Finding Costa Aguada

Several years ago, some good friends found this resort by accident. They have been raving so much about it since then that it stung my curiosity. I love a good resort and the adventures that come with discovering it. When I had the chance, the search went on.

When a visiting friend from the US came for his annual holiday, in addition to our usual diving destination, I included Costa Aguada to our itinerary. Sharing the same appetite for travel and new experience, we flew to the city of Iloilo very early Sunday morning. Immediately after, we went to the port of Ortiz to catch a ferry for our next destination.

Notice I said “next.” Right, you’re tagging along in this adventure.

So we would be standing at the wharf, waiting for the next trip, with the island of Guimaras just a stone’s throw away. Probably one of the most bustling smaller piers I’ve ever been to, with passenger boats here ferrying passengers almost every five minutes for a 15-minute crossing to the island-province. Surprisingly, amidst all the gloomy weather, the waters were calm that morning. And sans the sun, the island’s verdure was quite spectacular even from the distance.

The crossing was uneventful and soon after we docked in the capital municipality of Jordan, we mobiled to the small barrio of Sabang where the resort’s private boat awaited. Obviously we did not taste the “world’s sweetest” mangoes but our 45-minute land trip found us in the midst of the island’s vivid greenery, mostly vast orchards of the national fruit. I figured, being already in the province, that somehow those sweet mangoes would find their way to my dinner table. So, I focused on the jaunt.

As we were enjoying the sights while on sail, half an hour later, Inampulungan Island was in the horizon. Eager to get a glimpse of our final destination, I was constantly asking the boatman, “Are we there yet?” as we neared the 1037-hectare land mass. Unfortunately, we were to be moored not at the resort’s private pier but at the town docks due to water conditions. Uh, the suspense was killing me!

Anyway, the moment we stepped off the plank, an armed security detail greeted and escorted us to the town’s recreation hall to wait for our transport. The short delay gave us a preview of the isle’s pastoral living. For a while there, I felt a tinge of envy on the simplicity of their life. And like every small community, the citizens were warm and courteous.

Then a tram-like vehicle arrived and the guest relations officer whom  I had been in contact with personally guided us to the resort. There it was, hiding in the southeastern side of the island – the watery coast (costa aguada) that we have been looking for. With rain showers very early that morning, it was literally a watered down coast. The distinctive atmosphere created by the wet forest infused with the ocean breeze was a delight to the senses.

A chorus of staff welcomed us with a harana (Filipino rural singing) as we arrived and registered. This was a totally new concept for me and I was pretty much impressed with the idea of a musical reception—ingenious! We arrived just in time for lunch but before food, we decided to settle first in our very well-appointed bamboo cottage. That’s when I learned from our bellhop that we were the only guests in the resort. We had it all to ourselves, the entire ten-hectare expanse, as our playground. At the back of my mind I asked “Is that a good thing or not? Hmmm.”

As it turned out, the solitude was an advantage. Costa Aguada is actually one of those resorts where the sylvan splendor meets the coast. Thus, you find yourself in the embrace of Mother Nature. If your idea of communing with nature involves a little trekking, you can explore the vast property and will come across a jungle trail, a mini-zoo, vegetable gardens and even a sea turtle park. But should you just want to unwind or bask under the sun, the pool or the beach is where you should be. Though minus the powdery white sand, the limpid waters of the coast is quite inviting.

Oh, the food. Well, absolutely impeccable. Nestled in a self-sufficient island, everything is made fresh—from seafood to vegetables. The taste alone plus the presentation and service, tell you that everything is prepared with the heart. They even make their own ice cream from every possible fruit grown in the island (banana, papaya, melon and buco, to name a few). By the way, the “world’s sweetest” mangoes, did find their way to my table—always!

Too bad we only stayed overnight. We were set to experience Iloilo the next day, but the discovery was definitely worth the trip.