sunset from our casita

Wanting a weekend of pure relaxation, a friend and I hied off to Amanpulo, the Philippines' most exclusive resort, on privately owned Pamalican Island, Cuyo, Palawan.

Not only is this place an "amanpulo" (peaceful island) but it is breathtakingly beautiful as well. The island is fringed with fine white sand, sparkling aquamarine waters, and a coral reef that teems with life.

You can't help but notice the resort's respect for nature: many different species of birds and butterflies make Pamalican their home, monitor lizards roam freely, and the occasional green turtle nests on the beach.

Another of the resort's most memorable features--aside from its gorgeous white sand beach--are the plush Balinese-style casitas. The casitas are spacious and tastefully furnished with local materials. It is evident that much thought and planning went into the layout of the resort, as each casita is tucked into the island's natural tropical foliage, you can barely see any of them when you look from the shore or peer from a neighboring casita.