A Detour To Nowhere Led Us To Sta. Fe, Bantayan's Quietest Paradise

Hello, travelers! Have you ever experienced losing your way in an unfamiliar, new town while trying to survive your travel in a destination? Old-time sayings say places we stumble upon while losing our way are the places we are bound to encounter and spaces we should be experiencing. Sometimes, losing our way is not always losing our plans; it can also mean a redirection for a better journey and experience. For the question, I’ll be responding with a yes. We have come so far in our travel narrative about my Bantayan trip last month, looking and zooming through my visited destinations and re-experiencing them through my blogs. From my voyage towards the island to Sandira Beach, a secluded, popular beach in Sta. Fe, we lost our way to another beach in Sta. Fe that has no official name or identity.

Before starting another visit to our chosen destination on the island, we visited a popular karenderya in the town proper of Sta. Fe called Meldy's Eatery to have our lunch since our stomachs were growling so loudly that we had to eat. This karenderya became popular because of its affordable, delicious seafood and dishes. During our dine-in here, we paid 900+ Php in total. It included grilled squid for two, adobong squid, buttered garlic scallops, monggo, and a platter of rice. Inside this karenderya, you can find stores selling souvenirs and clothes, and also a small drink shop where we bought our fresh avocado milkshake for 80.00 Php each. That was the best avocado milkshake I have ever drunk by far, knowing the fruits are freshly picked by the owner and carefully prepared. Many souvenirs can be found inside this spot, and what made me interested in it is its designs that look similar to Vietnam vibes. I have never been to Vietnam, but this place really looks like it used Vietnam as a reference. Many foreigners were eating with us at this time, and the place was a bit loud because of tourists and island sounds.

We were very satisfied with our lunch and too full to just lie down after. Hence, we started the engine of the Fazzio we rented and opened the Maps, which was very helpful during our stay on the island as we visited different famous destinations. We were heading northwards to Camp Sawi or Camp Wagi, but twenty minutes after leaving the karenderya, we found ourselves in a place where internet was scarce. Therefore, we lost our way towards Camp Wagi. Instead of stopping, my boyfriend relied on his memory, trying to figure out the silent road. After half an hour of stopping and starting the engine, we found a beach corner with coconut trees as its facade, and it captured my attention. What caught my attention was the perfect distribution of coconut trees or greens in the beach landscape and the seemingly glowing blue color of the beach water. I believe whoever passes by this corner will undoubtedly look, feel intrigued, and have the urge to visit.

So without any doubt, and after just one tap on my boyfriend’s shoulder, we entered the area, which was really peaceful and seemed to be undisturbed. We saw different species of trees and some children playing under small, makeshift houses. Upon entering between the coconut trees, two cautionary standees greeted us. I read them, and they were warnings from the island’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office that told tourists and local people about the risks in this destination during the monsoon season, as floods are highly possible here when the weather is not calm. The beach water rises, causing flooding.

While the area is said to be unsafe during bad weather, we were grateful to visit it when the weather was perfect. You see, we cannot allow one-time events to judge the beauty of a place, for what I believe is that there is more beauty in risky places than their mere dangerous identity. Since the weather was fine, we entered the area and enjoyed the place.

It was scorching hot, and the sun literally went through our skulls, so we went to the shade under a small talisay tree. There, I witnessed the beauty of this beach. It is different from other beaches we have visited on the island because, in this one, the water is glowing, and the blue color is more vibrant and cool. When I touched my feet to the water, it was so cool that it created a balance of heat and coolness. The sand was powdery, so when we lay down there on its very shore, we had the best laying-down experience ever.

Inside this beach, there are no room accommodations, commercialized tourism features, pools, cottages, or amenities. It is simply a beach untouched and just being a beach, with its diverse aquamarine species serving as a good source of income for local fishermen. Speaking of fishermen, there are many pump boats that occupy the shore and big fishing nets used by the men. This beach is not elegant, but it carries a reflection: that Bantayan people rely on fishing and respect the paradise given to them. The pump boats added to the aesthetic of the beach.