I just got back from my Easter beach trip, and people have been asking me where I went. Invariably, my answer was “where I belong.” They then wonder why, of all places, I keep coming back to this beach. I am not surprised.

The beach is just “okay.” The sand is not even white – it’s more of a beige-brown color. Neither is it fine. Once you get in the water, the pebbly ground can hurt your feet if they are overly sensitive. The waves are often strong. There is practically no night life to speak ok.

So why do I keep coming back to Tamaraw Beach Resort in Puerto Galera, Philippines? My answer is simple: I feel at home there. Every time I lay my eyes on the quiet beach devoid of the crowds in other beaches, I feel tons better. Each time I walk up to the reception desk and they greet me like they are actually happy to see me, I feel like I have come home. Every time I sit on the beach staring at the waves and listening to the sounds of the ocean, I feel like my worries are washed away.

I have to say that despite the fact that this beach is far from being the best beach in the Philippines, it is the best for me when I need some respite from the daily grind. Oh, and never mind that I do have to travel 2 hours (or so) by land and 1 hour by boat. The trip is always worth it.

What makes you come back to a place over and over again?