BAHURA RESORT & SPA

Set to open its doors on [date] in the town of Dauin, Negros Oriental, is Scuba World Inc.’s newest location, in an idyllic setting that’s built around a fully functioning coconut plantation. With the resort as base, vacationers may opt for a wide variety of leisurely or adventurous activities ranging from mountaineering and caving to scuba diving and boating.

Prior to arrival at Bahura, you’ll be landing in Dumaguete City, capital of the province, easily reached by four direct flights daily from Metro Manila, as well as by fast craft and inter-island ferries from Cebu and other ports. A twenty-minute drive then follows south to Maayong Tubig (“good water”), Dauin, whose name derives from nearby hot springs, and the beautiful resort awaits, with privacy, friendly staff and deluxe accommodations to ease the expectant traveler.

Settling into any of sixteen rooms within the main hotel building, or one of eight deluxe honeymoon-type cottages, guests are certain to be pleased by air-conditioned comfort, hot and cold water, and television with pre-connected DVD viewing capability. Each cottage in particular is a gem, which includes among other amenities a loft with a bed, its very own refrigerator, mini-bar and kitchenette, and capacious bathroom with Japanese rock garden and spacious whirlpool bathtub. In addition, four of the eight cottages have a generally eastward-facing sea view which includes Apo Island, half an hour away by fast boat, and Siquijor Island, over which an awesome sunrise may daily be seen. Stepping outside of these luxurious berths, one finds two freeform swimming pools (under construction at present) with a manmade waterfall cascading from one pool to the other, equipped with swim-up bars and water jets. A fully air-conditioned conference hall is also available, capable of accommodating 150 persons for seminars, receptions and other similar activities.

As mentioned earlier, Bahura is built around a fully operational coconut plantation, and this provides the prevalent theme for décor, building materials, and the food at the functioning bar and restaurant, where seafood predominates; however, many other types of delicious cuisine are also available, prepared from fresh natural ingredients, virtually all from local sources. A stroll through the plantation gives the guest a firsthand glimpse of plantation operations such as harvesting and the extraction of tuba, a local drink fermented from coconut crown sap. Staff members offer fresh young coconut to guests as they breathe in the cool air and enjoy the tree-lined shade.

All this provides a central location from which the vacationer may then engage in the many forms of outdoor activity offered at Bahura. Foremost among these is scuba diving, with 2-3 dives daily off Apo Island as well as at any of the Dauin Marine Sanctuaries, 10-15 minutes away along the coastline. All are superb, world-class diving locations, and Scuba World provides complete equipment for rent, and handles all PADI diver instruction and training at any level from open-water to instructor. In addition, the resort can arrange for dolphin watching off Bais, treks to Mt. Talinis, the twin lakes of Balinsasayaw and other locations, mountain biking, market and livestock-auction day at Malatapay (Wednesdays only), caving in Mabinay, and guided forest camp tours.

For those who, apart from scuba diving, quite simply prefer to be on the water, Bahura offers a wide array of water sports and boating activities and equipment, including jet skis, kayaks, banana boats, Hobie cats and pedal boats.

A visit to Dumaguete City itself will always be worth the traveler’s time. This laid-back locale is home to Silliman University, with its Marine Laboratory and CENTROP mini-forest and wildlife project, as well as to a lively, vibrant arts scene. For three weeks each May, Dumaguete also plays host to the famous National Writer’s Workshop, started over four decades ago by National Artist for Literature, Dr. Edith Tiempo and her husband, the late Dr. Edilberto Tiempo. Getting around Dumaguete is easy, and the more adventurous may opt to move around town on one of the ubiquitous motor scooters, many of which are available for rent. The cost: a mere twenty pesos an hour!

Finally, after a full day on the move, guests can find relaxation and rejuvenation at the soon-to-be-functional spa at Bahura, which will offer traditional Thai massage and foot massage with scented virgin coconut oil, and achieve a deep feeling of well-being and feel thoroughly prepared for the new day to come.

Inches on a map, mere hours of travel, and an expectation of good things that are to be: all may be found at Bahura Resort and Spa, in the middle of an island paradise which will refresh the body, engage the mind and soothe the soul. When may we expect you?

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