Paradise that is Amanpulo

It was a regular working day. A fax came in. It was handed to me and it says that our supplier is giving us two seats to AMANfreakingPULO. When I read the news, I couldn't believe my eyes. I was dumbfounded and, of course, was in seventh heaven, but I acted cool and nonchalant. ;p

I heard about Amanpulo a number of times already. In most stories that I heard, this luxury resort has captivated big Hollywood stars like Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Tom Cruise, Robert De Niro, and the list goes on. They say that it is the ultimate paradise in the Philippines that the rich, the famous, and dollar-earning foreigners (LOL) visit. The price tag attached to Amanpulo stories? Whooping half a million. #circa2008 Myth or not, exaggerated or not, all I know is that Amanpulo is super-exclusive and quite expensive of an island to stay on. It never crossed my mind that I will ever go to Amanpulo, NOT EVEN IN MY DREAMS.

The best part, whenever I get overwhelming perks like this, is always the part where I get a word from God. It is sheer joy to see a verse come to life − to savor it and bask on it for the rest of your life. When I went to Amanpulo, it was Ephesians 3:20 at work. Amanpulo and our whole experience in this paradise was DIVINE!! It was over the top! I coincidentally even spent my 24th birthday in this paradise.♥ ♥ ♥ Just reminiscing about it gives me shivers and I thank God with tears in my heart every single time I am reminded of this (even now as I write this post, huhu). God is always extra good and extra, extra generous. :') *smitten to the hilt*

Amanpulo is absolutely picturesque. It felt as though we had the whole island to ourselves that we were able to take postcard perfect photos sans annoying passers-by. Let me first share our Amanpulo photos and tell stories about them at the end of this post 'coz photo sharing need not be interrupted. ;'p

Amanpulo has its own airport lounge. We were served refreshments and snacks while waiting. We flew from Manila to Amanpulo Pamalican Island (approximately an hour) via chartered plane −a 19-seater Dornier plane. *insert my nagmamaganda, nagmamayaman face here, lols* 

I knew my brother and I will be having one ~spoiled vacation~ when I saw golf carts and waving (yes, waving) chauffeurs lined up −waiting for our arrival− as we land. We walked down the red carpet and they gave each of us a garland. Our guest assistant, who surprisingly knew our names already, gave us a tour around the island and handed to us our keys.
We stayed in a charming and generously spaced treetop casita. A personal letter, welcome drinks, and fruits awaited us. The room had an iPod dock, espresso coffee machine with various coffee shots, TV, DVD player, a mini ref, an outdoor deck, and wi-fi connection *hihi*. The bathroom was huge. There was a bathtub, shower room, and toilet room. My brother and I had separate cabinets, drawers, toiletries, and even had our separate washbasins. They clean our room 2-3x a day. It's totally insane that we always go back to a squeaky-clean room!
We drove our own buggy (golf cart) to get around the big island. We were astounded to find new mineral water bottles and fresh towels every time we go back to our buggy. How do they manage to sneak those in?!! They would even reverse our carts when we parked facing a wall or bush. #NinjaMoves
We went to the gym everyday where the glass windows are floor-to-ceiling high, so you can just imagine how serene our view was while we worked out. (naks, work out! lol)
We also availed our complimentary steam bath daily.
The steam room was amazing!!! It was so big that there was a cold pool in the room and had an outdoor deck. Best part? We had it to ourselves to enjoy.
We went inside Aman Spa to check the price list. *haha* A regular manicure costs 2,200 pesos. A regular pedicure costs 4,000 pesos. A 60-minute signature massage costs 5,500 pesos. A 60-minute facial? 6,500 pesos. A 60-minute hair spa? 3,000 pesos. #kthanksbye
The service and all the amenities were impeccable. There's ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to complain about. You get what you pay for. I'm just not sure if I'll still say this if we paid for everything! ;'p
Some of the activities that we tried were stargazing, snorkeling and fish-feeding, and pawikan chasing. The boat has a top deck and has an amazing view of the island.
There are other complimentary activities which we haven't tried such as stretch and relax class, pilates, tennis, and marine sport activities such as windsurfing, sailing, and kayaking. We also were not able to request for bikes. :( Biking around would have been a good exercise.
They also have this Filipino merienda set up at the Club House during afternoons, but we always miss it since it just goes for an hour or less.
After every adventure-filled day, they would surprise us with jar of munchies such as pastillas de leche, fruits, nuts, and other Filipino delicacies placed on our beds. Ben would devour them quickly. *haha* There are other more sweet surprises during our entire stay. Everything was too detailed and personalized. We had complimentary straw hats and a native bayong bag which I used in the island.
The in-flight guide had Philippine and Manila history. The casitas are actually modelled after the Philippine bahay kubo dwellings. Everything about the island is very Filipino which is awesome knowing that many foreigners go to this island.
Amanpulo presented our history and culture with head held high. #ProudFilipino
If there's anything they must improve on, it's their food. There was nothing to go gaga for. A tapa meal costs 600-800 pesos, but I've tasted better tapas. I enjoyed our first dinner and our last lunch. Generally though, I think the food was average, far from excellent.
Now to the beach... the beach was HEAVENLY!!! It was a looooong stretch of white sand beach and has turquoise aquamarine calm waters. It was breathlessly beautiful.♥ ♥ ♥
I would admit, though, that I find Coron's marine life more beautiful, diverse, and you wouldn't even have to spend 5% or even less of what you will in Amanpulo. Even other dealers that have gone to to El Nido (I haven't yet!! boo!), said that the food and the diversity it offers make it better.
But I guess Amanpulo is more than just going to the best beach. It's about the peace, privacy, and luxurious amenities and service. After all, it's not everyday (or not even once a decade!) that you get to experience and enjoy such luxury. As well, not everyone, not even 95% of the Philippine population is given the chance and the luxury to grace this nagmamagandang island in the Philippines. haha!
These are the things that I remember and will forever treasure in my heart. Amanpulo sure do stands to its name. Aman in Sanskrit means peace and pulo in Tagalog means island. It was definitely a peaceful island. :)

WHEN: April 27-29, 2013

WHERE: Amanpulo Pamalican Island (an island in Palawan, Philippines)

Amanpulo website: http://www.amanresorts.com/amanpulo/home.aspx

*Almost all photos are mine. Except for the four photos I nabbed from Imman. :)

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Coron, baby, Palawan

Who doesn't want to go to places? Scratch that, who doesn't want to visit NEW places and have that YEARNED for breath of fresh air! No one! N O  O N E! Weeks ago, together with two awesome girl friends, we had a swell time at Coron, Palawan for four days! *100 watt smile* 

I feel like I am a transformed being -someone carefree, energetic, and up to any (thinks twice) adventure -every time I walk in awe and get lost and giddy in foreign and unfamiliar street; this is one constant thing that travelling does to me which I find really healthy.

We arrived in primitive Busuanga airport past 4 in the afternoon. Let me take you to all the places we went to thru photos (warning: photo heavy) and captions and more rather informative blahs.

DAY 1: 

From the airport, we were fetched by a van to Darayonan where we lodged.
Darayonan has a pool!!! One of the cleanest swimming pool I swam in! Swimming in a pool never felt that good!! The water is clean and has the right temperature. It was neither hot nor cold! #notOA

5:30-6:30 PM: We were supposed to have a trek to Mount Tapyas, but we decided to couch our lazy bums.

We went to Maquinit Hot Springs right ahead instead (ahhh, very rejuvenating!!! Must visit!). The road going to the place is dark and scary as there are no lamp posts along the way. Any bad soul can harm and can kill you along the way without anyone knowing. You can scream all you want and try to get some help but to no avail, we had that sort of feeling and conversations while riding the tricycle. Good thing there are no NPAs and Coron is inhabited by good people only. According to a local, they hold a record of 0% crime rate. #howtrue

The water tasted salty and I thought that they use saline system. It was something unusual and I really thought that the salt was artificially induced to sanitize the water. But according to research, it is the only salt water hot spring in the Philippines. Ok. So, that explains why. Get ready to plunge in 40 degrees Celsius water.
Entrance fee: 150php for adults

After that, we had dinner at Kawayanan Grill. Do yourselves a favor, do not consider eating here. There are way way better choices (read further below).
The food was actually ok. I ordered sisig and I liked it. Nothing special, but again, I honestly liked it and finished a whole sizzling plate and would recommend their sisig. The thing is they have small servings and they are overpriced. So, no, thank you. 

[Just click on the link to see the photos. I didn't upload and show em to you here since the photos are dark and grainy.]

DAY 2:
We spent two or even three hours sailing and in the middle of our boat ride, we stopped (not once but twice!!!) due to some boat problems and it even drizzled! @%^%$#@!@#$%! Thank God the rain didn't pour or else it will be scarier.

Complementary hotel breakfast every morning!

Basically how each day in Coron started.

As usual, last birds to arrive.

Scaredy cats!
We were the only ones in the group who put our lifevests on, see.

First stop was Banana Island Resort where we had lunch. The beach/shore was stony. Bleech.
Entrance / environmental fee: 100php

CRABSSSSS!

Then, we went to Malcapuya Island. The water's soooo pristine and clean, and the sand is fine! We had a parcel of  the beach for ourselves. Some opted to go snorkeling; we stayed.
Entrance / environmental fee: 200php

We had dinner at Bistro Coron. I enjoyed my meal!! Herbed slices of meat with rice + extra rice! Most customers shared and finished a pizza and a pasta and looked really tempting! We were actually reminded of the food in Bonito's in Los Banos, Laguna.

DAY 3:
This is our most jam-packed day. We went to five tourist attractions. Unlike day 2, we had shorter boat rides and the weather was oh-so-perfect for the beach. Mr. Sun was smiling at us!

We fed fishes at Siete Pecados Marine Park. You stop (in the middle of the vast sea) at Siete Pecados to snorkel and marvel at what lies beneath. And there we were just swimming and pulled by kuya bangkero/guide around. ;P

Oha, lifevest + lifebuoy + kuya maneuvering us!!

Nothing spectacular. Not so much variety.

We went to Kayangan Lake next. It is dubbed as one of the cleanest lake in the Philippines. And wow, we passed through cluster of islands before we arrived at the jump-off point. It was breathtaking!! From there, we climbed up and down (300 steps, if my memory serves me right) huge slabs of stones.
Entrance / environmental fee: 200php

We stopped by a summit and marveled at the view.

There were small small fishes swimming around near the platform.

We also swam through a small cave. It was majestic!!! It was like there were blue lights below! I was a bit scared (closeted scarred) but it was really majestic inside! Look up and you'll see small amount of sunlight passing through walls of jagged limestones nearly rubbing each other. We were reminded of James Franco <33 127 hours.

We had lunch at Smith's Point Beach after. It is just a small paradise but it was our most serene beach stop. The sand was really really fine like powder, crushed polvoron fine!! The sand is not composed of crushed shells and really tiny stones like most white sand beaches we already consider remarkable, rather, its sand evenly disperses in water! AMAZINGGG! Finest one I've ever been too, thus far!

After few good minutes of having awesome swimming time at Smith's, off we went to Skeleton Wreck where a sunken Japanese ship can be seen. They say you can see it just by snorkeling, meaning, it is not that deep. We were actually wondering how a ship (ships are huge, right) sunk there when we have a vivid view, while at the boat, of the life below. Instead of snorkeling, we fed fishes. We were adventurous like that, lelz! There were more variety of fishes here compared to Siete Pecados Marine Park.

See those big floating balls there? Below that mark is the ship.

Them snorkeling around

While we opted to stay dry under the sun and just fed fishes.

See, there are more various pretty fishes here than in Siete Pecados Marine Park.

Last in our itenerary was Twin Lagoons. It was low tide when we visited, and so we passed underneath a cave with pointy edges that can cut your skin, so you better be careful. The water here is really really strange! One moment the water is cold, and the next it is warm! I am not kidding! Just few tiny, really few tiny moves and paddles and the water temperature changes. Awesome, at the same time, pretty strange. They say it is because of the current. You must visit it and experience for yourself!!

Entrance fee: 100php per lagoon. Yes, they're twin but you have to pay separately. We just went to one lagoon.

Drop off point

Passed through that small opening down there to get to the lagoon!
all photos of Twin Lagoon from Google images


We had dinner at Manneken Pis and bam, best dinner in Coron!!!!!! It is where I tasted the best bread in the entire world!!! I am not a bread person. I am actually a rice over bread (sandwiches, burgers) person, but I can be a convert if only I get to have their loaf every single freakin' day!!! Its slices are bigger than the typical pan available in the groceries. The size got me overwhelmed, but when I took a bite with my bacon and egg, @#$%^&*(*&^%$#, there was heaven in my mouth!!!!!!! Every munch was heaven in my mouth, sex in my mouth, and what have you! I MISS MANNEKEN PIS! They can (must) put up a branch in the city and I am damn sure that they will have lots of patrons *count me in*.

The place is nicely interiored and it's cozy inside. They have free wi-fi, some were actually bringing their laptops with them. The meals are really affordable albeit not compromising the quality and taste. Promise me you'll eat here when you visit Coron, Palawan!!

THE BEST!!! THE BEST!!! THE BEST!!!
Two sunny side ups, bacon strips, and the winner bread slices!!!

Lim's! She didn't finish this. Not sure if this one was good!

V's! Ahhh, their bread!! And you can tell with its taste that they use good ham! Affordable yet quality!

DAY 4:
Last day was allotted to scour the market and souvenir shops to buy pasalubong!
And well, pack our things up.

Last breakfast in Darayonan! Last brecky in Coron!

We had lunch at Coron Village Lodge

Yummehhh bulalo!

available @ Coron Village Lodge Souvenir shop

Mode of transportation there

Bought danggit in the public market.

Thank God there's Zagu in/near the public market to quench the heat!! It was soooo hot that day!

At the airport where terminal fee is just 20PHP!!! Dapat lang!:

Had latte while waiting for the plane

Bbye, Coron!!

In case you want to know, we availed of a package tour inclusive of hotel accommodation, 3 hotel breakfast (2nd till 4th day) and 2 lunch (2nd and 3rd day), and boat rentals and tours.
Environmental fee to all beaches and other tourist attractions, dinner, snorkel rental, and air fare (I think we got ours for 876 pesos each two-way already) are excluded from the package. 

We shelved out roughly 8,000 pesos each for this tour.  

WHEN: November 14-17, 2011
Yes, pretty late post! ;P
Some photos from Leemae (fish eye!!) and Vea

      

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