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 ...

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...

What is it? A rock! That's it! But it's nice to see from a distance, and all the more wondrous when you go near it! It could be anything to any visitor, but one thing was for sure this time - I didn't want to go any nearer, even if my scooter driver was with me and urging me to go further ! I said "nebir butig", at humalakhak ang insik! Yep, Tsinoy ang driver ko, sociel ako! Let's start from the very beginning... 3 minutes after the fallen rocks , driver swerved left and entered a private property. He was telling me about the owner of this place, I heard everything but wasn't, at all, listening. Well I think I remember him saying 'lawyer' and/or 'councilor', I'm not sure. Anyway, he said there is always a woman-caretaker, who works on this farm, mostly alone, that's why we couldn't see anyone who'd collect our fees. We entered anyway. It's a short walk to the beach (around 50 meters). Oh we saw the manang a...

I did not even know there was such a thing! Thanks to my driver for suggesting that we pass by this port. Dagdag kaalaman! Oh yes, an additional historical knowledge! Physically, it's actually nothing but a 'pantalan', no different than many little ports all over this archipelago. But it has 'historical value' if you are into those kinds of things. That's where the concrete structure starts jutting out to sea for probably 100 meters. That habal-habal, aw scooter nga pala [pronounced: is-koo-ter] was my ride. And as you can see at right, is a historical marker planted by the National Historical Commission in 2015, describing the historical significance of this very place/locale. I tried zooming another shot I had of the marker, so I can show the words clearly. So what did I learn? Let me English my Tagalog heheh. Hagii, puyde ba Waray nala? Anyway, this port was a last stop of galleons, to load up on firewood, food and water en route to Acapulco...

Is Danang Beach a good tourist destination? My 'expert' answer is: GO! Now na! Let's talk about this famous beach, since this is where I stayed during my visit. Those huts are at Holiday Beach Hotel 's Beach Club . I was at the bar for that photo. In front of all the huts, I looked to the left, and this was my view... Still gloomy and hazy at 0832H. Well, this was Christmas Day. I think on this date, it is also like that in the Philippines, even all of Southeast Asia. I do remember, Bali is. This kind of beach shoreline goes all the way to, almost encircling those hills. That's the Sơn Trà Peninsula (still in Danang) , and there are many things to see or do there! For one, the Inter-Continental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort is there, maybe 15~20 kilometers from this beach club. Then white sands again, up to the Xoan Peninsula . It doesn't stop there, as white sandy beaches line all of Hue , all the way to Nghe An . Yet you don't have to go tha...