There Is A Returning

Amanpulo, one of the most captivating island getaways in the world, calls out to be revisited, writes Irene Martel Francisco.

- Irene Martel Francisco

I had not been back to Amanpulo in years, perhaps in well over a decade. That comes from having a little house by the sea, the visiting of which, is always top of mind when contemplating a long weekend away from home. A few weeks ago, something called out to me and I found myself making reservations to revisit Amanpulo, that luxe island resort in Palawan with its much-vaunted white powdery sand beachfront.

The Amanpulo experience starts at their private hangar where the boarding process is painless and utterly shorn of the pressures attendant to catching a flight in the domestic airport. One simply hands over one’s bags to the smiling baggage crew and is whisked off to the lounge to wait for departure while enjoying a refreshing beverage of choice. The aircraft is a 16 seat propeller plane and after a nervous few moments dealing with my fear of small aircrafts, I settle in for the hour-long flight.

Upon landing in Pamalican Island, on which Amanpulo sits, my family of three is driven to a beachfront casita in a private golf cart that will be ours for the duration of our stay. After exploring our commodious accommodations—which include an expansive bedroom with a well-placed sitting area, a bathroom that offers up twin sinks and both indoor and outdoor showers, plus closet space to hold enough clothing for a month’s stay—I venture down the path that leads directly to the beach.