Arriving
Let me escape into the sea. Let me travel alone and feel the excitement of spontaneity. Let me return from a trip all charged up and renewed.
I miss this.
I have gone on many solo travels but couldn't quite capture the feeling I had when I went to Bantayan Island back in December 2019.
The year 2019 was a year when my life was about to change. The decisions I made during that year made a new course in my life. I came from a breakup, resigned from work, decided to pursue graduate studies, and met someone new.
At the start of my master's, I told myself I would go on a solo trip to the beach after finishing my first semester. There was no question as to where I would go. Bantayan Island is one of my favorite destinations here in Cebu. The place is filled with many memories, some I treasure and others I'd like replaced.
I arrived in Hagnaya, a port town in the north of Cebu early in the morning. Getting to Bantayan Island requires riding a ferry that takes about an hour. Looking out the window, my spirits were up upon seeing that the weather was perfect for a solo beach getaway despite being in the middle of December.
I spent most of my travel time sleeping. I've already seen the sights going to the island a couple of times. But when I woke up in time for our docking, I was still caught in awe by the beautiful beach that welcomed me when we reached the port on the southeastern part of the island.
I only got a glimpse of the beach because we still had to make our way to the southern part of the island where most of the beach resorts and restaurants were situated. I booked a hotel called Sunshine Bantayan Garden Resort. It was aptly named so because when I entered the property, they had a manicured front yard with Bermuda grass, a few trees and bushes, and some ornamental plants.
This solo trip was only two days and one night, but as I look back, I never had the feeling that I needed to hurry up to make the most of my time. It was as if time slowed down for my sake. I only wanted to stay at the beach, read my book, and drink some beer.
Venturing
It was mid-afternoon when I ventured my way to the beach. The prime beach in Bantayan is located near Kota Beach Resort in Santa Fe. It's where you get a spacious white-sand beach and gorgeous waters. The place can get crowded when there are special events but when I arrived there, there were only a handful of people on it.
I looked out into the beach and savored everything. This was the reason why I came here. The place was so tranquil and peaceful. There were no worries, only the sand and the sea.
I looked out to the west side of the beach and saw a sliver of a rainbow. I took it as a sign of better beginnings. My first semester of graduate school was not free of bumps, but reaching the end of it, I realized that this was what I really wanted in life.
And I think nothing makes you more at peace than knowing that you are doing what you're meant to do in life.
Tethering
I took out a small blanket and laid it on the sand. I sat on it and stretched my feet on the sand. I was bringing a bottle of Mojitos with me, which was leftover from a previous drinking session. I took shots of the strong drink while letting the sun drift down closer to the horizon. I went into the water occasionally to wash off the drunkenness or to pee. I was bringing a Bluetooth speaker and I blasted it to my favorite songs.
I was in the moment surrounded by some of my favorite things in life.
I looked up and saw a kite flying overhead. It had a drawing of a dog's face. I stared at it and its hypnotic flight path. You'd think that the kite was really flying on its own but despite not seeing, I could imagine the string that tethered the kite, perhaps to a kid's hand at the ground.
In a way, this island had me tethered as well. I could go wherever I go and fly to faraway places, but I wouldn't be able to fully let go of the allure of Bantayan Island and its beaches.
Ebbing
Somewhere along the way, in between the shots of tequila, the sky had turned slowly orange. The sun was sitting on the horizon and I was witnessing a glorious sunset. The water was ebbing away leaving behind wet sand illuminated by the faint glow of the sunset.
The sky was turning into a palette of pastel and soft colors. The beach remained free from crowds. I changed my playlist and matched the vibe of the sunset and the darkening skies. I couldn't stay on the beach at night.
My day was done. I remember telling myself that I could go home already. I was good and satisfied.
But I still had the next day to enjoy. I made my way out of the beach and saw the Christmas decorations of Santa Fe. It was turning out to be Merry time for me.
That's it for now. I still have the next day to share with you. It's more eventful and less peaceful than the first day. Thank you for reaching this far. I hope you also have a time in your life when you've felt so at peace and satisfied, and I encourage you to go back to those times and remind yourself of the feeling.
Because peace and satisfaction are states of mind, which is something I also have to remind myself of. So I should stop chasing the next solo trip to recharge or renew myself. Instead, I should actively find peace and satisfaction in the here and now.
See you next time! Cheers!
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Mojito and beach. Books not required 🤣
Priorities! 😂
What's up, David?
Almost had the chance to go back to Malaysia lately but chose to go Singapore instead.
Singapore is fine. I choose not due to the exchange 😅
It was so expensive there! Maybe except only for the local transport. I feel like I was cheating them. 😂
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What an adventure that must be. It's a paradise so I don't wonder why it is unforgettable for you. Thanks to your gorgeous shots and soulful words/narration, I was able to get a feel of how the place is like and how blissful it is😊
!LUV
Efforts to capture the 'feeling' through words and photos aren't always enough.
That trip has a special place in my heart. 😊
Thanks for you comment. 😁
Beach is a name of peace. For searching that peach I'm bought a ticket for going to beach...
But our beach isn't much good as like yours.. But I can tell you, it's lot's of fun with friends
You could always find 'more beautiful' beaches but it's not the whiteness of the sand or the calmness of the water that brings peace. You can find peace or fun anywhere you search for it. It also helps when your with loved ones. Have a lovely day! 😁
Enjoy the beautiful beach atmosphere. How are you today.
When I was at college I used to take a train trip to the sea at least once every month, especially in the extra season when there weren't a bunch of people on the beach. Just like you said, I found it such a relaxing activity and I could stay there for hours without doing anything other than listening to the waves hitting the shore :)
Those monthly trips to the sea must have done wonders for your mental health!
We must all take intentional time to unwind and relax despite the busy schedules we have.
Yes indeed! I do feel their need these days when I get to see the sea only once in a few years 🥺
Those photos from sunset are stunning. And there were not too many people to enjoy it so I can imagine it was a great experience.
Sounds like 2019 was a good year for you 🙂 I went travelling solo in 2018 and I loved it so much. I was feeling free and I did some spontaneous things that otherwise I would have to plan for. It was such a good time!
I agree with you. We should enjoy what we have and stop chasing for things/experiences/you name it. It's the present moment that matters the most.
I'm glad I made that trip in 2019. I think what made it so special is because it happened before the pandemic and it reminds of a different time in my life.
To more solo trips in the future and living in the moment. 🍻
Awesome!! Congratulations! You’ve choose a beautiful place for a dolo travel experience! I miss a lot that lifestyle! Thanks a lot for sharing!
Thanks! I'm grateful I could go on more solo trips in my life right now. I imagine myself settling down in a few years so solo trips won't come as easy by then.
Te felicito, te tomas tu tiempo para ti, una vez fui a México solo y la pase bien en el buen sentido de la palabra, estaba conmigo mismo, ahora necesito un viaje como el tuyo ir a la playa por una semana solo, además tus fotos están únicas, de verdad es un sitio muy bonito y por lo que veo es tranquilo, me gustaría visitarlo, quizás algún día de la vida, muchas gracias por tus fotos y tu comentario me gusto, gracias 👍
how gorgeous! The place seems ideal for a vacation, super spectacular hahaha I fell in love
I've always wanted to go to Sta. Fe solo too! Not because of heartbreak or something, but it's just awesome to be alone on the beach. Yung pinagdadaanan murag grabe jud da kay naa gud bottle of mojito. It's okay to find peace in solo trips like these, it's expensive but hey, it's also a great way to be refreshed. Besides, they say traveling lets you discover something about yourself so just go~
The alluring view of the Kota beach of Bantayan Island is superb. Super nice shots especially the sunset.