A Day Away From Reality: Rediscovering Joy At Tan Beach

Yesterday, we were bored in the house that we wanted to go outside and fill ourselves with a little extraordinary things and glitter it with some fun and excitement. We were doing our tasks the whole morning and half of the afternoon, and then a sudden thought came to me about going to the beach and inviting my boyfriend to have one. We were under one roof yesterday, and he agreed we should have a break from our responsibilities, and fortunately, yesterday, the weather was fine and bright in our town. We figured out how the beaches looked like an invitation to swim around and do some seaside activities.

In our town, we have this place called Tan Beach that is not that popular but perfect for relaxation and a quick escape from frustrating life. We decided to go there, since it was still weekdays, meaning little to no visitors were present and we could enjoy the water without noise and disturbance. Also, visiting this beach was not new to us, for we have been here since our dating stage, and this beach means so much to us. What's the point of the present if not looking back to the past and putting importance on it?

Tan Beach is not a popular spot but visitors still go here with the goal of having a peaceful retreat, clear and blue water experiences, and some water activities. Tan Beach was originally a rest house on the beach, but the owner was not able to sustain the construction and development of it, so he turned this ruin into a beach with a minimum entrance fee and charges for accommodation. Last week, we went here for my niece's birthday and rented a corner with tables and chairs which cost us 750 pesos only. Yesterday, we availed of their tables and chairs amenities costing 150 pesos only. That is how cheap this resort is. Originally, it was 250, but since it was only me and my boyfriend, the caretaker told us she would give us a discount.

The seawater of Tan Beach was blue and glittering yesterday. The sun was scorching hot, but I could still see visitors swimming around and finally getting their tan skin. I couldn't imagine myself swimming in that heat but ended up swimming because the water was refreshing and cool. There was no banana boat offered yesterday since they are more often present during weekends. Regardless, the beach was still stunning, given it overlooks the other part of San Remigio or the northern part of Cebu Island. Some pump boats were present, telling us that fishermen in our town were then on their endeavor to catch for a living. The clouds were scattered like cotton candies and there was nothing I could ask for other than that.

We bought food in our local market, such as fish and meat, to be marinated and grilled by us. We bought puso, another type of rice cooked in a coconut leaf, and then paired it with our grilled meat and fish. We brought Zuki, our dog, with us, and he even enjoyed the breeze. He was sleeping on the sand the whole stay and feeling it all. It was a really good break with our dog and my boyfriend. No pressures, no expectations, no disturbances, just a pure peaceful retreat from life's demands, and then after that, we went back home to return to reality.

How to Get There:

Assume you are at the North Bus Terminal in Cebu City, where most tourists start their trip towards the north. Look for a bus labeled "Hagnaya/Lambusan or Bogo City." The bus will take you north, and once you arrive in San Remigio, just say you'll stop at Lapyahan sa San Remigio or San Juan Nepomuceno Parish. Then tell the exact place or the name of the beach when you find a tricycle on standby nearby, which fortunately drivers know for sure. And welcome, you have arrived home.