SCARY MINUTES CROSSING THE MIGHTY CAGAYAN RIVER

Photographed on a clear day when the blogger was going back to Isabela. The ferry, which transports light vehicles like this passenger van bound for Tuguegarao, is made afloat by two bancas on each side. It is being operated by a private contractor rehabilitating the Magapit Suspension Bridge. Passengers bound for the other side of the river ride the ferry for free. Private bancas charge P10 each passenger..

The weatherman said Typhoon Saola has left the country's area of responsibility but the rains persisted. No sign of the sun. The bus disgorged its passengers along the Aparri road, where we would go down, baggage and all, and take the banca ride to the other side of the Cagayan River in Lallo town.  There were three means of crossing the river: the open puny banca, the barge with a roof and the ferry where light vehicles are transported. We rode on the motor-driven banca, that can accommodate at least 15 passengers. I had doubts and a little bit scared. Naapres ti karayan. The water is colored brown like the P6.00 Kopiko brown coffee I drank this morning in Oscariz. We took our seats at the end of the boat, where the motor was located and being revived as we started boarding it .When all the passengers--all were given identical orange life vests-- had taken their seats the boat was tilting from side to side. It was scary. Supposed one or two passengers could not control himself or herself especially in the middle of the river, which is 30 feet? I took stock of the things I would let go if the boat capsized--my luggage, my shoes, but not my laptop.  I was tense as most probably all the passengers were as we crossed the river, thank God,  safely to the other side in the village called Bangag.