Honasan Island is an isolated small island in the Philippines surrounded by the ocean and sea life. Honasan is taken from the Visayan dialect "honas" meaning low tide. It is a secluded place where we could enjoy the corals, fishes and just relax under the sun. My Honasan experience goes way back a decade ago, when a newlywed couple Panyang and Manuel in Maasin Leyte was very hospitable to give me a pump boat ride offshore to this small island. From Maasin beach, it took us an hour to reach the secret getaway of which not so many people knew about. Panyang and her husband wanted me to enjoy my vacation in Maasin, Leyte. That is how hospitable the Maasinhon’s are.
During the travel, I’ve
never seen so many fish, star fish and sea horse of different colors in my
entire life. Well, the ocean was so blue, tranquil and heavenly. I vividly
remember that day; the early morning sun was rising up the shore. It was low
tide then. When we arrived to the small island, the water was knee deep and you
can see the white sand below the crystal waters. Panyang’s husband was able to
catch a fish using a knife with his bare hands. And Panyang was like a Princess
when he handed her this big fish.
Unexpectedly, the three of us had the time of our lives
eating fresh fish and sea urchins. So, sea urchins can be eaten? Surprisingly, yes!
It tastes really good too. At 7 o’clock in the morning we were eating what we
needed to have a full stomach. It feels
like a sanctuary. The fish in the area were
like looking straight at my face and didn’t even swim away. The middle aged couple
said it was their secret place. They were really very friendly people. They
were like angels to me. It was truly an unforgettable experience. I went home
with a sea horse as a souvenir.
