Paradise found in Puerto Galera

We often look far and wide in search of beautiful travel destinations when just within reach are precious finds. This is what I discovered during my visit to the exquisite Buri Beach Resort in Puerto Galera (fondly referred to as the "Jewel of Mindoro") with Philippine Tourism Authority officer Ronald Masayda, along with my brother Mark and his family.

After a pleasant 90-minute drive on the newly-opened Star Toll Expressway, we arrived at the new Port of Batangas pier and parked our van (at a rate of P30 for the first hour and P10 for each succeeding hour). We rode the Blue Eagle ferry (P140 per person) which took us past Maricaban and Verde Islands and brought us to Puerto Galera in Mindoro Oriental.

The island is blessed with lush rainforests, lovely white coves and beaches, extensive coconut and kalamansi plantations, and spectacular diving as well as snorkeling sites.

Upon arrival at the inner harbor of Puerto Galera, we were enchanted by the hilly peninsula and islets circling Muelle Cove where we disembarked. Beautiful private yachts moored alongside completed the postcard-like scene. After a few minutes, we boarded a stylized banca named the Lady Aida (with its cozy white cushioned seats and backrests) for a five-minute ride to nearby Buri Beach Resort. Its Asian-inspired architecture with touches of European elegance is truly a sight to behold.

Buri Beach Resort is surrounded by pristine seas perfect for any water sport, especially scuba diving. Powdery white sand, excellent for sand castles and barefoot strolling, cover the adjacent shoreline. The resort has six splendid villas that utilize 72 varieties of bamboo. Creating an interesting environment is the imaginative use of indigenous materials such as wood from the buri tree, hence the resort’s name.

The interiors are as impressive. I was told that the proprietors sought out the suppliers of the Peninsula Hotel in Manila for such touches of elegance and comfort. The Buri Royal Suite and Orchid Royal Suite feature king-sized beds with two additional loft bedrooms that can easily accommodate the whole family. There’s even a garden bathroom with spacious tub and shower plus a veranda which offers a breathtaking view of the ocean, pool, and central garden. The deluxe rooms have queen-sized beds with extra lofts. All of the rooms have crisp white linens and sheets along with goose-feather comforters.

The resort’s Flower Garden Restaurant provides some of the best dining in Mindoro; guests can sample sumptuous Mindoro seafood or authentic gustatory treats from Asia and the Mediterranean. No wonder Suzanne Ledesma of the Locsin Foundation highly recommended this resort (which will very soon start its spa operations).

The next day, our good friends Kim and Carolina Solar, along with their son Jet, joined us for some island-hopping in the morning and diving in the afternoon. Kim, who took up architecture in Vancouver, has recently completed the very interesting Puerto Galera Book of FACTS which contains user-friendly maps; discount coupons for lodgings, restaurants, dive shops; and other vital information on how to get around Puerto Galera. (The book is available for P250 at Sikat buses and outlets at the Batangas pier; interested ones can call 0917-6039527.)

Kim brought us to beautiful spots like the Big and Small La Lagunas where narrow white beaches almost disappear at high tide. And it was pleasant indeed to go island-hopping to Haligi, Aninuan, Talipanan, Paradise and Long Beaches just to mention a few. The finest is without a doubt – Bayanan Beach.

Along the way, we tasted Claudio’s pizza in Arcobalenos and that of Philip and Michel at Le Bistro in Sabang. It was also interesting to meet these wonderful people who visited Puerto Galera decades ago, fell in love with the place and decided to make it their home.

We explored other interesting sites. There is Tropicana Pirate Fortress Hotel (which resembles a Dracula’s castle); an authentic Korean restaurant just next door to Mr. Parks’ Club Mabuhay (which has a huge TV set visible from the restaurant as well as the swimming pool); plus over 30 excellent diving sites.

Special mention goes to the Shark Cave at Escarceo Point, just below the lighthouse. The cave itself is more of a horizontal crack in the reef and there are usually one or two Whitetip sharks resting inside; and if you don't know the cave location it’s easy to miss it entirely.

After an exhilarating day, we returned to Buri Beach Resort, and watched the sun set slowly on the horizon. Later that evening, when all the buri lamps were lit, we sat under a starry sky. Summer may be almost over but the appeal of Buri Beach Resort lasts all year long.

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For inquiries, call Rogie 850-93-81, fax 807-06-35 or visit www.buriresort.com.ph. E-mail author miladay@pacific.net.ph