Bella’s first time at the beach was a mix of excitement and fear. Living in the middle of Germany, we don’t get the chance to visit the sea often. It’s at least a two-hour drive away, and with our daily routines, we never really had the time. But during our one-month vacation in the Philippines, we made sure to take Bella to the beach for the first time. She had always been fascinated by sharks, and just knowing that they lived in the sea made her incredibly excited. If only she knew how dangerous they could be! We’ll explain that to her when she’s older.
When we finally reached the beach, Bella’s excitement quickly turned into hesitation. The vastness of the sea, the never-ending waves, and the feeling of water rushing to her feet seemed overwhelming. She clung tightly to her daddy, unsure of this new experience. We didn’t push her. We let her take her time.
Little by little, her curiosity grew. She watched the waves, felt the water between her fingers, and started testing her limits. Then, almost suddenly, fear turned into joy. She giggled, splashed, and played, completely lost in the moment. It was wonderful to see her enjoying something so simple yet so magical.
We had originally planned to visit Siquijor after the baptism, not just to see family but also to enjoy its beautiful beaches and breathtaking sunsets. Unfortunately, Bella had been dealing with diarrhea for a few days, so we decided to stay in Negros instead, just to be closer to a hospital if needed. Sayang, but her health came first. Hopefully, next time, we’ll finally make it there.
For now, we’re just happy that, despite everything, she had a wonderful first experience at the beach. Watching her go from fear to pure joy was a memory we’ll always cherish. And next time, who knows? Maybe she’ll be even braver—just as long as there are no real sharks around!
