Thank God it's Friday! Just kidding! 🤣 This is how I cheer myself to keep my energy level as high as it should be every single day. I just came back from a breathtaking run. Been sick last week so had to take a break from running. Really happy to be back on track today!
Speaking of going back on track, if you're closely following my #Project81PH travel blog, you might notice that we took a break from the Eastern Samar series. I'm trying to speed up writing my long in the tooth trips that I haven't documented yet. I'm trying to finish the oldest which dates back to 2018 [Northern Luzon Backpacking]. I have two more writeups about our 11-day backpacking and we're done!
The other day, I checked out my feed and I couldn't help but smile looking at the travel stories that I've immortalized here in the chain. That's the whole point of posting them here; I'm looking forward to that day when I'll finish all 81 Provinces and I could go back to each one of them whenever I want and reminisce about each experience. Oh, this is already taking more time than an introduction's supposed to take. 🤐
Where was I? Yep, we're taking a break from the North Luzon virtual trips. Let's continue with our Homonhon Island escapade. If you missed my previous posts about Homonhon Island, here are quick links for you: [1], [2].
Beach time, fun time!
We checked out the rugged mountains and rock formations in Homonhon in my last post. I was contemplating if I should write this post but when I double-checked the last one, there were no photos that could give every one of you the complete Handig Beach virtual tour.
A few meters from Jelo's hut was an open cottage with a hammock. It's the best place to watch both sunset and sunrise. Aside from the hammock, you can bring a foldable camping chair and just melt away as you watch a one-of-a-kind paradise unfold right before your eyes.
Here you go! I know you've been scrolling fast in search of the beach that I've been blabbering about. 😂 Sorry to keep you waiting for 20 seconds!
I said it a few times but I'm saying this again just in case you didn't have time to skim through my previous post. Homonhon Island is a massive island and Handig Beach, which is found at the topmost part of Homonhon, is just a part and parcel of Homonhon's unparalleled, underrated beauty.
In Handig Beach, the beach experience is made incredible with the combination of the stony and powdery white sand shore that spans about 500 meters from end to end and with the turquoise Pacific ocean crashing into the shore like a hungry kid. Just to set expectations, Handig Beach is not all white and powdery all throughout but in this developed side of Handig, one could liken it to Boracay or Bantayan Island.
All three of us had the best time in Handig Beach. ❤
We arrived here before lunchtime and Kim, our tour operator, together with two other helpers, made this boodle fight-style lunch for us. The hut was facing the ocean; the best way to end the thrilling morning ride! 🥺 They prepared grilled pork, grilled fish, crab, shrimp, pancit guisado, watermelon and of course, rice!
Our excited and hungry faces spoke of the happiness we felt when we saw the beyond-generous food Kim prepared for us! For the record, we didn't finish everything. It was good for 7 person I'd say.
Where is the waterfall?
Ate Pilar (I hope I got her name right if not, let's just stick to that name. 😂 I'm really bad at remembering names.), told us that there's a "waterfalls" nearby. We were full, very full I must say, and it was still too hot to explore the beach again. When we heard her offer of taking us to the waterfall, without thinking twice we went for it.
It was our first time leaving Handig Beach and going into the locals' village. I was excited to see what it looked like if it looked similar to our villages in Cebu. But first, we had to walk through sandy pathway line with coconut trees, shrubs, etc. leading us directly to the village.
After a rather chill and short stroll, we reached the village or what they fondly call bario. It wasn't my first time hearing the term bario but we don't use it anyway in my hometown in Cebu. There's a new term we've been using which is purok.
This village is simple and silent. There are no huge houses or multiple-storey buildings. The biggest convenience store that we passed by is the one in the photo below; it was a wise choice to buy supplies before heading here. There are specific times of the day when electricity is up; it's not 24/7.
We walked through the village and ended up walking in a narrow and forested area of Homonhon. We followed the lead of Ate Pilar. She grew up here and lives here; there's no way we'd be lost.
Despite the remoteness, there was still a house in the middle of nowhere. I don't think I can survive being away from civilization for too long. I mean I want to live somewhere peaceful but not having a close neighbor is just too much for me or maybe I'm just paranoid! 😂
As we advanced, the vegetation grew thicker and thicker. I honestly was a bit concerned because Ate Pilar said near and with the distance we've traveled so far, near is not supposed to be the adjective to describe the distance from Handig Beach to the "waterfall". Hmmm... this better be worth it!
Nonetheless, I didn't complain upfront. It could've broken Ate Pilar's heart and that's definitely not something I want to do to anyone. The important thing is we reached the destination.
"Where is the waterfall?"
Okay, wait! I know I told you we're going to a "waterfall" but looks like the photos below aren't displaying what you're thinking of. I tell you! We're on the same page! We've been scammed by Ate Pilar's charm. 😂
It turned out that this small stream with a medium-sized pool is what they call a waterfall. We were looking at each other trying to make sense of what was happening but the trek warmed up our bodies and the clean pool was perfect to cool us down. We didn't stay long; there were too many mosquitoes in the area. 😭 I personally don't regret coming here but it would've been better if expectations were set early on. Lesson learned for all of us!
After checking out the waterfall, we went back to the center of the village and told Ate Pilar we'll find our way back to Handig Beach where we'll stay for the night. But before heading back, we went the opposite side of the village, walked a little further, and discovered that it's not all pretty in Homonhon. I mean in this part, the shore's very rocky and shallow for a few meters from the shore. It'll be hard to swim during low tide here.
More photos here:
But yeah if you're looking for genuine tranquility that's near impossible to get when you're in the hustling and bustling Metro, you'll be just fine whether on the rocky side of Homonhon or the Boracay-like beach in Handig. There's one thing left to do, book a flight to Tacloban and explore Homonhon Island before summer is over! ❤
That's all for today guys! You've been fantastic readers of all the stories I've been wanting to put into words. If you're wondering if I am moving to another destination in Eastern Samar in my next post, well you can swing by next time. I'm not giving you any hints for now. Better stay tuned so you won't miss a single #Project81PH exploration. ❤
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