Of golden sunrise and statues in the Baywalk

Of golden sunrise and statues in the Baywalk

Morning has broken in Baywalk, Times Beach (Oct. 2011)

I grew up playing in the black sandy shore of Times Beach in Matina. It is Davao’s public beach.

Back then, it was a lot cleaner. Many families spend wonderful picnics there. As the population grew, my family stopped doing our weekend outing years ago. The shore became congested with people, trash and pollution (bathing horses, dogs included). Recently, resort owners made a move to clean up and revive the old popularity of Times Beach.

Baywalk at sunrise

A portion called Baywalk was constructed by the family who owns Queensland, a popular motel by the sea. This used to be the infamous Seawall where the young crowd then used to hang out, leaving bottles of beer littered around (said young crowd now has gotten older with beer bellies).

Golden David at sunrise

This place is now transformed into a clean park with gardens, mini zoo and a shark pool. At dawn, there is an aerobics class going on. Here joggers, pregnant women, families spend time around the place to walk, run, fish, exercise, eat and drink and just watch the sunset without swimming.

Little Mermaid replica in Baywalk Davao

Two famous replicas of statues were built: the Little Mermaid of Copenhagen looking forlornly out at sea; and the other was a more controversial one, the nude Statue of David. When it was first erected (pardon the pun), conservative folks reacted to the owner having the “balls” to build the structure (more pun coming ahead), deeming it an affront to the senses.

Statue of David replica in Davao Baywalk

The hoopla has died down by now, and the initial shock went “limp” (I can’t help it!). Today, David’s still hanging by his balls soaked in golden shower splendor of the sun.  While it has been met with resistance, it has become a popular tourist attraction these days.

I frequent this place whenever I have the urge to get some beautiful daybreak.  Sunrise never disappoints me here.

One beautiful sunrise I was lucky to have captured, 2010

My recent Baywalk sunrise shoot (October 2011) images:

Sunrise in Baywalk

Little Mermaid replica at sunrise

More in my Pbase Gallery
“Here Comes the Sun” series,2009

My Birthday Sunrise, 2009

Baywalk, Times Beach Sunrise, 2011