Right after our plane touched down in the runway of the Dumaguete City airport, at the capital of the Negros Oriental province in the Philippines, we embarked on about half an hour ride by van to the southern part of the island towards Malatapay Beach Resort.
It was night when we arrived at the resort.
With only the moon and the stars to light our way, we stopped by a souvenir shop that glowed through its fire-lit lamp. The waves were our only reminder of our location. We walked along the beach with our bags in tow and rested at a medium-size open-air hut filled with soft lights. The sound of a big lizard kept our senses alert.
Finally our dinner was served and we feasted on the local delicacies including grilled fishes. Chatter filled the air with the sound of the sea providing a beautiful background. We met a German woman who was there on her own, embarking on the adventure of solo traveling, and engaged her to talks about the place.
After our sumptuous meal, we proceeded to our respective huts on stilts and fell into sound sleep. The morning chill and the light peaking through the bamboo slits of our window woke us up. Dawn has come but it seemed the sun was nowhere in sight. We dressed up and went out of our cottages to be greeted by the breathtaking view of the water. So, this is Malatapay Beach.
A small island was discernible from the distance, our destination for that day. For locals and divers, that was Apo Island, known for its rich underwater life.
Malatapay Beach Resort may be far from the city but it is accessible to the national highway. It has a beautiful location with cottages close to the sea facing Apo Island, a strategic spot to serve as a gateway to the tourist-attractive island. They have several cottages that can accommodate a large group (we were 16 all in all when we went there).
The resort was also affordable with about less than a thousand pesos per cottage a night (that’s about $20). I think they also rent out diving equipment for divers and boats for those who want to go to Apo Island.
In the afternoon, after our Apo Island escapade, I lounged into a beach chair underneath a coconut tree, overlooking the beach and the island. The cool breeze and the quiet ambiance at Malatapay were relaxing to the mind. But my interlude was cut short as we had to pack our things and head back to Dumaguete. Although we wanted to stay a bit longer, we had to bid Malatapay Beach Resort adieu. Till our next visit.
Address:
Zamboanguita
Dumaguete, Oriental Negros
Philippines
Contact: Jong Benedia
Phone: +639278574447
Owner: Hans & Nenitas
Telephone: +639287683347
E-Mail: [email protected]
www.malatapaybeachresort.com/gallery.php
http://www.negrosbeach.com/philippines.html