My eyes wandered like a child in awe. I turned my gaze from left to right. Everything seemed so perfect. El Nido is indeed paradise.

After the breathtaking view from Matinloc Island, we headed to Talisay Beach as part of our El Nido Island hopping Tour C. Niel, our tour guide from Servant Tours, told us that we would be eating lunch at the island.

Our boatmen and tour guide acted as cooks as well. Niel impressed us with his garnishing and food styling.

He previously worked at the posh and exclusive Lagen Island Resort but he said he did not have a formal training on food styling. But look, how he did this garden salad.

While others rested under the Talisay tree, I chose to snorkel while waiting for lunch to be cooked. And to my surprise, a school of fish approached me. It was like a fish attack!

Then I later on learned that some tourists were feeding the fish. Hence, the school of fish associated humans with food. Tsk. Not good. Nonetheless, they were harmless.

I continued swimming around. Some corals were dead but there were a few that thrived.

My heart was filled with happiness until I saw this:

When did the fish need soy sauce? The sea is salty to begin with. Sigh. This was one of the effects that tourism do. Yes, it was saddening. We wanted to enjoy the grandeur of nature but then, why aren’t we taking care of it?

After taking a photo, I picked it up and threw it in the garbage bag in our boat. Why am I posting this? It’s a reality check for all of us. Tourism has its good and bad sides. But this can be prevented if we practice responsible and sustainable tourism!

So please, please, please whenever you visit a place, never leave anything but your footprints. Or if you see a trash, care to pick it up. Even if you didn’t throw it, you are responsible. We are responsible. Everyone of us will be affected.

Just imagine, what would happen if the fish ate the plastic? Sooner or later, it will end up in the table for the family to eat. Will you eat the fish that ate plastic? Of course not. It’s a domino-effect.

I hopped on the boat bothered. Until when will Talisay Beach hold its beauty? I hope it would last forever.