Basilan: A Piece of Heaven
By COY DANS
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| (Photo courtesy by Basilan Official Website) |
Basilan
has been notorious for its gargantuan share of news about bombings,
kidnappings, and killings. Because of such a reputation, Basilan is not even
advised to be included in a traveler’s, both foreign and local, itinerary of
must-see places in the Philippines. Except for some brave souls who happily
rush to Basilan for adventure, it is nonetheless a place where angels fear to
tread. But if beaches were pieces of heaven for sun and sea worshippers, then
there are a lot of them on the main island and its surrounding unsullied
sandbars.
Most
visitors coming to this place do not know that behind Malamawi islet across the
wharf of Isabela, the capital city, is a little piece of heaven on earth.
How
do you get there? From Zamboanga City, there are at least 10 trips by ferry
boats to Basilan which take an hour and a half at a maximum. Upon disembarking,
there are motorboats just a few meters away. They are ready to take you for a
two-minute ride across the channel to the islet for a measly fare of five bucks.
Once
there, you take a habal-habal ride if there are only a few of you and do not
have much to carry such as provision for food. For groups, elf and mini-trucks
can also be had for round trips. You will negotiate a typical village road with
lush vegetation around, as a breath-taking view awaits you on the other side.
Or if you wish to go the convenient way, get the services of a motorized boat
that will take you around the other half of the island and bring you right
smack to the beach. You will sail through mangrove areas and those
oft-photographed houses on stilts that speak of the Badjao’s peculiar way of
life.
The
boatman is at your beck and call as he waits for you the entire day until you
decide to go back to the city proper across the channel.
All
inconveniences are all worth the trip upon reaching the place, known for its
name as White Beach. Once there, you could not help but gasp in awe at the
sight of such pristine beach,that has maintained its rustic ambience. The sand
is naturally white, unlike other resorts filled with white sand coming from
other sources. Taking a dip, lazing on a hammock, playing beach volleyball,
snorkeling, or simply lazing under the shades are just few of the things you
can do there. Walking on a bar of sand equally proves like walking on clouds as
you allow the surf to rush to and kiss your feet.
When
the tide has ebbed, picnickers are transformed into beach combers who scour the
stones on the side of the beach for edible finds.
You
also draw a little thrill if you also happen to discover a starfish.
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