Amanpulo, Palawan

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.

casitas & villas

Amanpulo’s native style of dwellings enhances its exclusive island stronghold. There are 40 casitas fashioned after a Philippine bahay kubo: a centuries old South East Asian rural archetype where family life was played out beneath steep pitched roofs on timber frames.

The five Hillside Casitas offer magical sea views, the four Treetop Casitas embrace the trees while the 29 Beach Casitas have private overgrown paths that lead down to the soft white beach. All are nestled discreetly among the sand-floored tropical foliage and enjoy their own buggy for unlimited enjoyment of island exploration. Subtle interiors, warm and sun-dappled, are smoothed out in shades of caramel and bamboo with pristine king-size beds. The bathrooms are spacious and appealing with raised Cebu marble bathtubs and twin vanities. A soft honey brown wooden floor is laid throughout with island appropriate comforts from daybeds to rattan furniture and attractive regional artwork.
   
Each casita enjoys a sprawling wooden sundeck with inviting loungers and dappled shade from vibrant bougainvillea and two deluxe Hillside Casitas have an unrivalled sweeping vista of the Sulu Sea and neighbouring islands. All casitas come with a flat-screen satellite television, DVD/CD player and iPod dock, all connnected to a surround-sound system, a coffeemaker with complimentary coffee and tea, as well as a safe. Hats, slippers and beach bags are available in the casitas for guests' use on the island and as souvenirs when they go home. The 21st century has been skilfully tucked beneath its alluring island exterior so that one’s perceptions of an enchanting remote archipelagic island can be effortlessly played out in uncompromised style.
  

activities

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. Aquaventure, Amanpulo’s dive company, is a five-star PADI operation offering courses ranging from introductory to advanced. All equipment is provided by Amanpulo’s Dive Shop. Underwater lights are also available. Divers must be at least 10 years of age.

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.
       
cruise
The Sulu Sea has fine cruising waters. Amanpulo keeps a variety of boats for island hopping, fishing and lazy-day sailing, including the 34ft Dolphin II. The fibreglass Gulf Craft can take up to 10 guests on half-day and full-day charters. Manamoc Island, across the channel, is a popular cruise and picnic area. Other sea-going options include a sunset cruise and a leisurely cruise of the Sulu Sea by moonlight. Guests can arrange for a private beach barbecue dinner after their cruise.

island tour
A walk around the island’s sand beach will take about 90 minutes. There are also a number of bush paths and two modest hills to explore. At high tide, baby sharks chasing bait fish are sometimes seen in the shallows at Pamalican’s southern end.

spa treatments
At Amanpulo, the resort’s resident masseuses offer a range of massages and body treatments, as well as aromatherapy and beauty treatments in the privacy of a guest’s casita, in the air-conditioned Spa Casita, or at the open-air Garden Sala or Beach Sala.



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Amanpulo is a great place to relax and enjoy our nature. It's expensive but it's worthy because of the beauty you can see and there are many things you can do.

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Caliraya Lake

Caliraya Lake is actually situated in the three towns of Laguna, namely Lumban, Cavinti, and Kalayaan. It is a man-made mountain lake complete with coves and sand bars that we could boast internationally.

More than that, it is also a home of several beautiful resorts. You could reach Caliraya by -public or -private transport.

There are several ways to reach this place, but here are the two of it. One from Makati through the South Expressway and the other, from Antipolo, which you could took the zigzagging through the thickly forested rolling hills and rugged ridges of Rizal towns of Teresa, Morong, Baras, Famy and all the way to Laguna towns of Pillilia, Sinoloan, Pangil, Pakil, Paete and finally Lumban where the unique lake is located. The travel time to a distance of about over a hundred kilometers from Manila was two-and-a-half hours by going there privately and of course, much long if you take it publicly.

Caliraya Lake and the less publicized Lake Lumot that connects it are the results of an infrastructure project. It is actually a large reservoir built in late 1930s  by the American engineers to supply water to the Caliraya Hydroelectric Plant. At present became a major tourist destination.

As the dams were constructed, entrepreneurs with foresight created two adjacent communities which were envisioned to be ecological communities, where one can enjoy the beauty and richness of unspoiled nature. The results were man-made mountain lakes complete with coves and sand bars - Caliraya Lake and Sierra Lakes.

In fact, the two lakes are the only place in the whole country where Philippine anglers can attempt to catch the famed Largemouth Black Bass, one of the top freshwater gamefish of the United States of America.

The Americans also seeded the lake with Largemouth Black Bass imported from the United States of America, which continue to proliferate and provide game fishers with year-round weekend excitement.

The waters of Caliraya Lake are cool and measures about fifty meters at its deepest. The lake extends and roves over partly submerged hills which form islands. The shores are of sticky red clay on some areas and pebbled on other areas.

The deep waters of the lake and the strong mountain breeze that blows from the Sierra Madre Mountain Ranges and the distant Mount Banahaw, make Caliraya Lake a perfect place for aqua sports such as  boating, wind surfing and water skiing. The lake is also ideal for game fishing as fairly large game fish swim here. A boat trip around the lake is also available that would take about four hours.

One of the resort there is perched on top of a low-lying mountain overlooking the lake and commands a spectacular view of the lake and three great mountains: Banahaw, Cristobal and Makiling as well as the tail part of Laguna de Bay.

Caliraya is a place where you can relax luxuriously - take a boat ride, fishing, water ski, or windsail. Or, you can just explore the surrounding forest or simply enjoy the cool breeze, enjoy the sun and wind. An ideal place for winding down after all that hectic and fast-pace life in the city, or a getaway place with your partner, friends, and families.

So if you have time, why don't you visit the excellent place there for you to have a wonderful and unforgettable experience!




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Caliraya lake is such a peaceful place. It has beautiful scenery and you can do a a lot of things. I've been there once with my family and we loved it.
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