The electrifying life in Hong Kong comes at a price.
Living at such a fast pace in one of the most compact, densely populated cities in the world means that many take frequent sojourns to rest and recuperate – preferably lounging on a beach in a locale where time trickles by a little more slowly.
Enter Amanpulo. Part of Aman Resorts’ stable of properties, the island resort has been well-known as an escape for high-flyers and celebrities alike since it was first established in 1993. Ensconced on Pamalican Island in the Palawan region of the Philippines, Amanpulo might be a mere hour-and-a-half’s flight from Manila, but it feels as though it’s hundreds of miles away from civilisation. After disembarking from the jet (the only way the private island can be accessed) a guest assistant sweeps you away via golf buggy to one of the 40 casitas dotted along the beach or nestled among the trees towards the island’s peak. Settle into the casita and you’ll immediately find yourself immersed in the irresistibly peaceful vibe of the island, with nothing but the lapping of the waves and the rustling of palm tree leaves to interrupt the serene silence.
We check into one of the beach casitas – a popular choice among resort guests, as each has private access to the pristine, white sand beach. Styled after the iconic bahay kubo – a type of stilted house featuring a roof constructed from palm tree thatching material that’s common in rural Filipino communities – the casita offers an aesthetic of welcoming, rustic luxe that makes it tempting to spend the entire day lounging on your private terrace. That’s definitely an option, but in doing so you’ll miss out on the property’s greatest asset – its unspoiled natural surroundings.
We have a lot of repeat guests,” explains my guest assistant, Michael, as he gives me a tour of the property. One in particular is a professor from Switzerland – he books his casita for a month and visits the dive centre every day.” Indeed, the resort is exceptional in just how close it is to a wealth of marine flora and fauna. A 20-minute boat ride is enough to bring you to the coral reefs in the Sulu Sea, which teems with life. It’s a far cry from many other popular diving destinations, where journeying to the dive site can often take the better part of a day. The resort runs two free snorkelling trips for guests per day, and those who wish to get even more up close and personal with the sea creatures can look into scuba diving.
As an absolute diving beginner, I found myself instantly at ease thanks to Eduardo, my dive master, who took me through an instructional course that involved a briefing at the dive centre followed by practice in shallow waters. When we finally made our descent 10 metres below the surface, the 40-minute session felt as though it was over in minutes. After being surrounded by colourful tropical fish, with hawksbill and green sea turtles blinking up at us lazily from among the coral and even a manta ray hunkered close to the sandy ocean floor, I immediately wanted to dive again. But I bid Eduardo goodbye and was whisked back to my comfortable casita in no time.
Of course, being surrounded by such natural beauty, the resort dedicates plenty of resources to maintaining the area and working together with the local community. Amanpulo makes every effort towards conservation and sustainability,” says resort manager Audeline Witjaksono. The sea surrounding Pamalican Island is a declared marine protected area and we do our part in making sure this is respected. We are launching our own coral reef programme, as well.” The resort also works with the Andres Soriano Foundation in establishing sustainable practices on the neighbouring island of Manamoc, which is also where most of the property’s staff hails from. Such care should ensure that plenty of guests will be able to allow their cares to melt away, surrounded by the sea and sand, for years to come.
A version of this article appears in our January 2017 issue.
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