Rediscovering Boracay at Discovery Shores

A lot has been said about Boracay. With the so many tourists, foreign and local alike, that are coming and going to the island, each has his own story to share about the so called "Boracay experience". For some, the experience is just ordinary and somewhat forgettable. But for the others, they get to feel the ultimate experience that is forever etched in their memory... and that's just exactly what happened to me in my last vacation trip to this paradise island of Boracay.

My 3-day vacation at Boracay with my wife and friends last Aug 16-18 was probably the best vacation experience that I had on this island. It was not because a momentous event was being celebrated that time or some luck happened to me while relaxing on the beach. It's far more than that. I got to experience the best hotel service never did I feel in my 10 years of travelling around the Philippines and in some parts of the world. It was luxury at its best... and Discovery Shores was behind that service.

Checking in at Discovery Shores is truly a one amazing experience of a lifetime. From the moment I set my foot on their hotel ground until I left the island, I felt like I was a royalty that was being pampered with regal treatment. Upon arrival at the hotel room, we were immediately treated with a foot bath to refreshen our tired feet from the 1-hour air travel and 15-minute boat ride. Fruits, pandan & bottled water, sweets and cookies were already served at our room's coffee table waiting to be consumed and which were to be continuously refilled throughout our stay in the hotel. Later I found out that those fruits, cookies and juice of different flavour also abound at the lobby, the restaurant and at the beach front which guests can freely partake anytime.

The hotel itself boasts of architectural design by Budji Layug and Royal Pineda who are known for their distinctive design of modern asian style which are very conducive for relaxation. The appliances, gadgets and other modern conveniences that were used inside the room were likewise very impressive and were all state-of-the-art. They have 32" LCD TV, DVD player, I-Pod dock, Radio/CD Player, refrigerated private bar, coffee maker, fax/computer port, wifi, ceiling mounted overhead shower and door alarms. The bed was also so comfortable that you would really want to sleep all day and all night, not to mention that they use down feather pillows and bed sheet/pillow case with 800 counts which we got to know through the general manager.

When bathing at the pool or relaxing at the beach front to watch Boracay sunset, the friendly hotel staff will give you royal treatment that is only fit for a king. They will give you towel immediately upon sitting on the beach chairs and will fix your slippers and fold your clothes once you dip in the pool or at the sea. They will guard your belongings against any intruder and will serve you juice or even ice cream even if you're not asking for it. They will offer to take pictures if they see you need a group photo souvenir. The very accommodating hotel staff will really do everything to make you feel that you are a very special guest of the hotel.

Another wonderful service that I truly enjoyed in Discovery Shores is their shuttle service that can bring you or pick you up to any destination of your choice within the island, be it at D' Mall or at D' Talipapa. They have also special shuttle and ferry service from the Caticlan airport to the hotel and back where you will be treated so well as if you're on a plane with a stewardess ready to serve you. It's just unfortunate that we did not experience their aircon ferry service which at that time was undergoing service maintenance, but still the boat ride was excellent.

The breakfast at the Sands Restaurant of Discover Shores which was part of our hotel package was also fantastic. They serve all sorts of food from Filipino to American breakfast. They have danggit, sausage, longanisa, bacon, tapa, bread, rice, omelette, cereals, fruits, yogurt, cold cuts, freshly squeezed fruit juice, etc. The breakfast was so good and bountiful that we always had very late lunch on our 3 days of stay in the hotel.

The Discovery Shores offers other amenities that will complete your vacation even without going out of the hotel. They have entertainment and game room where you can play poker, mah-jong or x-box and where you can sing your favourite song on their magic sing karaoke. They have also a branch of the famous Mandala Spa right inside the hotel but we did not try any of their spa service. Instead, we just got the service of one of the local masahista and had our massage at the comfort of our room. Other amenities in the hotel include library, children's room, sunken pool bar, jacuzzi and others.

All these comfort and luxury have, of course, an equivalent price to pay. But with the royal treatment that we received from the hotel's very courteous and cheerful personnel coupled with all the special hotel services & amenities, definitely it's worth the price that we have paid for our 3-day stay at Discovery Shores... a discovery of true luxury and lavishness.

Beating the Summer Heat at Club Manila East

I was just reading the newspaper early this morning when I chanced upon a news item saying that May is the hottest month as reported by PAGASA. Well, I will not argue with this report as it was indeed blazing hot yesterday, the 1st of May and the first day of supposedly the hottest month of the year. Lucky me, I joined my wife's swimming outing with some of her officemates at Club Manila East in Taytay. It was perfect timing to beat the heat of May by dipping in the refreshing water of CME.

Club Manila East is located just a few kilometers away from our home in Cainta. My wife and I have been planning to go back there to see what's new in the place after spending a summer outing there in 2003. And with those 5 years that have passed, I knew a lot of changes might have happened in the resort. And indeed, a lot of new things came about in CME.

First, the resort has doubled or maybe tripled its size. Back then, the place only boasts of 3 water facilities which include the kiddie pool with water falls and fountains, the adult pool with giant 3-looped slides and the boating area for kayaking. After 5 years, more water facilities were added which include the lap pool where swimmers can do their lap, a bean-shaped pool that is 5 ft deep, and the 19,000 square foot giant wave pool where most visitors stay to experience a beach-like swim. It's indeed fascinating to enjoy beach waves right at the middle of the city.

More cabanas and cottages were also built around the resort to accomodate more people. Hotels and villas were also constructed to house visitors who are staying overnight. Fast food stalls were also stationed inside the resort like Jolibee and Pizza Hut but the number of food stall was not enough to provide quick service to hungry stomach specially during lunch. In our case, we had to line up for 20 minutes just to grab our food for lunch. Other new things inside the resort are the Team Building Outdoor facility, various function rooms and halls for special events, souvenir shop and others.

Overall, CME is one good resort that is just within the boundary of Metro Manila. A lot of constructions are still ongoing which means the management is still trying to improve the place to offer visitors other exciting facilities. A bit of reminder though, the management has to be particularly attentive in keeping the resort clean all the time which has been noticeably filthy due to the volume of people who are throwing waste everywhere. The cabana that we rented was in fact dirty and a stack of food boxes with leftovers were piled inside the cabinet that produced bad odor. We had to call a maintenance personnel just to request to clean the place which I believe should have been done before the resort opened. Good customer service seems to lack also from some of the resort's maintenance personnel. But other than those observation, the resort is good enough to spend a day of swimming and having fun with friends and family.

Nature Tripping at Coron

I have been to Palawan once when we went to Port Barton a year ago, the details of which I narrated in my previous blog. During that trip, I thought I have seen the best of Palawan with all the beautiful beaches and exotic islands that we visited there. I was wrong. I got to see the better part of Palawan, in fact the better part of the Philippines, when we went to Coron last April 4.

Coron is a group of paradise islands located on the northern tip of Palawan. The place is still seldom travelled by local tourist due to its inaccessibility and the high price of tour package to Coron. We're just fortunate that part of the benefit we get from our company is a free annual team outings on destination of our choice. We have a budget to meet though, and since our team wanted to try other destination this time, we opted to take the ferry to Coron to bring down the cost of the tour package.

Our trip to Coron by sea was a vacation in itself. The ferry was complete with amenities and the cabin where we stayed was like a hotel room with cable TV and comfort room. And since we travelled at night, we just slept throughout the trip and enjoyed the comfort of our cabin until we were awaken to the sight of the beautiful islands of Palawan the next morning. From the port, we went directly to DiveLink Resort where we were billeted. The resort is located in Uson island that offers nice cottage rooms by the mountain side and provides visitors a good view of the sea.

From the resort, it takes 5 to 10 minutes of boat ride to go the nearest exotic island that Coron is known for. But going to those islands is never a bore since you'll get entertained and mesmerized by the limestone formation that are lined up the horizon.

Our first destination on our harbour tour itinerary was the Pinnacle Beach which is a short stretch of beach with white sand and clear blue water. It was quite a challenge to go the shore from the boat since the boat can’t go near the shore, hence we used kayak to get to the beach while others swam with the support of life vest. Those few who did not want to swim just stayed on the boat and it proved to be a better option since two of our mates who swam were stung by sea urchins and their feet had to be peed on.

Next on our itinerary was the Hidden Lagoon. Believe me, the view of the limestone formation and the aqua blue water of the hidden lagoon really took my breath away. All that I said in unison with the rest of my team mates upon seeing the majestic view was “WOW!!!”. It was one of those moments that I truly admired the beauty of nature. The view was even better when we plunged into the water and made our way into a small cave that led us to another paradise.

We went to other beautiful beaches of Coron that day and made our way back to DiveLink before the sun set to relax and enjoy the amenities of the resort. Some of our team mates who seemed to never get enough of the fantastic view of Coron even went on top of mount Uson to take picture of the place several feet above and to capture the setting of the sun on a different angle.

The next day of our trip was the continuation of the harbour tour prepared by the resort. Like the first day, we were once again captivated by the beauty of Coron. We were brought to a snorkelling area where corals and fish abounds. We enjoyed the view underneath but the water current was so strong so we moved to our next destination. We were supposed to go next to Kayangan Lake which is touted to be the cleanest lake in the Philippines. However, when we were about to enter a lagoon leading to the lake, we were stopped by local guards to inform us that a telenovela was being shot in the lake which we later found out to be “Dyesebel” of GMA7 and visitors were not allowed. We were very disappointed since we were told that the lake is really beautiful and that it’s one of the places that should not be missed in Coron. To keep our disappointment at bay, the resort guide just took us to another beautiful lake, the Baracuda Lake which according to them is similar to Kayangan but the water is a bit deeper.

Going to the lake was frightening since it involved a short hike on sharp rocky mountain. We had to climb a steep slope while holding on jagged mountain edges. But our fear subsided after that dangerous trek as we saw heaven on this part of the world. The lake is like a big basin enclosed by mountain of limestones and the water is deep blue similar to ocean but as fresh as drinking water. Another fantastic sight for dreary eyes.

Coron is a manifestation that indeed our country is blessed with several wonders of nature. Let's just hope that this will be preserved for our children and grandchildren to see.

Trip to the West Coast

It was my third time to visit California last November 16 to December 2, 2007 but it seemed it was again my first. Just like my trip in 2001 and in 2005, I was once again very excited to go to the US not only because it meant a long vacation for me but more importantly because I was travelling with my wife for the first time to the US.

A few weeks before that much anticipated trip, we have already prepared our itenerary to ensure that we will maximize our time while in the US. In fact, we even ocassioned our 2-week vacation trip in the celebration of Thanksgiving when the biggest sale are happening all over the states.

During our first week of vacation, we stayed in San Diego where my cousins and my wife's cousins are living. We slept from one house to another and granted all the dinner invitations that we have received from friends and relatives. One of our iteneraries in San Diego was to see Sea World which we really enjoyed so much even if it was already my third time to visit the park but the first for my wife. The Shamu Show is still the best animal show that I have seen with those giant false killer whales flipping and flapping across the huge pool. Another important thing to do in San Diego, in fact my wife's list, was to shop in Outlet stores where we got to buy some designer clothes at a very affordable price.

We then went to Las Vegas for two nights of pleasure and gambling on the different big casino. At the strip, we went from one hotel to another to check all their well themed lobby which are really stunning. The Caesar's Palace hotel is one great place to experience Rome while The Venetia hotel will let you feel that you are in Venice. The Belaggio hotel has it's own theme but it's main attraction was the dancing water fountain at the front lagoon. And of course, aside from the hotel tours, we also did Outlet store tour where we were able to buy some more stuff.

From Las Vegas, we went back to San Diego and spent Thanksgiving day with my wife's cousins. We tried to go to the shopping mall a little late that morning ofThanskgiving day but all shops were full of people and all the nice stuff that were on sale were gone already. I was hoping to buy Wii then but we were told that all units were sold as early as 4 or 5AM that day.

After Thanksgiving, our next stop was Los Angeles and we stayed in a hotel with three of my high school friends. Though it was my third time here, I was again excited to visit the place not only because I will be meeting my high school friends after six years but also because I'm a movie buff and being in Los Angeles means being near to Hollywood. In fact, one of the first theme parks that we visited in LA was Universal Studios. I got to see once again the location settings of some of the famous Hollywood movies such as War of the World, The Grinch, The Psycho, The Jaws and others. Also, we were able to visit Wysteria Lane which is the setting of Desperate Housewives which I get to watch once in a while. All the wonderful shows and rides are also still there as 2 years ago like Mummy the Ride, The Jurassic Park, the Water World, the BackDraft and Terminator 2D. What was missing then was Back to the Future but they were replacing it with a new one, plus they have added new attractions like Shrek 4D and Fear Factor Live. Our one-day visit to Universal Studio was exhausting yet we enjoyed every minute of it.

A trip to California would not be complete without visiting the happiest place on earth... the Disneyland. Just like my two previous visits to the park, I felt like a child again upon entering the gate of Disneylad. All my favorite disney characters were there ready to pose for a souvenir photo. We enjoyed all the different kiddie rides but still my favorite so far is their attraction It's a Small World where you get to see miniature of the different people of different colors around the world including Filipino.

We also went to Hollywood Boulevard where the famous Walk of Fame is located. We tried to follow as many stars as we coul along the sidewalk until we've reached the Kodak Theater which is famous for the Oscar show. I felt like I was a celebrity upon climbing the stairs of the theater where all the biggest stars convene to attend the annual ceremenony. A few steps away was the Chinese Manchester Theater were hand and foot prints of some of the famous Hollywood celebrities are marked on the pavement.

The last stop of our West Coast trip was San Francisco. Together with my high school friends, we travelled further to the north by car which took us six hours to reach our destination. It was my second time to San Francisco but the beauty of the place still mesmerized me. The Golden Gate was still majestic as ever. The Palace of Fine Arts was still a beauty of art to behold. The very cool weather and winding road reminded me again of Baguio which is a favorite place of mine. And oh by the way, we still alloted a few of our time to visit one of the biggest Outlet Stores at the nearby city of San Jose which culminated our enjoyable and memorable vacation to the west coast.

A Different Boracay Experience

I have been to Boracay for several times now since 1997 when only a handful of small hotels and restaurants were available and only Station 3 was fully developed. During those frequent visits to Boracay, I have come to know the island as a beautiful serene place that offers visitors a truly relaxing vacation. The turquoise water is normally calm and peaceful. The sea breeze is very gentle. People enjoy strolling along the beach because of the beautiful and tranquil surrounding.

However, I saw a completely different Boracay when I spent my vacation there last Sept 28-30 together with officemates. There was a typhoon that headed to the north that weekend which brought bad weather on this exquisite island. The water was so wild. The wind was so strong. The waves kept on pounding the shore that went as high as 10 feet. The island was at the mercy of nature's fury.

But despite the unnatural behavior of nature, we still enjoyed our vacation as we continued with all our fun activities. We dined in our favorite restaurants like the Shanghai Restaurant which offers the best shanghai rice and the Gasthof Cafe Deli Grill which is home of Boracay's famous baby back ribs. We took a sip of Jonah's fruit shake. We hopped on some bars like Cocomangas. We swam on the sea and enjoyed the big waves which I only used to see on TV or magazines. Some of our mates even proceeded on their island hopping and snorkeling activities. Some had their tattoos while the others had their massage on the beach. Some took advantage of the cold weather as they stayed and slept in the comfort of the hotel room while a few enjoyed walking on the beach to take pictures of the surrounding using their SLRs.

It was a different Boracay mood because of the bad weather but still, it was one unique Boracay experience for me that will be remembered through times.

Palawan... Captivating, Stunning!

Going on a trip to far-flung provinces has never been this easy and cheap. Thanks to the One-Peso promo of Cebu Pacific, my wife and I together with friends were once again able to go on out-of-town trip last Sept 5-8... this time to the enchanting and beautiful Palawan.

Palawan is known for its many great unspoiled beaches. From Puerto Princesa which is at the center of this long island, you can either travel to the north or to the south. Either way, you will end up strolling and swimming to the glimmering turquoise water of the several powder-white beaches of the island. In our case, we headed to the north to a place called Port Barton which is one of the several uninhabited areas of Palawan.

Port Barton is a simple community far away from civilization that offers a very laid back vacation to visitors. At Ysobelle resort where we stayed (the owner of which we got to know through a friend), there are no imposing buildings that distract the majestic view of the beach landscape and no glowing lights and island music to entice beachcombers. Only the natural beauty of nature is all what the resort offers. There are no TV sets. No air conditioning system. In fact, electricity is only limited to six hours a day from 6PM to 12midnight. Had it not been from the availability of Smart signal in the area, you would really have thought that you travelled back to stone age. But who needs electricity and those other modern conveniences on this part of the planet? With the fresh cool air that keeps on blowing into the nipa hut cottage combined with the sounds of the chirping birds and sea waves and the magnificent view of the sea and mountains around you, you would definitely not miss your favorite telenovela while having your vacation here.

The islands and beaches nearby are equally stunning. The boatman brought us in the Exotic Island which is really a paradise of unspoilt beauty. The water here is crystal clear and the sand is pristine white. Turtles are natural habitants of the Exotic island while sting rays are a frequent visitors on the shore. Luckily, there were no sting ray when we were there, otherwise we would have not enjoyed swimming to our hearts content. Another island nearby called Blue Coral also captivated us. It has a resort that is still being developed and owned by a British guy whom we were able to talk to. From him we found out that he’s been there for only two years and that he fell in love with the place the first time he saw the island. Well everyone will really fall in love with the sheer beauty of that island.

The Port Barton area has also a lot of dive and snorkeling sites that are indeed a feast for the eye. Whatever beauty of nature is displayed above the sea, the grandeur is reciprocated underneath. Several corals and fish thrive underwater that is really a sight to behold. Edible sea weeds are also abundant which we found out are hard to find and a bit expensive in Manila. I'm sure it will not be long that I will find myself once again swimming on this magnificent water of the island. Indeed, Palawan is our last frontier.

A Weekend in Laiya

Summer maybe over but this does not stop me, my wife and friends from going to the beach and enjoy the water.

Last August 25 & 26, we headed to the fast-rising popular destination in the south which is the beach resorts of Laiya in Batangas. As early as 8AM, we already hit the road as we traveled to the long and sometimes narrow road going to Batangas. There was even a portion of really rough terrain which we later found out marks the start of the beach stretch of Laiya. It's good that we brought along a Ford Escape and Honda CRV which made the trip a lot convenient even on rough road.

After around 3 hours of travel, we have finally checked in to the Blue Coral Resort which is one of the more expensive resorts in the stretch of Laiya. The resort is not that impressive but it has a pool which the other resorts in the area lack. The room where we stayed is a bit big but lacks the architectural design of a hotel room. The bathroom is a huge empty space that is half as big as the main room. The food though is great and the meals were served in buffet style which we really enjoyed so much.



The water and sand of Laiya are not comparable to Boracay or Bohol but good enough to enjoy your swim as the water is crystal clear. Just be careful and watch your step under the water since thare are some sea urchins near the shore that are waiting to poke unwary swimmers.

Our stay in Blue Coral was good overall. It's nice to know that we still have remaining beautiful and clean beach that is just within 3 hours travel by land from Manila. A few years from now and Laiya may be crowded already as more resorts and restaurants will surely sprout along the beach similar to Puerto Galera. We're just glad that at least, we have seen Laiya on its most pristine moment as we have seen Puerto Galera and Boracay during its unspoiled days.