An Afternoon with the Boulders

Last Saturday afternoon i asked a relative in my place to bring his small car so we can go to the beach at the other side of our mountain. We were six in the car, i had my teenager nephew and niece. Two cousins joined us on a motorcycle. Our town looks like a peninsula or a tongue protruding from the mainland, so we are almost surrounded by water. The west side is facing a bay which is more tamed  than the east side, which has currents from the Pacific Ocean. Hence, it is in the west where a lot of resorts are established. These waters are famous mostly for scuba diving and windsurfing. It is a marine protected area, so diversity is preserved. Many diving sites are famous in these waters and scuba diving in Anilao is famous even among  international divers.

It is a little embarrassing that I am not really very familiar with our area. I have only reached the other side thrice in my lifetime. The circumferential road is now already finished facilitating continuous drive along the coast, which prompted me to explore a bit. When you work in the big city far from your place of birth, this is not unusual. I have reached a lot of other places far from us, but not my own place. The song "I've been to paradise, but I've never been to me", fits me well.

 Big rocks occupy a large portion of our shores, so if you're looking for fine sandy shores, we will disappoint you here. But of course, there are some sandy coves although these are short and not very fine. Some areas though are improved to cater to these young tourists and family groups.

The area on the horizon is an island of another town. It is only 30 minutes by boat from us, but i confess, i haven't been there. The other faint bluish island at the back is already the island of Mindoro, 2 hours by boat from Batangas City International Port.  Our 2nd tallest mountain in the country is in that island.

These areas are famous for scuba diving, and the above two boats are waiting for their divers now still under water. Diving sites are actually very near the shores. These waters are protected areas and marine biodiversity is so plenty that makes these sites well known in the world.  I've read that there are also marine species which are only seen in these waters. 

Vegetation from the shore to the mountain is also good, not destroyed except for some populated patches. Forest areas are still present. Just like in the area above, I've seen some beautifully colored butterflies. Being a butterfly chaser in our garden, i didn't know they can also find nectar in seashore plants. 

Above is a bushy tree growing so luxuriantly near the shore. Every shoot is also producing lots of blooms, white as they are, flowers look so nice against those wide, shiny green leaves.

I have not taken lots of pictures, as we were busy gathering abalone and other shells we are fond of as a delicacy on our tables. But of course, my niece kept on pestering me to take her remembrance. Sure, as we might not be able to come here soon, the next time she might already be an adult. 

And to give you a more complete visualization of the place we've been to, it is beneath this area on the left, down there at the shoreline. This view is from Mt. Gulugod Baboy (Pig Spine), an old picture, to show you the protected marine areas. The island I mentioned in the first photo is that group of islands at the middle.