Memoirs of an Amnesiac

Who says it's expensive to hit the beach this summer? I'm talking about crossing islands, not considered to be premiere tourist destinations though but giving you much the same level of exhilaration (minus the public as if owning the resort all to yourselves) as you would hit Boracay or Dakak. I had my friend to thank for for her uncanny inclination for the beach and the summer sun as when the four of us, more like vagabonds than local tourists, headed for Camotes last week. It was what I call a plan within a plan. Just as we were leaving for Tuburan as they joined me for the Holy Week in my father's old hometown the week before last, the plan to go to Camotes, just an island off Cebu, hatched in its premature stage.

She was all too excited about the whole thing, while I, the usual drifter and random person that I am, just listened to all her wacky plans -- where to stay, where to go, what to eat down to the part where we decide what to bring as pasalubongs (and we didn't even reach there yet). Your friend's unsurpassed enthusiasm, excellent planning skills coupled with three more push-over friends (who agrees to what she suggests because they're probably too tired to argue, what with two trips planned in a row!) equals one crazy adventure.

We were already contacting friends who knew some friends who had friends who also knew some friends (and the list goes on) who once stayed somewhere in Camotes. Luckily, my enthusiastic friend had a classmate in college whose cousin was our personal tourist guide to the places to-visit in Camotes. That same guy also referred us to this house with a room for rent for local tourists like us who are travelling on a shoestring. We figured we don't really need a much expensive place to stay for the night as we would only sleep there and spend the rest of our day hitting the beach. We got the place for 1000 Php per night (We stayed there for three days and two nights.).

Our tourist guide gave us a taste of what it is like to experience Camotes first hand. We were toured to more than six locations in Camotes. On our first day, we went to Bukilat Cave. It has now been developed for local and foreign tourists alike to enjoy. Then we went to Tudela Viewpoint Resort where we took a dip in the swimming pool facing the Tudela harbor. On the second day, we first went to Timubu Cave where at the entrance I cringed at the sight of the small entrance with the warning sign that said it is not meant for those who have asthma or hypertension problems. We then went to Bakhaw Resort where the water was so cold, you wouldn't want to get out of it. The sand was also white that you would see it shimmer on a hot April sun. Then, in one of the adventure parks, Lanao Danao, I had a taste of their local salvaro. We planned to fish and do kayaking there but because of time constraints, we needed to move to the next beach. Then, we went to Santiago Bay that boasts of a lot of commercialized resorts and inns and was teeming with more tourists. Next stop was Mangudlong Resort. Had we not experienced Bakhaw Resort, we would have averred Mangudlong was truly heaven-like. Then, we went to our last stop which was Buho Rock. You would only come to appreciate the landscape there if you're like me who doesn't know how to swim. It is a perfect dive spot.

You might ask about the food. If you're the type who is not picky with food, you can enjoy barbecued delis just the same as you would in Larsian. Or if you're on the picky gastronomic side, there are restaurants nearby that cater to your every need. Just prepare your moolah as they could get to be pricey.

All in all the experience was awesome. Clearly proves that you don't have to go far and spend much of your hard-earned money just to enjoy and bask in the beaches. All you'll ever need is a trusty friend who will plan and arrange every single detail of the trip for you, with you supporting her on the side.

So here's to fun-filled and cheap adventures this summer...Cheers!!!