Adventure Bliss
There is a sense of mystical magic in this paradise resort that keeps me coming back. Allow me to take you there for a weekend of adventure.
Enlightenment in a Small Lagoon
My adventure buddy Hector and I took a speedboat from our Lagen Resort to the small lagoon near the Miniloc Resort. The journey through the surrounding grandeur of El Nido is truly magical. The mere experience of traversing the towering limestone cliffs amidst the varying hues of the waters from turquoise to emerald green and the resounding silence of nature will make one see that there is something mystical about this experience that embraces one’s soul.
According to our El Nido guide, a limestone cliff takes more than two hundred years to develop and we are indeed lucky to be able to take a tour and be surrounded by this natural wonder.
We transferred from the boat to the two-seater kayak and we paddled through the entrance of the famous small lagoon. As we reached the entry point, we were challenged by the experience of getting through the narrow passageway in between sharp rocks. We gently pushed our kayak within the tiny hole that can accommodate a standard body size at a time. With patience, gentleness and teamwork, we managed to cross the rock and we were awed by the spectacular beauty before us. It was like entering paradise. Surrounded by grand limestone cliffs with protruding green plants and welcomed by the morning rays that illuminated the emerald water, I could never ask for a perfect venue for a leisure adventure other than this. As we kayaked smoothly around the lagoon hugging the contour of the area, I heard nothing but the soothing splash of the water coming from our own paddle. How solemn it was to look up and see the shining light smiling bright at us.
As we gently moved around this amazing discovery, I felt Hector moving from the back as if trying to get his balance. In a split second, our kayak flipped over and we suddenly found ourselves into the water, with our fiberglass canoe on top of us! What was that?!? It all occurred too fast for us to know how it even happened. All I know is that we ended up laughing so hard that we heard nature echo our laughter. That was fun! What an experience indeed.
Lesson learned: You have to be in harmony with your kayak buddy and take extra precaution when moving. The kayak is light enough to flip over easily.
Tip to share: If you want to surprise your kayak partner with fun adventures, just keep on moving and shift your weight to one side and feel the kayak tilt and flip over! It makes quite a laugh!
Sea Kayaking in the Pouring Rain
“For those who think that only sunshine brings happiness, they have not danced in the rain.” - from the tent card of Real Coffee in Boracay.
The leisure kayak was fun but we wanted to experience the real thing and elevate the level of our adventure. Ergo, we asked the friendly concierge of Lagen Resort to schedule us for a sea kayak escapade.
We were assisted by a sports activity instructor who gave us a briefing on sea kayaking. Before we boarded the kayak, we were provided with a life vest and a plastic bag to store our valuables in a compact storage of the canoe. We are all set and excited to move forward together with our guide who went before us to lead the way.
The sea kayak was unbelievably light and it moves faster, which means we have a tendency to flip even more easily. Thus, sensitivity and alertness are required. Our guide led us to the open waters. The sea gave us a sense of ultimate freedom to move, talk, laugh aloud and simply be one with nature.
My imagination has been set ablaze despite of the overcast weather. I let the surroundings inspire me as we moved in sheer excitement in this solitary world occupied by only us and the sea. The sky was beginning to darken with gray clouds and the rain suddenly poured down to kiss the sea and our faces as we looked up the sky. The water started becoming rough that we needed to traverse some bumpy waves to reach the big lagoon. We didn’t care about the rain because nothing can be more exhilarating than this experience! As we reached the big lagoon, we found a shelter under the limestone cliffs to rest a bit as Hector started to sing merrily in the middle of the pouring rain.
As we felt our stomach complaining of hunger, we decided to move on and row with our stored energy and found a little corner of paradise with white sand and a small nipa hut and waited for the El Nido speed boat to bring our lunch. Our food arrived in a charming picnic basket and as we opened it, we found some rice wrapped in banana leaves, a variety of grilled seafood and chops that were neatly packed in ceramic plates together with an assortment of tropical fruits. Oh, they came with silver utensils, too! What else could be more luxurious and pampering than that?
Whenever I travel, I always check the weather forecasts to ensure that I will be blessed with the glorious sun. That used to be my perfect concept of travel until I experienced the pouring rain in El Nido and ended up chilling out in blissful solitude.
Diving Paradise
I went to El Nido without my C-Card. I lost it a long time ago and I applied for a renewal but my card didn’t arrive in time for this trip. El Nido has a strict “No C-Card, No Diving” policy. I eagerly wanted to dive so I ended up calling my Dive Instructor, Ney Ney Guevarra, for the details which he immediately sent me through a text message. I gave it to the El Nido staff but they had to check the records first before they confirmed my claim to be valid. It truly is a professional resort that puts the safety of its guests first.
Lesson learned: If you want to experience diving in El Nido, bring your C-Card. No amount of charm and twisting of arms will ever work.
Gerry, our dive instructor, guided us in our underwater exploration. The experience of diving again made me realize how much I have missed the underwater paradise as I came face to face once more with the gentle creatures of the sea. I went up close and personal with sea turtles together with an amazing array of colorful corals and reef fish living in a pristine habitat. The diversity of El Nido’s marine sanctuary is truly spectacular!
I was touched by Hector’s own experience underwater. He said that the majestic force that was the ocean captivated his mind and body the moment he broke the waters’ surface and his thoughts oscillated between fear and peace by the grandeur and mystique that surrounded him. Whether it was the curiosity of the clown fish, the gentleness of the sea turtle or the stealth of the blue spotted ray lying in wait, he was overcome by a sense of humility.
Forest Room
After feeling the sore muscles from fun adventures, nothing can beat the sense of winding down in a luxurious room. How lovely it was to chill in the comfort of a cool room, a large size bed and to shower in a spacious bathroom complete with amenities.
The moment I woke up the next morning, the magnetizing view from my terrace called out and prompted me to walk out and open the glass window. I curled up on the couch of my spacious veranda and was stunned with the panoramic vista of a lush rainforest in all its glory. As I took in the scent and stillness of nature, the misty morning greeted me with delight as I heard a mélange of sounds from the cicadas and saw a flight of birds dancing gracefully in circles.
My trip to El Nido has gifted me again with another perfect moment of rapture beyond compare.
If you are after a luxurious tropical vacation bundled with adventure bliss and exceptional service that will make your holiday truly memorable, Lagen is the only way to go.
Travel Notes
El Nido Resorts
(63 2) 894 5644 / 750 7600
[email protected]
www.elnidoresorts.com
Endless Adventure Activities that can be explored in El Nido:
Kayaking
Scuba Diving
Bottom Fishing
Hobie Cat Sailing
Pedal Boat
Snorkeling
Mangrove Tours
Fish Feeding
Rock Climbing
Cave Exploration
Trekking to a panoramic view from the top
Sunbathing and having lunch in private islands of various locations
Stargazing
How to Get There
Island Transvoyager, Inc. (ITI) and SeAir are two airline companies that have regular routes to El Nido. ITI prioritizes guests traveling to El Nido. Travel time from Manila is one hour and 45 minutes.
Island Transvoyager, Inc.
(63 2) 851 5674
www.islandtransvoyager.com
PREVIOUS
All
