Calapan

I still shiver if I think about Calapan. It was not that bad when we arrived and stayed in hotel, ate some pizza in the center etc. But the next morning we wanted to go to take a ferry to Luzon (Manilas island). The harbour was full of people and apparently standing in only one line, because only one company was selling tickets. I already hear 2 weeks earlier that two ferries sunk on that route. But it was not capacity issue - the problem was that smart people bought their ticket in advance and that's why almost no tickets were sold anymore. I stood in line with the Burmese girl and the English guy I met the day before. Philippines were cheating all the time and have an unconventional queueing culture. So slowly I moved forward. My friends decided to leave because they were not in a rush. So their I was alone in this stupid queue with my backpack etc. Then things got worse - heavy rain started. Many Philippinos went to the front of the queue for shelter. I didn't want to give up my spot so I stayed in the rain. But when the rain stopped the Philippinos didn't come back - they just stayed close to the counter. People were constantly coming in from the side. I was soaked and miserable. After 8 hours and absolutely no perspective for a ticket I gave my 4 USD to the guy in front of me and told him to buy a ticket for me. I would give him another 2 USD if he gives it to me. (knowing that I cant trust any Philippino) I finally ate something, drank something smoked and went to the bathroom. 12 hours after I arrived they were selling new tickets. But the guy had also been tyred and gave his and my money to a friend of his. But the girl apparently ran of with the money and the spot in the queue was gone. I stood in line once again because I had to get on the ferry. The guy felt really bad and went all the way to the front and pushed into the chaos. He found another guy at the front gave him his money and they achieved to buy the tickets. But when were in the back. the other guy said that he never received any money. So my guy got really angry and got a police man into play. He then forced the bad guy to give my guy the ticket, which he sold to e afterwards. 15 hours after I arrived at this messy, stinky port I was on the ferry. I arrived in Manila at 3 AM and went straight to the beer til morning.