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.
plan to dekhi onek boro apner.
Here it is do check it out:
Part 2 https://steemit.com/travel/@victary/1st-time-in-a-private-plane-and-private-island-balesin-part-2
Part 3 https://steemit.com/travel/@victary/1st-time-in-a-private-plane-and-private-island-balesin-part-3
Very nice. There are so many places to discover in the Philippines, I don't believe one person could live long enough to do so. That's an island I've never heard of, nor could afford!
Thanks buddy. Yes there are. Dont give up. It is a good motivation to work on. Do follow us and stay tuned for part 2 & 3.
Here is part 2 https://steemit.com/travel/@victary/1st-time-in-a-private-plane-and-private-island-balesin-part-2
https://steemit.com/steemit/@pranishg/earning-sbd-with-your-facebook-and-twitter-activity
this may be helpful
Super well written post, dude!
Very informative with loads of great pics.
Can't wait to see more from you :)
thanks bro. very encouraging to hear that! learning to post more contents
The colorful bottles so eye catching (๑♡∀♡๑) Looking forward to check out more of your photograph skills @victary!
The bottles are part of the design. In love with that place. Will post more. Make sure to stay tuned!
Sure thing! Let's grow stronger together!!
Yes. Stronger and better!
This looks absolutely amazing! It must have been a great trip. I can't believe the pictures are taken with a Samsung - especially the first one is in such good quality!
Thanks for the compliments! It was indeed memorable. All you need is good lighting. It doesnt matter what camera you use :)
That's probably true! I've never thought about that to be honest.
I'm also happy to see that you had a great experience with the Philippines as my own wasn't the best. I do consider going back though, just to make myself realise that it is actually a great place :-)
How was your experience in Philippines? Like to hear that too
Well, basically I think it was a bit of a culture shock since I had never been to other countries than USA, Western European countries, and Australia at that point. I found the streets crazy busy with honking everywhere and fast driving, but then there was still chicken and dogs walking in the middle of the road on a four lane road in the middle of Cebu! When I came to a smaller island, there was just a lot of poverty and people came up to my table while I had dinner begging for money, which made me quite uncomfortable - especially because I was actually running really low on money myself at that time as I was traveling for a long time without any income and for other reasons - so I couldn't really give them anything, and I have also heard that you shouldn't, so that was quite tough... But the country was beautiful, definitely! I think it was just too overwhelming for a 20 year old girl traveling on her own for the first time :-)
i got what you meant. I had the same lost feeling when i arrived. Such a huge disparity between the rich and poor. But i guess all we could contribute is pray for a better future. We could help by giving smaller amount if we can. Pains me to see children naked under the bridge too with nothing to eat
Yeah, it's absolutely terrible! And this was just what we saw from the outside. I have to friends who went to the suburbs and people were basically living in cardboard boxes. It's terrible.
But you're right. Best thing to do is to hope for a better future and maybe go there to increase the money spent in their country a little bit. In Denmark we have a saying that states that a little also has a right :-)
Woah! that was really a nice experience! this makes me wanna visit the island too.. huhuhu maybe soonest :D thanks for sharing! :)
You should! Stay tuned. There is part 2 & part 3 to this post :)
Here it is do check it out:
Part 2 https://steemit.com/travel/@victary/1st-time-in-a-private-plane-and-private-island-balesin-part-2
Part 3 https://steemit.com/travel/@victary/1st-time-in-a-private-plane-and-private-island-balesin-part-3
Ooh, this was beautifully written and I could actually feel your excitement and happiness through your words. 💗
I never thought of going there, but after reading your post and looking at your pictures, I think I just wanna pack my bag and go there now!!😅
But, the funds are low, so I'll just add it on my bucketlist for now instead.😅
Thank you for sharing this.👏👍
Glad you felt my excitement. Haha. Was there for work. Hopefully get to go there soon again as vacation. Do stay tuned for part 2 and part 3. (:
Oh, I'd definitely watch out for the next parts of your post.
And I do hope also that you'll get to to visit Balesin again, for R&R this time. ☺
Cool! Hopefully when i get to being a millionaire. Maybe you will get there before i do. Hehe
Haha who knows, but let's claim it!😁👍
We'll be going to Balesin! Lol😅
Pwede pwede
Such a beautiful place!! Thanks for sharing you're exclusive experience!
Glad you like it. Do follow and stay tuned for part 2 & 3
Wow! Balesin is like the most wanted travel destination for all travel enthusiasts especially Filipinos.Too bad, it can't be opened for everyone. Anyway, instead of telling you how jealous I am right now, I would like to applaud you for writing this diary well. You just stirred a different emotion in me apart from envy.lol. Well-described, well-written. Expressive and full of raw emotions. Keep it up!
Yes, it's very exclusive. I was humbled by the experience as well. I believe one day you will get to visit too. Hope it will motivate you!
Stay tuned for part 2 & 3 soon. Do follow me :)
Here it is do check it out:
Part 2 https://steemit.com/travel/@victary/1st-time-in-a-private-plane-and-private-island-balesin-part-2
Part 3 https://steemit.com/travel/@victary/1st-time-in-a-private-plane-and-private-island-balesin-part-3
Back to the Philippines? Where are you originally from?
I am from Malaysia. I travel there for work. Do stay tuned for part 2 & 3.
Here it is do check it out:
Part 2 https://steemit.com/travel/@victary/1st-time-in-a-private-plane-and-private-island-balesin-part-2
Part 3 https://steemit.com/travel/@victary/1st-time-in-a-private-plane-and-private-island-balesin-part-3
Thank you for letting me know.
I want travel the world, post like this make me feel am missing out on a lot
Youre not missing out. Just sometimes gets lucky ny traveling due to work. Traveling for holiday is much better, you'll be there. Stay tuned for part 2 & 3 by following my account
am following, cheers
Here it is do check it out:
Part 2 https://steemit.com/travel/@victary/1st-time-in-a-private-plane-and-private-island-balesin-part-2
Part 3 https://steemit.com/travel/@victary/1st-time-in-a-private-plane-and-private-island-balesin-part-3
i will
it's an amazing write up. wishing together with you for a better future. someone to accompany for the rest of your life. would love to hear more of your adventures! :)
Likewise bro. I think you'll have more adventures as a parent that I have yet to experience. Haha
awesome post!! hopefully someday i will get the chance to travel this much and take such great pictures
Thanks. I am sure you do. Do follow my account for part 2 & part 3.
Here it is do check it out:
Part 2 https://steemit.com/travel/@victary/1st-time-in-a-private-plane-and-private-island-balesin-part-2
Part 3 https://steemit.com/travel/@victary/1st-time-in-a-private-plane-and-private-island-balesin-part-3
Thanks for taking us to your travel. Lovely
Mabuhay! Glad you like it! Salamat po. Do follow us for part 2 & 3
Here it is do check it out:
Part 2 https://steemit.com/travel/@victary/1st-time-in-a-private-plane-and-private-island-balesin-part-2
Part 3 https://steemit.com/travel/@victary/1st-time-in-a-private-plane-and-private-island-balesin-part-3
Looks like a beautiful place , i might want to go there this summer :) Any idea about ticket price ?
It indeed is beautiful. The ticket is by being a member. Their membership are exclusive to millionaires though. You may check out their web www.balesin.com for membership details if you plan to sign up. Hope it helps :)
i didn't reach that point yet lol !
Perhaps sooner than you know it ;)
Here it is do check it out:
Part 2 https://steemit.com/travel/@victary/1st-time-in-a-private-plane-and-private-island-balesin-part-2
Part 3 https://steemit.com/travel/@victary/1st-time-in-a-private-plane-and-private-island-balesin-part-3
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