It’s officially the start of another school year. And for those wondering what I’ve been doing during summer, then you should know that I went to two beautiful places in the country - Batanes and Samar.
Batanes is such a wild country. Even looking over at Niadi Hills, you always feel its isolation, its remoteness and ruggedness. But it’s all beautiful. How can I forget the spectacular rock formations in Sabtang? Or tasting day old dried flying fishes?
Or when I climbed Mt. Iraya halfway on my birthday thinking I can go down the same day but was forced to spend the night at a small house where locals prepare edible ferns? Experiencing first hand trapping and baiting coconut crabs was educational. Or woken up from my slumber at dawn with the melodious calls of “hot pandesal?”
At another island, during the latter part of summer. I went to Homonhon, off the coast of Guiuan in Eastern Samar, the two hour trip atop the boat offered wonderful views. A good friend of mine told me that the islands of Samar are so beautiful that some entrepreneurs like Chris Bech, who he was introduced to during a trip to Romblon, have been investing in the place for retirement homes.
Anyway, tt was there in Homonhon, that I learned that Magellan and company stopped over when they entered the Philippines centuries ago. It’s just sad that man’s avarice to mining has scarred the environment and caused a big portion of forested area to be burned.
But little joys like having white sandy beaches facing the Pacific Ocean all to myself and eating fresh seafoods are always fondly remembered.
I always look forward to exploring new places and environments. These areas just offers lots of surprises and stuff that always amazes, enough to fill a lifetime of reminiscing and wide eyed delight.
