Chinese soldier ill with bird flu

One way to spend a grand vacation is to “return to the essentials of life.” The good news? This getaway actually exists and isn’t just a state of mind. There’s one more slice of paradise on earth that exudes a truly awesome vibe and sparkling energy and unifies all the fundamental elements of a vacation — the back-to-basic blend of sun, sea and sand.

Palawan, known as the “Last Frontier” of the Philippines, is an untouched and unexplored haven replete with magical mystery. How many shipwrecks are waiting to be explored? How many caves hold the clues to an ancient civilization? How many secret lagoons are home to the definitions of serenity and tranquility? It is a cradle of secrets, waiting to be discovered; it is a showcase of Mother Nature’s magnificent landscapes and seascapes teeming with life.

The four days we spent in Club Noah-Isabelle on Apulit Island were glorious. Never have we been so enchanted and drawn to such a locale as this. For one thing, having an island to yourself and being surrounded by nothing but water creates the impression of a world entirely your own. Here, time seems to stop and all you are left to do is soak up what you see, hear and feel in this God-given gift of beauty and bounty. Unlike the hurried urban jungle, in this sanctuary for the senses, pampering yourself with nature’s abundance is the only choice.

This summer, SEAir (South East Asian Airlines) rewards students who rank at the top of their class with a 50-percent discount on airfare — thanks to SEAir vice president Patrick Tan, who announced that all dean’s listers would be given preferential rates. My nieces made sure they would be eligible for the offer— Christel Boncan is on the dean’s list of her class in the Ateneo de Manila University while her sister Nikki just graduated magna cum laude from the University of Santo Tomas with a BS degree in Architecture. There was never a dull moment with the Boncans, what with the presence, too, of my vivacious sister Jaqui and her loving husband Boom Boncan.       

Arriving at Rodriguez Airport in Taytay, Palawan, we were received by the staff of Club Noah-Isabelle, and in 40 minutes, we were ushered to paradise. From the dock all the way to the beach, we were greeted by a welcoming melody that was distinctly local accompanied by a welcome drink that was an exotic flavorful blend of pandan leaves and lemongrass. It was a truly refreshing sight. We knew at that moment we were at home away from home.

A characteristic of the island resort is that all the rooms are distinctly Filipino. The cottages are built on stilts, each angled at 45 degrees to maximize the view. As one looks out the balcony, the cottage appears to be floating above the sea. Spectacular limestone formations with verdant overgrowth, naturally shaped caverns and the graceful display of colorful fish also complement the breathtaking experience of the rooms.

After a sumptuous lunch of succulent fresh salads, seafood and local pastries, we arranged our activities for that day. A distinct and personalized service of Club Noah is the friendly and charming activity officers assigned to each guest. They arrange and coordinate all activities the island has to offer. These activities include scuba diving, introductory dives, cave spelunking, snorkeling, private picnics by the beach, fishing, dolphin watching, and wildlife trekking to name a few.

 In this vast oasis of waterways and verdant foliage, you never submerge yourself in the same ocean twice. If snorkeling doesn’t satisfy you, check out the big men’s guns — scuba diving. Twenty feet lower into the sea surely makes a big difference. Here, more colorful coral abounds, and if you are lucky, you might even spot the famous Pawikan of Palawan, the elusive whale shark, barracudas and eels. The underwater scene just takes you to a whole different world with delightful denizens of the deep.

The next day, we were off to Octagon Reef and Lopez Reef for snorkeling. Take note: no two reefs are alike. The magnificent display of coral, plants, tropical fish of all shapes, colors, sizes welcomed us to their home. Each was on his best behavior as they displayed their gentle nature. We found Nemos (clown anemone fish) and Dory’s family (the blue and yellow fish from Finding Nemo), so to speak.  We also spotted a squirt — a sea turtle — and sea snakes.

On this island paradise, each meal was a feast lovingly prepared. That evening was enchanting. We were serenaded while having cocktails on the beachfront under the stars. This was followed by a dinner of fresh seafood, roasted chicken and roasted beef, the sweetest mangoes, watermelons and cantaloupes. Dinner was topped off by a cultural performance of local folk songs, and graceful dances executed by the staff of Club Noah. We ended the night by indulging in a truly relaxing body massage using scented aromatherapy oils.

In Club Noah-Isabelle, everyone was our friend — from the staff, activity officers, boatmen to the local fishermen and the dive masters who really made our trip memorable. Moreover, it was just so enriching learning about the daily routine of these people and how they are so in sync with the routines of nature. They spoke of local legends of shipwrecks and buried treasure; educated us on the different species of fish and the sightings of the most elusive creatures; and shared their knowledge of the hidden caves and the local dives they undertake to explore them.

The third day was jam-packed. After a breakfast of local Filipino fare, we headed out to the West Beach, the other side of the island that is rich in marine life. Another great snorkeling spot, our eyes feasted on different kinds of tropical fish, sea animals, coral reefs and other interesting creatures that dazzle one’s imagination. Lunch was served by the beach on another island. As we dropped anchor and swam to shore, we felt like we were part of a Pirates of the Caribbean quest for hidden treasures. This time, though, it was a quest for food. We feasted on grilled seafood, chicken and liempo cooked in front of us. The highlight of this lunch was when Jun, the dive master, granted our request to eat fresh uni. He bravely gathered three sea urchins and sliced them in front of us. It couldn’t get any fresher and better than that!

Being with Nikki, an architecture graduate, a trip is not complete without the visits to various island developments and new resorts in the area. We visited Noah Noah Island, which is being developed into a high-end resort with rooms that follow the contour of the cliffs overlooking the sea. We spent the second half of the day swimming with the fish by the pier in Club Noah. The dip was topped off by a refreshing snack of halo-halo. A perfect combination of the sun’s heat and the cold delight brought out the adventurous spirit in us once again as Babylyn, our activity officer, booked us for bottom fishing. The first catch of the day is a local fish known as bisugo. After two hours of bottom fishing, we declared Jaqui as the winner with a catch of three. We headed back to the pier by sunset and were told to get ready for dinner.

This experience was in itself an adventure as Rose, the activity officer assigned to us that night ushered us into a banca. We had no idea where we were going or what was in store for us. It was pitch-black with faint lights coming from far off fishing boats and the fascinating sight of luminescent plankton that glowed like fireflies on the sea. The suspenseful 30-minute boat ride was amazing. We entered a cave and were greeted by a magnificent display of the still dance of the rocks lit with candles and torches everywhere. Even our cameras could not quite capture the scene. Gifford, one of Club Noah’s talented staff members, serenaded us over cocktails inside the cave while Rose and her team grilled seafood and chicken. While having dinner by the beach at the mouth of a cave under the stars, Rose pointed out to us a sea snake passing by. It was another adventure as our adrenaline pumped up for a while. As if welcoming us to the cave, it slithered by and swam off into the sea. Even the snake completed the Club Noah experience.

Every place we visited during our stay in Club Noah was an adventure and an experience in itself. Experience, using the five senses, is the best teacher in life. We all had a taste of that. Club Noah Isabelle, with its charming staff, is definitely a place for the family. It is a home that infuses a sense of adventure, comfort and responsibility to be good stewards of nature.

How can one not love Palawan? Here, simple things become valued treasures. For instance, the regularity of the changing tides is a reminder that a higher being is responsible for all this beauty. It’s amazing how one can just sit there and watch the sunrise and sunset. The natural phenomenon announces the coming of a new day and the culmination of a full cycle of new experiences, promises and assurances that the next day can only bring you more adventure.

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For more information about Club Noah–Isabelle, call Dennis Abacial at 844-6688; e-mail info@clubnoah.com.ph; or visit its website at www.clubnoah.com.ph.

E-mail the author at miladay.star@gmail.com.