Archive for July, 2010
Another Rainy Season
By Thomas on July 30, 2010 | No Comments »
The rains have started once again. But we don’t mind. With ever changing skies, ominous clouds and frequent downpours, the wet season provides great opportunities for more dramatic photography. Tony took this flash photo in the bay of Port Barton to capture an incredibly surreal moment in time.
While watching the sunset in the warm waters of the shallow bay, it suddenly began to rain heavily. As the sun was setting, the low, dark-grey clouds started glowing bright orange and yellow, which was reflected in the choppy water. It was like sitting in a gigantic fireball with the sprinkler system on. Completely unexpected and like nothing we had seen before, this experience will go down as one of our greatest monsoon moments.
Squidos
By Thomas on July 28, 2010 | 2 Comments »
Before leaving El Nido, we have to mention Squidos, our absolute favorite restaurant. (In all honesty, it’s the only restaurant we’ve eaten at). The French owner Jean-Marc and his Filipino wife Narcel have quickly included us in their circle of friends, and eating at their restaurant feels more like meeting old friends over a home-cooked dinner.
The food at Squidos is simply fantastic. And it’s no wonder they serve killer meals considering Narcel’s killer instincts. This woman can dish it out. Anyone who can get away with – well, not murder – but with » Continue reading this post »
The Beach
By Tony on July 26, 2010 | No Comments »
Before we leave El Nido, I thought I should mention one little relatively unknown tidbit on the region. It is believed that Alex Garland based his novel “The Beach” on tiny Secret Beach hidden on the west coast of Matinloc Island. Many assume his perfect beach was a reference to the beach backing Maya Bay on Phi Phi Le in Thailand, especially since his famous novel was set in Thailand. Moreover, a computer-enhanced version of Maya Bay was used in the film version of his novel.
But many people do not realize that Alex Garland spent an extended period of time in the Philippines before he wrote the famous book. And it’s rumored that Alex himself has admitted the beach he was describing was indeed in the Philippines. If that’s true, Secret Beach must be the legendary backpacker hideout.
As you can see in the video, to access Secret Beach, visitors must dive off their boat into the deep waters of the Tapiutan Strait and swim towards a seemingly impenetrable karst wall. During calm tides, gutsy swimmers can make their way through a keyhole crack in the wall to access a tiny lagoon backed by a white-sand beach within. Although Secret Beach is much smaller than the beach described in Alex Garland’s novel, the adventurous approach is exactly the same. The fantastic location and evocative atmosphere would certainly inspire many an author.
Dave and Bill
By Thomas on July 24, 2010 | No Comments »
Early retirees Dave and Bill are the latest nomads we’ve encountered while staying in El Nido. The charismatic English/Scottish couple of 23 years has just recently left their home in cold and rainy Scotland in search of a quieter life abroad. The two are part of a wave of people we’ve been meeting all over Asia. These Contemporary Nomads choose to travel or live in countries much cheaper than their own where they can enjoy a higher standard of living for much less money.
But leaving their busy lives behind wasn’t a small step for the two Brits. » Continue reading this post »
Kayaking and Snorkeling Palawan
By Thomas on July 21, 2010 | 4 Comments »
Craving a little more adventure, Tony and I have been exploring Palawan’s beautiful coast by sea kayak. From the karst-enclosed coves of Coron Island to the hidden beaches of El Nido, we have been paddling to discover Palawan beyond the tourist bangka tours. As you can see in the video, it was well worth the effort.
