A is for Amorita

CEBU, Philippines - You cannot let summer sweep by without getting a sexy tan, without spending down time at an intimate escape hardly anyone knows of, and without taking the plunge in crystal clear blue waters and digging your feet in powdery white sand.

Simply put, you cannot let summer sweep by without taking a brief escape into Bohol's little love, Amorita.

I stumbled into Amorita by accident because admittedly, the only time I've ever been to Bohol was during our Regional Schools Press Conference way back when I was still in my junior year in High School. That particular trip to Valencia was hardly a pleasant one because we had to stay in teeny tiny public school classrooms that were dimly lit by a single yellow bulb hung at the corner of the room, and because a storm was raging the entire three days that we were there. It was fun, mind you. But it wasn't relaxing.

So when my officemates mentioned that we would be in Amorita, it sparked by curiosity because I had never been anywhere near the pretty parts of Bohol. I had only read about Carmen, the Chocolate Hills, Loboc, and E.A.T Danao but I never actually set foot on any of Bohol's tourist spots. When the chance to lounge in Amorita came, it was a welcome respite even though we had already made our way into rainy June.

The A in Amorita may just as well stand for “adorable”. The resort is small enough to be perfect for whisking yourself into a much-deserved vacay even if that vacay is only a weekend long.

Nestled right on top of a seaside cliff overlooking a sweeping view of the Bohol Sea, Amorita captures “idyllic” to the letter. Take an afternoon dip in the glassy waters of its infinity pool, overlooking Bohol's pristine Alona Beach, while you wait for the sea to swallow the sun, leaving shards of golden yellow in the sky. If you're the one to rise earlier than the sun, it's ideal enough to take an early morning dip while waiting for the sun to reach its zenith.

Amorita is perfect for when you are in a pensive mood or for when you need some serious me-time to reflect on your life, thus far. With hardly any people around and with a comforting silence embracing the place, Amorita is about as close as you can get to owning a little piece of paradise all to yourself.

Amorita's Ocean View villas are a must to retreat in. Perched precariously atop the island's rocky cliffs, it's perfect for basking in the beauty of the Bohol Sea right from your room. Keenly concealed from the rest of the resort, making it a private escape of sorts, your stay in Amorita will not be complete without residing in one of its Ocean View villas.

Carefully tucked away and hidden from the hustle and bustle of busy Tagbilaran, Amorita may not just be Bohol's beloved. It may as well be its best kept secret.

Roasted Apple and Blue Cheese Salad

1 cup thickly shredded carrots

1/4 cup, plus 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, divided

Kosher salt and ground black pepper

2 large apples

2 tablespoons brown sugar

2 tablespoons lemon juice

4 cups arugula

1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese

1/4 cup chopped, toasted walnuts

Heat the oven to 400 F. Coat a rimmed baking sheet with olive oil.

In a small bowl, toss the shredded carrots with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Arrange in an even layer on the baking sheet.

Peel each apple, then halve it down the center. Use a melon baller to scoop out the core, creating a large cavity at the center of each half. Arrange the apple halves, cut side up, on the prepared baking sheet. If the apples won’t rest flat, use a knife to trim the rounded sides just enough to form a flat base. Roast the apples and carrots for 12 to 14 minutes, or until the apples are just tender, but not mushy. Remove the carrots from the pan and set aside to cool.

Increase the oven to broil. Leave the apples on the baking sheet and sprinkle them with the brown sugar. Broil for 2 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk together the remaining 1/4 cup of olive oil, the lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper. Add the arugula and carrots and toss well to coat. Carefully place each apple half on a serving plate. Mound a quarter of the arugula mixture onto each half. Sprinkle each salad with blue cheese and walnuts. AP