By Nathan Allen

Located smack in the middle of famed “White Beach”, the resort is technically a part of station 2. You walk deep into the property (rather than lengthwise along the beach). The exteriors are clean and modern. The rooms have verandas that look out over the pool below.

Bedroom and Bathroom Photos

There is plenty of natural light coming through the glass sliding door. Of course the blackout curtains provide plenty of relief if you had “a little too much fun” the night before. Haha. The bedding at this resort were undoubtedly the most comfortable I have ever experienced!

The bathroom design was also sleek and modern. Here I am taking a selfie in the mirror.

Personal Touches – My District Boracay Review

Here’s one of many ways this property really stood out in my mind. I enjoyed these personalized, handwritten notes and thoughtful treats. From what I recall, the staff replaced them each time I left and the room was tidied up.

The staff was incredibly consistent with their service. Everywhere I went, they would acknowledge me with a smile and a hand over their heart. It was a touching gesture, and was done in such a genuine fashion so as to never feel forced or gimmicky. Well done, team!

Meals & Menu Items From the Restaurant

The selection of pastries and desserts were impressive! It was a buffet style breakfast, and I’d venture to say that this could be the best view I’ll ever have while eating a meal.

Is there anything better than fresh fruit juice and mango overlooking one of the top rated tropical beaches in the world?

When I think about the perfect beach, it has powdery, white sand, a warm, turquoise sea, and plenty of tall, idyllic coconut trees. Boracay’s White Beach has them all!

Many of my Filipino friends don’t see coconut trees in such an exotic light. However, the ones that live in cold, western climates get it!

To The Beach! – My District Boracay Review

Speaking of which, no self respecting tourist can stay on the island without lounging at the beach. Thankfully The District has some prime real estate here! I found myself a beach chair and got in some world class relaxation. The staff was attentive. They provided a soft towel – and made sure to keep me “hydrated” with some island cocktails.

Boracay is famous for its nightlife and partying. You’ll be pleased to know that the party is never far away, should you desire it. When the time comes for sleep, “rest” assured you’ll have the perfect, peaceful refuge just a stone’s throw away.

Thanks for quite a memorable stay ! That wraps up my District Boracay review. I certainly look forward to returning for another visit. I’m sure quite a bit has already changed at the resort and on the island.

You can book a stay HERE.

– Nathan Allen

www.idreamedofthis.com

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The post The District Boracay – Review | The Perfect Getaway appeared first on I Dreamed Of This.

  Words & Photos By Nathan Allen

I was on Siargao island, one of the Philippines’ epic surf spots. A tall, weathered traveler sat across from me at a roadside eatery. As is so much easier when you’re traveling solo, I struck up a conversation with him.

I learned he was from Montreal…and had come to the Philippines for an ancient meditation course called Vipassana. I had heard about this “silent retreat” before, and I plied him for more information. It was intriguing.

I learned that volunteers run Vipassana Philippines.  It’s donation based, and therefor doesn’t cost anything to attend. This model helps keep the experience consistent and pure. Aside from this, he was very hesitant to share details about the experience. It was too intimate and personal, and besides, he pointed out that each person’s path will be unique.

After researching it a bit more, I fired off an email to the woman organizing the Vipassana Manila chapter. I was in luck – there were still a few openings.

Can I Even Handle Vipassana?

However, was I SURE I was ready to commit to this? She was asking the same question. People call this a “Silent Retreat”, but “retreat” might not be the best word for it. This ain’t no “Eat Pray Love”…it’s hardcore work. Buddha actually started the Vipassana technique thousands of years ago.

It is completely secular and non religious… practiced by people of all faiths. With Vipassana, students become more in tune with their bodies. One of the ultimate goals is to eliminate suffering.

Healing Old Wounds

Well, I wouldn’t exactly say I was suffering. However, I had recently made the news in the Philippines. This was because a small province declared me “persona non grata” in their region.

Strange but true – Yes, this actually happened

However, I received a LOT of support from Filipinos who knew they weren’t getting the full story. They were right. For me, the hardest part was keeping the truth inside until I left the country. I didn’t feel safe. I did this for about a year while I continued promoting tourism.

Well it took a toll on me. I worried that if I didn’t do something about it, I might end up resenting a country and culture that I loved. Perhaps a Vipassana Philippines course would do the trick.

Aside from all that, as a writer and explorer, I was just curious about the experience in general. I love pushing my mind and body to the limits….I always have.

So, in the sweltering summer, our group met in Manila and boarded a bus for Cavite, about 45 minutes south. We were dropped off on the side of the road, then loaded into “tricycles” – which are a bit like “tuk tuks” in Thailand.

Enter The Vipassana Philippines “Compound”

While Quezon is considered the “Manila area”, this location was actually quite rural. The best word to describe the place we arrived is a “compound”. When they swung the giant gate open and let us in, I half expected it to slam shut and see armed, masked men jump out of the bushes to capture us.

I wasn’t ready to make another appearance in the media – this time as a kidnap for ransom victim.

OK, also…the “jungle” part – it’s a bit of a stretch, These are the tropics, but this location’s not exactly a jungle. The Vipassana Philippines property actually appeared a bit sparse, open and dry. With the exception of the large Indian mango trees that provided shade, it actually reminded me of the California countryside.

Our group joined another in a simple “meeting hall”…basically a pole frame with giant tarps stretched over it. We were encouraged to meet and communicate as much as possible before “noble silence” commenced.

These Vipassana students had come from all over the world…the U.S., Canada, Russia, Spain, Taiwan, China, and Africa. I would say about 25% were Filipinos.

Signing a Waiver – The Shape of Things To Come

We signed waivers and surrendered our phones. This was getting real. They screen students pretty carefully, and it almost seemed like they were trying to convince us not to take the course. This is because the Vipassana experience can be quite intense.

This kind of silent retreat can shock the system more than people realize. Most people have never gone days without Internet, or just being able to read, write, or speak. People with a history of mental disorders might find the deafening silence to be too much.

As even I would find out, being alone with your thoughts (and with nothing to do) can become torture eventually. There is no escape.

Once you commit to a Vipassana course (10 days is already the short version!), they try very hard to keep you from giving up on it. They firmly believe that in order to truly reap the benefits, one must complete all the meditation steps in the 11 day period.

Waking Up Before Sunrise

I’m not exactly a morning person, and my mental state declines rapidly when I get hungry. Perhaps I have low blood sugar? Anyway, I learned we would be waking up at 4AM each morning. All meals at the silent retreat are vegetarian, but there is no dinner served. Ever. They’re not just trying to torture you, it’s actually a strategic part of the program.

We were to sleep in a large trailer, on simple cots separated by thin curtains. There is no breeze through the room, and only some of the cots have fans overhead. I chose mine a bit late, and was lucky to find a cot with a fan that reached me at least some of the time.

Men and women are kept apart…except during the actual course instruction, when they share opposite sides of the room.

Let The Silent Meditation Begin

Our daily Vipassana meditation would take place in what seemed like an oversized metal shipping container. It had one small wall fan on each end.

There was no going back now. I was determined to see this through. After our last dinner for 10 days, we headed to the meditation hall for the course intro and overview. After this, “noble silence” began. We could not communicate with each other in any way…be it verbally, with hand gestures, or any kind of eye contact.

I thought it would be too hot to sleep that first night, but somehow I was OK. At 4AM, a large bell (gong?) sounded. We were to report to the meditation hall right away. Waiting to eat breakfast was a challenge for me, especially considering that we were not fed dinner the previous night. We were required to meditate a few hours each morning – only then could we eat breakfast.

(By the way, if you’re traveling to the Philippines, I recommend these hotel options HERE)

As far as I know, all Vipassana courses are led by video on a projector. An older Indian man named “Goenka” leads you through the meditations. When he was alive, he taught these courses in person. At this point, everything was so new to me that it was easy to stay focused. I wasn’t even particularly hungry. I was amazed.

What is Vipassana Meditation Like?

I won’t go into much detail about the actual meditation itself. You can experience Vipassana Philippines on your own if you’d like.

However, I will just say that it’s not the “spiritual” type you may have in mind. You are probably not going to enter some kind of hypnotic trance and have an out of body experience or something. (He does some light chanting in an ancient language, but it is not religious or spiritual in nature. Only to help you stay focused.)

Vipassana is basically just a series of sensory exercises that help you become aware of your body, and how it reacts to the world around you.

Ideally, it keeps you focused on the present moment, so your mind doesn’t start to wander and worry about the future or the past. Goenka says our mind is like an untrained beast, and Vipassana is a tool we can use to tame it.

Did I Just Join a Cult?

So let’s recap. Here I am in a tropical compound, in what seems like the middle of nowhere. I’m following every word and instruction…chanting “in tongues” with a room full of sweaty fanatics (for all I know). All eyes fixated on our “leader” – a mysterious man in a grainy old video.

Haha yes, to those who don’t know better, it really would seem like I had just joined a cult…and there I was, “drinking the kool aid” along with everybody else.

(continued below, but I’d be honored if you follow along with me)

Eating Vegetarian Meals – In Complete Silence

I think it was 6AM when the breakfast bell rang. We lined up for food, then sat across from each other while we ate in complete silence. Eye contact was a no no…and it was all quite awkward.  We used our original seats and tables for the entire course.

The food…it was quite good! I didn’t miss eating meat at all. I had been eating heavy, oily food in Manila prior to this, so these light, healthy dishes were much appreciated. My compliments to the Vipassana Philippines chefs! My very first silent retreat was off to a good start, I thought.

Fighting The Urge To Flee

We kept busy “doing nothing”…sitting down meditating on cushions literally 10 hours each day. During our “free time”, we could walk around the property. However, most of it was off limits, with a rope tied to mark the boundary.

When we were able to speak on arrival, I heard stories of students walking too far out, and then finding the temptation to escape was just too great. They ran for it, and abandoned the course. I think that’s why they had it roped off.

You can start to go a bit mad out there…you realize just how preoccupied and busy we keep ourselves in our daily lives. When you strip away everything you use to distract yourself from things you don’t want to think about, it gets pretty real.

You have no screens of any kind, no electronics, no games, and no books. No snacks allowed. Rosaries and other religious items, either.

You shouldn’t move too quickly…exercise is out of the question. Not even a brisk walk. All focus should be on the Vipassana techniques.

Zombies in the Yard

I mention “zombies” because we ended up staring vacantly into space, trying to avoid looking at each other. It was awkward because we were always so close together. 

I remember looking out the small window in our room, seeing all these bodies scattered in the yard. They just wandered back and forth aimlessly, staring at the ground or the sky. Looked like a total cliche zombie movie scene.

My Unexpected Challenge

The first 2 or 3 days of Vipassana were challenging, but not for reasons you might think. My problem was that I had figured out these meditation techniques on my own, many years prior to this experience. Not exactly, but I had learned how to become more in tune with my body, and those experiences made learning these techniques much, much easier.

Less than halfway through the first day, I was quite comfortable…and ready to move on to the next step. The problem was that most people had not learned these techniques previously, and the course needed to progress slowly for their sake. Totally understandable.

However, I was already going full steam ahead. I had to repeat the same, basic exercise over…and over…and over….

After 2 or 3 days I thought for sure we would be ready for the next big step. As it turned out, we weren’t. Don’t get me wrong…we did move on, but to me it was basically just a another baby step. The real struggle for me was realizing then that this whole course would progress at a snail’s pace, and I would spend 7 more days here like this.

My Real Test of Patience

Knowing what needed to be done (and how to do it) became a form of torture for me. I couldn’t help but wonder if this was the true test of patience I was here for.

I would open my eyes and peek at all the fortunate souls meditating around me. How I envied them…they had a clearly defined goal – something to work towards. Well I guess I did, too….to make it to the end of this glacial course without going completely bonkers.

Over the next few days, we tried our best to adjust to life at Vipassana Philippines. Not having wifi or my phone wasn’t as difficult as I thought! Still, I’m not going to lie….I’m a writer, and I had a TON of time to sit and think out there. I had so many ideas for future goals and projects; the hardest part was not being able to simply write them down!

I considered finding a hidden spot and writing notes in the dirt…but that would technically be cheating. I began to work on mental repetition exercises, hoping I could burn these thoughts into my aging mind – and do something about them once I was back out in the real world.

There is No Escape…From Yourself

Each day dragged on…and I’ll never forget the plastic red chair. On our free time, most of us sat on plastic stools at the meal tables.  However, there was one plastic red chair with a comfortable backrest.

That chair became our coveted prize…the lucky ones were able to claim it early and sit under the shade of the mango tree. Even luckier if you were able to watch the pair of colorful Kingfisher birds that called those trees home.

Yes, any change in routine becomes a godsend during a silent retreat. For example, even a bowel movement becomes a welcomed and exciting event!

Students All In It Together

If there was one thing that helped me get through this experience, it was knowing that I wasn’t alone. You could see the struggle in everybody’s face. There is no way around it – these Vipassana courses are hard work…especially in this location. The heat and humidity are just brutal. If you’re one to believe in the benefits of “sweating out the toxins”, you’re in luck.

You’ll sweat like a beast, so drink a lot of water to stay hydrated.

Vipassana Philippines is like hot yoga…minus the yoga…and you do it all day long.

Honestly, seeing how miserable everybody looked began to take a toll on me. I began to wonder if I should really be here…if I really belonged. Many of these people seemed damaged…jaded. Broken. Was I one of them?

A Crude Symphony

As if subconsciously rebelling against our inability to make a sound, our tent cabin was a symphony of snoring, belching, and nuclear – grade flatulence each night.

As the days went on, I began to grow annoyed with people around me, and I’m sure others were feeling the same way. Familiar faces started to disappear…never to reemerge. I wondered how they convinced the staff to free them from the course…or did something sinister happen to them?? I kid, they’re fine.

The Light at the End of the Mediation Tunnel

By the last day at Vipassana Philippines, I think many of us were at the end of our rope. You have no idea how painful it is to simply sit in one position for hours and hours. What a test of patience and determination!

As if to taunt us, the last series of instruction and chanting seemed to carry on forever. However, when “noble silence” finally ended, something miraculous happened.

We started talking to each other.

We shared stories about our struggles during course days, and laughed about the “bodily function orchestra” which put on free shows each night.

I imagined that when the final Vipassana bell rang, we would all avoid each other and get out of there as soon as possible. Instead, we ended up sticking around…and even bonding. The people who annoyed me the most, the ones who always seemed to be in the way, or looked the most miserable…they were the ones who laughed the hardest with me.

It was also amusing to realize they were thinking the same things about me. They weren’t so unhappy, damaged, or broken after all.

The smiles returned.

We felt accomplished…we had seen battle together. After becoming fast friends, we exchanged contact information.

The Truth About Vipassana Philippines

Yes, I struggled getting through this silent retreat – and I joke about how cult like it seems from the outside. No, it’s not a cult, and I’m quite glad I saw it through to the end.

I probably wouldn’t do the Vipassana Philippines course again, but I do believe these techniques are useful. Most people will likely see the benefits, assuming they have the determination and willpower to push through it.

How It Helps: Benefits of Vipassana Meditation

According to students and teachers, Vipassana meditation can help ease suffering from the following conditions:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Despair
• Guilt
• Addiction
• Pain

“Unplugging” With Vipassana

Vipassana meditation is also good for those who want to “unplug” from technology – and experience the world (and themselves) in an entirely new way. You’ll hear many testimonials before and after the course, and there is a reason that many people keep returning year after year.

One other thing: I should mention that the Vipassana Philippines location seems to be temporary. Personally, pushing my mind and body to extremes was exactly what I hoped for, but I think most other Vipassana locations are more comfortable and established.

Hopefully Manila will get a permanent location soon. It all depends on donations by former students and teachers.

Speaking of which, I’d like to thank the dedicated staff. Their cooking and hospitality was wonderful. Also, (I’m sorry if this disappoints you) the image at the top of the page isn’t from the silent retreat. The property looks a bit like that, though. A tiny bit. Haha.

What an experience…one I’ll never forget.

Website: Vipassana Philippines – Silent Retreat in Quezon (Just outside Manila)

For the main international Website: Dhamma Vipassana

(Again, if you’re traveling to the Philippines, I recommend these hotel options HERE)

– Nathan Allen

www.idreamedofthis.com

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By Nathan Allen

How did this happen? Fast forward about a year. I actually received an invitation to experience the Best Western Ivywall Hotel for myself. Let’s just say that my first impression was good – VERY good. Being practically right across the street from the airport in Puerto Princesa, the location could not be more perfect. It’s close enough to access right away, but not worry about constantly hearing planes taking off and landing.

To kick off my review, the Ivywall decor is clean, light, and modern. Rooms and corridors are tastefully accented with wood and abalone shell-style designs. The rooms are elegant and well thought out. The bright and cheery lobby with vaulted ceilings makes quite an impression, as do the sleek, brand new Mac computers they use at the front desk. Little things like this can make a huge difference.

Another thing I appreciated right away was the oversized safety deposit box they provide in the rooms. One of my pet peeves is hotels that provide these boxes, but use models that are too small to fit a 13-inch laptop inside. I say if you are going to provide them, they should at least be able to fit a standard-sized laptop, which is quite common these days.  Anyhow, well done Ivywall! I was able to fit everything of value safely in the box provided (not that I would worry too much about the wonderful staff there).

That leads me to my next point. The staff at this hotel could really be used as an example for others to follow. As a “professional traveler”, I have stayed in countless hotels and resorts over the years. Overall, this property ranks in the top 3. How lucky I was have my photography featured here! It is surreal to see my favorite photos from all over the Philippines highlighted in each room. It was like a trip down memory lane.

(continued below)

An Inspirational Chat With the General Manager

I was fortunate to receive a personal tour from the manager, Mr. Yeoh. Well, clearly he’s doing a great job with the place already, but what really struck me about him was something he said.

He told me that a large part of his focus is making sure that ALL guests are treated equally. Now, this may seem like a given for any property anywhere, but I know for a fact that in the Philippines, there are some places that prioritize foreigners over local guests. Sadly, I’ve heard this directly from my Filipino friends, and I love that Mr. Yeoh is taking a stand against it.

I’m sure that not only do his Filipino guests appreciate it, but also foreigners like myself. Nobody likes to see others treated unfairly. “They pay the same money as anybody else, why should they be treated any different?” I’ll never forget that. Bravo, sir.

I did not have a chance to experience lunch or dinner here, but I can tell you that the included breakfast buffet was excellent. I’m also a stickler for good coffee, and theirs was fantastic! Don’t worry, they’ll keep it coming for you if one cup is just not enough…

Also, if you’re looking to experience some food outside the hotel as well, don’t miss local delicacies at beautiful KaLui restaurant across the street! Just walking in is an experience in and of itself. Just stop by and you’ll see…

Contact Info, Rates & Reviews

Though it is not owned by them, the Ivywall Hotel is actually managed by Best Western, a company I’m quite familiar with in the U.S., but never really equated with luxury. Well perhaps things are different outside the U.S., because this place is truly top-notch. I suppose that’s why it’s called “Best Western Plus”. That “Plus” makes a huge difference!

I appreciate the opportunity to share photos of my adventures with the guests in the rooms, and also to be invited to experience the place for myself. Of course, I highly recommend it, but you don’t have to take my word for it….you can read the verified, unbiased reviews for yourself on Agoda. I hope you enjoyed the pictures, and feel free to ask if you have any questions!

Check Ivywall Hotel rates HERE

– Nathan Allen

www.idreamedofthis.com

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The post Ivywall Hotel, Palawan – There’s a Reason it Feels Like Home… appeared first on I Dreamed Of This.

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

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By Nathan Allen

Anyway, once I was in town, eventually the road came to a dead end at the sea. I must have looked a bit disoriented, because a local boatman named Jensen approached me and asked if I needed directions. Great timing and I was very thankful, because I was trying to get to Summer Homes Palawan, where I could park my bike and settle in for the night. I was so tired.

Chicken Soup & Reggae Music to the Rescue

I wasn’t able to see much of the resort’s character in the night, but the staff was quite helpful showing me to my room and getting me situated. The first order of business was getting some food, and for some reason I wandered right down to the small tiki bar by the beach. I guess it was the reggae music playing that got my attention, and the music just got better and better. The girl behind the counter at the bar told me I could order my food there. Perfect! I ordered my favorite Filipino chicken soup, called tinola. It was excellent.

I stuck around after dinner to keep enjoying the music and good vibes. That’s when I started to realize just how laid back Summer Homes really is. Not many people know how important music is in my life, and as the playlist continued, I really started to wonder who created it. They seemed like my long lost twin! It was as if they put my own iPod on random at the bar. It’s rare to find a place in the Philippines where I instantly feel so at home, music-wise.

After some investigating as the night went on, I learned that the playlist was created by the British owner, who was close to my age and owns the place along with his wife, who is Filipino. Too bad they weren’t around while I was there, because I got the feeling we would have gotten along great.

The next morning I woke up to some great weather, and I realized just how colorful the place is!

Summer Homes is a good value, not really dirt-cheap like a backpacking hostel, but not wildly pricey like most seaside resorts, either.

My room was simple, and very clean + well lit.

Essentials like soap, shampoo, and toilet paper are provided, and importantly, so is a mosquito net. To be honest, I never even saw a mosquito in the 5 days I was there, but it was nice to know I had a net if I needed it.

Many of the more affordable options in the Philippines don’t provide screens on the windows, and that is the biggest problem when it comes to mosquitoes. Summer Homes had it all, and with a friendly staff and great location right on the beach.

Someday I hope to create a checklist / guide for people considering starting businesses like this. If you want to offer relatively affordable options for backpackers and long term travelers, you could use Summer Homes as a stellar example!

 
I loved seeing how diverse the guests were in terms of age and nationality. Most seemed to be European, but there were definitely Australians, North Americans and locals as well. Nice mix, and a great energy.
 

Restaurant With Fresh Ingredients

I must say, I was quite impressed by the food they serve! The restaurant is perfect for those with western tastes. You can enjoy versions of Filipino food that aren’t quite as sweet, salty, or heavy, which many westerners prefer. You can find many familiar western options as well. They even bake their own bread, and that certainly made my eggs and toast breakfast memorable! Instant coffee is provided free of charge, too.

Summer Homes also gives the option of eating dinner directly on the beach if you’d like, and even has the occasional bonfire! Here I’m enjoying a meal of chicken, rice, and fresh vegetables by candlelight.

The resort offers plenty of tour options for adventure seekers, you can inquire at the front desk. The first tour I took was island hopping, which included snorkeling with sea turtles and then lunch on beautiful “Exotic Island” afterward. Before we headed home we stopped to check out more snorkeling, and some of the most spectacular corals I have seen anywhere in the Philippines.

A Note About Snorkeling / Swimming:

Make sure you bring “reef safe” sunblock if you go in the water. I think “oxybenzone” is the ingredient you want to avoid. Many of the brands that are safe for kids are actually better for the coral reefs as well. Anyhow, afterward, we stopped by a sandbar and spotted some starfish to wrap up an absolutely perfect day.

Another tour I took was a quiet paddle boat through the mangrove forest. If you’re observant, you can find many species of colorful birds, including beautiful kingfishers. Also present are highly poisonous mangrove snakes, which pose no threat because they sleep coiled up high in the branches during the day. Your boatman will point them out to you if he sees any. This was a beautiful and fascinating tour for me.

The last one is a short trek to Pamuayan Falls, which can be arranged through the resort, or accomplished on foot 3 or 4 kms from town if you’re feeling a bit adventurous. Just make sure you get proper directions, because there are a few unmarked turns along the way. I loved seeing the “trashcans” along the trail, which were actually just burlap sacks tied to the trees. It is a very rustic and untouched place, so it’s nice that the locals are taking these steps to keep it clean. You can take a shallow swim or bring some food to have a picnic in the large hut by the falls.

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As of now there is a “Full Moon Party” that takes place each month at the end of the beach. The night I went, there was a large diverse crowd with a live DJ and some fire dancers. There were even some people playing the Australian Aboriginal instrument known as a “didgeridoo”. Everybody was having a great time.

Contact Info, Reviews & Rates

Anyhow, I highly recommend staying at Summer Homes, especially if you want a pretty affordable place without sacrificing too much quality. I honestly doubt you’ll get more value anywhere else. They even shared some of their music playlist with me before I left, and that inspired me to share some of my own with them! So when you’re there, you might even hear some songs handpicked by me:)

I would like to thank them for the opportunity to share this experience with you, and for taking such good care of me while I was there. You’re welcome to read more reviews and see why people love it so much!

More contact and booking info HERE

– Nathan Allen

www.idreamedofthis.com

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