It was the late great French explorer and author Jacques Cousteau who labeled Palawan “the last refuge.” Indeed, this group of islands in the southwestern part of the Philippines presents Mother Nature in her purest and most unbridled: deep-blue waters teeming with rich biodiversity; virginal islands with lush green forests and powder-fine sand sans the bars and drunken crowds; fresh, succulent seafood worthy of a Michelin restaurant; and gentle people with a deep love for their culture and environment.

It would take weeks — even months — of intrepid exploring to fully suck the marrow out of Palawan. For those with limited time and just the right amount of resources, the best place to start is Honda Bay.

Located 45 minutes away by boat from Palawan’s capital city of Puerto Princesa, Honda Bay is a modest body of water surrounded by several islands and islets. Some of these islands are named matter-of-factly: Snake Island (for the shape of its sandbar), Starfish Island (for the abundance of starfishes on its shore), or Isla ng Puting Buhangin (for a sample of the whitest sand you will see on the planet). Others have names of foreign origin: Cowrie/Cannon Island, Señorita Island, and Arreceffi Island. One, in particular, is named for its unique feature — “Lu-li”, or “lulubog-lilitaw” — denoting how the island seems to sink and float, or appear and disappear, with the tides.

Its names notwithstanding, the islands along Honda Bay offer traveler a unique combination of leisure, adventure, and indulgence. Here, we present our 10 favorite ideas to make the most of a Honda Bay holiday.

Enjoy the luxurious beachside lifestyle at Dos Palmas Island Resort & Spa

The sole property in Arreceffi Island and in all of Honda Bay, Dos Palmas Island Resort & Spa offers spacious, tropical-style bay cottage or beach villa accommodations enveloped by lush greenery, powder-white sand, and azure waters.  Here, you can lounge around your own beachfront space, enjoy a sunset walk to a nearby mangrove, take a cool dip in the resort’s pool, chill out in the Jacuzzi, arrange for quiet beachfront picnics, and be soothed by a traditional hilot massage. At Dos Palmas, the operative word for everything is “holiday.”

Go island-hopping and make the most of fun in the sun

With its chain of unpolluted, white-sand islands, Honda Bay is one the best locations in Palawan for island-hopping. A typical island-hopping tour would cost anywhere from PHP1,100 (US$25) around PHP2,000 (US$46) per person and would usually include the following: air-conditioned van transfer from Puerto Princesa to Honda Bay (unless you’re staying at Dos Palmas), motorized boat transfer to the islands, life vest and water safety equipment, entrance fees to the islands, buffet lunch, and a licensed tour guide. For maximum enjoyment, wear swimwear, bring snorkeling equipment, and take your sweet, sun-kissed time. For group rates, ask your hotel concierge.

“Own an island” for the day at Isla ng Puting Buhangin

Do you know what it feels like to be lounging on a practically deserted virginal island? To see nothing but a carpet of white around your feet and nothing but a sea of blue wherever else you look? That’s exactly what it’s like at Isla ng Puting Buhangin. Part of the small island is actually used to house buffet lunches for small groups of 30 or 40, but if you wander just a few feet away from the activity and closer to the shore, you can feel — even just for a brief moment — that there is nothing else around you but sun, sea, and soft sand. (Just be wary of sea urchins and starfish!) For best results, book your island-hopping tour and buffet lunch with a large group of friends to truly have the island all to yourselves.

Snorkel, dive, and have awesome underwater adventures Ask anyone who’s been to Honda Bay, and it’s likely that their top two activities in the area would be snorkeling and diving. The bay is teeming with vibrantly rich marine life, and some islands have colorful coral beds that would make anyone wish they had an underwater camera.  For snorkeling and swimming, head over to Pandan Island, Starfish Island, Isla ng Puting Buhangin, or Arreceffi Island.  For diving, take your dive buddies to Pandan Island or Pambato Reef, just a 15-minute boat ride away from the Sta. Lourdes Wharf.

Work up a sweat with action-packed water sports Honda Bay isn’t just all laid-back and cool. For those who want hot, sweaty action atop the bay’s blue waters, some tours and islands offer the use of kayaks, banana boats, or even jet skis. Rates vary according to the type of tour you’re getting, but if you’re billeted at Dos Palmas, your room rates come with complimentary use of ocean kayaks, snorkeling equipment, resort bicycles, or facilities for “land sports” such as tennis, basketball, beach volleyball, beach badminton, or table tennis.

Go lobster-shopping at Pandan Island

Pandan Island is known for the ladies who sell fresh, succulent lobsters for only PHP600 (US$14) a kilo. (Yes, you read it right!) If you’d like to have some of the best lobsters in the Philippines for rock-bottom prices, make sure you have enough luggage allowance (you’re sure to want to take some home) — and zero seafood allergies.

Indulge in a wide variety of local and international flavors

When you’re done with island-hopping and with savoring the best of Palawan’s fresh seaside fare, head back to Dos Palmas for a wide variety of indulgent options for every meal. Room rates come with full-board meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner), and options include sugba-style (grilled) seafood, global cuisine favorites, and oddly-delectable dessert combinations. One of our favorites were the sweet and savory bacon-wrapped banana fritters, which pretty much disappeared within minutes of being served on the dessert buffet table!

Have a jamming good time with indigenous instruments

One of the first things you will notice upon landing at the jetty at Arreceffi Island is the exuberant sounds of indigenous drums, kulintang, and other traditional southern Filipino instruments. After all, music is very much a part of Philippine culture, and no Philippine holiday will be complete without some form of live entertainment. Try your hand at playing some of these instruments and take part in a live jam that will leave you feeling reinvigorated, inspired, and wanting to play more. In the evenings, enjoy some good ‘ol island entertainment in the form of fire dancers and live acoustic bands.

Take a slow and romantic sunset stroll on the beach

The main beach on Arreceffi Island’s coastline faces the west, so while it isn’t the best place to catch a truly glorious sunrise, it is the best place to enjoy a romantic and leisurely sunset stroll. Remember, no two sunsets are truly alike, so make the most of nature’s marvels — and make sure your camera is on hand to catch the fiery and vibrant display of colors in the sky.

Create your own itinerary to have a memorable time that’s truly “you”

Many of Honda Bay’s tours and amenities are already packaged — some even coming with flights and accommodations, and most catering to the usual “touristy” preferences. While this option is often convenient for many tourists, it also means that those in search of more personalized experiences (or more time on a particular island during a day of island-hopping) will have to give way to the preferences of a larger group. To have a truly memorable vacation that speaks about your own interests and objectives, try to create your own itinerary and put together your own island-hopping schedule. This may mean more research and more preparation in the beginning, but the pleasure of enjoying a truly bespoke vacation — in Palawan, no less — will be priceless.

10 Ways to Enjoy Honda Bay Palawan

The post 10 Ways to Enjoy Honda Bay, Palawan appeared first on Illustrado Magazine - Filipino Abroad.

Batanes is definitely is a passionate fill of nature, the rockies, history and culture. While now a favorite location for movie and commercial shoots, Batanes remains pristine and untouched, luring many tourists with is antique charm. Excel Dyquiangco satisfies his wanderlust by exploring the island of Batanes up close.

It now seems so long ago when the whole island of Batanes was battered by strong winds, waves and rains and most tourists opted to travel elsewhere and stay within their comfort zones. It has been said that people get stranded up here during heavy downpours. But now with the portrayal of the local film industry and the media via the 90s hit film Hihintayin Kita Sa Langit, the Iza Calzado starrer Batanes, and a popular coffee commercial on TV, one wouldn’t even care if his schedule gets derailed. As the mystery behind the Ivatans, the stone-bricked houses, and the Batanes local delicacies unravel, more and more people are willing to explore the genuine gems and goldstones of this mystical place up north.

Located at the northernmost region of the country, Batanes is also known as “Home of the Winds” for obvious reasons. The province is composed of 11 islands, three of which are inhabited (Itbayat, the largest, followed by Batan and Sabtang). Unlike the rest of the country, Batanes enjoys four seasons: fall from September to November, winter from December to February, spring from March to May and summer from June to August. The climate is colder than the rest of the country as the province  is surrounded  by major seas all around – Bashi Channel to the north, Balintang Channel to the South, Pacific Ocean to the east and South China Sea to the west.

The Hills Are Alive

The picturesque Batan Island looks like it came right out of “The Sound of Music.” Gentle rolling fields bound by green pastures provide the best view of Rakuh a Payaman (which means “big pasture”). In these parts, cows and goats graze at the steeper mountain slopes, while a few trees provide shade and from the distance come the sight of waves crashing across the shore.

The road to the Rolling Hills is lush with acres of mountains and of green velvet grass; and beyond that is the view of Itbayat Island. As its name suggests, anyone who slips while walking down the narrow pathway gets to “roll” down the hill–a good several meters down.

The Chawa View Deck provides an enthralling glimpse of the Batanes mountainside with a steep line of stairs that bring you closer to the seas. Those who have been to Alapad Road remember the scene in which Dawn Zulueta and Richard Gomez were frolicking in “heaven” in Hihintayin Kita sa Langit, one of the very first local movies that paid tribute to the mystic Batanes landscape. It was a scene which featured a narrow road on top of a small cliff, and beyond that, a view of the blue crystal seas.

The lighthouse at Naisdi Hills and the Vulugan Boulder Beach, both found at the northern part of Batan, are not to be missed. The operational lighthouse gives guests a view of the stretch of the Pacific Ocean and comes alive in the night guiding fishermen to shore. The lighthouse is also ideal for romantic dinners.

The boulders that line the Vulugan Boulder Beach are andesite rocks spewed by Mount Iraya, an active volcano in Batanes. These rocks were smoothed over time by the Pacific Ocean.

A Fallowa Experience

Getting to Sabtang Island, which was chosen by the Department of Tourism as one of the 22 best destinations in the country – with a fallowa (a banca without outriggers) ride from the San Vicente port. The journey is not exactly calm as the waves and winds are very fierce, but after thirty to forty-five minutes of a bumpy trip, the municipal hall of Sabtang Island comes to view. The smallest island in Batanes is best known for the stone-brick walled houses. The town of Chavayan, a UNESCO World Heritage nominated site for its preserved houses made of lime and stone that have withstood the strongest of storms. Unlike traditional houses, each section of the house is distinctly separate from the others and they have thick cogon-thatched roofs which take months to make.

The Nakabuang Beach and Arch, also known as the “White Beach,” is famous for its natural rock arc formation. This is a perfect spot to enjoy the clear waters and lounge in the white sands. Ideal for swimming, snorkeling and picnicking, this beach promises nature at its finest.

Interestingly, Sabtang Island is also the home to the oldest person in the whole of Batanes, a 104-year old man who is still sharp. You can find him threading his fishing nets – without eyeglasses. He claims that his secret to a golden life is avoiding eating pork and meat. He only likes kamote and vegetables.

People and Faces

Aside from being known for the vacul headdress which Ivatan women wear to shield themselves from the sun and rain and the tadidi, a traditional vest made from dried banana leaves which the men wear, Batanes’ pride is its people. As you explore downtown Batan, you will be greeted by warm smiles all around. You may experience this more if you are Ilocano as there are many Ilocanos on  the island, and you have  a common language to bind you. A testament to how jovial and respectful the people are is the “Honesty Coffee Shop” at Ivana, where there is only one rule: you pay for what you buy without anyone assisting you.

Ivatans are also known to be trustworthy and peace-loving people. The province has a zero crime rate which proves that the people cooperate and obediently comply with local laws. Even loitering is a major crime and in almost every corner, there are separate trash bags to segregate paper and plastic.

With Batanes being such a relatively peaceful community and its spots so magical, no wonder this is a must-visit for guests and tourists who understandably would not mind being stranded in this magical place for a day…or more.

Things to consider when planning a trip to Batanes:

Flight Reservations: Only Seair travels to Batanes – once or twice a day. To get the best deals, look out for promotions in their website at http://www.flyseair.com/. Take advantage of last minute deals and your fare of PHP15,000 per person might just be cut in half.

Places to Stay: If you want to experience a modest house with all the amenities you need, including wifi and cable TV, try Novita House in downtown Batan – cost is PHP1,700 per day with an additional of PHP170 in excess of six people. The most expensive room is priced at PHP15,000 a night.

Where to Eat: For breakfast, go to St. Dominic’s College canteen. They offer hotdogs, hams and eggs. If you are a pizza lover, try Casa Napoli. Also, Hiro’s Café and Pension Ivatan. Insider tip – preorder first, rather than drop by unexpectedly. They don’t have guests coming in every meal and pre-ordering ensures that the food they will cook is going to be eaten.

Best Time to Go: Off peak seasons are from June to January. Accommodations are reduced during this time as well. But be forewarned that rains come at this time and you might get stranded on the islands. However, rains can also come during the peak seasons.

Must Brings: Jacket or sweatshirt! Batanes gets windy even when it’s high noon. Bring sneakers for trekking. You can also bring your swimsuit if you want to take a dip in the water. Just below Fundacion Pacita is a low tide beach – water is cool and warm.

Pasalubongs: Some shops sell the Batanes vakul headdress or tadidi jacket for men. You can even buy wallets or other souvenirs made of rattan.

The post Bakasyon Grande: Batanes Up Close appeared first on Illustrado Magazine - Filipino Abroad.