FACING THE END
I was on these trips during the last stretches of 2020 and as I look back, I had this idea that we were almost at the end of the terrible times. The year 2020 was ending. Was it naive of me to think that the problems of the world and my own problems were ending as well? I know this is not true but I happily enjoyed the last few weeks of 2020 as I spent them traversing south and then north of the island of Cebu, Philippines.
This is Part 3 of my Travels after the Lockdown series and during these times, travel restrictions were made less stringent. People were finding ways to travel around the island to spend some time away from their homes and enjoy the outdoors or the company of their friends.
I will be sharing two of my travels. One was at the southern part of Cebu and the other was at the northern part. They were both exciting and relaxing at the same time. My experience at the southern beach was made memorable by the company I had. The northern beach was breathtaking and I couldn't have spent it better than with family.
The year 2020 was ending. Was it naive of me to think that the problems of the world and my own problems were ending as well?
THE BEACH DOWN SOUTH
The beach down south was at least 110 km from the city where I'm living. It was located in Alegria, a small town famous for its scenic mountains and waterfalls. But it's also a coastal town, so there were small beaches scattered near the main highway.
The beach we were staying at was called Rio Beach Club. It was a simple resort with a few coconut trees, well-tended bermudagrass, bamboo cottages, and decent accommodations.
The beach was not that impressive. There were a lot of sharp rocks and very little sand. But the place had more to offer. There were benches that faced the beach where you can sit, and just stare at the horizon and at the outlines of the big island across the sea.
The wind was quite strong that day and you could just stand or sit down and listen to the sound of the wind as it whipped your hair around you. You could close your eyes and enjoy the symphony of the waves and the wind while waiting for whatever it was you needed to do.
This trip was the first time that I get to join a vacation with my girlfriend's closest friends. They were a wacky bunch and quite loud, just like any group of close friends really. I don't easily get comfortable around new people and I tend to be a bit stiff. I used to be so worried about this but I've been learning to be comfortable in my discomfort. I don't know if that makes sense.
Still, I had fun with her friends. It was a short trip but I got to know more about my GF's friends. I saw that she was in good company. We all spent the afternoon enjoying the beautiful sunset before we played a rowdy game of Uno.
I used to be so worried about this [meeting new people] but I've been learning to be comfortable in my discomfort. I don't know if that makes sense.
THE BEACH UP NORTH
The beach up north was also about 110 km from where I lived. More or less a 3-hour drive if there was moderate traffic in the metro cities. I went on this trip before Christmas and my memories of it are just festive and joyous but at the same peaceful. The pandemic could not suppress the feeling that the holidays always bring.
We went to Orongan Beach Resort at the municipality of San Remigio. It's my father's hometown and that was one of the reasons why I wanted to go there. The town has the port for the ferries going to the more famous Bantayan Island but little did people know that they did not need to cross the sea to find stunning beaches.
The pandemic could not suppress the feeling that the holidays always bring.
In the water, COVID did not exist. Or at least it felt that way. There were no surgical masks or face shields when you go swimming. You did not need to regularly disinfect yourself. You did not need to worry about social distancing, the sea was more than wide enough.
The resort limited its guests because of health protocols but I could imagine how lively the beach must be with all the tents pitched at any available sand and people playing their own music while drinking. But as an introvert, the lack of a big crowd comforted me. COVID did still exist, in the lack of people and in the wide empty spaces.
My brother and I, with our partners, went ahead of our family and we had a few hours of peace before Mama's busyness and the kids' rowdiness filled the atmosphere. But they brought a lot of food with them so I was very excited when they arrived. The whole family got to enjoy the beautiful San Remigio sunset.
THE IN-BETWEENS
Those trips to the beaches only a few hours away from where I live are things to be so grateful for, despite the pandemic. Oftentimes, we focus on the onsets of disasters and look forward to their endings that we miss out, during the in-betweens, the things that we should be grateful for. I am now able to travel to a lot of places on the island of Cebu which would have been illegal to do a few months back. How crazy is that?
And that's it! Thank you so much for reading another one of my travel blogs. I really enjoy writing these kinds of posts more especially after getting a huge amount of support and reward for my previous travel post.
As much as I want to keep writing travel blogs, I'm also passionate about personal development. My next post will most probably be the 3rd and last part of My Best Takeaways from Jim Kwik's LIMITLESS. Afterwhich, I plan on formalizing my book reviews. One of my goals for 2021 is reading 2 books per month and so far, I'm on track. I'll be sharing my thoughts about the books that I've read.
There will be a 4th and final part of my Travels after the Lockdown series. Be sure to check that out. See you in the next post. Cheers!
