By Nathan Allen

As for my room, it was just my style. I’m a huge fan of mid-century furniture, and I love how well Amorita made it work with a native twist.

Check Amorita Rates HERE.

The space planning is excellent. It’s essentially one giant room, but the layout makes it feel like a complete, well-sectioned unit. For a property to really win me over, my bed must be extremely difficult to get out of in the morning. Amorita scores in this department; the beds are heavenly.

A Personalized Touch

The staff at Amorita never miss an opportunity to greet you with a warm smile. They do a fantastic job catering to your needs, and you shouldn’t be surprised to find friendly notes and sweets left in your room when you return from lunch or dinner each day.

One of my favorite things about my room was the cozy “reading nook”. I love the way the sunlight lit up the green leaves of the tree outside the window….and how the light filters through the blinds in the morning.

I did not get to experience a massage at the spa, but I did take a look around, and it definitely looks like an option worth exploring. The atmosphere is super comfortable and relaxing.

I also enjoyed the little details, like returning to find my towels folded into a dog or an elephant…and using the creative “bamboo speaker” for my iphone. Nicely done!

One of my pet peeves is hotels that provide a safety deposit box that is almost large enough to fit a standard-sized laptop. A laptop-in-tow is quite common these days, and of course it is also one of the most valuable items a hotel guest has with them. So, properties should always keep this in mind, right?

Well, thankfully Amorita thinks like I do:) Laptop-sized, and they even went one step further…they put a little light in there so I won’t forget anything. Bravo!

Anyhow, let’s move on to the outside of the property…in front of the infinity pool, you can enjoy dinner or drinks with a spectacular sunset! I enjoyed this view each and every day I was there.

Lush Landscapes

Strolling around the property provides plenty of opportunities to connect with mother nature. The landscaping utilizes so much green space – not only does it help cool the area, but it also is quite pleasing to the eye. You’ll find tropical plants, flowers, and butterflies just about everywhere you look.

Amorita’s location is quite nice, because you can enjoy all the action on Alona Beach if you’re in the mood, but easily get back to your tranquil hideaway afterward.

*One thing I should mention was the spotty wifi in my room. You know what they say, though, it’s good to unplug when you’re on vacation! Haha. Don’t worry, it works in the restaurant area:)

I didn’t experience much the restaurant had to offer, but I can say that the breakfast buffet was the best I had anywhere on my Bohol travels! Special mention goes out to their Lugaw (loo-gow), which is a Filipino rice porridge. Congee, basically.

Things To Do

I believe the resort offers dolphin watching and island hopping tours to Pamilacan and Balicasag Islands…but you can also go snorkeling right at the bottom of the stairs going down to the beach!

Overall, I would not hesitate to return to this fantastic property, and I thank them for the opportunity to share my experience with all of you.

To me, Bohol is simply unforgettable – and in large part, I have Amorita to thank for that!

Check Amorita Resort rates.

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– Nathan Allen

www.idreamedofthis.com

Thanks for reading, and feel free to share!

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

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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

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.

(Continued below)

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

Thanks for reading, and feel free to share!

 Related blog: Goodbye, Gopro…I Finally Review the TG-4 Underwater Camera

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

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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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