Definition of a perfect trip: great people (both traveling companions and the locals), extreme adventure, and extreme relaxation. This trips continues to fit the bill. We could not ask for a more energizing or refreshing oasis from the bleak, smog-ridden "sky" of Beijing. One of the places we stayed at in the Philippines, abaca, a very small resort, was definitely one of the coolest and friendliest places I have stayed at. They certainly treated us well, to say the very least.
(Random insert: Abaca is the type of banana native to the Philippines. The massive leaves, and most of the plant for that matter, can be used to make a ton of things, including rope and paper. Most traditionally, the leaves are woven to make just about anything (they gave use a bag made out of abaca, as well as a wallet thing).)
(Random insert: Abaca is the type of banana native to the Philippines. The massive leaves, and most of the plant for that matter, can be used to make a ton of things, including rope and paper. Most traditionally, the leaves are woven to make just about anything (they gave use a bag made out of abaca, as well as a wallet thing).)
Our "welcome" drinks
Our "welcome" letter
Views from our porch
Note our wet, muddy shoes from previous adventures. I am pretty sure abaca was rather amused by the 3 of us atypical guests.
Wonderful food, convos, and laughter for dinner. (Note that this is nighttime... and we are comfortably warm with no jacket on, compared to the countless layers we would have been wearing in the middle of the day, even indoors, in freezing Beijing... Glorious.)
The next morning, we were pleasantly woken up by.... breakfast in bed. Emma is attempting to look awake...
And then pretending to read a book and not be completely fascinated by our treatment and pretend as though this is totally normal. (I wish!)
I simply cannot help but put in some food pictures. Please ignore.
...But in case you were wondering, this is jam and butter for the fresh bread.
Incredible fresh fruit.
Fresh squeeze juice, too... of course.
Simply making sure no food was wasted. It's a burden I'm willing to carry.
Relaxation and reading before heading down the pool for more relaxation and reading.
We basically camped out in one of these cabanas for the day.
Everything was beautifully and artfully made... a sight for sore eyes.
Where we did the majority of our relaxation.
Infinity pool with the ocean..
That red kayak/canoe thing was way too much fun to play on. I think all of the other guests were too "sophisticated" for it so we were glad to adopt it.
Emma taking beautiful, artsy photos.
And the random, very out of place, blow-up penguin.
Jet skiing with Mad!!!
(She is looking so cute and happy, while I am trying to figure out where to put my ring... as usual during adventures.)
(We eventually dropped of the guy in the red shirt... he didn't just stand there the whole time. just FYI.)
Jet skiing with Mad was quite incredible, dodging tons of coconuts floating through the water (seriously, that was an issue), flying over huge waves, getting totally drenched, and stopping for swimming breaks through the clear blue water. Mad drove for a little while and did her fair share of doughnuts, eventually throwing both of us off, which we couldn't stop laughing about (after we caught our breath that is...).
So everyone at abaca was super, super attentive. Like folding all of our clothes/sarongs as soon as we jumped into the pool or periodically bringing cooled, refreshing lavender scented washcloths or pouring poolside lemonwater or delivering warmed lotion to our room. It was unbelievable.
They even organized Mad's jewelry for her.
Emma totally absorbed by her vanilla bean smoothie.
This is a very strange photo.
abaca was decorated with candles everywhere at night.
Complimentary nighttime smoothies and brownies.
Instead of breakfast in bed, the second morning we opted for breakfast in cabana.
Waiting for our breakfast. Life is not so rough.
Another day of relaxation and reading in the cabana begins.
They would bring around delicious free treats periodically... cookies and fresh fruit popsicle here... half eaten, for good reason.
Towards the end of our time there, one of the people at abaca came up to us and asked if we would like a complimentary hour long foot massage and bottle of sparkling wine (they gave Mad this awesome smoothie instead!). Surprise, surprise... OF COURSE we took it! We still have no clue why they gave us so much free stuff. But we were not about to question it.
The infinity pool.
Modern art.
Off to the next adventure!
No comments:
Post a Comment