Small airports lead to big dreams

A fall bodes a lucky journey!

When I had finished my PADI Open Water training in Iceland I only had to wait about 40 days until my big trip to the Philippines!

As I’ve told you before, I decided to start my Divemaster journey right by training with people that had the oceans best interest at heart and that of course led me to Helle & Søren.
They had made their dream a reality and created a non-profit called Marine Conservation Philippines where they invited people to get courses as divers while learning about marine conservation and actively helping the cause.

I couldn’t wait to meet them and train with an instructor who had the same ideals. Of course they employed many like minded people but I knew all of them, including my instructor Aoibheann, would be just as enthusiastic and caring about ocean life.

But as it happens, travelling for about 29 hours would be challenge.
My flights were from Iceland to the UK, from UK to Quatar, then Quatar to Manila in Philippines and finally I was supposed to land on a small island called Negros.
Of course, that last part made my life a little bit harder, as when I got to Manila and went to check in for my next flight, it was cancelled. I had no idea why and it seemed like a lot of people were quite upset by this.
Of course they did offer us a stay at an airport hotel, which was like music to my ears at the time (but found out later that I could’ve actually been better compinsated than this, so remember to always check your rights as a passenger)

Anyways, I headed to my hotel which interestingly had some kind of half-tall floor between the rooms and reception. I can tell you, I am not a tall person but I definately had to crouch a little to get through that floor and finally to my bed.

I of course communicated this to MCP and let them know when my next flight would be so they wouldn’t worry, but thankfully I was heading their way the next morning.

After a long sleep in a new (and hot) climate, I made my way to the airport for my last flight on the journey and yes, it actually was happening that day. It was a quite small airplane, about 30-40 seats, but it made total sense when we got to the smallest airport I’ve ever seen in my life!!
No gates, no traffic lanes, just a small house the plane taxied its way up to and we were there.
The official airport of Negros Island.

Honestly, I wouldn’t have had it any other way. This just meant I was getting back to an environment I loved so much on my first trip to south-east Asia.
My personal motto is that the smaller the island, the better!

Of course Søren himself was there to pick us up and turns out I had actually shared a plane with another person coming to MCP which was a great surprise but I would end up meeting a lot more wonderful people when I arrived an hour away to Zamboanguita.

I was already excited to join MCP, and even though it took a little bit longer, the Icelandic saying still rings true.

Sometimes you have to have a rough start to an amazing journey💙