Philippine Travel Notes

This is a new one, not many yet, even from Gamay, know about the existence of this resort. I chanced upon this place on my morning stroll of Brgy. San Antonio, Gamay. Yes, Brgy. San Antonio, where Araw Beach is - north of Gamay town proper - not the now known Mika's Beach Resort at Brgy. Cagamutan Del Norte, south of poblacion. Which incidentally per plan, is where I'm going immediately after Araw Beach. Wow! It was too early (wala pang alas-siete), so I told my self to come back, and I did! I quickly recorgnized, that this is the only all-concrete resort on Araw Beach, so far. The upper floor is a wide open space. That must be great for parties or events. Ground level has 4 rooms only, I didn't see any other, although the place is wide. I seem to 'espy' that the '4-rooms-only' structure seem to be still a 'market-test'? Pag dinumog at umaariba na, dagdagan. But while waiting for that, 4 rooms is no-sweat ! Parang nakikinikinita ko ang ...

I roamed around this little village, where Araw Beach is a part of. Not for any special reason, but just a go-see really, at its present-day look , before more changes happen. Why? What changes are happening? Aw, just like everywhere else in this country. By and by , yes, even if too slow, remote rural areas do get upgrades. That's what I mean. Examples: 1) on arrival, I saw that streets are fairly newly-paved; 2) above Nathalie's (since it's a hill, at the back), the street is being extended to 'above the beach'. O ha! Signs of progress. And, I think it will be more towards that situation, as Araw Beach becomes more and more visible, to the local and even international tourist markets. Who knows, baka pag balik natin eh this barangay could already be a crowded area of highrises! O, optimist di ba? It'll be best if we visitors have memories of the past! Ayay, take it from me, I always say now: "if only meron nang phone camera or kahit na digit...

My home at Araw Beach, Gamay, Northern Samar. This was not my choice amongst many , for this was my only practicable choice among a handful ! But I liked it anyway! I went to Araw from Mapanas without a booked nor definite place to stay. I did have an idea of a resort, thanks to some friends, but when I got there it was not available . Sayang, because it was/is the most ideal for me (remot est quiet est ), though a bit in disrepair. So I backtracked to the 'entrance to Araw from the village', that is Nathalie's. Cottages at Nathalie's (this entire beach strip actually) look something like this: It is usually "good for many" - they do not normally care how many ever you are in a group, as long as none of your members "stray" unto other cottages. Overnight yan. This one has a smaller table. I purposely stood a bit farther to capture the ladder. What is up that ladder? Your room! As in your sleeping quarters, 'good for many' too! T...

Beachology ? Is there such a word? There is, NOW - I declare, as I do hereby declare! That, is irrevocable and immutable! Thus, let it be known by all ye my royal subjects! My royal subjects lang, hindi predicate! Walang kokontra! Ang kumontra papangit! Game na. Let's talk about some 'lessons'! This beach may not be for you my dear reader, if you are the type who likes to romp or laze on a beach ' to see and be seen ' . This is NOT the place. Why? No human eyes! No humans to ogle at, and/or salivate, over your make-believe-alindog hahaha! Aside from a few farmers tending to their coconuts, or other planted eatables under those foresty trees, no humans around. Di bebenta ang rampa mo dito Mana Maura! And I love it that way! Look, this was a Friday afternoon, and I was literally alone! That is about 3 kilometers of nothingness on a white sand beach, all the way to that headland at the end of this cove - and, OMG it continues that way on the other side! ...

Done at Mapanas, it was time to head to my final destination of the day - the Sun! Do you know where that is? That is Araw Beach , Brgy. San Antonio, Gamay Northern Samar! Its in Gamay, but feels nearer to Mapanas. Maybe it's midway between them. Yep, it is named Araw Beach, that's why I jokingly refer to it as "the sun"! And don't get eggzoiteeed ! That photo was my first click, upon arrival this afternoon. There will (aw there shall ) be more of that later! For now, be informed, that is one of the best 'still fresh and unadulterated' among white-sand beaches on Samar Island! Note, I said " one of the best". Playing safe tayo dyan, kasi baka meron pa tayo hindi nakikita in these pacific-facing towns! Samar is big, hidden gems may still be hidin ' ! But as I always do, let's start from the very beginning... I was in Mapanas, and then? My Ride (Mapanas to Araw) And then Buyungaw offered to drive me from Mapanas to Araw at n...

I am not really sure if what I heard was "kayas" or "kayab" or "kayag", but I know this activity - WINNOWING in English. PAGTATAHIP in Tagalog? Not sure about that too! The act: separating the rice hull or husk (chaff and other impurities) from the 'usable grains' by making them fly away, when poured from a "nigo" (big bilao) at head level ! Ang hirap pala i-describe nyan mapa-english o tagalog! Good that I have that photo! But many Pinoys know 'winnowing', for I recall that word was in a gradeschool song! If you're Pinoy, I'm sure you will agree, what many of us remember, is the very same "activity" in the picture without those electric fans, right? Only with wind and gravity. Well, farming methods have apparently (or is it obviously?) been upgraded! At akala natin mga cellphone lang ang nagle-level up? Meron din pala sa palay harvest time! And it can now be done just in front of your very own house...