Palawan - A Valentine Getaway

Amazing, Beautiful, Breath-taking. These are the words to describe Lagen Island, El Nido, Palawan. Three days and two nights are not enough to enjoy this truly enchanting place... away from all the buzz of the city... no tv set and no signal...

Day 1
Our chartered flight was at 11:30 am. Leaving baguio at 3am gave us more than enough time to travel by land. Our driver, William, was fairly a fast driver and got us there by 8am. The flight accomodated around a dozen passengers or less. Half of them were foreigners. We arrived El Nido airport at around 12:30pm. Lagen Island is 50 minutes away by boat from El Nido Airport. Getting to this boat was quite a welcome shower for us. The tides were getting stronger and a really big wave came over us. We were soaking wet by the time we set our foot on the main boat that will take us to the island. And to think that the distance from the speed boat to the main boat was only a couple of feet. Luckily our luggages were all put in plastic bags. The 50 minute ride was indeed very relaxing. Viewing the other islands under a beautiful sun... This place was where one part of the Amazing Race 6 happened. This island was the pit stop of the race. Seeing that wall, situated right at the front of the island, where they climbed was great! At check in, we were welcomed by the resort staff with one of their local songs. Two men were playing guitar while four women were dancing and singing to us. We also got a welcome drink! We were given a Forest room with a veranda that overlooks the swimming pool and the beachfront…. A very beautiful place. Offered at the resort is a selection of activities that range from soft adventure sports such as snorkeling, diving, kayaking, or trekking to more leisurely pleasures like having a picnic lunch in a secluded island and sunset cruising. We missed the 4pm snorkeling session that day so we took the sunset cruising instead. Our tour guide brought us to an island where a humongous cave was shaped inside the island. Huge stalagmites were hanging and the reflection of the water on the walls was truly amazing! Our next island had another cave but this time we had to crawl through a small opening to be able to get in. This cave was not as huge as the first one but this was very beautiful as well. We also visited the snake island. So called this because of the islands' shape. Land area was the small head while a strip of curvy white sand sprawled across almost to the next island like a snake. Our ride back to Lagen Island was just in time for the sunset. We got back just in time to sit on the soft white sand and watch the orange sun disappear behind the other islands... my sunset... A swim in the pool was next. Floating on your back under a bed of stars was a very relaxing moment. Buffet dinner started at 7pm. The food was really great, from appetizers to the main course to dessert. A few drinks after dinner perked us up for a karaoke session. Sorry my friend but you cannot top my score of 100! ...no need to ASK... smooth operator... =)

Day 2
Buffet breakfast started at 7am. I have one word for the food at this resort - remarkable! We had activities set for the day. We started off at 9:30 am. Our first activity for the day was an introductory dive for non-divers. My first time to do this and it was breath-taking! A dive master went in with me. It was difficult at first to remove the pressure on the ears because it really hurt and if you don't do it right it tends to give you a headache. There was a technique and as soon i got the hang of it i was ready to dive away. We spent almost 15 minutes under water. Swimming among a school of fish, seeing multi colored fish of different sizes, beautiful corals, species you have never seen before was spectacular! I still cannot get over that experience! Our second activity was a picnic lunch at an island called Pangga. Small tables were setup on the grass under coconut trees. Banigs were provided so we can laze around and enjoy the view. This island had super clear waters with powder soft white sand. The view of the other islands across was very nice. Lunch buffet was ready and it was a very hearty meal again. Then there was siesta time for about 30 minutes. Our third activity was snorkeling and kayaking. I have never tried both before. We were brought to popular lagoons in two different islands. While snorkeling, you can see different kinds of fish, corals, clams and so many other beautiful underwater life in the small lagoon. Taking a kayak, we had the free will to enter a small and big lagoon (situated in two different islands) surrounded by mountains that had cathedral walls and green trees and plants. All you can hear are the birds chirping, the sound of the wind, the water splashing while you paddle. Laying on the kayak with a splendid view while looking at blue sky in sheer silence dazzled me for a moment there. Kayaking back to the boat from the big lagoon was quite a struggle because the winds were getting stronger and the tides were getting bigger. My muscles got toned a bit because of that, haha. But that was just so much fun! Another 25 minute boat ride back to the resort to get dinner. Cocktails completed the wonderful day.

Day 3 (Valentines Day)
Our flight back to manila was at 9:30 am. We had to leave the resort at 7:30 for almost an hour ride back to the airport. None of us wanted to leave just yet. There were so many more things to do and explore and 2 days was definitely not enough. Why does time go by so fast when you are having the most fun? There are so many memories in this place and all good ones. Too bad that they are just memories now. The good thing about it is that it will always be there and forever cherished. El Nido is the best place so far i have ever been to. We arrived manila at around 11am. We head straight to Westin Philippine Plaza to settle our luggage. The rest of the afternoon was spent at Greenhills shopping. Well at least my friend was. I was battling with myself on whether to shop or not. I tend to be very impulsive and i did a good job controlling myself. This place has so much things at its cheapest! By 6pm we were back at the hotel to get ready for a Valentines dinner. All dressed up, the setting was by the bay with buffet dinner and love songs filling the air. Although we would have preferred more popular love songs, the songs being delivered wasn't too bad. Couples with all smiles were everywhere. I received a long stemmed red rose, compliments from Moet & Chandon. The food was great, the Champaign and margarita were great, even the Halo-Halo i made was great... =)

A walk along the bay under a smiling moon would have been a great scene in a romantic movie... but then again, reality bites... the evening was topped off with their drink of the month called Cupid with a cute teddy bear that hugged a big fat heart!