An ‘amazing’ journey to El Nido

The unrivaled beauty of El Nido rests on its massive collection of limestone islands, bordered by powder white sands, with cliffs jutting from translucent waters that rival, if not surpass, the coral-bleached waters of the Maldives. On a clear day when ancient rocks and seas are enveloped by the vast blue skies, the scenery is almost mythic.

Last year, AXN’s The Amazing Race listed El Nido among the world’s best travel destinations – the hit series chose Lagen Island as the 11th Pit Stop in a race around the world for a million dollars. Yet, despite its top bill participation in a high rating reality series and exposure in international news, fame has not spoiled this unique hideaway. Still quiet, pristine and secluded, El Nido is a sanctuary that welcomes travelers looking for respite from their high pressure lives.

Inspired by scenes from the Jerry Bruckheimer production and two time Golden Globe winner for Best Reality Series The Amazing Race, PR Asia Worldwide – the publicity firm behind AXN’s roster of action and adventure hits such as LOST, CSI Series, Contender, Fear Factor including The Amazing Race – in cooperation with Ten Knots Development Corporation, organized an Independence Day weekend for select VIPs at the beautiful Lagen Island Resort.

In this adventure filled journey, participants of the tour were able to trace the steps of the actual Amazing Race contestants – starting from their journey treading the crystal blue waters of Bacuit Bay to El Nido’s magnificent geologic formations where pockets of secluded beaches, lagoons, forests and bat caves are set amidst dramatic limestone cliffs.

We begin the journey seated on board a 19-seater Dornier aircraft owned by Island Transvoyager Inc. The flight time is approximately an hour and 30 minutes – the fastest way to El Nido from Manila.

Above land, one cannot help but marvel at the pristine beauty of the view below. El Nido is located at the northwestern tip of Palawan. It is about 430 kilometers southwest of Manila. Named after the edible nests of swiftlets found in the crevices of its limestone cliffs, El Nido (its Spanish term), refers to the main ingredient of the gourmet nido soup.

El Nido is considered a showcase of Palawan’s geology and diverse wildlife. The limestone formations are estimated to be 250 million years old. They tower over clear waters, innumerable species of tropical fishes and corals, and three species of endangered sea turtles. Its forests are host to more than 100 species of birds, thus making El Nido one of the most important sites for biological diversity.

At El Nido Resorts – Miniloc and Lagen – are built on separate islands, assuring minimal impact on the environment, as well as privacy for different sets of guests. Miniloc is situated in a cove with a backdrop of sheer limestone cliffs. Lagen, on the other hand, is set in a lush forest and provides a magnificent view of the El Nido sunset.

The natives of El Nido are generally warm and friendly. This sincere congeniality is immediately felt upon arrival at Lagen Island. Lagen, "stone stove" in the local Cuyunin language, so called because the island is shaped like a primitive stove with funnels. The resort is set in a lush forest, with sprawling grounds cover more than four hectares.

Guests may choose from accommodations ranging from Water Cottages, Beachfront Cottages and Forest Rooms and Suites built on the fringes of a tropical forest.

At the clubhouse is the main air-conditioned dining area, where guests enjoy full-day buffet meal servings greatly improved by International Culinary Consultant, Chef Buddy Trinidad. Along with its mouth-watering food and drink variety, Lagen now boasts of a new and luxurious spa that is a must try for guests especially after a long day of water and island hopping activities.

A 12 x 25 meter swimming pool is located directly in front of the clubhouse. This fresh water, chlorine-free pool was designed at an even depth of four feet so as not to touch the roots of trees that lie underneath.

A hike in the Lagen Forest (definitely not for the adventure phobic) will take you through a canopy of giant trees and lead you to a private cove on the other side of the island. You can then kayak back and see the bat caves along the sides of the limestone. On the way back, our activity coordinator pointed at the famed Lagen wall where the American participants of the Amazing Race had to use a device called an ascender to pull themselves 150 feet up the side of the limestone cliff, get the clue on top, rappel back down via a descender and kayak around the island towards the pit stop where celebrity host Phil Keoghan awaited the winning pair (the live telecast, by the way, was exclusively shown on AXN last year to the delight of millions of Filipino viewers proud to have the Philippines put back on the map because of the beauty of El Nido).

Various activities are also offered during a typical three-day stay: Island hopping which includes visits to Cathedral and Cudugnon Cave, including a trip down Snake Island, so called because of a fine natural sandspit (s-shaped sandbar) that "snakes" off its shore; Snorkelling and kayaking at the breathtaking Big and Small lagoons located at Miniloc Island (an alternative location for those who prefer to be near where the action is); Picnic lunches or barbeque dinners at Pangulasian Island; Early morning mangrove tours; and one welcome/introductory dive for non-divers inclusive of professional orientation, use of complete diving gear and the services of a dive master. Of course, there’s plenty more activities to choose from when you get the chance to visit this majestic island.

The El Nido Resorts believes in respecting our natural resources through responsible tourism. The resorts work closely with the local community in the prevention of illegal fishing, promotion of coastal clean ups, environmental educational campaigns and mooring buoy projects. Ten Knots, the company behind the resorts, requires guest to donate a conservation fee to its Ecotourism Maintenance Fund, which is used for the upkeep and protection of this protected area. Because of these efforts, El Nido Resorts has earned several prestigious awards over the years including several Kalakbay Awards for Resort of the Year Triple "A" Category (given to Lagen Island Resort in 2001 and 2003).

One of the best seasons to visit El Nido is from the months of June to November where special discounted rates await the regular Filipino jetsetter.