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Zamboanga | What To Do in Sta. Cruz Island

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It was around 10 in the morning when we arrived at the island. It was actually an hour later than our ETA. Prior to reaching the island, I wasn’t really expecting that much. I just planned to chill and unwind on the beach. The  Great Island of Sta. Cruz  took me by surprise. From the calm sea to its azure-turquoise-ic waters--and who'd forget its white sand with a tinge of pink from a certain kind of coral species found there. It was the kind of surprise and escape I needed from the swamped workload I had to face during the past weeks which resulted to several cancelled trips. It was the end of March of 2012, so it's definitely a trip worth the wait!





How to get to the island? Click here.


Here are some of the things that we got to do while on the island--you might want to try them, too:

1) Take pictures. Quite mandatory to have some pictures of yourself and the beachscape especially before you run out of energy because of the blaring sun.





2) Cook/make your food. You can either bring food to the island, or cook it while you are there or, in our case, a local offered to prepare it for us--they sold us seafood and they also prepared it for us. The whole meal only cost Php 120!








3) Play Volleyball. You can play with your friends or, if you are lucky, play with these sizzling hot American navies who were participating in the Balikatan 2012, and who were there just to have fun, too.




4) Souvenirs. There are some common souvenirs like key chains and woodcraft offered by the locals, though I'm not sure if these are black corals. I thought it's ILLEGAL to sell them (or even harvest them from the sea). I still believe that taking photos as a souvenir is the best way to go.






5) Swim. Of course, the very reason why you were going to the beach! Haha.




6) Pose with your military escorts. Booking a trip to  Zamboanga  helps them design a more efficient security plan for the area, and for every tourists safety of course.



7) Wrestle on the sand. Apparently, this was true to the American Soldiers who went with us. Haha.




8) Endless chat with friends or new found friends with food/drinks under the trees’ shade or cottages.





More about the Zamboanga trip here.





 


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Elal of The Shades of Grey Travel and Photography
Elal is a traveler, student of life and photography enthusiast who wants to experience and capture what is raved and not raved about. For more about her travels, subscribe here, email at elal.lasola@gmail.com, or visit her portfolio.

30 comments:

Unknown said...

I plan to visit this island too this October. Hope the weather is as fine as it looks here. :)

Elal Lasola said...

I hope the weather will be as lovely as when we went there :)

Pinay Travel Junkie said...

Been here about 6 years ago and it looks pretty still. Prettier even, as captured by you :)

Elal Lasola said...

Was that the time you went to Basilan? :) The sun made it look extra lovely :)

Lakbay Diva said...

aaaaahhhh i wanna go to zamboanga na!

Christian | LAKAD Pilipinas said...

Parang di nga ata okay yung mga souvenirs. :(

Beach is really nice though! Wag na lang natin tangkilikin yung mga ganung souvenirs

Elal Lasola said...

@lakbay: go na! :)

@christian: yeah, ang pagkakaalam ko bwal sya.

Anonymous said...

missing Zamboanga... and Satti... and knickerbucker etc etc

Elal Lasola said...

@pnoydaysleeper: Me too. :) Will post bout the food in Zamboanga soon hehe

Emme Rogers @ Roamancing said...

Such an intense blue in the sea & the sky!

Elal Lasola said...

It was the peak of the summer heat last March, Emme :)

Franc Ramon said...

You're photos are really great. It's like you really took us to Zamboanga and the interesting things you did there.

Amaya Chika said...

Nice you really have a military escort. This will make your stay more secure and relaxing.

Ellen DB said...

Nice photos of the beach, I am contemplating to travel to Zamboanga before cause of bad news about safety, but when I saw this article, I will no longer hesitate to plan a trip to Zamboanga.

Unknown said...

I have been to Sta Cruz Island Zamboanga way back in 2002 when I had 2 years work assignment there. The island is really beautiful. So until now visitors still needs military escorts in going there =)

Bluesolstice said...

There are so many places that have yet to be discovered here in the Philippines. One of them is the coastline of Zamboanga.

Unknown said...

Awesome pictures of the beach. And my goodness! P120 for that feast?! I really gotta head over there soon.

Gabz | Pinoy Travel Freak said...

Malapit ko ng mapuntahan ang famous na pink beach! :) I hope we will be blessed with good weather like this. :)

Nanardx said...

This post just made me think of a travel plan to Zamboanga.. nice photos here :)

papaleng said...

wow! tempting blue waters. Fresh seafoods for a meal, that's great. you did have a fun experience .

Lady Patchy said...

Nice clear blue water.The place is so serene.Just right for relaxation.

Unknown said...

What a perfect sunny weather to beach bum in the known pink sand of Sta. Cruz. I believe you have a great time spent with new friends :)

Budget Biyahera said...

That was an interesting day by the beach, considering that there were also American navies for eye-candy.. lol! But on a serious note, I was more drawn to the food and its affordable rate.. oh, and the pink corals especially! :)

Jevelme said...

When I first saw these photos I thought it was in Boracay! What a nice place!

ralph said...

looks like you really had a great time! the beach looks so beautiful and inviting...Yahweh bless

jrplaza said...

Zamboanga is worth a postal card (that's if postal cards are still available) or we say worthy to capture. Most of this lands are not yet discovered by tourist and of course you'll enjoy it.

Unknown said...

oh wow..my heart always skips a bit whenever I see backpackers on quite unexplored places

Filipina Wanderer said...

Ang bonga may military escort! The place looks marvelous. Very serene and blue! Will look forward to visiting this heaven :)

markpogi said...

WOW!!! I prefer the environment of Sta Cruz Island. Hindi sya masyadong matao unlike doon sa mga commercialized beaches na madalas na puntahan ng mga turista.

Justin | Hari ng Lakbay said...

For sure, those people who will take home the corals via airport will be questioned by the authorities. (I really hope so)

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