff and El-El, the adventure buffs that they are, took on the next challenge of the next cave adventure. That was where we caught up with my other sister and her family’s boat as my brother-in-law and my nieces went spelunking as well.

As per Jeff’s account, they risked their lives wading into the treacherous water of Magkukuob Cave where they could’ve died from traumatic head injuries if they weren’t wearing helmets. After surviving the ordeal, they climbed up and out the narrow passage of the dark cave, actively avoiding the perils of stalactites and stalagmites before heroically jumping off the cliff and into the waiting water below.

But you have to understand. Jeff is a bit of a storyteller. And by that, I mean you can walk into the Jaycar where he works to buy a single cable and you’ll come home with a robot vacuum for your wife.

As I wasn’t there to experience it, I just had to take his word for it. Albeit with a whole bag of salt.

“Boo, can you take a video of me jumping?” he shouted from up the cliff’s diving platform.

I gave him the thumbs up sign.

“Ready?” he shouted again.

Thumbs up sign.

He jumped.

Said video was so out of focus.

I agree with him. It’s hard to find good help these days.

This was the start of Raven feeling confident enough in the water. The swim with the jellyfish gave her that extra boost. As I watched her swim and paddle and enjoying every minute of it, I couldn’t help but feel proud of my brave little girl. A budding adventurous traveler just like her Auntie.

And swimming with her slippers on? Can’t get any more Filo than that!

If that’s not cultural education, I don’t know what is.

*Raven at 7 years old