Coral Point Sanctuary, La Union

“Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence… In the noisy confusion of life, keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.”

- Desiderata

Desiderata is a 1927 didactic prose poem by Max Ehrmann. It is fundamentally, a practical advice on how to live a happy and contented life and how to be at peace with God. It is one of the first few things I noticed (among all the art works and abubots) while exploring the lovely vacation beach house of the family of Anne Marie Bakker, somewhere in Canaoay, San Fernando, La Union. I find every line from start to finish, rational and meaningful. I guess Anne Marie wanted her guests to live by those words, and feel appreciated being a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars.

The house, which I found listed on Airbnb is named “Coral Point Sanctuary” because it is situated on a 670 sq/m fully titled beachfront overlooking a rocky beach teeming with coral reefs. The location is a little bit far from San Juan and Urbiztondo, where the Elyu action is and the surfers, beach bums and food hunters congregate; simply ideal for those who want a lazy day, a book at hand, by the beach.

  

Every nook and cranny of the three storey-house is decorated by family photos and heirlooms, gears (surfboards and golf clubs), paintings and decorative art works. They basically tell a lot about the passions and hobbies of the family members. 

The spacious ground floor is divided into the main sala, dining room, kitchen and bedroom (where I stayed). The room is spacious and the bed really comfy.

Even though it is already past the yuletide season, the Christmas tree is still up, somehow giving more warmth to the house. Wines are openly displayed, very tempting for the wine connoisseurs and tanggero. Buti na lang I’m not.

  

A beautiful Moroccan-inspired staircase lead to the upper levels. On the second floor is the master bedroom with state of the art bathtub, study area, and terrace. Its outdoor area is very maaliwalas with all the vines and bougainvillaea crawling on the posts.  

On the third floor is a wide adjoined sala and rooftop bedroom. More artworks (very prominent are the two large abanikos and Oriental masks) and books, family medals and trophies adorn the space. It also has a private balcony overlooking the sea.

Since there are no neighboring restaurants or eateries, guests are encouraged to bring their own food and use either the main or outdoor kitchen, for cooking. Prior checking-in, I went to San Fernando market to buy seafood, Vigan longganisa, and other ingredients for cooking. Mainly, I prepared my own meals but the caretakers could also assist.   

The house is never boring because of the three friendly dogs guarding the house. They always vie for human attention and love to be hugged and petted.

For some quality “alone time”, the garden and beachfront kubo (which I hope they repair soon) are good spots.

Beach isn’t really good for swimming (unless it’s high tide). But I guess kids and toddlers would love bathing on those natural pools created during low tide. Still I managed to enjoy sitting down by the rocks, wading in the water, and watching sunset.

  

With the peaceful surrounding and soothing view of the ocean and nature, Coral Point is a dog lover’s place and an ideal writer’s retreat.

From Manila, take Vigan, Laoag or Abra-bound bus (bus terminals in Cubao, Sampaloc or Pasay). Get off at San Fernando City Hall in La Union. Then take a tricycle going to Coral Point.

Coral Point Sanctuary

Coral Point, Canaoay

San Fernando, La Union

Airbnb