Someone perfectly
described what happiness truly is. It’s
waking up in the middle of the night for no reason, shifting under the blankets
and feeling the heat of the person next to you. You turn around and see them in
their most peaceful, innocent and vulnerable state. They breathe as though the
weight of the world lays on anyone’s shoulder but their own. You smile, kiss
their face in the most gentle manner so as not to wake them. You turn back
around and an involuntary grin forms on your own face. You feel an arm wrap
around your waist, and you know it doesn’t get any better than this.
Being at Coco
Plantation Resort, somehow feels like the same.
I have remaining compensatory day offs I need to dispose this year. I decided to avail them or else they will just go to waste. Taking a time off is best spent not just on bed but somewhere far and beautiful. A perennial favorite of mine is Aurora. About 6-7 hours away from Manila, in a secluded coastal town of Dipaculao, is an almost secret paradise - the Coco Plantation Resort.
The resort, which is set amidst a 4-hectare coconut plantation that is facing the raging Pacific Ocean, is a serene-get away place that feels like home. It opened only in 2015, replacing the former Aurora Beach Club. The resort landscape is painted in earth colors – green, blue and brown – which is quite soothing and relaxing to the senses, especially after a long and tiring land travel.
What I love about Coco Plantation are the indigenous and native materials used in building the resort that blend harmoniously with its natural surroundings. It also uses solar panels for its electricity, so the resort is very eco-friendly.
The reception area, the villas, the restaurant are stand-alone huts, made from cogon, bamboo and strong wood. The lounge chairs made from rattan and of different design by RL Crafts and Furniture, look elegant and very eye-catching. I never expected to find such sophistication, especially in this part of the province.
The villa huts are spacious and good for large groups. They look like bahay kubo but are equipped with modern amenities – aircon, hot and cold shower and cable TV. The room I stayed in has a loft and numerous daybeds. I could sleep anywhere I wanted.
The resort’s in-house café serves ala carte dishes but I availed its set menu meal for just P300. The viands, cooked lutong-bahay style and generous in serving, include rice, adobong manok, sinigang na baboy, inihaw na salmon and fresh pineapple slices - so yummy and satisfying.
The stellar attraction of Coco Plantation is its swimming pool that uses saltwater. Submerging in this mineral-rich water feels like having a Thalassotherapy.
Overlooking the pool is a pebble beach with waves quite strong, really not ideal for swimming; but very scenic nonetheless especially with its rock formations and mountainous backdrop.
Other well-known spots I also visited during this short get-away are the century old Balete Tree and the magnificent Mother Falls, which requires a lot of hiking… unforgettable hiking. And even if the water was freezing cold, I jumped in. Boy it was so refreshing.
Dawn and sunrise are must-see at Coco Plantation. It’s nature’s spectacle, really a perfect way to start the day.
I guess that’s the
technique in dealing with life - always see the beauty in everything. No matter
how painful, no matter how hard.
From Manila, take Baler-bound bus (Genesis, Joy Bus in Cubao). Another option is to take Cabanatuan-bound bus; and from Cabanatuan, take Baler-bound van or mini-bus. From Baler, take a van bound for Casiguran and get off right in front of the resort in Dipaculao. Tricycles are available in Dipaculao or Baler for sightseeing of other nearby tourist spots.
Coco Plantation Resort
Dibutunan (Baler-Casiguran Rd.)
Dipaculao, Aurora
Tel. No.: 0917-8868873
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