The Unexpected Bakhaw Beach (and others!)

So here's the promised "sequel" of my holiday in Camotes.

Day 2.

I woke up with heavy eyes when the alarm sounded. I did not get much sleep because for one, the place is new to me - and secondly, the fucking bastards next to our room were having drinking session with screaming and goofing around to match that lasted until the wee hours of the morning.

Some people need a lecture on respect... while sitting on a knife on their butt!

Anyhow, let's not talk about those rowdy creatures. This post is not about them so I'm not gonna give them the credit for ruining my sleep.

After a hearty breakfast by the beach we head off to our itinerary. We rented a motorcycle for Php500 for the whole day tour.

First stop : Lake Danao in its glorious figure 8 when you see it on the map. You can rent a kayak or a duck boat and paddle your way into the vastness.

the legend that explains how Lake Danao came into existence

meet crocky. our friendly crocodile ride while exploring the lake.

a fellow tourist with the kayak

Just me lounging on the floating cottage

The park has amenities such as swimming pool and restaurant. It's ideal for families who love to go on pick-nicks.

After our 30-minute boat ride, I asked our driver / tour guide to take us to Timubo Cave but he suggested that he'll take us first to a public beach nearby. It was not on our itinerary. And since it was still early, I knew better than to protest.

We passed the quiet road of Brgy. Esperanza, took a left turn and trudged on a bumpy road. Few minutes later, we set foot on what seemed to me the most natural yet so enchanting beach I've ever seen in that island. Sure Santiago Bay has this next-Boracay thing, Bakhaw Beach is simply raw, unspoiled - my kind of beach.

Trivia: I always do jump shots in all my travels. And I usually do it on the place where I thought to be amazing. And Bakhaw Beach is gotta be it!

photo from Gnetch

photo from Gnetch

And because this is a public beach there's not much maintenance when it comes to cleaning off the seaweeds :) But take my word for it --- this is one hella place that one must not miss when visiting Camotes.

I'm pretty sure I got my sunburn here. I did not mind the scorching heat as long as I enjoyed the cool and clear water! Definitely on my next trip to Camotes I'm gonna stay here!!!

Just before lunch we went up to Timubo Cave.

There are man-made stairs and lighted pathways leading you down. The part where you can take a dip is not too far from the cave's entrance. Plus, you are treated to limestone, crystals and rock formation on your way down.

And because my camera had lost it's capture-images-even-on-the-dark capability, I didn't bother taking photos. Besides, I've been to a lot of caves in my previous travels.

a small crevice leading to the cave's "pool" where one will enjoy swimming and dipping into the refreshing cold water.

I just stayed in the shallow area. What with my indisputable talent in swimming haha! At high tide the water can go 6 feet high. Not bad if you're a swimmer.

And before I knew it my stomach growled for lunch! We went to the baywalk to grab some bite and scoured the nearby market for some errrrr alcohol. Okay, don't judge. Girls just wanna have fun (Hey Cyndi Lauper I'm a fan) on our last night.

Then we swung by Boho Rock and Mangodlong Rock Resort. By their names, I'm sure you get the picture.

Boho Resort is famous for cliff diving

the scenic floating cottage

Mangodlong Resort

a view from one of Mangodlong Resort's cottage

Mangodlong Resort

They were not called ROCK resorts for nothing!

Life's a Beach and then what?

A beach bum who doesn't know how to swim... That phrase perfectly describes me.

About two weeks ago, Yahoo PH posted an article about the top 7 must-visit beaches in the Philippines. The beach lover in me couldn't just sit there and stare at the article. I hurriedly clicked the link, browsed at each entry, and prided myself for getting 5 out of 7.

Quite a feat as most of my friends would say. I nearly planned to get 6 out of 7 before the year ends. So when the opportunity of spending summer in one of the islands in Cebu came knocking at my doorstep, I didn't know I was truly in for a big surprise.

Well thanks to my blog friend Gnetch (ahemmm!) for bitching me out to Camotes Island hahaha!

The truth is, I've been to most islands in Cebu but never to Camotes. Blame it on the crazy "big waves" stories I've heard. This time there's no turning back. I gotta check out myself why so many people are raving about the "sweet potato" island.

We took the ferry on a Sunday and spent the next two hours on not so comfortable seats. Actually, I am used to travel in far more inconvenient mode, but a group of prattlers and a lady who doesn't know how to keep her voice low made the situation so inconvenient. Good thing I have a bunch of Wooga games on my phone or I would have thrown them a bone.

So after a few rounds of Diamond dash and attempts to solve the 4 pics 1 word puzzle, we arrived at the port of Consuelo. The turquoise water, the laid-back vibe and friendly people greeted us as we disembarked from the boat.

approaching the port of Consuelo

melancholic

kids enjoying their time diving

 We're supposed to stay at Santiago Bay Garden and Resort but they're fully booked so we just stayed at a nearby resort. We had lunch at Pito's Sutukil and had a taste of their famous SUTUKIL at very affordable price. (Sutukil is a moniker for Sugba (Grill), Tuwa (fish stew) & Kilaw / Kilawin (raw fish drenched in vinegar). The rest of the afternoon was spent whiling around and swimming.

Infinity pool at Santiago Bay Gardens

White Beach --- just like Boracay it has a wide shallow area. You have to walk farther before you get chest-deep. But Boracay sands are still the finest (in my opinion).

the cozy public beach where everyone gets to enjoy the white sand

 

The rhyme that goes Sea Shells by the Sea Shore

Santiago Bay Gardens

Bungalow rooms at Santiago Resort

Coming right up: A taste of Camotes' best kept secrets all for a day! Lake Danao, Timubo Cave and Bakhaw Beach!

A dose of adventure with colleagues

The adrenalin junkie in me kicked in (after a long time) last weekend when my colleagues and I decided to swung by a place in the North of Cebu for some dose of adventure. Our wandering feet got us to Esoy Hotspring, a secluded resort in the hilly suburb of Catmon. Just an hour ride from the city, we were treated to a quiet retreat topped with a dip on a hot spring.

Dip in the hotspring.

The truth is, we were wondering if we were dipping in an "authentic" hot spring. From what we know, hot spring exists if there is an active volcano near the area. But we were surprised. Celso, the owner of the resort told us that the heat came from a natural source. He began to explain it - scientifically, and i was just standing there in awe trying to absorb everything he said. :) Aryt... next time, no skipping of science classes.

Braving my way through the hanging bridge

Just as we were about to go trekking, the rain suddenly poured. Yes, in the middle of summer! And the crystal waters in the creek turned into not-so-crystal-anymore. Frustrating. But... It didn't stop us. Indeed we got our heart's content. We crossed the hanging bridge, climbed the rugged boulders, swam the creek while thinking if I'll ever get out alive. I'm not a swimmer. I don't know a single thing about swimming. Thanks to the life vest though and to my colleague who tirelessly tugged me out to the shallow part.

after the rain

Before the rain

 

On our way back to the resort we met a bunch of local TV crew taping for an episode of their morning show. Two days later, we saw our faces on TV hahahaha! Great deal!

It was an awesome treat for all of us. The fun, the laughter, the experience, the dose of adventure we had is worth repeating.

I would gladly do this again.

Escaping BTD (And because travel doesn't have to be expensive)

**** This is an oooooverdue post BECAUSE (I'm not going to make up an excuse here) I  AM LAZY.


BTD or Boredom To Death as what I call it.

Two weeks ago I was chillin' with my housemate when our conversation started turning towards how life can be so boring sometimes. How work can be soooooo consuming that it steals your personal time, makes you forget how to have fun and meet new people and friends (which, if you constantly do will eventually take you to the path of living alone for the rest of your darn life. Read : Becoming a spinster).

Of course that is not the way to go.

Absolutely not.

And so I realized I've been missing on something lately. I miss doing the very thing I love most about life...

TRAVEL.

It's been a year since the last time I hit the road. And by that I mean take a REAL trip. Suddenly I miss the beach, the sand, the sun (In this rainy season), the sea breeze, the crashing waves, the tranquility of the ocean, the kind of peace you find in a strange place...

Then it was instant.When I told my housemate that I wanna go some place quite where I can spend some time in the beach, she insisted that we go to Argao, in the Southern part of Cebu.

I've always prided myself as a planner. I never went on with my life without a plan, and which I always have a backup just in case the universe conspires against me.It was liberating when I immediately said "Yes" to her suggestion.

Not wasting any time we packed a few things, swung by a convenience store to buy water and some junkies, head off the bus station and jumped on the first bus to Argao.

Two hours later we found ourselves standing in front of the centuries old church of St. Michael, the Patron Saint of Argao.

St. Michael Church

The church was surrounded by equally old building that have weathered the test of times.

The old municipal building

my roomate sitting on a lonely bench fronting the old chapel

an entry leading to the beach

Talk about how the universe loves to ruin the "unplanned plan", it rained so heavy that we were almost soaking wet and shivering from cold. The good thing? We don't have a place to stay yet. The bad thing? We have to start looking for one before the wind dry us out in our clothes!

We found a comfortable place to stay at a very, very affordable rate at Luisa's Place.And the best of all our cabana is sitting on a beach front. How lovely!

view from our cabana just before sunrise

a fisherman sailing into the sunrise

the morning coffee ritual by the shore

this is how I see tranquility

  

A walk to remember :))))

By mid-day, we went to visit the Riverstone Castle. This midieval-inspired castle was designed by a Belgian architect and built in the early 2000.

I tried to pull out the "Free Parking" signage to not ruin my photo but it's just so heavy.

so this is me at the main door

the castle's facade and the two Armour guards

Rapunzel, Rapunzel... I can't climb up with your hair so short :))

the cozy restaurant

Let me in! Let me in!

the creepy wine cellar. I swear I had goosebumps here

wine cellar

I took a lot of photos but of course I can't place them all here.

So. If you like, visit my facebook page and.... just kidding!

Until my next spontaneous adventure! :)