Araw Beach Lessons On "Beachology"
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!
So.., this is Araw Beach, Brgy. San Antonio, Gamay, Northern Samar. Bow!
Any more questions, or suggestions on where I should go next?
Hahaha! You thought I would have a lot of pictures? Wala! Yun lang! That's because I did what I do best as a 'son of a beach', tunganga muni-muni under a coconut tree!
Well, okay, I got a few to show to you, and you, especially sa'yo! Eto...
I took that shot before I dropped the pesky talepano, para magtampisaw naman na!
Sige fine, I do have some pointers to tell you about this beach as seen in the photo:
1. Rip Currents - that's the correct name (I learned just lately) and not Rip Tides. It is anyway an important 'natural phenomenon' to be aware about, as it could be deadly.
The easiest way to tell that there may be rip currents is: if the waterline, the farthest point that waves reach, yung hangganan ng alon is irregular like what you see above.
If that waterline is smooth like one straight or curving line (not jagged as you see in the photo), chances are there are no, or there are less dangerous rip currents there.
Have you heard about the "hinila ng alon", "nadala ng agos papa-laot" or "hinigop ng dagat"? Duu! Those are examples of (usually tragic) "accidents", due to rip currents.
But if you know about them, if you know how to act while in rip currents, they're not really a problem at all. It can even be "fun" floating rubber boats or kayaks on them!
Basta supervised ha?! Or with watchful responsible adults - hindi mga lasing!
Hmm, maybe I should do a separate story all about Rip Currents. Okay, soon!
2. The Brown Stuff - look at the foreground and right edge of that picture above. The 'eyesore' that we call by many names. You recognize them, right? Seaweeds? Kelp?
To many people, they are also Sargassum, Beach Wrack, Rotting Seaweed, Drifters, Washed-up Dirt and whatever else. But all names allude to "basura", "trash" or "dumi".
But are they, really?
I learned from a scientist-friend (kahit like this lang ako, me mga ganyan akong prend oi!), that those are part of the beach eco-system. Those are organic and have a 'use' for other creatures. If we keep removing them, the environmental balance might tilt.
Ang lalim na usapin nyan! Parang hindi na arók ng 159.9 kong IQ!
But as a manlalakbayer, here is how I interpret the presence of such 'brown stuff' on a beach: it means (to me at least) the beach is still fresh or unadulterated by humans.
So?
Well, it could mean a number of things to a number of people.
For me, the beach being fresh or unadluterated, is almost a sign that it does not yet teem with human wastes, nor human dangers like broken glass bottles on the sand.
That would probably also mean the beach is still peaceful and quiet without human activities and noises to distract or disturb you. Now that is what I call a "chill place"!
Ah this Araw Beach, is exactly that!
Heads up though for the hindi sanay, this beach could feel eerily quiet. Duu!
3. The Shallows - there's this vast 'flat field' of nothing but dry white sand during low tide. Ah, you can even fit two football fields in it, I think. An ideal team building area!
That is only as far as my phone camera could capture. But there's more of that both to the left and to the right. I forgot, I should have made it a 'panoramic shot'. Sori po!
Can it also be a grand party area like at the Sarbay Fest? I don't think so - because a grand beach shindig doesn't necessarily follow the rising and falling of tidal waters!
I really enjoyed romping around this area, when the tide started to rise (very slowly)!
Look at the picture closely, that is already about ankle deep of Pacific Ocean, slowly silently rising. The waves don't initially reach this far, when water is still too shallow.
Thus, our vast 'flat field' of nothing but dry white sand gently becomes The Shallows... where you can still play and even shoot your videos, while running on Pacific Ocean!
I'm not saying that for nothing. Hello, ako pa! Go there and subukan nyo. Your takes won't only be instagrammable, they'll be youtubable, reelable, shortsable, liveable too!
Oh hey, while you can run barefoot in these shallows with no worries of stepping on anything sharp to hurt your rapadapa, you could stumble upon curious little things...
What is that? Aw ambot, wala akong kinalaman dyan, hindi ako ang salarin. Nunca!
First that came to mind was: "could it have been the ball part of the "ball and chain" of the past, where prisoners were shackled with? If so, where might that prisoner be now?"
Next I also thought it might be an ancient 💣! Gino-o ko! Eh, the material seems old and worn. What if with just a tap or a nudge eh, mag-kablaam kaboom na yan! Ayaw!
Then I also thought it might be a "wrecking ball" - yung ina-attach sa crane na pang-sira ng building at pader? But, why would it be here? Tumilapon galing sa highway?!
Yet I also thought it may be some kind of anchor. Weh, an ⚓ is now round? Pwede naman yata, but why's it here, not loaded on a boat, and about 50 meters from land?
Its size, as big as a volleyball, makes me doubt if it's a buoy. Parang ang liit naman? I know there are small buoys or floaters for fishing nets. Pero bakit di nakalutang? I think its even made of cement or steel and has been in that position for a long time.
One thing was sure though, I did not touch it. Eh kung sumabog, aber? Ayoko pa!
See?! Many things to learn and unlearn on this secluded beach of quiet!
That, was the crazy creative imaginative side of my brain being 'exercised'. Kasi, if I saw people, it would have been diffrent. My attention would have been at humanity.
Then it wouldn't have been hard to think. Hindi na mental calisthenics - mas madali kasi mamintas ng kapwa tao, kesa mag-analyze ng itim na bolang yan! Be creative!
So, there's the long beach good for a walk or swim, there is also that vast shallows. That's it? No! There is also a wide rocky area not for swimming but for posing! This:
Mind you, I snapped that photo at 5:27AM. Yes, gumising pa ng maaga, to catch the sunrise - na hindi naman nagpakita. But mornings are always wonderful to me, ever!
Shoutout to my 'birder' friends out there. I saw at least 5 kinds of birds here. It looks like this is their breakfast area! Save for the 'uwak', I don't know what the others are.
So you come down here, have your fill, and tell us about those birds!
Okay okay.., Let's wrap this Beachology of Araw Beach.
Which I would like to summarize with this picture taken at 5:46AM:
I can almost predict what many of you would be thinking: "ah okay, that's it lang pala"!
That's a fairly expected reaction, if you don't have proper annotation like this:
Area 3 is the long white sand beach I described at the start of this article - including the first 2 pictures up there. That is essentially the generally untouched beach area.
Oist! There are "other-worldly" stories about the place. Duu!
Area 2 is The Shallows - middle portion of my story above - including the 3rd to 5th photos up there and last pic below. That's far, about 300 meters from where I stood.
For perspective, since your brain may be saying 'ah maliit lang pala ang area', look for the manang I encircled. She was 'cleaning' the "front-yard" of her resort at that time!
Where's her resort? Far at right (not seen). Her's is, I think, 2nd to last resort in a row of 5 from where I stood. The last one (closed, in disrepair), is my most ideal location.
Area 1 is where I stood for that sunrise picture above (na walang sun)! If you search on the web, that, include where I stood, is the most photographed side of the beach.
Those little rockies extend far to the left and behind me, even beyond the barrio. Oh, I stayed at Nathalie's, that would be few steps from lower right corner of the photo.
At hightide, the area in front of the grassy rocks where I stood, kind of converts into a "natural pool". That is where most people especially kids, play, swim or row boats!
Finally, I said above, my ideal spot is the last (farthest) resort, even if closed, for this:
I just sat there, in one of the benches of the closed cottages, savoring that view, and listening to nothing but the waves of the Pacific Ocean - chillin' all day - no pictures!
Oh hey, that resort (Talisay Cottages?) isn't really permanently closed. It was closed at the time of my visit, since they had no guests. Araw beach is not yet very popular.
Shh, I somehow liked it that way - since I came on a Friday. But kanina, weekend na, umaga pa lang, I could already hear 2 groups croaking on videoke at nearby resorts.
Anyway, I think... Douglas MacArthur = I shall return!
Pramis!
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!
So.., this is Araw Beach, Brgy. San Antonio, Gamay, Northern Samar. Bow!
Any more questions, or suggestions on where I should go next?
Hahaha! You thought I would have a lot of pictures? Wala! Yun lang! That's because I did what I do best as a 'son of a beach', tunganga muni-muni under a coconut tree!
Well, okay, I got a few to show to you, and you, especially sa'yo! Eto...
Sige fine, I do have some pointers to tell you about this beach as seen in the photo:
1. Rip Currents - that's the correct name (I learned just lately) and not Rip Tides. It is anyway an important 'natural phenomenon' to be aware about, as it could be deadly.
The easiest way to tell that there may be rip currents is: if the waterline, the farthest point that waves reach, yung hangganan ng alon is irregular like what you see above.
If that waterline is smooth like one straight or curving line (not jagged as you see in the photo), chances are there are no, or there are less dangerous rip currents there.
Have you heard about the "hinila ng alon", "nadala ng agos papa-laot" or "hinigop ng dagat"? Duu! Those are examples of (usually tragic) "accidents", due to rip currents.
But if you know about them, if you know how to act while in rip currents, they're not really a problem at all. It can even be "fun" floating rubber boats or kayaks on them!
Basta supervised ha?! Or with watchful responsible adults - hindi mga lasing!
Hmm, maybe I should do a separate story all about Rip Currents. Okay, soon!
2. The Brown Stuff - look at the foreground and right edge of that picture above. The 'eyesore' that we call by many names. You recognize them, right? Seaweeds? Kelp?
To many people, they are also Sargassum, Beach Wrack, Rotting Seaweed, Drifters, Washed-up Dirt and whatever else. But all names allude to "basura", "trash" or "dumi".
But are they, really?
I learned from a scientist-friend (kahit like this lang ako, me mga ganyan akong prend oi!), that those are part of the beach eco-system. Those are organic and have a 'use' for other creatures. If we keep removing them, the environmental balance might tilt.
Ang lalim na usapin nyan! Parang hindi na arók ng 159.9 kong IQ!
But as a manlalakbayer, here is how I interpret the presence of such 'brown stuff' on a beach: it means (to me at least) the beach is still fresh or unadulterated by humans.
So?
Well, it could mean a number of things to a number of people.
For me, the beach being fresh or unadluterated, is almost a sign that it does not yet teem with human wastes, nor human dangers like broken glass bottles on the sand.
That would probably also mean the beach is still peaceful and quiet without human activities and noises to distract or disturb you. Now that is what I call a "chill place"!
Ah this Araw Beach, is exactly that!
Heads up though for the hindi sanay, this beach could feel eerily quiet. Duu!
3. The Shallows - there's this vast 'flat field' of nothing but dry white sand during low tide. Ah, you can even fit two football fields in it, I think. An ideal team building area!
Can it also be a grand party area like at the Sarbay Fest? I don't think so - because a grand beach shindig doesn't necessarily follow the rising and falling of tidal waters!
I really enjoyed romping around this area, when the tide started to rise (very slowly)!
Thus, our vast 'flat field' of nothing but dry white sand gently becomes The Shallows... where you can still play and even shoot your videos, while running on Pacific Ocean!
I'm not saying that for nothing. Hello, ako pa! Go there and subukan nyo. Your takes won't only be instagrammable, they'll be youtubable, reelable, shortsable, liveable too!
Oh hey, while you can run barefoot in these shallows with no worries of stepping on anything sharp to hurt your rapadapa, you could stumble upon curious little things...
First that came to mind was: "could it have been the ball part of the "ball and chain" of the past, where prisoners were shackled with? If so, where might that prisoner be now?"
Next I also thought it might be an ancient 💣! Gino-o ko! Eh, the material seems old and worn. What if with just a tap or a nudge eh, mag-kablaam kaboom na yan! Ayaw!
Then I also thought it might be a "wrecking ball" - yung ina-attach sa crane na pang-sira ng building at pader? But, why would it be here? Tumilapon galing sa highway?!
Yet I also thought it may be some kind of anchor. Weh, an ⚓ is now round? Pwede naman yata, but why's it here, not loaded on a boat, and about 50 meters from land?
Its size, as big as a volleyball, makes me doubt if it's a buoy. Parang ang liit naman? I know there are small buoys or floaters for fishing nets. Pero bakit di nakalutang? I think its even made of cement or steel and has been in that position for a long time.
One thing was sure though, I did not touch it. Eh kung sumabog, aber? Ayoko pa!
See?! Many things to learn and unlearn on this secluded beach of quiet!
That, was the crazy creative imaginative side of my brain being 'exercised'. Kasi, if I saw people, it would have been diffrent. My attention would have been at humanity.
Then it wouldn't have been hard to think. Hindi na mental calisthenics - mas madali kasi mamintas ng kapwa tao, kesa mag-analyze ng itim na bolang yan! Be creative!
So, there's the long beach good for a walk or swim, there is also that vast shallows. That's it? No! There is also a wide rocky area not for swimming but for posing! This:
Shoutout to my 'birder' friends out there. I saw at least 5 kinds of birds here. It looks like this is their breakfast area! Save for the 'uwak', I don't know what the others are.
So you come down here, have your fill, and tell us about those birds!
Okay okay.., Let's wrap this Beachology of Araw Beach.
Which I would like to summarize with this picture taken at 5:46AM:
That's a fairly expected reaction, if you don't have proper annotation like this:
Oist! There are "other-worldly" stories about the place. Duu!
Area 2 is The Shallows - middle portion of my story above - including the 3rd to 5th photos up there and last pic below. That's far, about 300 meters from where I stood.
For perspective, since your brain may be saying 'ah maliit lang pala ang area', look for the manang I encircled. She was 'cleaning' the "front-yard" of her resort at that time!
Where's her resort? Far at right (not seen). Her's is, I think, 2nd to last resort in a row of 5 from where I stood. The last one (closed, in disrepair), is my most ideal location.
Area 1 is where I stood for that sunrise picture above (na walang sun)! If you search on the web, that, include where I stood, is the most photographed side of the beach.
Those little rockies extend far to the left and behind me, even beyond the barrio. Oh, I stayed at Nathalie's, that would be few steps from lower right corner of the photo.
At hightide, the area in front of the grassy rocks where I stood, kind of converts into a "natural pool". That is where most people especially kids, play, swim or row boats!
Finally, I said above, my ideal spot is the last (farthest) resort, even if closed, for this:
Oh hey, that resort (Talisay Cottages?) isn't really permanently closed. It was closed at the time of my visit, since they had no guests. Araw beach is not yet very popular.
Shh, I somehow liked it that way - since I came on a Friday. But kanina, weekend na, umaga pa lang, I could already hear 2 groups croaking on videoke at nearby resorts.
Anyway, I think... Douglas MacArthur = I shall return!
Pramis!
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