Some people choose to have a retreat in a convent or in the mountains to self-reflect or recharge. For those who love the beach, Cagnipa Island is a perfect sanctuary for peace and silence. In the last five years, Port Barton has become a popular stop for travelers exploring Palawan. A 45-minute boat ride from Port Barton, Coconut Garden Island Resort in Cagnipa Island offers a feel of island life amidst a rich and lively flora and fauna. It is definitely better to stay here compared to a resort in Port Barton proper as it offers a cleaner beach in a virgin island with more privacy, cheap accommodations and excellent food at an affordable price. The lush garden, beach beds, native hammocks and the whole beach can be all for yourself during the low season or shared with a few guests during the peak months. Waking up at around half past five to watch a spectacular sunrise by the shore is not a bad way to start the day. Chimi, the new addition to the family, is there to accompany you together with some crabs, birds and fish. I once saw some dolphins from a far very early in the morning. The quietness enables you to hear the engine of every Boeing 747 passing by from above. A zoologist may be entertained by the presence of huge lizards (or “bayawak” as Filipinos call them), monkeys, and several other species of mammals, birds and insects that can be found in the island. The limited electricity, mobile and internet makes it easy to disconnect with the world but in turn connect more with oneself. It is not to say that there will be total isolation, as they have two rounds of free strong WIFI for an hour or so in the morning and early evening in the restaurant. For Php1200 a night during the low season (i.e., June to October) and Php1800 during the peak season, their deluxe rooms go with a solar panel that allows you to use light and a fan at night. Cheaper rooms at PhP600 during the low season are available (for accommodation details, click here), but get a deluxe room if available. Common areas have generator electricity from around 10:00 to 13:00 and 18:00-21:00. The resort tends to be full during the peak season so make sure to reserve a room in advance especially if you plan to visit in December. During off peak months, there is a chance that the whole beach is just for you. Owned by a former cruise ship chef from Switzerland, it is by far the best restaurant I have been in an isolated place. You wouldn't have to worry about what to eat as they offer a wide variety of dishes including freshly baked bread for breakfast and quality meat for dinner. Try their Medallion of Beef Tenderloin in Brown Sauce (Php430; with spiral pasta, but can also be with fries), Swiss-style Sautéed Diced Pork Tenderloin in Mushroom Sauce with Roesti Potatoes (Php370) and Pan Fried (or Grilled) Tuna Steak Soya Onion Sauce (Php175). Fishermen from the nearby village would pass by sometimes with their catch of the day, such as a 500—gram Lapu-Lapu which I had for just Php270. They use wood fire for cooking. For a piece of paradise on earth, visit Coconut Garden Island Resort, Cagnipa Island, Palawan. How to get here: Fly from Manila to Puerto Princesa. There is also a van the airport parking lot that leaves at 7am to Port Barton. If you cannot catch that then take tricycle to San Jose Bus station (special trip from the new airport is at Php60 pesos). From there, take a van (Recaro Transport, Php300/person) to Port Barton. The trip is around 3 hours with one stop over in a store for a toilet break. The road is not yet fully paved so there may be delays during the rainy season due to muddy roads, though there has been much progress in the pavement work in the last months. You can pre-arrange a boat trip with Coconut Garden Island Resort from Port Barton to Cagnipa Island (Php275/person) and back. What to bring: While it is possible to swipe your card with a mark-up of 7%, it is recommended to bring enough cash for the whole trip. There are no ATMs either in Port Barton or in Cagnipa Island. Take your snorkelling gear, book and sun glasses. Make sure to close the mosquito net properly when you sleep and put on some anti-mosquito lotion to avoid insect and sun fly bites. What to do: This place is perfect for those who would like to spend their day reading, writing, or simply doing nothing. Ask one of their staff to guide you for a walk along the forest of the island. In case you get bored, they offer tours by boat to the islands around Port Barton or the other beaches in Palawan Island. They have their own boats and can customize a trip for you depending on what you want to see. It is also an excellent spot for snorkeling where you can find turtles, rays, etc. on top of the diverse corals and marine life, depending on the season. Where to go next:
Go back to Port Barton and take a boat to San Vicente (home of a 14-kilometer Long Beach) or take a van to El Nido or back to Puerto Princesa. You can also rent a boat for a special trip to Sabang. Coconut Garden Beach Resort Cagnipa Island, Port Barton, San Vicente, 5300 Palawan, Philippines http://www.coconutgardenislandresort.com/ (+63) 918-3702395 (Smart) ; (+63) 926-7210112 (Globe) [email protected]
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The Philippines7107 islands. Deserves to be in your bucket list. About the AuthorAlways in search for vitamin D. Archives
July 2016
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