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Malapacao Island

view at El Nido airport as we head to the boat for MIRA

The Philippines archipelago comprises 7,107 islands, most are small and uninhabited. But good things come in small packages. Malapacao Island is such proof, perhaps one of the last hidden treasure.

To get there, you will need to take a one-hour flight on a prop plane from Manila into the town of El Nido, Palawan (I used SeaAir).

You are then ferried by banca for another 45 minutes. This trip alone is a wonderful vista of islands and the sea.

Bring essential luggage. There is no electricity and telephone lines. Bring mineral water if you must, but do pack lightly. Other than these, all you need is an adventurous body and spirit and an open mind.

One of the smaller islands right off the northwest portion of Palawan, Malapacao is part of the El Nido marine sanctuary - a World Heritage Foundation site. It's near pristine beauty purely magical.

the view from your cottage: Sleeping Princess and one of MIRA's big bancas

Malapacao Island Retreat (MIRA) is an eco-resort.  An evolving Garden of Eden project by LeeAnn, the owner and proprietor, this rare gem of a resort is transforming into the owner's vision of her paradise. It is a small but enchanting and quite romantic private hideout complete with spectacular skies, water and landscape; a lover's paradise. It is downscaled, un-commercialized, private, vegetarian, health, spiritual, and nature focused. Evening lights are only from solar powered cells and from the stars above.

 
first sight of MIRA's main building and cottages...
scene at dusk. just magical... surreal!

 

Malapacao's To do List:

swim

snorkel

naked if you prefer

work on your tan

observe a variety of colorful fishes and vibrant coral reef life

explore nearby island caves

 climb rocky peaks

and lagoons

admire the flora and fauna

listen to the surround sounds of nature

paddle around on wooden canoes or a kayak

island caves await for those who are adventurous...

observe bats exiting a cave around sunset

shower in the rain

observe raindrops around you by the water surface

eat healthy vegetarian dishes

you got to be vegetarian while you are here...

 or the day's catch from the sea

en route to MIRA, we passed by a local fishing group

help prepare the food

dine on the beach

trek to the local village at the other side of the island

learn Chi Gong or Tai Chi

read a book

write your novel

paint the sceneries

contemplate your thoughts

or don't think at all

"veg" in a hammock

get a whole body mud bake

get a massage underneath the stars

and rinse in the pristine ocean

meet new friends

be with the one you love

Most specially... being with the one you love.

or just veg out by yourself

assimilate with nature

be one with earth and the universe

beccme a child again

find your soul

recharge your spirit

regain your senses

rejuvenate your self

Malapacao... El Nido... Palawan... definitely an enchanting and special place.

 

WARNING!

Malapacao Island Retreat is a very special place and should remain that way.

Do not come here unless you can respect the place and comply with the rules.

Come if you want to be in paradise.

PLEASE tell about this place only to the best of friends.

 

Much thanks to...

Lee Ann Cruz for sharing her paradise for six days.

  And to her excellent staff who tended to us, in particular:

Lito (boat skipper),

Baby (chef),

Marisa, 

and

Chat (MIRA travel contact in Puerto Princesa)

 

Please visit MIRA's official website at:

www.malapacao.com

"The rat race guarantees a return to this place."

Lonely Planet Philippines

Copyright ©2005 Tommy Bombon. All rights reserved.
 Revised: 02 Oct 2006 02:21:41 -0000.

(all photos on this page were taken using a Sony Digital Hi8 camera. Video taken by Catherine or me)