The Island Explorer

Anilao continues to amaze me with its charming resorts and beautiful sunsets. I couldn't get enough of it, so I make it a point to drive 2 hours to spend a night or two to escape the city. I never knew this dive destination would be my perfect hideaway. This time, I hied off to a new resort, escaped for a night of some peace and quiet. Friends, one of my new favorites, Aiyanar.  

I guess by now, you know that I am a frequent visitor of Hong Kong, and every time I go, I try to stay in a hotel that I haven't been to. This time, I crossed the waters to stay in Kowloon after learning about this newly opened design hotel called Madera. 

I was all over Anilao last year. I fell in love with the place, that I even wanted to build a resort there. I was actually inspired by the many small resorts or houses for rent in the area. One of those inspiring family run resorts was Vista Aplaya. 

One of my favorite resorts this year is surprisingly just 2.5 hours drive from Manila. When I came to Anilao last year and rediscovered the famed diver's paradise, we drove past a resort with lots of cars parked on its street. I turned to look for the sign that Azure. It was also pleasant to see that Azure was by Vivire, a pioneer hotel in the Alabang business district.

I’ve heard of Amarela from a lot of my friends and peers in the industry. Having been opened in 2006, it is one of the most established boutique resorts family built and run in Bohol. The 25-room charming Filipino designed escape is tucked away in lush foliage of bright pink bouganvillas and verdant bushes and hanging gardens.

I must admit, I had low expectations of the Peacock Garden in Bohol. It bills itself as Bohol’s premier luxury boutique resort. Those many descriptions made it look very pretentious. I was also a bit off with its European design since it was located in a tropical island. It just seemed out of place. So when I entered the imposing gates of the resort and drove across a grand and manicured driveway that led to what looked like a clubhouse from afar, I still didn’t know what to expect.

If I thought 2011 was my least travelled year, then 2012 was the total opposite. I was out two thirds of the year, though most are on international trips such as South Africa, Bali, Sri Lanka, the Maldives and two more destinations that I haven't blogged about - Mongolia, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates. So as you can see, I had a drought in local destinations this year. Some in the list are new, but most are rediscoveries. I have been to almost all provinces in the country except for Dinagat Islands and Batanes (yes, yes), so it's hard for me to find new places. And with work becoming more demanding, it's just hard to travel locally and further away from Manila. But there was one clear winner for me this year, as I reveal the Top 10 of my Philippine experiences this 2012. 10. The Farm at San Benito Let's begin the list with a well known resort very near the Metro. Just an hour's drive from Makati is the city of Lipa that holds one of the co...