143mannyw
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My wife and I didn’t know what to expect, embarking on our second chance at a vacation canceled from last year. Work had slowed down in the weeks preceding. Friends warned of the searing, nigh 40°C heat and we had just had a frustrating debacle with the airline.||||The day we landed in the isles, I immediately felt better. We met Jake Lindo, who took us on a speedboat circling a towering, cone-shaped mountain and into a secluded cove where quaint water huts hovered above a pristine white sand beach. It was the calmest, bluest sea we had ever seen.||||Upon our arrival, Louise, Bhel and her team welcomed us ashore with a rousing native ballad, setting the tone for their impeccable care and hospitality throughout our stay. Fhee greeted us that evening with a candle-lit dinner where we met world-class waiter, Gamie. Together they catered to our every gastronomic delight, regaling us with unique native concoctions and Gamie’s patented sub-zero buko.||||In the days ahead, Jake transformed himself into the ultimate tour guide, personal photographer, lifeguard and all-around guardian as we navigated lagoons, caves, sandbars and coral reefs. His expertise and dedication made every adventure memorable.||||The night of our private dinner by the entrance of a grand cavern, Wilfred served as our dedicated waiter while Sir Mike serenaded us with Filipino classics, transporting my wife and I back to the days of our youth and a more romantic era.||||On the final day, when a tropical storm swept in with howling winds, monsoon rain and white-crested waves, Jake’s team skillfully guided us through each stage of our journey by land, sea and foot, worthy of a Survivor episode–at all times ensuring safety of life and property with unerring planning and precision of execution.||||We left with a mix of euphoria and wonderment. As world travelers who have seen it all, I could only speculate how all these came about. The feeling of privacy and exclusivity juxtaposed with the genuine smiles, utter care and professionalism cast perfectly against the breathtaking scenery. It was nothing short of ...well, magical.||||I knew in the end this carefully curated blend of nature and culture was neither accidental nor borne of circumstance. We learned a week later that this was a project architected by the Ayalas, our silent caretakers and visionary custodians of this enchanting corner of the world. Their work of love culminated in the Lagen experience, a cherished treasure my dear wife and I will keep with us forever.||||Thank you to all of you.