By Nathan Allen

I must admit, this video of U2’s “Bono” talking about how “America Is An Idea” has me brimming with patriotism.

Well, I didn’t always feel this way.

To be honest, when I first left the U.S. and ventured out into the world, I avoided other Americans like the plague. Growing up in California, I kind of absorbed the idea that my country was some sort of scourge on the face of the earth. I assumed that others around the globe would share this view (some do), but the reality turned out to be quite a bit more nuanced.

As much as I didn’t want to admit it, over time I realized that I definitely had been living in a bubble. The new friends I made in various countries helped me adjust the lens through which I saw not only myself, but also my OWN country.

Red, White, and…Bánh mì?

For example, I never imagined that I would see north Vietnamese youth plastering American flags all over their motorbike helmets, but indeed I saw just that.

Speaking of which, on one return trip to California I was invited to the beautiful home of a Vietnamese refugee family. As I looked around I couldn’t keep my eyes from welling up with pride. For now, not only did I have an understanding of the challenges they faced to get here, but also a deep appreciation for the opportunities afforded to them in the United States.

(Not only for them, but anybody with the determination to keep reaching for it.)

Immigrant Eyes

In fact, one of the greatest gifts I have been given is being able to view my country through the eyes of an immigrant. My wife is from the Philippines, and it was eye opening to hear her say “if we have kids, I want them to have what you have”. She was talking about freedom…not just having freedom, as many great countries of course do, but actually being free.

She sees it as a state of mind, something deep within the psyche of many Americans.

We are raised to think that anything is possible; that the sky is the limit. This of course could be seen as overconfidence, but I believe that real innovation and success comes from the ability to dust yourself off after repeated failure.

“You’ve got to learn how to fall before you learn how to fly.”

This is where the “plucky confidence” of Americans really comes into play (despite the fact that on paper, we clearly lag behind many other nations).

Honest Abe’s Prediction

Many years ago, Abraham Lincoln warned that the real threat to America would come from within America herself. Never has been this been more apparent to me. After all, before I began to see my country from the outside (and through the eyes of others), I was on the inside, constantly criticizing and apologizing for it.

Well, No more.

Years of living abroad (coupled with me advancing in age, I suppose) have given me a totally new perspective on things. There is no doubt that my country is flawed, just like many others. However, there is also no doubt that, overall, America has been a force for good in the world. Certainly a great, stabilizing force.

As Americans of all colors and backgrounds, we must stay vigilant and united. We should be wary of those who try to misrepresent who and what we are. Yes, we are struggling through an incredibly polarizing time right now, especially during another contentious election year. However, we’re tough and tested…we have a classic western expression: “this ain’t our first rodeo!”

(continued below)

A Distorted Sense Of Reality

It was a European friend that reminded me how American media often seems wildly out of touch with reality. “If it bleeds it leads”, isn’t that how the old saying goes? Well, in my humble opinion it seems to be true. I’ve spent over 20 years documenting life in the U.S. and other countries, and I barely recognize the world portrayed in our media.

The “State Of Jefferson”

In order to capture the incredible scenery in California’s Sierra Nevada, my wife and I moved to a sparsely populated rural county near Yosemite National Park. This area is over 90% white, and deeply Republican. In other words, “Trump Country”. In fact, this county is so “red” that most people here want to secede from California, creating a conservative new 51st state – “The State Of Jefferson”!

Given the hate and vitriol we’re led to believe that white America has for non-white people, we should be terrified, right? Even her friends in Asia sent concerned emails, worried that “Billy Bob” was going to try and hunt her down…all because they saw something scary on CNN.

Well not so fast.

Keep in mind that my wife is a morena (darker skinned) Filipina. To me, she’s as beautiful as can be. To them…well, she may be the same, but I can guarantee you they’re well aware she’s not white.

However, to our shock, they have been nothing but absolutely wonderful to her. Even the staff at her hospital checkups (which I can’t join, due to Covid) have been incredibly kind and helpful to her.

Does this mean that racism in America no longer exists? Certainly not. Does it mean that it’s purposely exaggerated for political / monetary gain? Well, you’re going to have to be the judge of that.

Sifting Through The B.S.

As asinine as it sounds, one trick I’ve learned is to simply use my own real-world experience to gauge whether or not something is true. I realized that every time I get online or turn on the news, I’m led to believe my country is this way or that.

If your real-world experience (or those closest to you) truly reflects what you see on the news, then by all means…continue believing it!

On the other hand, if it doesn’t…be skeptical. I think we owe that much to our country and fellow citizens. Whenever possible, I listen to the speeches of politicians (on the right and left) uncut and in full. I will never trust a media outlet to accurately deliver their message through tiny sound bites. I’ve given them way too many chances.

An Immigrant Success Story

Despite what it may seem, the America I see today is a decent and incredibly diverse nation. After all those years in Asia, I’m particularly proud of the accomplishments of Asian Americans. For example, for quite some time now, they have the highest median household income in the U.S., and are most likely to receive the best loans from banks. In my view, that is opportunity and hard work in action.

It’s especially impressive coming from the only race that at one point had an oppresive law on the books prohibiting them from even entering the U.S.

I Love Your Country – & Now I Love Mine, Too

To the Americans I met while living abroad, I’m sorry if I avoided you at first. To those I encountered after my “Great American Awakening”, you have no idea how much our interaction meant to me. I became incredibly homesick near the end there, and am over the moon to be back home with my wife now – especially after such an arduous wait for her immigration processing.

To my friends in the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Britain, Germany, and Netherlands, thanks for sharing nostalgic stories of your visits to my home country. Thanks for continuing to see America in a positive light – as a beacon of hope, even when I (and countless others) have neglected to.

I loved exploring and getting to know YOUR countries very much, thank you for helping me learn to appreciate my own unique culture and history. I’m honestly a bit embarrassed that it took me this long.

America, absence really does make the heart grow fonder. I took you for granted for oh so many years…I promise it will never happen again.

Happy birthday!

– Nathan Allen

www.idreamedofthis.com

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By Nathan Allen

Imagine swimming in an infinity pool overlooking a tropical city…and one placed in the shadow of the most “perfect cone” volcano in the world. 

Yes, that’s something to dream about. 

The hotel is always working to dial in the best experience for its guests, but pay close attention to my recommendations here, and you are bound to have an incredible experience at the Oriental!

The Oriental comes with a free breakfast buffet, and this is great, because I actually prefer the breakfast options to the ones at dinner.  I am a big fan of pancakes…and here, along with a custom-made omelette and bacon (if you request), you can eat to heart’s content.  Coffee is unlimited, and there are pineapple, mango, and calamansi juice options as well.

For lunch and dinner, I recommend ordering off the menu.  At dinner time, I believe you can do this by ordering in the lounge / cafe next door to Jasmine Restaurant.  The “monster burger” is appropriately named…it’s huge!  It’s quite good, and at just 250 pesos, a great value for such an upscale place.  The grilled panini and chicken wrap (healthier) are also solid options.  Don’t forget to try the crispy and delicious calamares as well!

Now For The Main Course…Dessert!

In my opinion, dessert is where the cuisine at the Oriental really shines.  There is an impressive assortment of treats like puto kutsinta, cheesecake, maja blanca, halo-halo, brownies, and mouth-watering banana bread.  If you truly are a dessert lover,  the dinner buffet will provide you all of these options…

Good Luck Getting Out Of Bed…

The other place the hotel really shines is the comfort of the bedding.  I’m not sure if all rooms have the same options mine did, but I will say that here I had the most luxurious and comfortable rest in all of my time in the Philippines.  The quality of the mattress, the silky sheets, and the down comforter + pillows make all of the difference in the world! 

General Tips For Your Stay – Oriental Hotel Review

I was fortunate to stay long enough to really experience everything the hotel has to offer, so you could consider me somewhat of an expert at this point!  Haha.  I just want to mention a few helpful things:

Wifi – While not all rooms have this problem, on the 5th floor I had a weak wifi connection.  I was able to solve this by bringing my computer to the balcony, where the signal was strong.  Truly an elegant solution, when you consider the views from my new “office”!  Sometimes I needed the connection needs to be reset by the staff, but along with any other requests, they gladly took care of this. Keep in mind this review was written 5 years ago, and the connectivity could be no problem by now)

Elevator – The hotel is equipped with some cutting-edge technology, but for me it took some getting used to.  The elevator has touch-screen buttons, but unlike a standard elevator, they don’t work when push them with your fingertips. Instead, just press your thumb against them and it will work fine.

Aircon – Of course the rooms have cold aircon, but the massive lobby and restaurant downstairs is cooled naturally.  The cost to both the hotel and the environment would be astronomical otherwise.  If you find that you are too warm, you can sit close to the windows where the breeze is .  They will also be happy to bring you a fan if you need. 

Promos: From time to time there’s a promo for 2 nights + airfare from Manila for under 5k pesos ($125 USD)…keep an eye out for that, because for a hotel like this, it’s a great deal.  I also hear you can get rooms without a Mayon view for half the price.  Since the volcano may be covered by clouds anyway, you might consider saving some money. 

Getting There / Booking a Room

The Oriental is located high on a hill in Legazpi City, and all trike and taxi drivers know how to get there.  You can fly to Legazpi airport from Manila or Cebu, but the good news is that a new international airport should be ready by 2016. 

The Oriental would be a great place to experience while in Albay sightseeing or ATV riding up Mayon volcano.  Afterward, you can keep the adventure going by heading to Donsol, Sorsogon to swim with the “gentle giants”…the whale sharks!

In closing, I would like to thank sir Marlon and the staff at the Oriental…and of course Governor Salceda and Bicolano Man for showing me the warmth and beauty of Albay!

You can book your stay with The Oriental HERE

– Nathan Allen

(photo by BM Snapshots…taken @ Vera Falls, Albay)

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By Nathan Allen

He Came For a Diving Vacation  – But Stayed For a New Life

Christian’s story is the stuff dreams are made of.  It is the tale of a handsome Swiss football star who came to Philippines to explore one of his great passions in life – diving.  Little did he know that what he found when he got there would change the course of his life…forever. 

It all began back in Switzerland, where Christian, a retiring football player, was planning on buying a house.  When he decided on a property that he liked, he was surprised to find that the owner, who was also a dive-enthusiast, wanted to sell him the house and everything in it as well. 

“You are leaving everything behind??”  Christian asked.  “Where are you going?”

The man smiled.  “The Philippines”, he replied.  “I’m going to build a dive resort there”.

“The Philippines??”

Christian was a bit baffled by this…after all, he knew of many beautiful islands around the world, but the Philippines wasn’t even on his radar.

Curious, Christian pressed the man for more information about this little-known island paradise.  After countless photos and stories about the warmth and beauty of the Philippines, Christian was convinced he needed to visit.  He ended up buying the house in Switzerland, but he told the man that when his dive resort opened there in Negros, Christian would be his very first guest.  

Well, being a foreigner who was mesmerized by the beauty of the Philippines myself, the rest of the story comes as no surprise to me at all.

Finding Love – and Building a Resort of His Own

When Christian finally paid a visit two years later, he fell deeply in love…not only with the stunning beaches and marine life of Sipalay, but also with a beautiful island girl who called it home. 

He sold his home in Switzerland and never looked back. 

Fast forward 15 years, and Christian has really put roots down in Sipalay.  Now married with a beautiful family, he built a dive resort of his own next door to his wife’s family.  It’s called “Easy Diving and Beach Resort”, and I was fortunate to be able to experience the place for myself!

In the early days, Christian told me there wasn’t even a paved road going to the resort.  With a single motorbike and plenty of determination, he began to build his dream piece by piece.  What’s impressive to me is the way he has been able to “meet in the middle” – blending his own culture with that of his wife’s. 

As the property grew over the years, so did Christian’s reputation as a world-class diver and host.  He even took a former Philippine President for a dive! 

Their Island Home

Christian had a vision for his perfect island life, and that meant finding a way to share his paradise with others. I was quite fortunate to be invited to see their home and resort for myself. The first thing I noticed is how well maintained it is…the tropical climate can really take its toll on some of these places, but not at Easy Diving. It really is beautiful – the attention to detail is unmistakable!  I think this is why it’s one of the top-rated dive resorts in the Philippines.

The second thing I noticed was the stunning beach…here you have a front row seat for some of the most spectacular sunsets you may ever see in your life!  I actually came to Sipalay because an Australian friend told me it was the best sunset he’d ever seen.

Sipalay, on the island of Negros, can be accessed by a flight to Bacolod (most likely through Manila), then a 2-3 hour bus or shuttle (can be arranged through the resort). 

The name “Easy Diving” comes from the fact that many of the incredible dive and snorkeling spots can be found directly in front of the resort.  That means you don’t have to spend hours on the boat traveling between dive sites.

Don’t let the name fool you – the resort is great for divers…but snorkelers, kayakers and beach-goers will appreciate it as well. 

Pictures From Around the Property

Dive Safaris – The Experience of a Lifetime

Christian and Easy Diving also offer multi-day dive safaris, and I am very excited to come back and explore one of these adventures next time.  I noticed one of the safari boats being built on the shore (the last photo above), and it really got my imagination going!  How amazing would it be to explore these stunning dive sites in your very own pirate ship?  Yes, I dreamed of THAT.  

Excellent Cuisine

Of course, the attention to detail here also extends to the great food in the restaurant.  The Friday night buffet was a meal to remember!   The kitchen offers both Filipino and European cuisine, but I think there is more of an emphasis on European, as many guests come from EU countries.  Try the giant Schnitzel! By the way…German speakers will feel right at home here.

Impressive Diving & Snorkeling

I took the following photos with my Olympus TG-4 underwater camera…as you can see, there are a LOT of incredible corals and fish to see here in Sipalay!  I joined a few rewarding dive trips out on the boat, but also was impressed by the corals I saw just snorkeling near the shore. 

I even rented a kayak and paddled out to a marine sanctuary nearby – you can ask Christian or the staff about the snorkeling site at the corner of the bay.  I loved seeing the corals and marine life there – clown fish, pufferfish, harmless sea snakes, and two massive lion fish! 

If you are a diver looking for peace and quiet AND rewarding dives, this is the place for you. 

(I will post a video with plenty of colorful fish and corals soon!  Follow along on FB for updates:)

Conservation Efforts

One last thing I want to mention about Christian is his love for wildlife…and birds, specifically.  As you descend down the beautiful stairway to the resort, one of the first things you will notice is the sound of parrots in the distance. This is because along with conservationist Pavel Hospodarsky, he created the Punta Ballo Parrot Farm, and works with the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) to protect and preserve many critically endangered and endemic Philippine bird species.

I took a private tour of their operation (thanks, Pavel!), and I admire what they are doing very much.  Christian has also been actively involved in rehabilitating (and in some cases even creating) the corals there in Sipalay as well.  We need more people like Pavel and Christian in the world…please visit their links above for more info!

Truly an #idreamedofthis Experience

In closing, I would like to thank Christian and staff for hosting I Dreamed Of This! Exploring his resort was like diving right into someone’s dream…what a unique experience!

Sipalay (and Negros in general) is truly somewhere I could see myself spending much more time in the future. It’s perfect for those needing an escape from the monotony of day-to-day city life, and would certainly be an incredible place for a wedding or honeymoon as well!

Aside from everything else, Christian is just a really nice guy.  You can tell that years of island life have been good to him. 

Please say hi for me…

You can read reviews and check rates at Easy Diving Resort HERE

– Nathan Allen

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