Friday, 16 December 2016

Modessa Island Resort, Roxas, Palawan, Philippines

October 12-15, 2016

The Modessa Island Resort, formerly Coco Loco Island Resort is located in the Municipality of Roxas.  It can be reached by a two-hour ride on land heading North on Palawan from the City of Puerto Princesa, the Capital of the province, and another 45-minute boat ride from the wharf of Roxas.

We arrived at the wharf a couple hours early, but because there was only one boat to the island in the afternoon, we figured it was better if we were early, rather than late.  We hung out at a little restaurant right at the wharf and ate ice cream, tangerines, and peanuts.

At the bus terminal in El Nido, waiting for our public van.


It rained...no it poured while we waited for our boat ride to the island.  The town children were funny, because in the pouring rain they came and hung out outside the restaurant giggling and smiling at us.  You would tell, that they don't see little blond children in their parts very often.



The Roxas port.

The island is breathtaking, with crystal clear, turquoise blue waters .  The bamboo cottages are basic, clean and comfortable, and provide amazing hammocks for reading and relaxation.  Simply put - it's paradise.  This was an all inclusive experience.  Our stay included 3 meals a day, and all the coffee, tea and water we could drink.  It was perfect.  The food was delicious and the portions were very generous. It actually felt like we were always eating, and even though we had brought some snacks with us, we never went hungry and were always very well taken care of.

We were at Modessa at the tail end of the rainy season - weather can still be volatile in October, but we were very lucky.  The day we arrived and waited at the port was the only time it actually rained.  The weather was beautiful and occasionally breezy, and the fact that it was low season meant that we pretty much had the island to ourselves.  It was literally just us and 2 other couples.  It was quiet. Just the way we like it.
Welcome drink was a huge fresh coconut.



We had two beach huts - one for the boys, and one for the girls.  Simple inside, a twin bed a queen bed and a bathroom.  The huts were clean and comfortable.  We loved the covered porch complete with hammock.


The beach right in front of our huts.



Nothing to do but RELAX!

Hammock selfie.



We did two dives on the reefs just off the shore of Modessa.

  We saw a school of barracuda, a school of jack fish, huge puffer fish, several lion fish, clown fish (aka Nemos), starfish, beautiful corals and Stepan and David even saw a Hawksbill Turtle.








Sea creatures.









Beach combing for treasures all day long.

So many seashells, big and small.

Chillin'. There were a bunch of baby reef sharks that would swim up to the shore and the kids just bobbed around waiting for them.

We witnessed some incredibly stunning sunsets on the island.  Pictures do not do it justice.

Crown of thorns.  We learned that this creature, which looks a little like a thorny starfish can wreak serious havoc in a reef, because it eats the coral.  

Early morning fishing.

The catch was fried and grilled up for lunch later on.




This is George.  The resort owners kept some friendly, playful dogs that the kids loved to play with.  

David and Symon.








Modessa Island - small enough to walk around in about 20 min.


Leaving Modessa. We LOVED it  here. We will miss this place, and who know, maybe someday, we will come back to visit this island paradise.
After a van ride back to Puerto, we were at the airport ready for our flight to Manila.

Crocodile sisig. A little snack before we fly to Manila.

Goodbye Palawan...see you again!