El Nido is just like it is in
the pictures, and more - simply amazing
By Maureen Macaraig-Martinez
If
there's anything El Nido Resorts in Palawan is set to prove,
it's that "local" and "analogue" are still
the best ways to enchant travelers from all over the world.
I know. I've been there myself. And long after I've gone home,
the smiling faces of the resort staff as they sang and waved
goodbye in that picture-perfect view of the islands' lush forest
and limestone cliffs still linger in my mind. It was the best
nature tripping experience I have gone to thus far.
Miniloc Island
They sure know how to pamper their guests. The moment we got
off the resort's private plane that flew some 90 minutes from
Manila, everything else was taken care of by the resort staff
- from our luggage to the boat rides, and later on, to our
meals and all our activities. The only thing we had to do
was relax, detach ourselves from the busy city life, and indulge
in the natural beauty of the environment. Soon, nothing else
mattered. There's just me, my two companions, and the islands
and waters of El Nido.
We are not professional divers. But the resort gives a treat
to people like us - an intro-dive session that lasts around
20 minutes. I was confused between breathing and equalizing
under water but it didn't keep me from exploring the different
world down under. Fish and corals of different kinds and colors
were all over.
We
couldn't get enough of the water so we went snorkeling and
kayaking alternately until sundown where El Nido provided
a magnificent view of the magic hour.
A tiring day results in a heavy appetite. But no matter how
sleepy we were, the food and the place was just irresistible.
The three of us were transported to a private area they call "payong-payong," away from the main resort. With
torches surrounding us, a bonfire nearby to keep us warm,
background music, and the soothing splash of the waves, the
three of us had a private dinner - a perfect way to end the
day.
We left our cottages at 6:00 a.m. the next day to kayak our
way to see the sunrise. We toured the big lagoon at the side
of Miniloc Island before having breakfast and headed to nearby
Pangulasian Island to hike up the mountain and witness yet
another breathtaking view of the islands of El Nido.
Lagen
Island
They sure know how to pamper their guests further. From the
mountain climbing and further snorkeling at Pangulasian Island,
the Miniloc Island staff, "turned us over" to the
Lagen Island guides at yet another island, Entalula, for a
sumptuous picnic lunch. Our luggage was sent straight to Lagen
Island, our second nest in El Nido.
We were welcomed just as warmly in Lagen Island. After checking
in at our cottages, off we went again to the waters for hobiecat
sailing. The winds carried us around the area through such
a relaxing sail, having one of the resort staff do the sailing
while we do the sight-seeing. Just before sundown, we went
on a mangrove tour, and retired rather early after dinner,
in preparation for another day full of activities.
We never got tired of the sunrise in El Nido. We witnessed
it once more at a strip of island they call "sandbar" as we sip our cups of coffee and chocolate. The rest of the
day we spent in island hopping, snorkeling, and cave exploration.
The limestone cliffs of El Nido are definitely a must-see,
not just in passing, but closely. These rock formations are
different from the rest of the Philippines. They are believed
to be an original part of the Eurasian plate, an entirely
separate plate from the Philippine Mobile Belt. There are
caves hidden in most of these limestone cliffs that left us
in awe not just with the beauty but the wonder of nature as
well.
There are natural grooves in the walls and bird nests plastered
against the cave walls made by the world-famous edible nest
swiftlet. These nests, made of the bird's saliva, is an expensive
ingredient for soup dishes that townspeople say amount to
some P150,000 per kilogram.
Back
to Reality
Time sure finds a way of passing by slowly and swiftly at
the same time. With the load of activities that we did at
El Nido, we didn't notice the time fly. But here we were at
the last day of our tour, almost regretting our departure
and yet knowing we just can't stay.
The trip to El Nido was a treat for us. It's an experience
of lifestyle, more than the accommodations, the meals, or
the activities. The product is nature - pristine and untouched.
And for this alone we already got our money's worth.
We all go back to reality with a tinge of sadness. But it
is comforting to know that there is a different kind of reality
back in El Nido - something we can look back to and remember,
and look forward to as we plan for a repeat of our nature
tripping adventure.
If
there's anything El Nido Resorts in Palawan is set to prove,
it's that "local" and "analogue" are still
the best ways to enchant travelers from all over the world.
I know. I've been there myself. And long after I've gone home,
the smiling faces of the resort staff as they sang and waved
goodbye in that picture-perfect view of the islands' lush forest
and limestone cliffs still linger in my mind. It was the best
nature tripping experience I have gone to thus far. 
We
couldn't get enough of the water so we went snorkeling and
kayaking alternately until sundown where El Nido provided
a magnificent view of the magic hour.
They sure know how to pamper their guests further. From the
mountain climbing and further snorkeling at Pangulasian Island,
the Miniloc Island staff, "turned us over" to the
Lagen Island guides at yet another island, Entalula, for a
sumptuous picnic lunch. Our luggage was sent straight to Lagen
Island, our second nest in El Nido.
Time sure finds a way of passing by slowly and swiftly at
the same time. With the load of activities that we did at
El Nido, we didn't notice the time fly. But here we were at
the last day of our tour, almost regretting our departure
and yet knowing we just can't stay.
