After my niece's first birthday party last July 5, my family decided to go to the beach the next day to extend the celebration. A celebration like this which we call "birthday today, beach the next day" has become a practice for the family, and the main reason for this (which may sound funny) was the extra food 'left' during the birthday celebration.
To us, there is no other better place to eat "paksiw" and feast on the food (leftover) than on the seashore. Paksiw is a Filipino pork dish made from a leftover roast pig which is known as "Lechon". This dish is best eaten with rice so we pair it with " "puso", the Philippines' famous hanging rice.
Most of the time when we do this celebration of ours, our choice of destination is always Odlot, Bogo, Cebu, Philippines.
Odlot Beach may not be as magnificent and elegant as the other renowned beaches in the country but it always gets an honorable mention for its cleanliness, easy access, and simplicity. Considering that Odlot Beach is one of the biggest public beaches in Bogo, Cebu (expect a crowd every weekend)but it is well maintained by its Local Government Unit.
Where is Odlot Public Beach located?
Odlot Public Beach is nestled in the topmost part of Bogo City Cebu and that is where it got its name "Odlot". In the Cebuano language, Odlot means the topmost part of a plant or grass. This humble beach is accessible to any type of vehicle with just 30 minutes ride away from the City of Bogo-the Northern part of Cebu. The beach is open daily, in day and in night.
The beach
With its adorable white sand and bright seashore, kids love to run, play and find seashells. It's easy to keep watch too of the kids since the seashore is just narrow stretched away from the sea.
The water is crystal clear and the waves are gentle. This is also the reason why we choose this beach because it is kid-friendly. Also,The presence of the coconut trees adds a tropic vibe to the beach.
Though the shore is uneven, the colors of the water will tell you its depth, from crystal clear to turquoise green to aqua blue. For beach goers who love swimming rather than sunbathing and sitting on the cottages, Odlot Public Beach is top of the favorite. The depth of the sea is perfect for swimming be it low tide or high tide.
The cottages
There are also plenty of open and relaxing cottages ideal for bonding with families and friends. The cottages here are very simple but it never fails to provide shelter and shade to the beachgoers. A perfect place to chill and enjoy the ocean view. These small huts are made and designed with woods and bamboo and have chairs, tables, and benches inside.
If you want to cook some food or grill some BBQ Meat and fish, a grilling area is also provided.
The rent price of the cottages ranges from 150-300 pesos only (2.68 USD-5.36USD). whereas if you don't want to spend a penny on the rent you can bring a mat or a hammock with you.
Last time we went there we choose this DIY cottage made by a local who greeted us when we arrived. We were amused by this cottage as the roof is made of recycled sacks and a bamboo bench that is about to break. My father insisted on picking this cottage to help the locals earn money that day, anyway, we won't be staying in the cottage the whole time.
The fishing boats.
Another scenery that will catch your attention on the shore is the parades of the small fishing boat. With various colors, styles, and sizes one would think there is a " Boat display or show" going on. These fishing boats painted with beautiful bright colors and designs are owned by the villagers living near the beach. Counting the number of boats on the shore, one could interpret that almost all household in the Barangay owns a boat. Undeniably, fishing is the main source of living in the area.
What Odlot, Bogo, Cebu offer,
Aside from the scenic view, perfect beach for swimming, and an open seashore good for the kids playing and running and a good bonding time for the family and friends, what made Odlot Public Beach a tourist attraction is the famous and miraculous church of the Lady of Remedios standing tall embracing the beach at the back. For the fish folks, this Miraculous church is the lighthouse that protects and guides them safely to come home and go to the open sea.
Source: Queen City of the South FB page.
This church is one of the most visited pilgrim sites in Cebu that draws thousands of pilgrims from Cebu and other parts of the country.
Not just do tourists enjoy the beauty of Odlot Beach but also they are able to visit the church and light some candles as they say their prayers.
Everytime me and my family come to Odlot Public Beach we always have a blissful experience and a fun under the sun.
And Oh' the Paksiw! We finished it! We ate it all! Another happy and full tummy getaway.
No matter how simple the thing is, there is always beauty in it. Focus on the good side.
Thanks for reading Hivers.馃 Have a blast!