We didn't intend to stay in Panagsama Beach, which really doesn't have a beach. Again, think of Anilao. I was intent in staying in Bas Daku, a nearby beach, that was just like Panagsama before a typhoon changed its landscape. Bas Daku is around 6 km away via a narrow access road into the plain fields of Moalboal. Essentially, Panagsama and Bas Daku share one coastline. Coves and rocks separate them. But the difference between the two beaches are stark.
Bas Daku has a lot of beach front resorts, having a white sandy coastline that extends for about a kilometer. It has a shifting sandbar near the resort that I consider the most well-designed in the area. Though not the most popular and high-end (that goes to Serena Beach Resort, which I will talk about in my next posts), Ravenala Beach Resort is welcoming and charming.
I am a fan of resorts that blend well with nature. Beautifully landscaped and well-kept as well, Ravenala offers accommodation in comfortable nipa hut like cottages. They have 2 fan rooms facing the beach, which I strongly recommend for those who really don't care about A/C. We stayed however, in the more expensive (P3,000 published rate) A/C room which is good enough for 3 people. The rooms don't have a TV, but who really looks for the media when they're in a place like this.
At the center of the quaint resort is an open-air veranda, where they serve food. This is the best place to chill out in. I've been in Ravenala twice already in the past month, and we always feel we own the resort, since no one is is there (just only one or two quiet guests).
I highly recommend Ravenala, with its most friendly staff and relaxing ambience. And once you step out to the beach, a picturesque view of sand and sea awaits.
The sand is white, and if you've been to other white sand beaches in Cebu, it'll probably feel just like that. Bas Daku feels like a peaceful beach village, with a lot of people just enjoying themselves in a soothing environment. Bas Daku also has that stunning shade of blue hues that is consistent in most Cebu beaches.
There is a shifting sandbar in front of HK Resort beside Ravenala. I noticed this in my 2nd visit of course, when the sand bar became a strip of sand away from the main shoreline, from being an alluring sand mount at the end of the cove. There are no detached restaurants in the area, similar to Panagsama, so don't expect something similar. Moalboal has that Alona Beach of Bohol feel, without the night life (if you get what I mean).
Though there are a lot of people who visit Bas Daku, mostly locals from Cebu City, you can still find a spot on the beach where you can lay down your sarong or mat and let a morning pass with a book to read, or with an iPod to listen to. There's really nothing much to do here other than being a beach bum for a day.
RAVENALA MOALBOAL
(032) 4740075
Family room for 4 persons @ Ph4,000.00 a night
Standard rooms @Ph 3,000.00 a night.
Breakfast and taxes are included in the price
So we drove away, passing by some wonderful scenery, like the one in the picture above. It was a secluded cove, with a tiny island. The view was pretty inspiring, and I thought it would be a great location for a resort. Badian Island could be seen from here.
We drove back to the highway in search of Badian's top tourist's draw - the Kawasan Falls. Badian's coast looked magnificent as I sped along the cliffs.
We arrived in the entrance of the Kawasan Park, where you can park your car. A guide was offering his services to us, but we politely declined, knowing it would be an easy task to find the falls.
And it was easy. There's actually a clear pathway, and there are a lot of people making the 15 minute hike. The river was peaceful and very clear. The hike (more of a stroll actually) was relaxing, but you could feel the sweat break while the sound of the crash of water grew stronger and stronger.
You will even pass by this quaint handicraft stall along the way. It was unmanned at that time, so I don't know who owns it or who makes these lovely wooden works of art.
You will also go under a vintage looking stone bridge. It reminded me of a war movie set. Looking at the picture, I didn't know if the bridge was being used, since we passed under it.
And finally, the destination - beautiful and graceful Kawasan Falls. There are actually three falls, and this is the last one. It is also the biggest one, and where all the picnic huts and tourists are docked. You could get on a raft (for a fee) and go under the falls, which I think is dangerous. I recently saw a video of a sudden flash flood from a waterfall in Bohol, so please be very cautious about waterfalls, especially when there is a sudden downpour.
The journey to Kawasan Falls was an experience in itself. I love hiking short trails, and Kawasan was just that. The water was so inviting, I was so tempted to take a dip. But I wasn't in swim wear, so I just had to experience Kawasan from dry land. And from the looks of this picture, I thought it was well worth it.
