What have you got to lose when you travel? Nothing. What do you gain when you travel? Everything. So, get out of your comfort zone. Pack your bags. Get lost. Have fun. Dance. Dream. Travel. Love. Because when you are out there, I kid you not, it’s juanderkid!
Let’s keep on creating meaningful journeys for ourselves. Love and light, everyone!
Welcome to my site! 
It is undeniably blazing hot these days, short of saying the entire Philippines is officially on summer’s grace (or wrath, whichever way you want to look at it). Most Filipinos like to travel during this season, using the “fine weather” as the perfect excuse to leave the metropolis and hop from one island to another. Some argue that our country, which is superbly hot (figuratively and literally) during this time of the year, is best explored during these days.
Of course, with the bounty of beauty that one finds in the Philippines, summer is never enough to see or experience the best that the country has to offer. For those of you who are trying to explore the Philippines for the first time but don’t know where to start or going around on a very limited time, this Philippine Daily Inquirer article by Jill Lejano might just help you plan your best summer ever.
The list has actually been around since 2010 and went viral online since, but I still find it relevant to this day. While it does not cover all the magnificent and smashing and fantabulous things that one can say about our country, I do believe that the list tries to represent all the kinds of adventure that one finds topnotch about our country.
So, here’s the list and how Juanderkid fared so far.
1. Go white water rafting in Cagayan de Oro. BUCKET LIST! It’s hard to imagine that while the rest of the country has heard of Cagayan de Oro’s exciting white water rafting scene, I have yet to see the city again after 23 long years. I had been to CDO as a kid since I have an Uncle who lives there and I still vividly remember how the trip went: the long bus rides from Bicol, the nauseating ferry rides, the salty smell of the port, etc. I was supposed to do a CDO-Camiguin vacation back in 2011 but backed out during the last minute. This list reminds me I should consider exploring CDO soon and try its famous white water rafting.
2. Visit Batanes. ALMOST! I planned to celebrate my birthday in Batanes in 2011 but because that year saw me on an emotional seesaw, I went out of the plane just when we were about to take off! Well, you can say I walked out on Batanes. The plane was originally to leave Manila at 6:00 am and we’ve already boarded the plane when it suddenly encountered an engine trouble. We had to be whisked out of it and we waited for seven hours before another plane was arranged for the flight. Between 6:00 am and 1:00 pm, I had a change of heart and decided to celebrate my birthday instead with friends and family back home. I will see you soon, Batanes. It’s still a date!
3. See Mt. Mayon up close. DONE! I boldly claim to be in love with Mayon, forever. My closest friends, especially the ones from Bicol know that I never get tire of staring at her beauty. While growing up in Bicol, I was fortunate to have my own room that had a small view of Mayon. Going home is always exciting because of this God’s gift to humanity.
Read how to conquer Mayon here.
I have yet to climb Mayon but I went on an ATV ride last year that took me to Mayon’s 2006 lava bed. Mayon used to be both a blessing and a curse to the people of Albay but her beauty today attracts more tourists to the region. In fact, the province of Albay holds a month-long celebration named Daragang Magayon Festival this April, named after the mythical character who became Mayon when she died.
4. Swim with the whale sharks in Donsol. DONE! If there’s one thing that I am most proud of about my hometown, it’s the whale sharks. I wear it like a badge: I’ve been swimming with the whale sharks of Donsol every year for fourteen years now (will be fifteen if I get to see one whale shark this season). Like what I have previously blogged, I always tell people that swimming with the whale sharks is one experience that is both liberating and humbling!
I am also fortunate that we have a replica of a whale shark in our home, almost like a sacred statue that deserves our adoration and respect. The whale sharks have put the sleepy fishing village of Donsol on the world map and for that, I am forever grateful to these gentle giants of the sea.
Read everything you need to know about swimming with the whale sharks of Donsol here.
5. Climb Mt. Pulag and be awed by its sea of clouds. BUCKET LIST! I admit that I don’t see myself physically fit for the challenge although I have been toying with the idea of climbing Mt. Pulag ever since I’ve met this person in 2005 who spoke so fondly of their Mt. Pulag expeditions. Sometimes I regret that I haven’t really grabbed the chance to climb the mountain when I have been living in Baguio for the last seven years. I might as well jump on the opportunity soon since I have a feeling I will be out of this city for the next couple of years.
6. Dive, swim and explore Palawan’s underground river. DONE! Now, it is impossible to do this because you actually just go on a boat ride as you tour Palawan’s world-famous Underground River. But it is not one of the New Seven Wonders of the World for nothing! Exploring Palawan’s underground river means going against the large throng of people who line up just to see its beauty, but it is all worth it. I first went to see it in 2010. The river was muddy because of heavy raining. When I went back March last year, it was just perfect!
The tour guides are refreshing and funny and the sights inside the cave are highly impressive too. There’s a cathedral, a portrait of the Holy Family, a large cross, ad infinitum. I even thought I saw the Statue of Liberty and the Leaning Tower of Pisa! Kidding. But you get the picture.
Plan your trip accordingly as this destination has seen a surge of tourists these days following its inclusion in the New Seven Wonders of the World list.
7. Hike and let the view of Mt. Pinatubo crater take your breath away. DONE! A lot has already been said about how mesmerizing Mt. Pinatubo is and they are true. If you want an easy climb (not more than 20 minutes, I tell you) that rewards you with a breathtaking view, it has to be Mt. Pinatubo. Now, I am not claiming to be an expert in climbing mountains, but the view that greets you once up Pinatubo’s crater just transports you to an exciting place. There’s a 45-minute 4×4 ride that is just as thrilling as the trek to the top of the mountain and can include some additional time walking if the Skyway is not passable.
Mt. Pinatubo’s beauty is both astonishing and surreal. When I first met her in 2010, this was how she looked like – ravishing!
When I went back a year after that, she turned mysteriously sexy. The film Black Swan (starring Natalie Portman) was the rage in town, I easily associated her beauty to that of Portman. I think I like both facets of Pinatubo’s beauty.
8. Party in your bikini in Boracay. DONE! Now, I will not go into details but Boracay is indeed the most happening beach party scene in the Philippines! If you like having carefree fun until the wee hours of the morning or just when the sun is about to rise again, then Boracay is the perfect place for you. Of course, the kind of fun that happens here ranges from the ones that you just want to remember forever to the ones that you’d rather not talk about once you get sober.
Juanderkid is a self-proclaimed Boracay habitue who has been visiting the island every year since 2009. I found out that the best time to go to Boracay si during the months of October until December when the weather is not too hot and there is not too many people in the island! I celebrated my 27th birthday here in 2010.
My last trip to Boracay was last year when I suddenly wanted a quick beach fix that just offers convenience and comfort. I realized though (a previous experience back in 2006 already taught me this) that summer is not the best time for me to see the island. It was just teeming with people of different kinds and sizes! My friend and I decided to drop Station 1 where we usually stay (because aside from the crowd, the room rates were just crazy), and headed to Nami which has its own little beach, DIniwid.
Read more about everything there is to fall in love with Boracay here.
9. Surf’s up! Choose your wave – La Union, Zambales or Real, Quezon. DONE! I tried surfing in La Union once and while I liked the experience, I cannot actually tell to this day if I’d do it again. I don’t know, maybe there’s something about surfing that is not just very appealing to me but I will take on the chance if someone invites me to go surfing soon.
The country has so many good surfing spots (so I’ve heard) and aside from the ones mentioned here, Catanduanes and Siargao also have those waves that make surfing extra fun and challenging.
10. Missed out on the pristine beauty of Boracay 15 years ago? Visit Malapascua, Cebu. WELL, I just have to contest this because I think Calaguas today is how Boracay looked like 15 or 20 years ago. I have not been to Malapascua yet, but I have talked with so many foreign travelers who find Malaspacua to be crowded these days as well. Besides, most people go to Malapascua to dive and not really for its beach.
So, as a form of slight objection to this, I would like to claim that Calaguas’s pristine beauty matches that glory of old Boracay. Those in the know are familiar with its stunning attributes: crystal-clear water that gently ripples into different gradients of deep, dense blue; palm trees dotting the hilly islets; and sand finer than Boracay’s – yes, it’s possible.
Fall in love with Calaguas here.
11. Dive and see the rich marine life of Anilao, Batangas. BUCKET LIST! Diving is one activity that I really want to pursue. Aside from my health condition that makes diving really risky, the steep price of diving in the country also prevents me from pursuing this passion full time. While I have conquered my fear of diving last year, I have yet to see the rich marine life of Anilao. There is no doubt Anilao is a favorite among budding and even professional divers, I would like to experience its fancy underwater scene as well.
12. Travel back in time? Go to Vigan. DONE! Vigan, no matter how overrated it has become to other people, is a charmer in Northern Philippines that should not be ignored. Calle Crisologo, for one, is an impressive “restoration” of an old Spanish village that allows you to walk back in time. It is history unfolding in front of your eyes. Sadly, our country seems to be not too keen on restoring historical artifacts or architectural mines, because we actually have a lot to offer in that department.
Anyway, almost all of my five trips to this town have an academic reason. I first encountered Vigan in 1999 when I was a freshman at the University of the Philippines Baguio. Our History 1 class went on a field trip around Ilocos and of all the stops that we made, Vigan captivated my attention the most. I made a promise to come back to Vigan again. I have been returning since, my last visit was in October last year when I took my photojournalism students around Ilocos for a class activity.
13. Let Bohol wow you with its many offerings – the Chocolate Hills, the tarsier, the Loboc River Cruise, old churches and the beach. DONE! If there’s one destination on this list that I want to come back to, it is Bohol! The province of Bohol is just so serene and bucolic, it’s perfect for that laid-back lifestyle that affords you to hit the mountains one minute and rush to the beach the next.
I went to Bohol in 2011. I was cash-strapped then but that did not stop me from enjoying all the fascinating sights that Bohol offers. I wish I had enough time then to explore Bohol because if I had my way, I would actually ditch all the arranged tour to see everything. I think Bohol is best experienced while on a DIY itinerary.
One of Bohol’s come-ons is its heavenly white sand beaches. It’s Virgin Island, which disappears when it is high tide, is jaw-dropping if you happen to have the place all to your self. Bohol Beach Club, on the other hand, has arguably the widest beach and finest sand in Panglao. Not to be missed in Bohol is its marine sanctuary which boasts of a rich marine life. No, you need not go diving to experience that bounty.
14. Go high! Drive to the Mountain Province of Sagada. Check out the caves, the hanging coffins and enjoy the laidback lifestyle. DONE! Who can resist Sagada’s allure? I certainly can’t. It is one destination that I keep on coming back to because life here just takes on a momentary break that lets you forget your worries. Plus, it does not hurt that the cold weather allows me to walk around town without sweating too much and feeling tired so easily.
I have been to Sagada seven times already and in each and every visit, I fall in love with the place. During my first visit in 2007 to celebrate my birthday with my friends from the academe, I made sure I experienced all the best Sagada has to offer.
It has been awhile since my last visit in 2010. It was actually just a short side trip after conducting a leadership training in Besao, a little community further up north of Sagada. I just had to have this from Yoghurt House.
To be continued…
I have been swimming with Donsol’s whale sharks every year for fourteen years now and when I think of another generation which might not be able to experience the wonderful feeling I get from swimming with these gentle giants, my heart secretly aches.
As far as I can remember, this is the first time that something like this has happened since the town of Donsol started to offer whale shark tours in 1998. For some unknown reasons, whale shark sightings are considerably very low this year. There are days when no single shark is seen, sometimes in a span of ten days. This has become mostly perplexing to the locals and frustrating to many tourists, some of whom traveled halfway around the world just to experience what Lonely Planet lauds as the “quintessential Philippine underwater adventure.”
I was home last week and felt that it was a terrible time for Donsol. The place, which considers Holy Week as its super peak season, was surprisingly not abuzz with tourists. I am also disturbed by this development, not just because our family owns Amor Farm Beach Resort and ours is a business that relies on tourism and the abundance of the whale sharks in the area, but because I sense that something is wrong with the picture.
Whale sharks used to be aplenty in Donsol at this time of the year. What’s happening? What gives?
I don’t have the answer to this phenomenon but the Four Laws of Ecology remind me that, yes, everything is connected to everything else, everything must go somewhere, that nature knows best, and there is no such thing as a free lunch. I feel that Donsol is at that challenging point where it’s reminded of these laws of ecology.
For so many years now, and studies will be able to back this, whale sharks annually frequent the waters of Donsol as early as December and as late as June. Donsol was also found to be a feeding ground of these creatures, and is possibly a breeding ground as well. It’s actually safe to assume that whale sharks consider Donsol as their habitat. In fact, the small fishing town which “originally” took pride in conserving the whale sharks through its tours boldly claims it is the whale shark capital of the world.
I said originally because that does not seem to be the case in Donsol anymore – at least on the side of the local government and the tourism office which are in charge of the tours. Government officials have forgotten that the reason why Donsol has this tourism activity going on was to protect and conserve the whale sharks from poachers. By allowing local fishermen to engage in tours so they will have to earn from it, killing these whale sharks, which fins command a high price in the market, will be stopped.
Ecotourism was the buzz word when Donsol became popular in 1998. I don’t think most people back in Donsol ever consider ecotourism now.
The fact that the tourist centre continues to send 30 boats to go on the whale shark tour at a time (there are three batches of tours every day, you can almost expect at least 90 trips made on a busy day) even when there’s only one visible whale shark in the area is a testament to how it has become a money-making venture already. Some tourists have even called it a “scam.”
One tourist, who was supposed to stay in Donsol for three nights, checked out as soon as he was finished with the whale shark tour last Thursday. He wrote a letter, detailing how the entire tour has become a torture to everyone participating in the tour, but most especially to the whale sharks who are not used to the sound of at least 30 propeller boats scouring the sea for them, more so to the sight of at least 120 human beings trying to glide along one whale shark, in a span of three hours. He sees Donsol as a whale shark Disneyland which shows no compassion towards the gentle giants.
I don’t blame him for that. In fact when I have the chance to talk to our guests at the resort and explain to them the history of the town’s whale shark tours, they are surprised to know that conservation actually plays a part in the Donsol experience. Most of them honestly think the tours are just an income-generating scheme.
It is so easy on the part of the tourism office , and every stake holder for that matter, to claim that climate change might have an effect on the whale sharks and that whale sharks are wild animals anyway, sighting is almost always not guaranteed. It is so much easier to put the blame on the environment without even considering that our human actions, the frequent tours and the overflowing number of tourists wanting to swim with the whale sharks, could have possibly put pressures on the whale sharks. The argument that they are wild animals should, in the first place, caution the people of Donsol about protecting them from any form of hazards that could potentially threaten their existence.
Of course, a scientific study should be done to truly know where the whale sharks are at this time of the year, but I am certain there is some truthfulness to the Four Laws of Ecology. Everything is connected to everything else and the disappearance of the whale sharks in Donsol could be a result of the uncontrolled tours in the area. Also, what Donsol is experiencing now reflects the old adage that there is no such thing as a free lunch. The Butanding Festival alone, which reeks of corruption and which promotes bikini contests and wacky marathons in lieu of the environmental quiz bees that aim to engage the youth in whale shark conservation, is evident Donsol pays no attention to whale shark protection.
I used to take pride in promoting Donsol among my friends and readers. I invite them to see Donsol and swim with the whale sharks because in all honesty, the experience of swimming with a ginormous creature that gently glides along you is a humbling and liberating experience that I think everyone should experience in this lifetime. But until Donsol gets its act together, I shall refrain from doing so.
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And just like that, I am back!
I’ve been busy with so many school-related stuff this month that I didn’t really have the energy to check my site regularly, but that didn’t mean I turned my back on Juanderkid. My love for the academe just sort of overtaken my love for traveling but am back now, so all is good. No love lost.
So, how are you guys doing? How’s summer on your side of the universe? Let’s keep on creating wonderful journeys for ourselves.
Love and light, everyone. Go, juanderlust!
DONSOL SUNSET IS JUST INSPIRING. Juanderkid is home for the Holy Week.
It is so hard to find a good restaurant in Albay, so when I learned that there’s a fairly new restaurant in town, I wanted to try it out right away. You really don’t have a lot of restaurant choices in Legazpi, which is sad considering that the city hosts many tourists since Legazpi is your home base should you want to be thrilled by the imposing beauty of Mayon Volcano and also your gateway to Donsol if you want to swim with its whale sharks.
When asked for recommendations, I always say Small Talk, which serves really good Italian-Bicol fusion dishes, but the place has also aged already, it has lost its charm on me.
I decided to meet my friend S and her husband Kuya A in Alvi’s, along Rizal Avenue in Daraga, when I went home three weeks ago. It is hard not to miss Alvi’s. The old house, which was turned into a restaurant, stands out in the neighborhood.
While waiting for my friends, I toured the second floor of the house, where the restaurant is. Unfortunately, this part of the house is only open for dinner so I had no choice but to have lunch downstairs in a small room they call Cagsawa.
I learned that this ancestral house belongs to the Imperial political family of Albay, the most popular member of which was former Congressman Carlos Imperial. The owners of Alvi’s, both politicians in Legazpi, are renting out the Imperial house.
It is easy to tell that a family with strong political lineage once lived here. The house’s structure and layout speak of a time when political parties of big proportions were hosted here and the huge dining tables suggest of gatherings that only involved the most notable statesmen.
Old furnitures made of fine wood occupy the space. There’s a French grandfather clock that hints of elegance but I find the restaurant’s Valentine design a bit tacky. Alvi’s could have thought of a better way to channel the V Day vibe without having to sacrifice the house’s sense of elegance.
I find the foyer attractive. The use of vintage mirrors adds drama and romance to the place.
Unfortunately, the Cagsawa room where breakfasts and lunches are served, lacks in details and drama that make the house interesting. Maybe the owners of Alvi’s wanted to depart from the vintage feel of the house, which I think is a wrong move because the biggest selling point of the restaurant is its ambiance.
Our dining experience would have been awesome had we been served food at the second floor of the house.
While Alvi’s offers a variety of choices, there is really nothing much to rave about their food (at least judging by the food we ordered). Their Chorizo and Mushroom appetizer (PhP140) was okay. There’s a certain saltiness to their chorizo which is good to the taste but I sensed something’s lacking in its flavor.
I ordered their Congressman Imperial Callos (PhP240) thinking that it must have been really special and “powerful” in terms of taste because the dish was named after the most popular member of the Imperial clan. However, there was nothing really special about this dish.
Kuya A ordered Lechon Kawali infused with Spanish Chorizo (PhP220) and it was what you’d expect your lechon kawali to be like. The spanish chorizo though, or at least the taste of it, was missing.
S, on the other hand, had Alvi’s Pineapple BBQ Ribs (PhP200). It sounded delicious but tasted just like our hamonado.
The restaurant’s possible charmer might just be their Bicol Express (PhP300). We originally wanted to taste Alvi’s Spicy Squid but it wasn’t available so we settled for this traditional Bicolano fare.
Surprisingly, Bicol’s most famous dish is given a new twist in Alvi’s – lechon kawali-ish meat smothered in coconut milk and garnished with slices of ripe mango. Winner! Do not order this though with your lechon kawali or vice versa, unless you want a lechon kawali overload or a quick trip to the hospital.
Anyway, you should trust Bicolanos to deliver their signature dishes in a fiery fashion. This is one dish that is sexy hot and spicy.
Hopefully I will discover some more interesting pieces from their menu next time. While I mentioned that some of their food leave nothing to be desired, I welcome Alvi’s operation to improve the dining scene in Albay. I spotted some Italian-Bicol fusion dishes on their menu, it could be promising.
The old house is attractive, especially at night, I was told. But the tacky love month decoration was just unforgivable.
But I will be back, that’s for sure.
Love and light, everyone. Go, juanderlust! 
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Today, I woke up to a bright and sunny Baguio that made me terribly miss the beach.
And I found myself badly wanting to have a breakfast like this.
While enjoying this view. No, get your eyes off the couple and you know what I mean.
It has been months since I last went to the beach and enjoyed such a delectable treat. In fact the photos that I have here were all taken in El Nido in October last year when I went there to celebrate my birthday with my friends.
Although I have had breakfasts at home in Donsol after that, which also had a view of the beach and the islands of Ticao and Burias from afar, those breakfasts didn’t have the I-am-on-a-holiday feel (read: I had to prepare my own breakfast and wash the dishes afterwards, you get the picture).
The Alternative is my favorite breakfast spot in El Nido. Their breakfast set can be pricey at PhP300 but I don’t mind spending a bit because aside from the yummy treat, The Alternative’s boho ambiance plus its magnificent view of Cadlao Island and El Nido beach puts me on a very relaxing state.
What a way to start your day in El Nido, right?
And when I am really lucky and the restaurant’s “hanging nests” are available, I have breakfast here. This is another reason why I just love The Alternative!
The nests offer comfortable seating arrangements right above the water! Do you hear the sound of the waves crashing on the beach?
I have been very busy with school work since the year started and I will be honest that I somehow lost my travel and writing mojo (hence, the lack of entries if you’ve noticed) but I take this desire to have breakfast by the beach today a good sign that Juanderkid is back!
I miss the beach!
Anyway, to temporarily cure this craving, I wandered around the city early today until I found myself in Mario’s with their Danggit Cebu breakfast meal (PhP185).
Their danggit was good but staring at their cold tablewares was just plain depressing. I think it’s time I move out of the city soon.
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Coron, in Palawan, is undeniably arresting. Aside from Kayangan Lake, which is considered one of the cleanest lakes in Asia, travelers all over the world frequent the island for its pristine beaches and inviting lagoons. With the abundance of beauty that one finds in Coron, the island has become a halfway home to people who escape the chaos of the city and find refuge in the island’s breathtaking scenery.
More importantly, Coron is home to the Tagbanuas, one of the oldest ethnic groups in the Philippines. The Tagbanuas, considered as one of the early inhabitants of the country, still live on the beaches of Coron as they safeguard its natural beauty. Houses made of organic materials jut out of the crystal clear waters of Coron and are perfectly set against the dramatic rock formations that rightfully make the island a wonderful destination and home.
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Again, I would like to thank everyone who joined Juanderkid’s Anniversary Giveaway promo! I really appreciate you sharing our promo to your friends and acquaintances.
Hopefully, Juanderkid can come up with more travel giveaways in the coming days.
Let’s see if he’s in the mood for some love next week, he might just have something for you guys this Valentine’s Day!
Anyway, I followed the same selection process that I used when I picked the winner for the Bicol Adventure package. With the help of random.org, I randomized the list for 22 times, the number of letters present in the giveaway’s hashtag LoveAndLightJuanderkid.
And the winner of our Palawan Getaway package that includes a 3D2N stay at Balay Palao, lunch or dinner at KaLui Restaurant, Puerto Princesa City and Underground River tours is…
Drum roll please!
Aina Buenaobra! Congratulations, Aina!
Please send me a message as soon as you have your travel dates ready so we can make the necessary arrangement for your accommodation and tours. The travel package can be availed from April to May 2013.
Enjoy Palawan!
Love and light, everyone. Go, juanderlust!
One of the things that I love about Palawan is KaLui - that breathtakingly beautiful restaurant that offers a gastronomical feast right in the heart of Puerto Princesa. The restaurant’s creative vibe and mouthwatering dishes have been teasing guests and turning them into regulars for a long time now. I am a self-proclaimed fan.
So when my site turned 1 this year and I considered offering travel packages for free, I right away thought of KaLui. I wanted my dear readers(!) to experience Kalui’s unmistakable magic. I’ve fallen in love with its charm and their Tubbataha Salad, KaLui’s talk-of-the-town signature food, is something that I look forward to enjoying in Palawan.
Now is your chance to have a taste of Tubbataha – for free!
Join Juanderkid’s Anniversary Giveaway promo and win a Palawan Getaway for Two. The package includes: 3D2N stay at Balay Palao, Puerto Princesa City tour, Underground Rive tour, and a KaLui lunch or dinner.
You have to closely follow the mechanics to be considered for the promo:
Again,leave your comments here.
Conde Nast Traveller and Travel + Leisure only have beautiful words for Palawan and now is your chance to have a bite of this island – for free! Good luck, guys!
Love and light, everyone. Go, juanderlust!
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(ameramor.com)
Unlike most destinations in the country that initially take you on a rough ride you actually end up spending your entire holiday doing close to nothing as you marvel at the stunning vista around you, the one hour smooth ride from Legazpi airport to Cagraray Island is a relaxing moment that prepares you for the kind of luxurious adventure that abounds in Misibis Bay.
The scenic ride alone is a treat in itself. Mayon Volcano teases from afar with its world’s perfect cone while the calm beauty of Sula Channel that links Albay Gulf to the Pacific Ocean enchants.
But if you want to right away kick off your action-packed holiday with a touch of opulence that will be unparalleled in the years to come, consider the 10-minute helicopter ride from the airport or the one hour exciting speed boat trip to the resort.
Now, that is one grand entrance that is not just suave and sophisticated, it is extremely exhilarating as well.
Misibis Bay takes pride in being the only luxury island playground resort in the Philippines, and for good reasons. It is one of only three hotels in the country which is a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World and that tells a lot about the quality of service and indulgence that one gets to enjoy in this destination.
If enjoying a cup of warm cocoa and hot bread with a grand view of the majestic Mayon Volcano after your early ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle) ride to catch the sunrise is not iconic of an amazing Misibis Bay holiday, I don’t know what is.
While I was not expecting that surprise breakfast at the Five Mountain View, a spot where the sweeping landscape includes a panorama of five mountains including Mayon, Mt. Bulusan, and Mt. Isarog, I understand the humble treat was actually part of a remarkable service that naturally comes from everyone at the resort – sweet and always exceeding my expectations.
That early morning reward jumpstarted a perfect day in Misibis.
When I got back to my impressively-appointed junior suite deluxe villa, which feather bed with a 300 thread count sheet appeared too inviting to be ignored, everything was neatly arranged again like I did not occupy it the night before. My supplies of bottled water were replenished even when I had an abundance of them.
When I took a dip in the pool that was just some steps away from my villa’s doorstep, a resort staff placed a beach towel on the sunbathing chair even without me requesting for it.
At Marina, where one can dive and snorkel, I spent an amazing time underwater. My dive master made sure I did not miss out on the myriad of colors and textures that flourish under the sea. Some one hundred giant clams thrive in Marina, they are definitely the scene-stealers here.
An hour after diving, I found myself in the middle of Albay Gulf, feeling the breeze on my face as I cruise on a Hobie Cat. The vastness of Pacific Ocean from afar is intriguing and calming at the same time while the mountain range that surrounds us captivates.
The windsurfing activity that followed was a challenging contrast to the relaxing Hobie Cat sail.
Windsurfers make gliding on the water appear like an easy ride but there is definitely more to it than just going against the wind to get it working. I had to constantly remind myself that yesterday, when I spent an hour maneuvering the Jet Ski and tried wakeboarding, kneeboarding, and stand up paddle boarding for the first time, I wasn’t complaining, so why give up now?
After almost an hour of stumbling and falling, I finally got the hang of it.
Sixty seconds of smooth windsurfing was all I needed to feel like a true victor. My enthusiastic guide who patiently taught me the tricks of windsurfing could only let out a big smile as a sign of satisfaction.
Later in the afternoon, I drove an ATV to the Ecopark where a charming amphitheater has a cove for its backdrop. You certainly never run out of nature’s beauty wherever you go in Misibis Bay, I strongly felt that when I rode the 400 and 200-meter zipline that afforded me with a breathtaking scenery. And when you admire such beauty while on an adventure that definitely gets your adrenaline rushing, the experience becomes mind-blowing.
The rough ATV ride to the hilltop that had me rip-roaring on every bumpy dip and turn as we catch the sunset was a fitting finale to an action-packed day.
The reward to all of these, of course, was the luxury that was waiting for me inside my villa.
I had enough reason to spend some more hours on the hot tub while listening to David Guetta’s songs that were playing on the iPod dock, one of the many modern amenities that make a Misibis Bay holiday truly entertaining and comfortable.
After that warm bath, it was time for a massage. The masseuse from the Essences Spa displayed an unmistakable expertise by ensuring pressures were exerted where they were badly needed. Her strokes were soothing and rejuvenating that when I woke up the next day, I was raring to live an adventure-filled holiday once again.
Misibis Bay, without a doubt, is a rarity. There is really no other luxury hotel in the country that pampers you like you are the world’s greatest boxer on his well-deserved vacation after a day of roughing it up in style. Whether it is an adventure under the sea or on top of the mountain, on the water and even up in the air, this luxury resort surely does not disappoint.
In one of those laidback afternoons I spent by the beach with the resort’s amiable watersports instructors after helping me out with kneeboarding, an aquatic sports that had me sitting on my knees while on a buoyant board towed by a jet ski, an obviously overjoyed Korean guest approached us and gave each of us one dollar bill while flashing his two thumbs up after he went wakeboarding.
Earlier that day, two Japanese ladies who were also lounging out by the beach in one of the resort’s native huts could not contain their surprise and happiness when, out of nowhere, a resort staff offered them with a mango-flavored ice candy.
The resort obviously has the guest’s supreme satisfaction in mind.
You feel that in their villa with their high ceiling and huge glass windows that render sophistication to your stay, but the well-groomed tropical landscaping and design ensures your privacy is highly valued as well. There is Sitio, a one-stop recreational hub that has a sauna, gym, billiard and foosball tables, dart boards, and a children’s playroom equipped with Wii 2.
If the island adventures are not enough for you, Misibis Bay can take you on a thrilling ATV ride to Mayon Volcano’s lava bed which is three kilometers from its crater, or on a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with whale sharks, the world’s largest fish, in Donsol.
And of course there are the sumptuous and mouth-watering dishes at the Spice Market where Bicolano cuisine takes center stage.
The Bicol Express, the quintessential spicy Bicolano food made of pork and coconut milk, becomes all the more flavorful and luscious with the use of pineapple bits and cream. Even the fresh red snapper in coconut milk with just a little hint of spiciness is made more delectable with the infusion of cheese that leaves a lush taste in your mouth.
During my last night at the resort, young Hollywood actor Zac Efron arrived with his father for a vacation. I was confident he will have a great time at the resort. He later admitted during his interview on Ellen that his Philippine vacation was one of the best he had so far. The luxury resort definitely pulled all the stops they could to make Efron’s holiday truly memorable.
He was obviously not the only one raving about his Misibis Bay adventure.
Love and light, everyone. Go, juanderlust!
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