An afternoon frolic at a Tawitawi beach resort

It was an apt cap for a Tawitawi trip that found me and my ex visiting a white sand beach in Bongao, three years ago to the month. The sky was clear, the weather great, the water was inviting and the company memorable. As the sun was racing to the horizon, we were there at the beach for a frolic.

We brought a marang fruit which was then in season and openly sold at the Chinese pier. It was luscious, the pulp thick and sweet, a perfect local snack while after a dip. The beach has white sand mixed with broken corals and shells that have been bleached under the sun while the water is clear and in different shades of blue.

But what makes this place really beautiful? It’s the stunning scenery of Bongao Peak, looming behind the resort that, in the afternoon sun looked imposing and mystical. It’s massive stone pillars overgrown with vegetation is just so unforgettable. The trail head to the peak is just a hundred meters from the resort.

It was already late afternoon. The sun is already setting and we were already dry, having washed and changed clothes earlier as we waited for the sun to set. Within minutes from the sun dipping into the edge, a beautiful explosion of mauve, fiery reds and blues spilled into the sky. From the distance, we can still hear the laughter of children frolicking nearby.

It would have been a beautiful memory but not all good things last forever.

GETTING THERE: Almari Beach Resort is better known by locals as Dr. Ibbo’s beach. From the town center of Bongao, you need to hire a tricycle and tell the driver to bring you to this beach. As it’s located at the other side of Bongao, the driver might ask for a fixed fare. Check out Ferd’z post that shows the accommodations.

Images taken November 2011

Almari Beach Resort
Pahut, Bongao, Tawitawi