Under the shade of the Acacia in Anilao

Too much reflection destroys spontaneity.” Applying this maxim to wanderlust and sudden travel, and you may just find yourself with even more fulfilling sojourns than thoroughly planned itineraries.

Two weekends ago, my quick odyssey to the tree-lined and beach-combed Anilao, one of the country’s diving meccas, was no exception to this rambunctious state of mind. Those instant bursts of spontaneity came when dear friends proposed that we all drive to the mountains and explore this quaint dive resort over an hour out of the city! After we planned out the route from Manila to Anilao via Tagaytay, we packed our bags, and off we sped for a unique road travel conquest once again.

Winding down the lush forests, we admired the ecological sights that led us through the picture-perfect views of the lush mountains and the watery avenues of Taal Lake. The sight of such eco-luxury treasures never cease to amaze as we reveled in the breathtaking crater of Taal Volcano in front of us and the thick verdant forests where historic Japanese trails beckon to trekkers, hikers and even treasure seekers. As the gorgeous sun sank into the horizon, leaving a trail of crimson and golden streaks of its luminescence, we observed the placid Laguna de Bay. Off we were to our home away from home for the weekend where the quaint and cozy Acacia Resort in Anilao, Batangas beckoned.

Twin Rocks: Swimming with this school of jacks or talakitok at Twin Rocks was a magical experience.

True to its name, a magnificent acacia tree, with its mighty boughs spread majestically in the middle of the boutique haven, greets you and instantly recaptures your fondness for this charming sanctuary by the sea. With the twinkling stars above to light our way, we heard the cacophony of the sounds of nature performing their welcome medley for us. We shared a hearty buffet meal of fresh salad with tangy Thai dressing, sautéed cabbage, tuna salpicao, and mini mango crepes with sweet cream and retreated into our well-appointed suites spacious enough to accommodate a family of four or five. Cool air conditioning, yellow lights, 300-thread-count crisp beddings, comforters and a spacious bathroom with marble tabletop and Zen spa fixtures will surely satisfy the most discriminating of travelers.

“This is a very luxurious resort for divers,” I declared to ace photojournalist/expert diver Yvette Lee who led our group to this seaside sanctuary.

Beatrice Rock: One of the area’s famous sites is overrun with coral and pink anthias fishes.

Yvette retorted, “This is very practical for divers like us, everything we need is just within reach. The gracious owner of Acacia resort, Chito Aquino, set this up in a very practical, very functional manner not to mention it is quite luxurious. There is Wi-Fi connection everywhere, the dining area is near the rooms, the swimming pool for dive lessons is just below, adjacent to the dive center for equipment and the marine-rich waters for dive lessons and dive escapades invite one and all just a hop in front of the resort!”

For the duration of our stay in Acacia, our friends Kahlil Macan and Leo Alcantara merrily recalled and recited Joyce Kilmer’s poem, “Trees,” which became our bedtime rhyme as we retreated to slumber land.

Many resorts located in Anilao offer dive services, but this one has a unique value proposition because it offers luxury accommodations for travelers, whether divers or not. Not everyone in the family or group may dive, but there are still a variety of activities for the non-divers to engage in. One can go snorkeling, island hopping, or have a cook fest in the resort if you wish. If these activities do not suffice, simply rest under the shade of the gigantic acacia tree and pray and reflect. You can also watch a film or TV show of your choice in the dining area, sip a tangy amaretto sour or piña colada and bask in the beauty and grace of the tropical paradise.

Gladys Cathedral Rock: The first check-out and fun dive of Manila-based divers is usually done at Cathedral Rock.

At the break of dawn, I spent quiet time reading my Bible as I viewed the sunrise from the deck of the resort and marveled at the Creator’s Hand in manifesting such eco-luxury. “Be still and know that I am God,” my consciousness echoed to my soul. Reflect on who and what matters most. We often forget what we should remember and remember what we should forget.

I looked forward to having refresher courses in diving in the Acacia pool. Somehow I felt secure in the mighty shade of the delightful tree that has been standing there for centuries.

After breakfast, we met our boat driver and his colorful banca by the beach. Soon enough we were skimming along the blue waters under breezy and sunny skies.

We circumnavigated the cove and positioned ourselves for our introductory dive. The water on the surface was cheerfully cold but as we dove down 30 feet, the warm silver bubbles seemed to percolate throughout the body and a rainbow of angelic fish and eclectic corals greeted our team of dive enthusiasts. Twin Rocks is one of the most successful marine sanctuaries due to its proximity to the shoreline and adjacent dive resorts.

Ace diver/photographer Yvette Lee and author Christine Dayrit check out the marine-rich waters of Anilao.

As we neared the two underwater monoliths, the water in front took on an ominous dark shade. My nervous breathing gave way to excited squeals when I realized that the humongous shadow was caused by an immense school of jacks. The last time I had such a heavenly encounter of this nature was in the waters of Palau in Micronesia!

The current brought us directly into their school and their numbers overwhelmed me. Speeding about like large silver torpedoes, I watched their mouth gulp in the plankton rich waters, as their large black eyes seemed larger than life. I finned against the current in an attempt to stay with them a little longer until I gave in to exhaustion and drifted with the current over a Technicolor reef.

Nudi: Known as the nudibranch capital of the Philippines, US-based scientists still find an average of two new species on their annual pilgrimages to Anilao.

These sudden bursts of electrifying color were just as satisfying as this sudden trip to Anilao reputed to be among the world’s best dive sites. Yvette had been diving and photographing these treasures of the sea for decades. Even as she has gone diving in unique dive destinations like Tubbataha, Sipadan, Galapagos, she is quick to quip that Anilao still tops most of them when it comes to critter photography.

Other famous sites in the area include Kirbys, Bahura, Beatrice Rock and even a site called Basura because of the amount of garbage in the water that has turned into residences for creatures that are much sought after by photo enthusiasts.

Kudos to the dive community here of resort owners, dive groups and private individuals whose conservation efforts and sheer determination to improve tourism services are truly laudable.

Rare Rhinopia: This rare yellow Rhinopia is but one of the many strange and interesting residents of Balayan Bay.

Check out the Acacia resort. Here, the “inn-timate” settings of eco-luxury just outside the metropolis are a great escape for discerning travelers.

Think no further; just pack your bags and head this way. Sudden trips like this may be just what you need. Life is short; follow your passions and wanderlust instincts. Who knows, it may just bring about that much-coveted impetus for you to savor the joy of abundance of the ocean and what lies beneath and far beyond. To borrow a line from the intrepid explorer Paul Gauguin: “Closer than you imagined, more than you dreamed.” It is time to experience this jewel of a resort gently nestled under the shade of the glorious acacia tree in Anilao.

Holy anemone: Several species of magnificent anemone fish abound in Anilao waters.

Cheers!

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For more information on Acacia Resort in Anilao, Batangas, please log on to www.acaciadive.com, call Chito Aquino at 0917-7425713, or e-mail info@acaciadive.com.

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