Monday, January 10, 2011

Bataan's Silver Lining


Though I have barely slept for a couple of hours the night before, the promise of uninterrupted ocean views and profound sense of stillness prompted me to wake-up and go to a bus station heading to Bataan.

Good thing I always have my day pack and tent ready so I just grabbed a couple of dry-fit clothes and having a quick check on my gears, put them all in my trusty back-pack and off I go.

An hour before noon, I was in the bus terminal of Balanga where a couple of friends are already waiting. Then, after a quick lunch at a popular fast food in front of the Cathedral, we rode a jeepney for about an hour ride to Bagac. A thirty-minute boat ride then brought us to Paitan Cove where we will pitch our tent and stay for the night.

To maximize our limited stay in the cove, we rode again on the banca that fetched us there and visited the nearby coves of Caragman and Playa de Caleta. The sky was very clear that day and as the sun fades, there was lack of color in the sky but a blistering silver that seem to bounce-off the grayish waters of the sea. This probably was one of the few times that I have seen a silver sunset - just really awesome.

Although I must say that the coves of Bataan lack the fineness and whiteness of sand that made other beaches of the Philippines more popular, these coves nevertheless have their own beauty and attraction to offer. For one, on most days, you can have the beaches here all to yourselves.

For the pros and cons. Pros - unspoilt serenity, barely four hours (all-in-all) away from Manila, beautiful seascape, friendly folks and cheap backpacking adventure. Cons - jelly fish, rocky shores, no electricity ( I don't know if this is a bad thing thou), limited resources and accommodation (so you have to bring everything you need) and constant raining may ruin your trip.

As I look back, it has been almost two years since I have set foot on this cove and nothing has changed much. Honestly, I preferred it that way. The place is still unspoilt and the people are still very welcoming. That is basically what I like about this place for other than the peace and quite that the place offers, the people here are very welcoming and warm. No pot of gold here but just a silver lining.

16 comments:

  1. Wow! The best. The PROS you enumerated will make me forget the CONS.

    I like the first photo...best shot. Nakakatulala at nakakalipad ng imagination.

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  2. Sounds like my kind of beach getaway- unspoilt, undeveloped and not crowded :)good find Oman!

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  3. I also like the first photo a lot. Unspoilt place beats a crowded one anytime for me.

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  4. How long yung banca ride nyo? Ganda nga ng silver sunset. :)

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  5. What a gorgeous, silvery world!! And a stunning capture as always! Have a great week!

    Sylvia

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  6. It's nice to go to places where you don't get served drinks with umbrellas in them, just you and the beach/water. Talk about communing with nature.

    Glad you travelled by banca again.

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  7. It's not always that you get to experience the stillness of the sea, sometimes we need to wander to find it.

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  8. ASTIG Sir Oman, sana maka experience din ako ng Silver sunset sa beach hehehe. AyOs lang naman ang walang electricity. escape the city lights hahaha!Cool post!

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  9. the type of cove where you just enjoy the place. i might not even get my camera out of the bag with a place so peaceful.

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  10. New look for the new year. Nice. Love the first pic also.

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  11. Looked like another interesting and beautiful island.

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  12. you had your first travel of the year! good for you... I myself is looking forward for the first destination to visit this year maybe when Summer 2011 comes... a good time to travel. I'm excited for that but for the meantime I might hibernate 'til summer comes =)

    Great silvery photos you have there. Wonderful and nice.

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  13. Great views to start your 2011 trip.

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  14. tagal ko na din palang d nag-babasa ng mga blogs. dame mu na palang new post. I like the new lay out too! :)
    I hvnt heard of that cove although I do plan to visit Bataan early this year.
    Kakabilib ang last line at ang title. :)

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  15. nice pictures, depicts a serene and relaxing environment :)

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  16. wow! stunningly beautiful pictures!

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