View of a mosque, Stilt houses at Jolo Port, Sulu
The volcanic island of Jolo in Sulu has been a staple on recent news lately. More so on the rampant kidnappings happening on the region, particularly in Southern tip of Mindanao. Just recently, this early 2009 there were around 10 kidnappings reported, from missionaries, traders, volunteers and even a 9 year old boy who just came out of a computer shop was kidnapped. It is a sad fact but there are really places in the Philippines that are best avoided and one of those is this volcanic island of Sulu. Quite ironic when we landed on Zamboanga Airport, there was a WOW Sulu banner on the arrivals.
Jolo Stilt Houses and Bud Dajo (volcano) at the back
I’ve seen some photos and heard a lot about how beautiful the Sulu Archipelago is. In fact, the walled city of Sulu was ahead in development already when little Manila was just starting out to be a city. But somewhere along the way it took a wrong turn. Now it’s one of the regions most Filipinos are afraid to travel to. We had a chance to take glimpse of Sulu from the port when our Weesam Fastcraft took a quick stop to board passengers from the island back to Zamboanga. We wanted to go down for a while at the port but there was not enough time. The kind lady from Tawi-tawi seated beside us even warned us not to go down there. Tourism people of Tawi-tawi also advised us not to venture there as well. I guess people even from Tawi-tawi knows the danger of the place.
Jolo Ferry Passing from the islands in Sulu
I remember hearing a news before, around three years ago, when a Photogrpaher, shooting a sunset at the wharf was shot dead. It seem these people shot him out of a whim or nothing better to do. I don’t know the whole story but it’s enough for me to be cautious. And during the trip, we bumped into a couple of backpackers who met this swiss lady backpacking on her own. She went there at Jolo but the marines fetched and escorted her to their camp for safety because she was alone.
Sulu Sundown
My point in this post? Is that travels has dangers and it’s best to be responsible enough to know and decide which places to go or avoid. And also to point out that dangerous territories are just that, selected spots not the whole region. It’s sad that when people say Mindanao, we already get the impression that the whole region is dangerous. That is unfair and too generalizing. There are dangerous places in Mindanao, but it sure is big enough to avoid them. This post is a prelude to the next series of Tawi-Tawi Travelogues. The southern most region that seems to be unfortunately caught up with the negative reputation the neighboring island of Jolo has.
i remember this one, when the ferry seems to be in a hurry to just get passengers and continue its trip to zamboanga.
in any case, it’s good you pointed it out — it’s nice to travel with an open mind but not after researching about the place,
and not just about its destinations but also the pertinent risks, what precautions to take, etc. it’s not to take away from
spontaneity of the experience but rather to come equipped so one can enjoy the journey.
Ika nga, “Don’t push the envelop too far.” The joy of travel is to be there and back…with your body whole and in working order LOL. Have a safe and enjoyable travel wherever and whenever.
i am looking forward to visiting jolo and some other parts of the southwestern region.
i think that some of the most beautiful places are located in the island of Mindanao but with the “risks and dangers” of traveling people tend to shy away from these places. sayang kase ang ganda talaga di lang masyadong na-explore. i agree with you traveling does entail/impose some danger iba’t ibang klase nga lang. even those that we thought are the safest place could still impose some “risks”. Tawi-tawi is one spot that I really would like to explore. Actually, most of the places i really wanted to go to are in Mindanao, andami kaseng pwedeng ma-discover. kaya thankful din ako kase kahit di pa namin nararating, napuntahan mo na at na-ishare sa blog mo. ngapala, active ba yung Bud Dajo? ganda ng shot na yun with the stilt houses. yung background agad napansin ko, hehe.
I have been following you blog for a while now and I absolutely love the way you express your insights and travel experiences.
As for Mindanao, I used to live in Davao and I think it is one of the safest place to live, I was also fortunate enough to visit Cagayan de Oro and Iligan and it aint as bad, even satisfying. I would agree to your point of being responsible enough to avoid some places as traveling should be a pleasant experience and pushing the envelope so to speak not only makes the entire trip unpleasant, one might also bring unnecessary risk.
Beautiful photos as always…
I’ve never been into this part of Mindanao. The least I could get to is Zamboanga. It’s simply scary for me
I hope I’d be able to catch a glimpse of this place too
Please visit my alter ego
Well… I guess they don’t deserve tourists in those dangerous places… why go there? The world is full of beautiful places.
Mindanao is not on a high spot on my list of places I want to visit.
I too have a mixed view on this one. True, Tawi-tawi and those parts of the country remain an enigma even to the most seasoned traveler. But if one considers the volatile peace situation in the neighboring Jolo and Basilan, then one ought to really weigh in the risks with personal benefits. But thank you for sharing these pictures, they are testament that you got out there with four limbs still intact.
Agree, you don’t have to invite danger when you are traveling. Jolo is distinctly colorful with its Islamic culture. It certainly shows another facet of the multicultural attribute of the country
how are you?
i’m searching for ways on how to go to sulu and i was linked here. your blog is really for travel ;p