By Nathan Allen

There is much to love about this property. Tucked away on the edge of Sabang Beach, it has a very rustic and “beachy” vibe. I love the dark hardwood flooring and accents, and the native-style nipa roofs. It was so nice to relax on my own private veranda overlooking the beach. I even had my own rocking chair!

My room was quite spacious, and the bed–well that was something to dream about! Super soft down pillows complimenting a luxurious memory foam mattress. Not sure if it was tempurpedic, but it certainly felt like it. This was just what I needed after a long day of travel.

An Award Winning Filipino-Owned “Eco Resort”

Daluyon has been consistently listed as one of the top “green” eco resorts in the Philippines. Their commitment to the environment is admirable, and was on full display throughout my stay. Another huge plus for me is the fact that the resort has always been Filipino owned. Foreigners have bought up much of the beach property in the Philippines, especially when it comes to luxury resorts. I’m so happy to see Daluyon, (along with Amorita in Bohol) leading the way in upscale Filipino-owned hospitality.

Check Daluyon Rates HERE

Food & Hospitality @ Pawikan Restaurant

Speaking of which, the staff and service at Daluyon features the warm hospitality that Filipinos are known for.  The front desk, dinner, and management staff all seem to be doing a great job there. Breakfast was pretty good, and I believe is included with the rooms. As for dinner, I have a confession to make. I’m generally not fond of the Filipino favorite called “Crispy Pata”. It consists of fried pork knuckles (fried meats are quite popular in the Philippines). Another dish that isn’t my favorite is “Kare-Kare”. It’s a sweet meat and vegetable dish in a peanut butter sauce.

Now, when I sat down for dinner, I asked for a recommendation, and they actually strongly recommended  their own creation, Crispy Pata Kare-Kare…which is a mixture of both of the above dishes! Haha. So, even though I generally don’t like either one, I decided to be brave and take a chance on their recommendation. I’m glad I did! Either it was the masterful way in which the chef prepared it, or just the mixture of the two that made it so much better…but I simply loved it. I was shocked. Well done, Daluyon.
 

Also worth a good mention is the “Kinilaw Na Tangigue”, which is kind of a Filipino version of ceviche, or raw fish salad. I really love Kinilaw, and this was definitely up there on the list of my favorite versions. Don’t be afraid to try it, it’s quite good! The dinner staff and chef were also kind enough to prepare a special “Fear Factor” version of Kinilaw made with “tamilok”, or giant worms harvested from the mangrove trees.

These “worms” are actually a member of the oyster family, and eating them is said to be an aphrodisiac. It’s much easier to stomach once it’s mixed in with the flavors and ingredients of Kinilaw…you might even find that you like it! If you’ve always wanted to try it, this is definitely a “safe” way to do so. You just need to inform the staff 24 hours in advance, so they will have time to source and prepare the tamilok.

For dessert, I most definitely recommend (as they did) the chocolate lava cake. Just one bite and you’ll know why. FYI, if you’re a beer lover, the resort offers one of-a-kind brews from Palaweño Brewery. Enjoy an Ambog Ale in the tiki bar at the front of the property, or at the pool bar near the back. Very unique!

(Continued below)

Convenient Location for Underground River

Sabang is the jumping off point for the famous Underground River tour, so Daluyon was the perfect location for this. It was nice to not have to wake up super early in the morning and head to Sabang from Puerto Princessa. I had an excellent tour of the Underground River with 8 Dragons Travel and Tours, but I’m sure Daluyon also offers tours for your convenience. Be sure to check out the fascinating mangrove forest tour nearby…you can slip quietly through the mangroves with a guide in a paddle boat. If you’re lucky, you might see the beautiful (but highly venomous) mangrove snakes high in the trees. Don’t worry, they are nocturnal…they sleep during the day:)

Speaking of which, the wild, rugged terrain of Palawan is a big part of why I love it so much. Sabang is a perfect example of this. On top of a highly underrated beach (in my opinion), you can also find an abundance of wildlife if you want to…everything from exotic birds, to giant monitor lizards and curious monkeys.

The Scenic Beauty of Sabang Beach

Perhaps you don’t hear much about Sabang Beach because it’s not the best for swimming. I think it has a steep drop off with a strong current. However, scenically, it has everything I love –plenty of coconut trees for shade, and mountains lining the edges, similar to El Nido. For these reasons, along with the wildlife, it is picture-perfect, and one of my favorite parts of the Philippines.

Besides all that, you know how some places just give you a special feeling the minute you arrive? Sabang has always been that way for me. To me, it’s an enchanting jungle wonderland, and I just love it.

Contact Info, Reviews & Rates

I would like to thank Daluyon Resort for the opportunity to share this experience with you. It is an excellent location for a family or couples getaway. Come see for yourself, I think you’ll be happy you did!

Check Daluyon Rates HERE

– Nathan Allen

www.idreamedofthis.com

Social Media

Goodbye, Gopro…I Finally Review the TG-4 Underwater Camera in the Philippines

Have something to add? Feel free to leave a comment…

The post Daluyon Beach & Mountain Resort – Palawan Eco Luxury appeared first on I Dreamed Of This.

By Nathan Allen

This is Island Life

If you’re looking to get away from the fast food chains on other more developed islands, you’ll love Siargao. While it does have a few high-end resorts like Dedon and Kalinaw, for the most part, it still maintains its simple, funky charm. The best part is that if you use a Globe wifi stick, you can get decent signal almost anywhere – and for as little as $1 per day.

The Iconic Cloud 9 Boardwalk

In Siargao, I fulfilled my dream of learning to surf…but I definitely didn’t do it at Cloud 9! This is where you’ll find some of the best surfers in the world. To give you an idea, the waves you’ll see below are nothing compared to the massive swells during the “tournament season” starting in November.

The boardwalk is a great place to watch the sunrise – and also a great place to see professional surfers doing their thing. If you want to learn, “Jacking Horse” is the best place nearby. Don’t worry, there won’t be any shortage of people asking if you would like a lesson.

Things To Do in Siargao

Aside from surfing, there are plenty of other things to experience on the island. You can check out the legendary Drunken Carabao Rides, or the infamous Jungle Party every Tuesday and Saturday. You can stroll through a white-sand beach cemetery. You can also book an island hopping tour, or a fascinating trip to Sohoton Cave.

A Slice of Local Life in General Luna

Check out the town of General Luna for a glimpse of the many fishing villages that dot the shores of the Philippines. Here you’ll find local eateries, as well as the busy market – which sells affordable fresh-caught fish. Local kids love to play at the dock each afternoon. You’ll find them jumping into the water to cool off.

Touring Siargao by Motorbike

One of the best ways to see the island is to rent a motorbike and explore it on your own. It might cost about $7.50USD a day, though you could get an even better price if you rent for many days. I took this shot during a trip to Pacifico and Tak Tak falls.

If you’re going to surf, make sure you get a bike with a rack for your surfboard. FYI, you can also rent a surfboard for about the same price…and renting for many days will get you the best price as well. Getting a ride, a bike, or a board is very easy, because people will offer everywhere you go:)

Magpupungko Tide Pool

About 45 minutes from General Luna is fascinating Magpupungko Tide Pool. This is a great place to swim and cool off. Make sure you check the tide table, because the pool is most beautiful (and safest) during low tide.

Where To Eat

My favorite pizza was at Aventino’s, which has 2 locations on the island, and is quite affordable. Many tourists love to eat at Mama’s Grill, which is a no-frills eatery serving great BBQ pork, chicken and fish. Check out Bravo Surf Resort for excellent Spanish Tapas.

If you want to get away from the crowds and eat like a local, check out Wow Siargao or Kayaha Grill…both closer to Cloud 9 on the way from General Luna (they are on the right, but are easy to miss. You might want to ask a local). If you like sushi, you MUST try the Filipino version called Kinilaw. Kayaha Grill had the best I’ve ever tasted, and it’s just $2.50 a plate!

Siargao Hotels

Buddha’s Surf Resort – Located about halfway between General Luna and Cloud 9, Buddha has a great vibe, very friendly staff, and excellent food. Breakfast comes with the room, and I quite enjoyed it. Speaking of my room, I enjoyed the flat screen TV loaded with movies, and my own personal water dispenser…nice touches! Check Buddha’s Surf Resort rates.

Bravo Beach Resort – This is one of my favorite places to chill out and meet some great people. For me, the music and ambience were just right.  The owner is Spanish, as is the chef. You can find excellent tapas here, and don’t forget to wake up early for sunrise on the beach!  Check Bravo Beach Resort rates

Harana Surf Resort – You’ll find Harana tucked away about 1 km before you get to Cloud 9. I loved the striking architecture – traditional meets modern. Run by 2 Texas surfers who wanted to return to their roots in the Philippines. Great guys, and they host a very popular jam session on Saturday nights. Try the nipa wine! Check Harana rates.

Check out more Siargao hotels HERE.

Budget Options For Backpackers

There is a super cheap Dormitel directly across from Cloud 9. I believe there is one aircon room downstairs, and 8 bunk beds upstairs. Jing’s Place and Paglaom Hostel are both affordable options as well. They are located near Kermit’s, which is a bit more pricey and almost always booked up. Like so many others, you may end up wanting to stay on the island long term. Go to Jacking Horse and ask around for the best monthly rates.

There’s Just Something About Siargao…

Everybody who has visited Siargao seems to absolutely love it, but you won’t really understand why until you’ve experienced it for yourself. Put simply, the island has a great vibe. Let’s hope that it stays this way for many years to come!

Enjoy.

– Nathan Allen

Thanks for reading, and feel free to share the island love!

Like my page to follow along with me:)  – Nathan

Goodbye, Gopro…I Finally Review the TG-4 Underwater Camera in the Philippines

The post Siargao, Philippines: Your Surfer Crush Just Got Very Real appeared first on I Dreamed Of This.