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.
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30 comments:
I plan to visit this island too this October. Hope the weather is as fine as it looks here. :)
I hope the weather will be as lovely as when we went there :)
Been here about 6 years ago and it looks pretty still. Prettier even, as captured by you :)
Was that the time you went to Basilan? :) The sun made it look extra lovely :)
aaaaahhhh i wanna go to zamboanga na!
Parang di nga ata okay yung mga souvenirs. :(
Beach is really nice though! Wag na lang natin tangkilikin yung mga ganung souvenirs
@lakbay: go na! :)
@christian: yeah, ang pagkakaalam ko bwal sya.
missing Zamboanga... and Satti... and knickerbucker etc etc
@pnoydaysleeper: Me too. :) Will post bout the food in Zamboanga soon hehe
Such an intense blue in the sea & the sky!
It was the peak of the summer heat last March, Emme :)
You're photos are really great. It's like you really took us to Zamboanga and the interesting things you did there.
Nice you really have a military escort. This will make your stay more secure and relaxing.
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.
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 =)
There are so many places that have yet to be discovered here in the Philippines. One of them is the coastline of Zamboanga.
Awesome pictures of the beach. And my goodness! P120 for that feast?! I really gotta head over there soon.
Malapit ko ng mapuntahan ang famous na pink beach! :) I hope we will be blessed with good weather like this. :)
This post just made me think of a travel plan to Zamboanga.. nice photos here :)
wow! tempting blue waters. Fresh seafoods for a meal, that's great. you did have a fun experience .
Nice clear blue water.The place is so serene.Just right for relaxation.
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 :)
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! :)
When I first saw these photos I thought it was in Boracay! What a nice place!
looks like you really had a great time! the beach looks so beautiful and inviting...Yahweh bless
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.
oh wow..my heart always skips a bit whenever I see backpackers on quite unexplored places
Ang bonga may military escort! The place looks marvelous. Very serene and blue! Will look forward to visiting this heaven :)
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.
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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