Everything is in slow motion. The lazy sun seems to hesitate to climb the horizon. The eastern sky is all gray with streaks of silver, and the sea breeze is a refreshing caress on my sleepy face. My body is demanding to know why I'm up this early on a vacation. As I look at the vast sandy beach of Santa Fe, Bantayan Island, Cebu, my mind seems to be having a difficulty in taking in the reality of the view. The calm is unbelievable.
It's still early in the morning but for some fishermen the working day is done.
Fishermen and their beached boat standing on the wet fine sand at low tide.
One can hardly notice their rhythmic folding of the fishing net. The catch of the day sold out and leaving only enough fish for their family's consumption. Such is the life of an island fisherman. But as fishermen themselves would say, you can't tie a fish in the sea and reel it in tomorrow.
Any old excuse for a vacation will do.
A friend's wedding is a very strong reason to travel and show him our support for his decision. It's the least I could do. The urge to see a cousin who lives in Bantayan Island is another good reason to go. I wish for a hint of reluctance in Inday. None. But why am I thinking this way? I know Inday and I myself have been wanting to be somewhere far from the city for just a day or two.
It's another four o'clock in the morning and the usual taxi ride to the North Bus Terminal and a bus that will take us to the town of Hagnaya in Northern Cebu. It's a three-and-a-half-hour trip, and here we are.
Inday at the Port of Hagnaya with the fast craft in the background
Boats at the Port of Hagnaya looking peaceful in tranquil water
A boat approaching the Hagnaya Port
The fast craft needed only forty-five minutes to take us to Santa Fe. I've been here before, but that was such a long time ago. The only thing that seems the same is the white sand beach that welcomes your arrival. Then there is the tricycle from Nanette's Tourist Inn to take us there.
Ferry boats and cargo vessels at the Port of Santa Fe
Inday at the Santa Fe Port
Standing at the pier, I can see the white sand beach of Santa Fe
We finally step outside the exit gate of the pier and into the busy town of Santa Fe.
A nice place to stay for our little vacation
My friend's wedding is scheduled at three o'clock in the afternoon in the Saints Peter and Paul Parish in the town of Bantayan. We still have a lot of time to visit my cousin Raymundo and his wife Lucy and possibly visit a famous place that was featured in a movie. And off we go to the Oboob Mangrove Garden.
The bamboo bridges to the mangrove garden
Hats are necessary to beat the heat
The seafood restaurant
My wife Inday, Lucy (my cousin's wife), and my cousin Raymundo
Taking a selfie in front of the famous restaurant
Inday in the long bamboo bridge
Lucy and Inday in the mangrove garden
A network of bamboo bridges run through the mangrove garden
Inday's smile of approval to a nice place and delicious food
After a delicious lunch, a siesta, and conversations at the Oboob Mangrove Garden we go straight to my friend's wedding. And since the wedding itself is my friend's story to tell, I can only show you a couple of things about the church.
The painted ceiling of the Saints Peter and Paul Parish is Magnificent.
The stained-glass windows are absolutely beautiful.
There is an endless flow of alcohol at the reception, but self-discipline wins. I wanted too much to see the place with Inday. We wake up early and fresh the following morning and walk to the beach. The sun is barely out. Mist and low-lying clouds softening the rays.
The road not taken...by usual tourists
A beached boat awaiting repair of its outrigger
Boats, a goat, a dog, and a quiet beach awaiting the sunrise
A man waits patiently for some fresh fish to buy from the fishermen
Beached boats in the morning low tide
Remnants of a hut that gave in to a raging typhoon
Inday enjoying the peace and quiet and the cool morning breeze
The sand looks endless in low tide
The fine white sand is surprisingly hard and easy to walk on.
Woke up like this. Honest.
I love boats.
Anchors are dropped even in low tide to prevent boats drifting out to sea when the tide rises.
A beautiful one-man boat that has no engine but uses only paddles
The Santa Fe wet market. No fresh fish at this hour but a lot of dried fish vendors in colorful umbrellas.
The church of Santa Fe
Inside the Santa Fe church
Sharing lunch with cousin Raymundo and his wife Lucy before we go back to Cebu City
Inday at the Port of Santa Fe before getting into the fast craft to take us back to Hagnaya
A quick selfie at the gangplank
Mission accomplished.
Hagnaya Port once again!
Tourists, foreign and local, in an orderly single file from the boat.
We are finally on the bus bound for Cebu City. It has been a satisfying and successful trip. I remember years ago, I wrote a song, "Ang Akong Sakayan", which means "My Boat". I sleep on the bus most of the way back to the city.
Here's my painting of the church of Santa Fe, acrylic on canvas 18"x 24"
