The thought about going back to Philippines this month for work prompted me to make a blog post about my first ever experience being on a private plane and in a private island. This opportunity came when my client wanted us to provide a testing for their needs on the Balesin Island, in Philippines.
Being new in the Philippines, I have not heard of the Balesin Island. I am was only aware of the popular tourist spots like Cebu and Boracay. Even when I lived in Manila, I have not traveled much to various parts of Philippines although they are a country with more than 7,000 islands. It was not that I hated traveling. The idea of traveling alone was undesirable, which i preferred to hopefully travel with my future half.
One day, my team were in the office of Alphaland together with their management team, and the next thing I knew it me and my staff were told to fly in the next available flight for testing. Remembering vividly, I only had 3 hours of sleep in between because the traffic to the airport in Manila is a nightmare. That hit me like a jackpot! I am given FREE flight and FREE stay at a Millionaire's Private Island??? But of course, I was there fully committed to work. At the same time for once in a lifetime opportunity like this, you had to not think of the work stress you're facing there but also embrace everything luxury that comes with it.
(Photo from Google Maps)
The 500-hectare tropical island paradise with 7.3 kilometers of pristine white-sand beaches, is located in the Pacific Ocean just a 20 minutes plane ride from Manila. The exclusive part about it is the entire island is owned by the Alphaland developer which an annual membership alone cost more than RM1 million, excluding the airfares, food and accommodation. RM1 million is just to be part of the club. Another interesting fact is Balesin has its own military, to protect itself against pirates and other intruders.
On the day of departure, me and my staff went to a private hanger in Manila. Once cleared, off we went. I was extremely excited over the departure and had the entire journey filmed on my phone. Now I fully understood when my friend said Philippines has the most beautiful islands in the world. Even the sunrise is a beauty from above the clouds. No words could describe, hopefully my video does.
Departed from the private hanger, passing over the slums in the city with kids running naked under the bridges and beggars on the streets, to the sun rising above the magnificent greenery of the mountains taking you to a luxury paradise, you have a mixed sense of humility and gratitude? What a juxtaposition of life in the Philippines!
Here is the video:
After a 20 minute awe-inspiring and motivating sunrise view, we landed at the El Tordesillas airport in Balesin. Brought to check-in, had a mini tour and off we were to do our testing. I'll skip the part of my work and testings in this post as it could be P&C.
Here is the overview of the island. Balesin has 7 villages: Balesin, Bali, Phuket, Mykonos, St. Tropez, Costa del Sol and Toscana. In each village, the design and landscape is authentically recreated.
Before work starts, I could have a sense of the mode of transport available.
Jeepney, you can't miss that out in the Philippines!
Mountain bikes...
And lastly our mode of transport, golf carts.
The location of our work was facing the pristine sea, I could felt it calling me.. come to me... come to me... hahaaaa.. But duty calls...
By the time we were back to our hotel, it was 2am!
My phone had died. No more photos for that day! Me and my staff walked around the poolside, and when I looked up into the skies, HOLY SMOKESSSS! That was one of the most beautiful thing I've seen my entire life! If there were a girl beside me, I would have proposed! It was as though the blood, sweat and tears working into the night was met with this reward, the heavens were open! Millions and millions of starts were blinking like diamonds up in the skies. Balesin being far from the city, you could enjoy an unpolluted sky, my friend told me.
Well, that was something like this giphy. Although i would love to record it, my phone died :( Felt like kicking my butt for not bringing more power banks.
(GIF from www.giphy.com)
Looking up into the sky, I thank God for bringing me here to where I am today and wishing for a better future, someone to accompany for the rest of my life.. For that moment, time just stood still. Everything in life didn't matter. I wonder if you could call that Inner Peace?
The next morning, we were free to roam around and visit the island. While waiting for our client to pick us, I went back to the spot where I gazed upon the skies, the view was amazing as well. Now.. at least I have my phone back up and running!
After breakfast, my client brought us around various villages for a tour. The villages were quite empty because I was informed it was off-peak season, adding on to the exclusivity you rarely see anyone around. I guessed that was another blessing in disguise for us. We were brought to the first village called "St. Tropez". Here are some sneak peaks which I will share in my Part 2 posts.
Thanks for reading my travel diary. Do follow and UPVOTE if you would like to hear more adventures!
Photo credits: All photos were taken with my humble Samsung S5.