Nathalie's Resort, Araw Beach
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 (remotest quietest), 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! There's a mat so you sleep tatami style on the floor. Some resorts provide a kutson!
Oh, on those last 3 sentences, I was not just describing Nathalie's, but all resorts on this strip (Araw Beach). That's the norm, and there are only 3 or 4 or 5 of them, yata!
What if you were alone? That entire thing is therefore yours? Ay, the answer is: YES! Those are some of 'the little quirks of the provincial hospitality industry' in our country!
Standards of P&L, ROI versus (or in tandem with) pakikipag-kapwa are still different.
Okay, let me show you this collage of three photos (in portrait orientation kasi sila).
At right of this collage, is actually a full view of that previous picture above (with its second floor clearly seen). Thus, you have fun at ground level, then go up to... sleep!
Ahehehe! Whad-evuh! *wink* *wink*.. and *wink*! Note: the floor is bamboo or wood.
Middle panel of that collage is the smallest cottage that they have. Look at the roof. It's not just a native pawud roof. That's also your cool accommodation for the night!
Smallest, but per floor area, that would still be wide enough for just 1, 2 or 3 people, right? Yes, but there's a catch: you don't stand up there since you physically cannot!
So, from the ladder, you either crouch or crawl up and in there! Uniquely cool di ba?!
Reminiscent of ancient native huts of our northern ancestors.
And that, was to be my room - agreed, paid at nagtambay na ako downstairs, a wide table for one, near the walking path, with a view of the beach and a good wifi signal!
Late afternoon Mr. Owner showed me the toilet and bath area (public, as in shared). Good enough for me. Public nga eh ako lang naman ang guest, what's the diff di ba?
But Mrs. Owner who was nearby sweeping fallen leaves told me she was worried that during the night I might fall from the ladder or the steps leading up to the toilets. Ta!
Naisip ko, she had a point, especially kung malalasing ako!
Mr. Owner said if that was so, I could sleep at those benches around that table, like many other guests have done so in the past, OR, stay at their air-conditioned rooms.
Oh my jolly bee, meron pala silang ganyan! Two rooms daw, up at the elevated area behind the grotto. I initially said No, as I want to be near the fresh ocean air & sounds.
But I agreed to have a go-see anyway - me maikwento lang ako sa inyo, dear readers!
Going up, Mrs. Owner said she'll keep the cottage my tambayan during the day, free!
And here are those two air-conditioned rooms... they gave me the one at left.
Those cottages down on the sand do have saksakan eveywhere, but I liked that one beside my little table. Convenient to keep my gadgets charging while still in use. Da!
It's a small room, but air-conditioned room enough for one or two occupants...
Tip: if there are 2 of you, make sure your companion is either your spouse or a lover. Otherwise floor leader ang isa! I think it's a double-bed, and comfy soft, but I'm large!
It's a simple no-frills room, but I can already tell you, it's the best on this strip!
Aw, we don't even have to say 'the best', since there's no 'better' nor 'good', as they're now the only 2 air-conditioned rooms with ensuite toilets in the entire Araw Beach!
So, if you're the picky type, the choosy one, the maselan ek ek, and you want to stay a night or more at Araw Beach, as of this time, Nathalie's Resort is your only choice!
Me, I still love those nipa huts at daytime heheh! I spent my days down there. Lucky all those who came were big groups so none of them chose the small hut. Akin sya!
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 (remotest quietest), 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:
This one has a smaller table. I purposely stood a bit farther to capture the ladder.
Oh, on those last 3 sentences, I was not just describing Nathalie's, but all resorts on this strip (Araw Beach). That's the norm, and there are only 3 or 4 or 5 of them, yata!
What if you were alone? That entire thing is therefore yours? Ay, the answer is: YES! Those are some of 'the little quirks of the provincial hospitality industry' in our country!
Standards of P&L, ROI versus (or in tandem with) pakikipag-kapwa are still different.
Okay, let me show you this collage of three photos (in portrait orientation kasi sila).
Ahehehe! Whad-evuh! *wink* *wink*.. and *wink*! Note: the floor is bamboo or wood.
Middle panel of that collage is the smallest cottage that they have. Look at the roof. It's not just a native pawud roof. That's also your cool accommodation for the night!
Smallest, but per floor area, that would still be wide enough for just 1, 2 or 3 people, right? Yes, but there's a catch: you don't stand up there since you physically cannot!
So, from the ladder, you either crouch or crawl up and in there! Uniquely cool di ba?!
Reminiscent of ancient native huts of our northern ancestors.
And that, was to be my room - agreed, paid at nagtambay na ako downstairs, a wide table for one, near the walking path, with a view of the beach and a good wifi signal!
Late afternoon Mr. Owner showed me the toilet and bath area (public, as in shared). Good enough for me. Public nga eh ako lang naman ang guest, what's the diff di ba?
But Mrs. Owner who was nearby sweeping fallen leaves told me she was worried that during the night I might fall from the ladder or the steps leading up to the toilets. Ta!
Naisip ko, she had a point, especially kung malalasing ako!
Mr. Owner said if that was so, I could sleep at those benches around that table, like many other guests have done so in the past, OR, stay at their air-conditioned rooms.
Oh my jolly bee, meron pala silang ganyan! Two rooms daw, up at the elevated area behind the grotto. I initially said No, as I want to be near the fresh ocean air & sounds.
But I agreed to have a go-see anyway - me maikwento lang ako sa inyo, dear readers!
Going up, Mrs. Owner said she'll keep the cottage my tambayan during the day, free!
And here are those two air-conditioned rooms... they gave me the one at left.
It's a small room, but air-conditioned room enough for one or two occupants...
It's a simple no-frills room, but I can already tell you, it's the best on this strip!
So, if you're the picky type, the choosy one, the maselan ek ek, and you want to stay a night or more at Araw Beach, as of this time, Nathalie's Resort is your only choice!
Me, I still love those nipa huts at daytime heheh! I spent my days down there. Lucky all those who came were big groups so none of them chose the small hut. Akin sya!
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