“The river is constantly turning and bending and you never know where it's going to go and where you'll wind up. Following the bend in the river and staying on your own path means that you are on the right track. Don't let anyone deter you from that.” Profound thoughts from Eartha Kitt and her words were stamped well in my mind—reminding me of the gentle rush of the river that leads to the open sea.
“Why don’t you join us for lunch?” Che, the Museum Director invited me, her eyes beaming with excitement as always.
It’s been a busy and a little stressful life that I’ve been living lately and even my constant travels to somewhere else weren’t really for leisurely meanderings.
I didn’t hesitate to say yes, and I told myself, “Doesn’t it sound relaxing?” A relaxing afternoon, it was, indeed!
The Palina Greenbelt Ecopark is located at Sitio Cablatan, in Barangay Cagay, Roxas City. It is just 5 kilometers away from the city center and is accessible through the usual route in Barangay Cagay, or through the circumferential road in Barangay Dayao.
The ecopark is home to about eight species of mangroves. I noticed some of them were so old that they’ve probably lived for hundreds of years. Also, different species of birds, fish, and shellfishes thrive in this part of Roxas City.
The adventure begins when one of the floating huts or “Cabañas” on bamboo rafts begin to traverse the river and out into the open sea. The raft can accommodate up to 25 people and it glides steadily on the water. It is not motorized but is, instead, attached to a small banca that pulls and navigates it from the mouth of the river to the open sea and back.
The view of the mangroves beautifully lining the sides of the river… the still water…the blue skies…and the sight of fisher folks and kids enjoying a dip are all a great source of respite.
The raft passes along a spot called the “Lover’s Cove.” Come here before dusk and you can see doves flocking this green space en masse. Locals also pride that the place is an ideal spot for proposing marriages and for lovers to manifest what they feel. Romantic, isn’t it?
The community that lives in the area thrives in the bounty of the sea and river. Don’t do anything. Just sit one of the reclining chairs, ask one of the ladies to give either you a relaxing back massage or a gentle foot spa. Then, don’t do anything again. Enjoy the clear sky, relish the green mangroves that pass by your sight. Or simply doze off to the tune of the gentle waves. For sure the view of Surambaw would interest you. It is a local fishing implement made of bamboo to catch a huge batch fish. At night, a light would be placed on the surambaw to attract fish to the net. When fisher folks think it’s time to harvest, they’d simply pull the net, together with the fish.
Aside from the river cruise, guests who want to enjoy the bounty from the sea can order fish and seafood fresh from harvest! For a more relaxing treat, enjoy a massage and foot spa session while cruising the river.
Once upon a time, this part of the city almost laid to waste because of illegal fishing. But the very people who nearly destroyed Palina River and its habitat finally put their act together and created a little paradise here on earth. Today, they harvest not only fish and oysters, but also a new meaning for their existence.
Once upon a time, this part of the city almost laid to waste because of illegal fishing. But the very people who nearly destroyed Palina River and its habitat finally put their act together and created a little paradise here on earth. Today, they harvest not only fish and oysters, but also a new meaning for their existence.
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