A trip with a lot uncaptured

>>>> 07.25-26.15

From bar-hopping in the city to this weekend of finding my spot in a no-shade beach and taking this impulsive decision to snorkel that day – an experience uncaptured but for this trip was when I was happiest.

Prior to going to the beach, I have been battling my urge to get myself an action camera. Pro (and no pun intended) would be this opportunity at capturing if ever I get to see the sea under for this trip. Con would be if something went wrong with camera, I may need to go all the way to Cebu to have it fixed. (Looking back now though, latter may not have been true but okay, let’s not dwell on decisions in the past). Okay, I let the con won. Charge it to experience.

It was around noon when I arrived in Basdaku Beach via van from Cebu City. It was a very accessible public beach and I was greeted with carinderia options before finding the stretch of sand before the calm sea. Under the scorching heat, it was a challenge to look for a spot for my tent. There are cottages for rent and I was trying to not block any. Also, the spots I usually find are those beside a tree but I could not find any there. After I-don’t–know-how-much sweat, I found one that is relatively far from the hustle but not too far from it that I would feel unsafe. It just looked odd as the only tent set-up in the entire stretch. (My neighbor tents would come later in the afternoon). 

Once spot found, I quickly set up tent and immediately found relief for my heated self by dipping in the water. While water was calm, I had to  be extra careful because seabed is unpredictable.

While resting in between dips seated on my tent facing the sea, I felt I wanted some “pinipig”. That same ice cream guy offered to act as middle man for snorkeling to two spots nearby – one home to different fish and one they called to have tons of sardine fish. I am not the most trustworthy traveler but I may have been feeling impulsive that day that I gave in.

My spot in the middle of it all

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Less crowded spot

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Standard panoramic shot

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Contrast

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Where the tour ferries dock

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Before I knew it, I was at the barangay police station while waiting for boatmen to take me on tour, I was ‘forced’ to bring my already set-up tent near the station and put my bag inside while I was out snorkeling. Apparently, despite the otherwise vibe, there were incidents of stealing in the area.

It was around 3PM when we headed to our first stop at PESCADOR ISLAND – which according to the Internet got its name from the many fishes that inhabit the coral reef around it that many fishermen catch fish there (with pescador being Spanish for fishermen). I had no pictures to show but there were lots of fish indeed. I also especially loved the sudden drop-off points from the reef to the deep sea. At some point, I was seeing bubbles coming from divers underneath (and seeing at times those divers!). From where they were, I must have seemed like an odd creature holding on to that wheel float my guide was ‘navigating’.

The only memory I have during snorkeling. Boohoo! 

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Look at that water

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Off to first spot at Pescador Island

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Setting anchor

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Couldn’t let go of that calm

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As if there is nothing that divides

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My bastardized gear

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Reflection

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More amazement happened at PANAGSAMA BEACH pier. When we first stopped there, my initial reaction was – “okay, where all the fish in this spot?”. But on that part of sea where boats dock, under is a totally different world of who-knows-how-many fishes swimming in groups and adjusting to every living thing’s movement. The depth of the water, its unpredictable cool and warmth, the tons of fish that give way to you – this was truly an experience I will not forget.

Add to that this very big plus happy of seeing a sea turtle. Thanks to that Asian diver who pointed to my guide “turtle! turtle!”  We followed it for less than a minute until it disappeared into the sea.

Now off to second spot where the sardine run is 

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No-attempt-to-hide rays

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I was back at the shore at around 5 in the afternoon. I put back my tent to its spot, grabbed myself some beer and watched the sunset. There were more people by then and more tents.

Another version of calm at the shore

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Back right in time for sunset

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Not just your intense sunset

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Spot the different

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Hmm was this the boat I rode? Gaad could not remember

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Witnessing the same scene

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From light blue and purple to this intense orange

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But from this side it looked like morning

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It gets smaller

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Now we lose the circle

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Let’s wait for when this will give up

(as of this writing, I say goodbye to this gadget)

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The only visible

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On day 2, spent the day just sitting on my tent watching the sea and this team doing this pre-nuptial shoot by the beach. It was low tide so it was revealed then the unpredictability of the sea bed I was feeling while ‘swimming’ the day before.

The following day when it was morning, the sea bed exposed

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Sunrise peeking from my tent.

Photo does not give justice to lovely when I noticed it

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Sea melts with sky

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What keeps them busy in the morning

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What separates us

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Some shoot happening

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Pre-nup, it was!

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Playing with sand at early time of day

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How clear water is

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When sun hits clear

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My marker while I was trying to swim

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Now I don’t remember where that shade came from

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As if the cloud a giant version of the boat

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It was a Sunday so people started coming in renting the cottages and I was starting to hear different kinds of music from daytrippers at a few hours before noon. Having witnessed the place in its serene and crowded, I knew it was time to go.

Brew Kettle spotted

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At the van station

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Hmm, was that our national hero? 

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What is across the van terminal

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I love the play with the “Keep Calm and _____ ” font

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I rarely love ice cream but for some reason, had this. Hence, the photo  😀

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I rarely love ice cream but for some reason, had this. Hence, the photo  😀

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Needless to say, with that snorkeling experience left uncaptured, I would want to camp back.

PRACTICAL DETAILS :

Cebu Pacific has multiple flights from Manila to Mactan International Airport in Cebu.

You can take van or bus to Moalboal from Cebu City South Bus Terminal and One Citilink Terminal (latter a short walk from the terminal). Ride takes about 2.5-3 hours. Once in Moalboal, get a trike to either take you to Basdaku or Panagsama beach. Fare is at around Php100 for a special trip.

Other fees that may be of help :

 – If set up own tent, need to pay Php100 to barangay . Tents usually advised to be set up near the barangay station in the middle of the shore

There is 24-hour beer at Php40 for a 500-ml Red Horse beer

You may charge gadgets for Php50

For restroom, one needs to pay Php30 for bathing and Php10 for peeing