A Danish Discovery

CEBU, Philippines - We all love the taste of Danish pastries and just can’t get enough of Danish cookies. Even at times we breakfast with Danish bacon. But have you ever been to a Danish Lagoon?

The Welcome. Knowing of my frequent jaunts to the mystical island of Siquijor, GMA 7’s lovely TV host Ana Mariz Igpit immediately informed me of a startling discovery. Of course my curiosity spun about this newly opened resort that I just had to whisk myself one more time to my favorite Philippine hot spot.

From the main road, Hans Christian Andersen Boulevard was paved to find the hidden resort. We arrived at the reception cum restaurant greeted by the resort’s gregarious staff and welcoming owners Johnnie Karstensen and Jimmy Rasmussen. Both, coming from the Kingdom of Denmark, conceived the idea of a resort that is like no other, combining Danish ingenuity with Filipino hospitality and tropical relief.

From the restaurant’s elevation, the property’s landscape is to your vantage point. Growing vegetation decks every wooden walkway leading towards private villas perched on the resort’s cliff side. And on a sunny day, the vibrant colors paint the blue horizon of sky and ocean.

The bed-room. Towards our private accommodation, I have noticed that each bungalow is marked not with numbers but instead themed after the literary titles of the famous author. I’m sure it would be a no-brainer for you to ask where I accommodated myself. It has got to be ‘The Little Mermaid’! While the rest of my posse stayed at Clod Hans, or was it the Ugly Duckling?

Each sanctuary is well-appointed with amenities fit for royalty. And here you will see Danish ingenuity at work. The beds are like no other. They are suspended! Yes, that’s right. It is for the first time that I have seen or slept (for that matter) on a suspended mattress. At first I was a bit apprehensive but its stability did give a different kind of comfort to your slumber.

The Food. Business partner Jimmy also serves as the resto’s chef where he whips up some of the best continental cuisine imaginable. Famished land trippers from Cebu, we ordered the best they have to offer for lunch in twos! And these you got to have for a hefty gastronomic experience: Grilled pork cooked to succulent perfection served with salad and potato wedges, Breaded Fish Fillet with asparagus—an absolute hit, and the Danish Meatball Burger which is large enough for four. The chef’s challenge was to finish it alone in less than 3 minutes. Nah! We just had to savor it.

Part of our world. Still new to the industry, the Danish Lagoon sought efforts to be involved with its community. Already providing labor to local folks, the company also reached out to education by donating limited editions of Hans Christian Andersen literary masterpieces to a number of public schools in the island. In fact, managing partner Johnnie mentioned of the resort’s future plans of expansion and upcoming projects which will certainly benefit not just the company but the neighborhood, as well. Not bad for a newcomer.

Well, an overnighter is too short of a stay, I admit. But I had to snap out of the island’s spell and Andersen’s fairytales. It’s time to get back to the real world. Danish anyone?