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A FORMER COCONUT PLANTATION IN THE PHILIPPINES IS NOW AN UP-MARKET RESORT
THE sun set hours ago, with the western sky turning a fiery red and the southern and northern horizons taking on a hot pink glow. It's close to midnight but the temperature is still up in the 30s, and while the humidity is heavy there's the hint of a breeze drifting across the beach, cooling my skin as I paddle in the breaking waves that are creeping up the sand.
Dinner tonight was a barbecue on the beach, with candles set under covered fishing baskets casting an orange glow over the sand. After feasting on lobster we retired to lounges on the beach to watch to lights twinkle in the villages on surrounding islands, and listen to the crackle of the fire. The only sound I can hear now is the ripples of the Sulu Sea slapping against the wet sand, and while there are regular flashes of lightning in the tropical storms that dot the horizon I can't hear any rumbling.
With the scent of frangipani on the breeze and the sand glowing white under the almost-full moon, I can't seem to turn my back on the view and walk across the sand to my bungalow to retire for the evening. This is one of those special holiday moments I want to remember when I'm stuck in the rain on a cold and dark winter's day, so I let my eyes float across the enchanting vista and try to assign every detail to memory.
This is my first visit to the Philippines. I am staying at the Amanpulo...