If I could be anywhere without hesitation and doing anything except think about the world's dilemma, I'd be resting under one of the makeshift cottages in Pebbles Beach, Santander basking in the colors of sunset and watching the royal blue waves turn from light aquamarine to a darker stronger hue. With nothing but the sun's tiny pecks on my skin or the wind's teasing on my hair, I'd be where I had been the first time I set foot on the small jewel of a paradise subtly tucked in the southern tip of Cebu.
My affair with the town of Santander began as an alternative. It was never planned and was never more than a spontaneous trip arranged by a group of college friends from Silliman University celebrating the end of a grueling midterm week. It was the perfect day for a swim, an ultimate excuse for a picnic, and just the right reason for an out of town escapade. At that time the beaches of Dumaguete seemed a bit trite so my friends and I hopped aboard the next pump boat bound for neighboring Cebu - to Pebbles Beach, a hidden beach resort we've never even heard of.
My affair with the town of Santander began as an alternative. It was never planned and was never more than a spontaneous trip arranged by a group of college friends from Silliman University celebrating the end of a grueling midterm week. It was the perfect day for a swim, an ultimate excuse for a picnic, and just the right reason for an out of town escapade. At that time the beaches of Dumaguete seemed a bit trite so my friends and I hopped aboard the next pump boat bound for neighboring Cebu - to Pebbles Beach, a hidden beach resort we've never even heard of.
Fast forward to Santander's port - probably the only one that collects terminal fees to new arrivals: we were awed and captivated by the pristine beaches and makeshift coconut sheds, by the restless currents and the beckoning waves lapping against the shoreline.
Walking along the small road that served as access road for buses plying the Cebu-Oslob route gave us a sense of what life in this sleepy yet tourist-friendly town was like. Strategically located in an island blessed with world-class beaches, Santander was never one to back down on showing off its God-given gifts and using them to attract quite a number of guests, all coming for a dive, a wade, or a dip in one of the bigger resorts' pools. On the way to our destination, we passed by several dive shops and resorts, bought our picnic staples from the small eateries and videoke stalls, and checked out the small cottages situated right across Pebbles Beach where nature's beauty was manifested in its long stretch of white sand beach adorned by shells and pebbles ours for the taking.
We were sun-baking in bliss, swimming against the strong currents that only got stronger as the sun set, and exploring the nearby boulders that could've passed for small caves. I thought I'd never enjoy watching boats pass along the horizon, but I did especially when I had the breathtaking view of the Tañon Strait, backdropped by the looming mountains of Negros, all to myself. That afternoon at Pebbles Beach, we experienced freedom and nothing was more important than perfecting the sand sculptures that were eventually laid unfinished by the shore or filling our empty Gatorade bottles with the rarest shells.
Truly beautiful without the fancy embellishments of luxury resort hotels, Pebbles Beach is Nature stripped down to its core, sharing its unspoiled richness to those who are only too willing to experience it. To those who want to spend an enchanting afternoon in a world-class wonder without stressing over budget and expenses, a casual trip down the seaside town of around 13,000 residents should do the trick. For city slickers kicking off their escapade at Cebu City's South Bus Terminal, travel time takes 3 hours, whereas a shorter 30-minute ferry ride is all it takes a water baby jumping off from the Dumaguete-Sibulan port.
I've experienced paradise.
And I got to enjoy all it had to offer for a mere P20-entrance fee. No kidding.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
0 wishes and swishes:
Post a Comment