Where heaven serenades earth

In a dark cavern, stalactites protruding from the rugged ceiling resemble stars that shine with the clarity of chipped diamonds. The air is crisp and nippy as one hears simultaneous drops of water and the sound of flapping wings of several fruit bats. The ominous silence here in this cathedral-like cave in Pinasil Island, Northern Palawan places me in a state of reverence. Like an answered prayer, pencil strobes of sunlight pierce through an opening at the peak of the cave and in Midas fashion, illuminates everything in its path.

From this secret cavern, my marine guide Jeff Angeles, aka Jeff Kayak, skillfully maneuvers our kayak through the narrow crevices between small rock islands, then he anchors our mini sea-vessel into a nearby cove. There is something about a simple stretch of pure white sand that brings so much joy. Rhythmic waves lap against the tide-washed shore and are transformed into a gentle hiss of bubbles. The waves erase the imprints on the sand transforming the beach into a fresh canvas for nature’s art.

This is definitely God’s chosen sanctuary – El Nido’s luxurious resorts, alluring lagoons and hidden caves waiting to be explored. White sugary sand surrounds the famous islands and foamy waves pound against limestone cliffs that thrust skyward and seaward, offering a vantage point to gaze over the expansive reef. Tiny crabs friskily run to and from their burrowed holes, a hawksbill turtle crawls on the shore to lay its eggs while a bevy of migratory kingfishers swoop down on their unsuspecting prey. With a chilled glass of mango margarita in hand, I witnessed a most enthralling sight that I later learned was a prelude to an eclipse – a crimson sunset descending to the right of the towering mountains and a beaming full moon ascending from the clouds to the left. The phenomenon, though evanescent, moved me. Not even the call of slumber could lull me into its sweet arms.

As dusk turned to dawn, a boat ride in El Nido’s Big Lagoon reminded me of the Three Gorges on the Yangzte River. Huge shadows of the cliffs and giant mangrove trees with their imposing roots sprawled all over forming mirages on the crystalline water. Black sea urchins with their prickly spines resembled rambutan fruits clustered together on the rocky bottoms. As we head for the open sea, a bottle nose dolphin suddenly leaped out of the sea reminiscent of Flipper splashing the water in all directions. Manta rays, the seacow or dugong and the world’s largest fish called whaleshark or butanding have been sighted here as well.

The El Nido Resorts are built on separate islands assuring minimal impact on the environment, as well as privacy for guests. Miniloc Island Resort is situated in a cove with a backdrop of sheer limestone cliffs. Lagen Island Resort, on the other hand, is set in a lush forest and provides a magnificent view of the El Nido sunset. El Nido remains as safe as any other world class tourist destination as a multi-sectoral security network takes charge of the over all protection of the island.

Resident manager Jeff Miranda shared that Miniloc Resort’s charm is enhanced by its crystal clear waters teeming with colorful tropical fishes. Right off the pier, one can gaze at the vivid orange, blues and psychedelic swirls of the clown fish , groupers, sergeant majors, parrots fish, fusiliers and more. As you sense the whimsy of evolution, you will be assaulted by colors and patterns of corals that range from sublime to garish. The resort offers a variety of accommodations like water cottages, seaview rooms built on stilts, garden cottages surrounded by tropical plants and cliff cottages nestled in the hillside. The much-awaited Beachside Rooms in Miniloc Island Resort were unveiled recently. These 12 new rooms, in clusters of four, are built right in front of the beach area adjacent to the Garden Cottages. All rooms are furnished with charming indigenous Filipino materials and features air-conditioning, mini bar, hair dryer, private verandah, IDD & NDD telephone service and WiFi access. .

Gracious El Nido Resorts’ GM Etienne Labrooy enthused that an underlying Filipino theme is evident in their culinary delights served in both resorts but a distinction still exists to offer a wider selection to their guests. GM Labrooy added, "It’s not just what kind of food is served but where it is served as well. Guests can choose to dine under the stars, under the shade of a palm tree, have a picnic in the many tropical islands to choose from, have wine and cheese in a candle-lit cave perhaps." Whatever you imagine, can be arranged by their efficient staff who are eager to please their discriminating guests. In the two luxurious El Nido Resorts Lagen Island and Miniloc Island – a gastronomic feast of culinary flavors exquisitely prepared by chefs trained by international chef par excellance Buddy Trinidad and Tom Hines satisfied every discriminating palate. Buddy’s lovely wife Rita, who is my dear childhood friend, and their winsome 12-year-old daughter Marti consider El Nido their week-end home away from home. New dishes that uniquely combine the Filipino and intercontinental fusion of flavors specially created for the resort starts with a duet of squash and celery soup with mini seafood cheesecake and mushroom eggplant ratatouille or a salad of giant cuttlefish with slipper lobster gratin and stuffed squid. From the main entrees, choose from a delightful variety of bangus belly with smoked salmon mousse, kesong puti and roasted garlic emulsion, hoisin blackened grouper with patis apple slaw, pinipig crusted native chicken roulade filled with balut pate on mushroom and newburg sauce, pompano with mussel, roasted leeks, root vegetable roesti and watermelon coulis and seared coriander crusted toro tuna napoleon with grilled corn wasabi. For dessert, try their cheesecakes, flourless chocolate cake, mango madness and chewy cookies bursting with rich chocolate morsels.

Another highlight is its spa, Stresscape at El Nido Resorts professionally managed by Angie and Mari Imperial with branches at the Shangri-La Hotel in Makati and Edsa. Stresscape offers a variety of rejuvenating Asian, European and tropical facials and body treatments. For couples, the romantic package is a must. A Balinese foot wash for both is followed by an apricot body polish for her while for him, lavender life facial and scalp treatment. When sunburned, the water lily body wrap will cool and refresh the skin. After a physical activity, a relaxing Swedish massage with their all natural coconut oil with lavender and peppermint massage oil blend is delightful.

As Rita and I sipped our piña coladas in the Miniloc clubhouse, we clinked our glasses as we celebrated the good life – rare marine life, an explosion of vibrant colors and the timeless beauty of the sea. If you have dreamed of treating yourself like a princess for a day or celebrating a special event – a honeymoon, birthday or anniversary – in an unforgettable setting of supreme natural beauty, then this is it.

Each El Nido experience is a blessed one. A deep sense of spiritual renewal refreshed us throughout such splendor by the Creator’s hand. As we kayaked homeward to the villas with the sunset as backdrop, the evening’s light slowly silhouetted the rock islands against the pastel sky. Few places in this world can guarantee a slice of paradise, where heaven serenades the earth. El Nido is truly blessed to be one of them.

The fastest way to El Nido is via Island Transvoyager Inc.’s 19-seater Dornier aircraft. For more information about El Nido, call 894-5644 or e-mail holiday@elnidoresorts.com.

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E-mail the author at miladay_star@yahoo.com.