Posted on February 12, 2011 - by Vic

Paradise Regained at Amanpulo

This piece of travel story is one of my favorite trips that I made last year and look forward to doing it again soon. As the plane circles the virgin island of Amanpulo in Palawan, passengers look out the window, admiring the coral reef 300 meters from the shore. The waters sparkle in dazzling shades of blue and turquoise, bordered by immaculate white sand. These are just few of the sights that make Amanpulo, a private island in Pamilican and part of the Cuyo Islands, a world class wonder. One of the most popular of the Aman resorts in the world, this piece of paradise offers the ultimate beach vacation. Boasting a pristine beachfront that could put any postcard to shame, Amanpulo allows any lucky visitor to experience unrivaled luxury in a perfectly private retreat.

Photo by Filbert Kung and Glenn Peter Perez

More than a beach resort, with Amanpulo you get a tropical island to lose yourself in this coralline treasure, lying low and inviting in the remote region of Palawan, which is shaped like a spiky, high-heeled shoe poling out of the blue waters of the Sulu Sea. Beyond is a channel where whales and sea cows have been known to stray. With industry in this remote part of the Philippines limited to fishing and seaweed cultivation, this destination has become a prescription for too much reality. The Amanpulo experience is best shared with friends, companions, or family members. No other place in the country could be better to bask in the sun, walk on powder-fine sand and enjoy the best possible luxury resort service than Amanpulo. This is “hands-down” the best place.

Photo by Filbert Kung and Glenn Peter Perez

My casita on the island were designed by one of the biggest names in Philipine architecture, Bobby Manosa which was inspired by our bahay kubo (native hut), these spacious cottages feature details reflecting the island’s indigenous materials such as coconut shells and rattan. There are hammocks in my casita perfect for taking afternoon naps and a private path that leads to the wide open-white sand beach. For those who come with bigger groups or families, there are two private villas-the nature villa and the west villa and a one bedroom villa. The casitas are like no other and the bathrooms are wide and roomy, you could spend hours just soaking yourself on the bath tub.

Despite the modest nod to progress, this hideaway will not lack for romance especially for this time of the love month.. During my stroll at its widest point, Pamalican is only 500 meters across. During my stroll, I was able to listen to the birds, starlings, wood swallows and wimbles(migratory birds in the mangrove) all of which nest in the island’s sandy jungle of scrub and thorn bush thickets.

Photo by Filbert Kung and Glenn Peter Perez

At the Clubhouse which is situated at the center of the resort, one can find the lobby bar and terrace, the library gallery and a boutique featuring exquisite beach wear and accessories plus a sprinkling of Filipino and Asian artifacts, pottery, handicrafts, artwork and ethnic inspired jewelry.

And what’s the food selection like in Amanpulo? Well, I tried to have dinner at the Clubhouse restaurant on our first night, where I tasted familiar and comfort dishes of pinakbet, crispy-pata, Caesar and Nicoise salad and Wonton soup prepared the Amanpulo way. The next day, I went for the Italian fare at The Picnic Grove were together with other guests in the island, gamely enjoyed a selection of 12 varieties of pizza from Salsiccia(pork and fennel sausage,chilli, rosemary and tomatoes and Napoli(anchovy,black olive, caramelized onion and tomato among my favorites, all cooked in their home built wood fire oven . It came to my surprise during my visit, that the resort has established their own organic vegetable garden on the island. “We have arugula and other types of lettuces, cherry and beefsteak tomatoes, chilis, eggplants, pumpkin (seasonal), sweet basil, Thai basil, lemongrass, dill, mint, tarragon, romaine lettuce, pandan and garlic chives according to the gardener cum kitchen staff. The garden trip was one of the highlights of my stay in the island resort. A Vietnamese themed restaurant has been introduced at the Lagoon Club on the southern coast of the island and serves a large variety of popular Vietnamese dishes and live seafood.

Photo by Filbert Kung and Glenn Peter Perez

Although most people visit Amanpulo for much needed rest and relaxation, one must try and indulge with their relaxing massages and revitalizing Aman beauty treatments done at the resort’s scenic spa casitas or open air garden sala. There is also an infinity pool at the clubhouse where one can just lounge around the pool and read a good book- In my case, I was finishing an English translation of Tales of Bali by Vicky Baum.

Amanpulo is the most exclusive and priciest resort to plant one’s carbon footprints in the sand and so the question that always crops up is: “Is it worth it?” Well if you can afford it, the answer is yes. Its exclusive, no gatecrashers can come in because the only access to the island is through the resort’s chartered air service. So for international celebrities, this means no paparazzi to bug them. And what’s the service like in an Aman resort? Well, you have twice as many staff attending to you but they serve you so quietly and efficiently, out of sight. Total discretion is guaranteed, and the staff seems to have vowed of their silence making the Aman resort know the formula for attracting the ultra rich bohemian crowd.