BALANGA CITY – From sunrise to sunset, one can enjoy in myriad ways the sea breeze and the beautiful surroundings along the wetland park by the seaside village of Tortugas here.
One can go kayaking or paddle boating and stand-up paddle boarding along the mouth of Manila Bay in the Talisay River for only P75 an hour. Eat your breakfast, merienda and lunch and rest or whisper sweet nothings to your loved ones or friends on board a bamboo raft or balsa.
“Guests can bring food with them in riding the balsa,” said caretaker Claudia Isidro. The boats are guided by experienced boatmen from the fishing village and have life jackets on hand. Resting on nipa huts by the sea and the balsa is enough to drive away depressing thoughts while watching the calm sea, fishing boats and the mountain from a distance.
“Ganda ng lugar ninyo. Nice to visit your place. Magaling itong ginawa ni mayor, congrats sa kanya,” said three first timers in the place from the Philippines General Hospital. They tried the balsa and toured the wetland park.
Children have bicycles for rent to ride and swing to play with. When tired of boating, visitors can go to the wetland park nearby where a tourist information center, viewing decks and nipa cottages are sights to enjoy.
In the two viewing decks are pictures of water migratory birds frequenting Balanga from September to end of March every year Looking at the wide expanse of Manila Bay with boats fi shing and lush mangroves at the side of the bay from the viewing decks are even enough to call the day a beautiful and refreshing day.
“Maganda ngayon kaya pabalik-balik kami,” said Dianne Alegre after her lunch at the nipa cottage fronting the sea.
