Date: May 2008
The Sta Cruz Island is known for its pink sand. Accordingly, from one of the readings I have made, the reason why this has the pink sand is because of a rare specie of coral called red organ pipe coral, that overtime, through erosion, it mixed up with the white sand making it appear as a pink sandy beach.
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| with Brent Staff |
This island is located just an hour boat ride from downtown Zamboanga. Our starting point was at the Lantaka Hotel, where we booked with the Department of Tourism in the said hotel. (I really can not remember anymore how much we pay for the trip). From there a boat ride will be sailed to the island with the tourist guide.
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| We started at Lantaka Hotel (What is now the Paseo del Mar) |
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| Off to Sta Cruz Island |
There are no resorts, accomodation or whatsoever in this island. So it is advisable to bring your own food or maybe you can have your food cooked on the island as several grilling facilities are found in the area.
It is also advisable to bring with you, your sunscreen as high as SPF 50, wide brim hat and some extra clothings as the heat is three times in strength ( I believe because the white sand reflects the heat more).
The beach is not ideal for kids and even adults who can not swim (like me), because the sea beds quickly drops a height about three to four feet away from shore. Be very careful though, because I also noticed a strong sea current that may carry/push you to greater depths.
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| As you can see I was using a life jacket (LOL) |
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| Picture obsess people |
What I like most about this island is its purity and freshness. Only few brave people who has the nerved to visit this island can enjoy its wonder. Unlike those crowded beaches I went, we were as if the only people in the island. It is sad to note that because of the image that has lurking in the minds of the people ( and I do not blame them since believe there are some really bad incidence from the past), this beach remained in the shadow waiting to be rediscovered and been deserted out from travel magazine. I used rediscovered since I knew from my mother that this island is popular wayback than Boracay and Puerta Gallera. Good thing the local government is taking some actions to reintroduce the great island.
Here are some photos taken during the trip.
TILL NEXT TRIPPING...... CIAO!!!!!!!!
