Sunday, February 9, 2014

Epic El Nido

For a moment, life is cool. I'm a splash in the world's biggest pool. This is more than my thoughts ever thought it could be. For a moment, just a moment, lucky me. –Melody



The coastal town of El Nido lies in the northern tip of Palawan. It faces Bacuit Bay in the west and is comprised of several islands, three of which are resorts–Miniloc Island, Lagen Island and Pangulasian Island. We spent three days exploring the three island resorts, and it was one epic adventure.




As the outrigger surged towards Miniloc and as the island slowly unfolded before us, I held my breath, I looked around, and all the passengers I was with on the boat had their mouths half-opened. It was a sight to behold. I can't even describe in words how majestic the island was. All I know is that it took our breaths away.


We visited the Lagoons the following morning. We kayaked through and snorkeled within the Big and Small Lagoons, and it was nothing short of extraordinary. With the limestone cliffs towering above and the emerald-green-sometimes-turquoise-blue-clear waters below, it felt like I was in a totally different place. An enchanted one. A place where mermaids and fairies dwell.





While strolling along the boardwalk that connected the water cottages, a school of parrot fish and a baby monitor lizard greeted and welcomed us at Lagen. At the back of the island resort was a limestone forest. In the morning, we would wake up to the chirping of birds and echoes of various wildlife in the woods. It was one of the best symphonies I've ever heard.





Our boat passed by Dilumacad, Entalula and Snake Islands, although we were not able to get off the boat and on the islands. Perhaps we will be able to do so next time. We frolicked in the beaches of Dibuluan Island and Pangulasian Island. We buried our feet in the sand like hidden treasures. Our worries floated away as we happily hopped from one island to the next.



When I went to El Nido, I fell so in love with the islands that I wanted other people to have the same magical experience I've had while there. That is why I do the work I do for El Nido Resorts–sharing my adventure stories to people with the hope that they too would create their own adventure and live their own fairy tale.

There were too many wonderful moments in El Nido that it's difficult to pick just one. I could only whisper a prayer of thanks to God for having blessed me this much. I don't know what I did to deserve this, but I guess His love for me is greater than I could ever imagine.