Home » Archives » 06. April 2009
Philippines Most Expensive
April 6, 2009
AMANPULO, Palawan
(source:http://www.amanresorts.com/amanpulo)
the resort
Amanpulo is an escape from the markings of mankind and is a dive into island life where nature has been unashamedly boastful. The island is secluded, being private, and offers a variety of sea, sand and tropical island-retreat–pleasures, in exclusive comfort and in traditionally styled accommodation. Amanpulo or, ‘peaceful island’, honours its island host, respecting the natural elements with a profoundly ‘South Seas’ interpretation. The 40 Beach, Hillside and Treetop Casitas are modelled on authentic bahay kubo dwellings, each with its own golf cart for island exploration.
This romantically remote island caters for those who wish to ‘hammock’ and beach comb their days in paradise, and for those who seek an active agenda, involving a myriad of maritime adventures as well as tennis, a high-tec air-conditioned gym, and taking languid lengths in the resort’s 30m serene pool. The open-air Garden and Beach Salas are discreetly secluded for pleasurable holistic body treatments.
the details
cuisine
The Restaurant, located at the Clubhouse, spills out onto a terrace, with views to Manamoc island across the channel. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served here. The menu features Asian and Continental cuisine. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and refreshments are also offered at the Beach Club. Fresh seafood and Spanish cuisine are specialties. Private dining is available day and night. Amanpulo’s marble-top Lobby Bar occupies a cosy corner of the Clubhouse and extends to the outdoor terrace.
beach club
A garden walkway leads down from the pool to the sand beach and the Amanpulo Beach Club. The open-air pavilion provides a tranquil escape. Mattresses with matching pillows are spread out on the deck, facing the sea. Shade umbrellas and reclining lounge chairs line the beach.
lagoon club
Located on the east side of the island, Lagoon Club serves as a second beach club with similar features and amenities. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and refreshments are served here, with Vietnamese cuisine being a specialty.
sea sports hut
Adjacent to the Beach Club, the Sea Sports Hut offers a variety of water sports equipment, as well as information on boat charters, water sports lessons, snorkelling and scuba diving sites and sea conditions.
library
The Library is stocked with novels in several languages, travel guides, newspapers, magazines and coffee-table books on Philippine art, design and culture. DVDs, CDs as well as a desktop computer for Internet access are available.
boutique and galleries
Amanpulo’s three shops specialise in woven rugs, baskets, jewellery, pottery and other craft from the Palawan region, as well as Asian antiques, furniture and beach wear.
meeting rooms
Small meetings can be arranged, and audiovisual equipment is available on request.
massage and beauty services
The resort’s resident masseuses offer a range of aromatherapy treatments in the privacy of the guest’s casita, in the air-conditioned Spa Casitas or open-air Garden Sala. Manicures, pedicures, facials and body treatments are also available.
swimming pool
Amanpulo’s 30m Swimming Pool is bordered by two high bougainvillea trellises. The pool’s aqua tiles mirror the Sulu Sea. Three spacious, open-air Pool Salas are situated around the pool and come with generously-sized mattresses for all-day lounging. Private dining may also be arranged at the pool salas. For added romance, the Filipino Dining Experience includes flowers, candles and a local musician playing folk music on his guitar as an authentic Filipino cuisine is served at the pool sala.
tennis
Two synthetic-grass, floodlit tennis courts are located adjacent to the Clubhouse, with rest pavilions for refreshments. Complimentary balls, rackets and playing partners are available.
gym
Located beside the tennis courts and surrounded by a lush tropical forest is the fully-equipped Gym. Guests can enjoy several exercise machines for body work-out with a choice of music through the gym’s iPod.
stargazing
Study the planets from the terrace of the Bar, where Amanpulo keeps an 1800mm x 150mm astronomical refractor telescope. Several times a week, trained staff are happy to give you a guide you of the stars.
internet and wi-fi access
Amanpulo offers complimentary island-wide 2MB Wi-Fi connection and internet access. Cellular phone network is also available.
location & map
Lying between the latitudes five to twenty-one degrees north, the Philippines archipelago comprises more than 7,000 islands sprinkled across the westernmost rim of the Pacific Ocean. The islands are actually the tips of half-submerged mountain ranges, part of a great cordillera extending from Indonesia to Japan. Amanpulo is located on the private island of Pamalican, in the Cuyo group, about 360km south-west of Manila. Seven square kilometres of reef surround the island. Beyond are sandbanks and a channel where whales, dolphins and sea cows have been glimpsed. At its widest point, the 5.5km island is only 500m across.
Amanpulo is accessed by scheduled charter flight from Manila, which has flights to several major international destinations. Guests are met at Manila’s international airport and taken by complimentary transfer to the Amanpulo lounge, located at a nearby hangar. Complimentary refreshments are served at the lounge. A selection of books, newspapers, magazines and games, luggage storage and shower facilities are also available. Guests fly directly to Pamalican Island in a 19-seat, twin-engine turboprop, landing at the resort’s private airstrip. Flight time is one hour. The cost of the roundtrip air transfer, Manila-Amanpulo-Manila, is US$400 per adult. Baggage is limited to 20kg per adult, including carry-on luggage.
water sports
scuba-diving & snorkelling
The abundant and beautiful reef waters that surround Pamalican and neighbouring islands are tailor-made for snorkelling and diving. A complimentary snorkelling and fish-feeding trip is scheduled daily. For novice scuba divers, Amanpulo is a welcoming retreat, with mirror-smooth seas in front of the Beach Club and a gentle drop-off to deeper water. For certified divers, there are a number of fine sites on both sides of Pamalican, all within easy reach by dive boat. Eureka, Amanpulo’s dive company, is a PADI Dive Centre offering courses ranging from introductory to dive master courses. All equipment is provided by Amanpulo’s Dive Shop. Underwater lights are also available. Divers must be at least 10 years of age.
Dives range from the House Reef (that faces the Beach Club and is a good site for beginners), to the Windmill with its plentiful coral and fish going down to 37m and The Tip, where the reef descends from 11 to 29m with generous displays of barrel sponge, hard and soft coral, black-tip reef sharks, tuna, wahoo and manta rays.
Amanpulo features a choice of five-night dive experiences that include boat fees, dive equipment, daily breakfast and a gourmet picnic lunch. View Amanpulo’s Underwater Experience.
windsurfing
Amanpulo is a magnet for novice as well as experienced windsurfers. The island’s sand-bottom blue lagoon, located on the windward side, makes for world-class board sailing from December through April. During this period, the northeast trade winds blow, on average, about 20 knots. Amanpulo’s Windsurf Hut is located under a canopy of trees along Pamalican’s east-coast beach.
sailing
Amanpulo’s fleet includes a twin-hulled Hobie Sports 21, as well as two smaller catamarans and two Lasers. Sailing lessons are available.
fishing
Guests may bottom-fish for snapper and grouper at one of Amanpulo’s favoured fishing spots or troll for wahoo, tuna and mackerel. The resort’s 25ft, centre-console game boat is equipped with a six-line spread for game fishing.
RATES
| Until 31 May, 2009 | 1 June - 31 Oct, 2009 | 1 Nov - 31 Dec, 2009 | |
| Treetop Casita | US$ 880 | US$ 750 | US$ 950 |
| Hillside Casita | US$ 980 | US$ 800 | US$ 1,100 |
| Beach Casita | US$ 1,030 | US$ 825 | US$ 1,150 |
| Deluxe Hillside Casita (39/40) | US$ 1,130 | US$ 925 | US$ 1,200 |
| 4 Bedroom Villa | US$ 4,000 | US$ 3,500 | US$ 4,300 |
| 2 Bedroom Villa | US$ 3,000 | US$ 2,450 | US$ 3,150 |
| 1 Bedroom Villa | US$ 2,000 | US$ 1,400 | US$ 2,100 |
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Notes
- Cost of return flight transfer is US$400 nett per person. For flight details
- Rates are subject to govt. taxes of 12%, plus a service charge of 10%.
- Rates and government tax are subject to change without notice.
- US$ rates are converted to local currency at the time of billing.
- For rates on a five-night Romance at Amanpulo
- For rates on a five-night Underwater Experience
The churches of Ilocos
One common denominator that bonds the Ilocos region is its churches - whether it be the opulent centuries-old Catholic churches or the newer and simpler churches founded by the Ilocano renegade Bishop Gregorio Aglipay in the late 1890’s. The churches of Santa Maria and Paoay are two of four Philippine Baroque churches inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Construction of the church started in 1704 and was completed in 1894 by the Augustinian friars led by Fr. Antonio Estavillo.
It is probably the best-known “earthquake Baroque” church in the Philippines. Large coral stones were used for the lower level while bricks were used for the upper levels of the church. The walls are 1.67 meters thick and are supported by 24 carved and massive buttresses.
The Church is a unique combination of Gothic, Baroque and Oriental designs.
The bell tower near the church, dating from 1793, served as an observation point of the “Katipuneros” during the Philippine Revolution in 1896 and again by the guerrillas during the Japanese occupation.
Where: a few km to the south-west of Laoag.
My rating: 10/10: very impressive church.
Info from: My Sarisari Store