San Antonio-Baybay Creamsand Long Beach © Jojie Alcantara

“It is only when we are very happy that we can bear to gaze merrily upon the vast and limitless expanse of water, rolling on and on with such persistent, irritating monotony, to the accompaniment of our thoughts, whether grave or gay. When they are gay, the waves echo their gaiety; but when they are sad, then every breaker, as it rolls, seems to bring additional sadness, and to speak to us of hopelessness and of the pettiness of all our joys.” ~ Baroness Emma Orczy, a British novelist, playwright and artist of Hungarian origin.

When I am down, a stroll in the beach does something to my system.  It calms me down somewhat.

Whatever I am thinking at that very moment is amplified,  whether it be joy or sadness.  The calming, soothing effect is there for a purpose.  It brings you to a reflective mood. It makes you think, coupled with the rhythmic pounding of the waves,  beyond petty faultfinding, or trivial complaints in life.

It makes you wonder about your existence (think speck of dust in one of the galaxies in a milky way).

This is San Antonio-Baybay Creamsand Long Beach in Cateel, Davao Oriental. The name is a mouthful but it describes the place exactly as it is by the locals. It’s a quiet, undiscovered gem of a long stretch of beautiful coastline with the raging Pacific waves pouring in. It is a simply stunning panorama of natural wonder, waiting to be discovered.

San Antonio-Baybay Creamsand Long Beach © Jojie Alcantara