Life’s Lessons

Chema’s by the Sea is one of the few beach resorts in Samal Island (also known as Island Garden City of Samal) that isn’t crowded. Owners are controlling the number of guests so they don’t accept walk-in guests (which means, you have to book first unlike in other resorts where you can directly go there). The place is serene, perfect for a getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life. It’s exactly what I want for a resort! Since I heard about Chema’s by the Sea in 2003, I’ve been wanting to go there. It’s actually one of the must-see places in my mind but I couldn’t just get the courage to spend $$$ going there. Unlike its neighboring beach resorts like Paradise Island, Costa Marina, Blue Waters and others, Chema’s is quite expensive but if you want a bit of privacy coupled with nice amenities and a place too close to nature, you wouldn’t mind paying an extra $$$ than going to a crowded resort where you couldn’t truly relax.

Last Thursday, we decided to hit Chema’s the following day. So I sent a text message to the owner (glad that I didn’t deleted his number in my phonebook that’s been stored there for more than 2 years already) early in the morning asking if they could still accept 2 guests (because initial plan was Me and Ace only). There’s still vacant umbrella huts so they were able to reserve us one. The umbrella hut is good for 5 persons so we decided to bring along Che2x and Daddy.

The first trip of the boat to Chema’s is at 7AM so we left the apartment 30 minutes before 7AM. I texted the owner we are on our way to Waterfront Insular Hotel (oh, sosyal!) so the boat that will fetch us will be there just in time for us to arrive Waterfront. Then the story of conquering Chema’s by the Sea starts here….

at the boat…(that’s the nice thing having a company. Somebody can take our photo). The boat ride is quite expensive at PhP200/trip/group (maximum of 10 people). One reservation means 1 group so either it’s only me and Ace or with Che2x and Daddy, we will still pay PhP200.00.

 

after a few minutes, we’re here!!!! so heavenly!!!

We’re finally here! The resort personnel greeted us at the entrance and ushered us to our umbrella hut. As soon as we arrived, they took our order for lunch (and what time it will be served) so they could have ample time to prepare. NO FOOD allowed at the resort (you can bring chips and water but we didn’t bring any so we got everything from the resort).*pout*

We chose the shoreline umbrella. It’s PhP500 good for 5 persons (aside from the entrance fee of PhP125  per head for day tour) and maximum of seven (PhP100 per head in excess of 5).

We’re not yet in the mood to swim so we took the time to look around and took photos of the place.

Here’s a viewing deck…so nice to just lie down here early in the morning while the sun is not directly shining on you

And here’s Ace… (just trying how it feels to be lying in there)

The infinity pool. The pool’s water comes from the sea so it also feels like you are swimming at the beach.

stairs going to heaven…errr…to the comfort and shower rooms

another deck beside the pool (sorry for the poor composition. I just can’t get a better angle).

one of the cottages. It must have been soooo nice staying in there!

Another place to just sit down and relax and the cottage on stilts on the background.

After taking photos at some areas of the resort, Ace was able to meet a fish. If Ella will see this, I am sure she will say I am that fish…looks like me.*lol*

swimming time! (but we don’t have photos taken while we are in the water) Che2x enjoyed riding in the giant havaianas flipflop

Ace tried rock climbing after swimming. Joke! That wall of rock is just around 8 feet high.

After taking a dip in the water, we stayed at the umbrella hut

While enjoying this scene in front of us (it’s low tide so nobody’s swimming). At exactly 11AM, we were called for lunch at the resort’s restaurant

We had fish kinilaw (raw fish), sinigang na hipon (shrimp in tamarind soup), sisig ala Chema’s, and grilled malasugue (swordfish). (I won’t be posting photos of the food because I have posted it in my food blog). Their food tastes great! Daddy was happy that the fish kinilaw tastes like his dish (according to him) and Ace’ was even happier that the sisig is delicious.

After a sumptous lunch, time to go to the comfort room….oooopps, that’s the MALE comfort room

now we’re on the right place. and here we are! The CR’s so nice, with intricate architectural details so we can’t help but take photos

It’s still low tide when we got back to the hut from lunch so I and Che2x decided to dip into the infinity pool. Gosh! It’s 5ft deep and I am 4’11″.

then explored the supposedly deep part of the beach (when it’s high tide) and found many live corals! Too bad we didn’t bring our snorkels and the camera has no underwater case so I wasn’t able to take a photo of the corals up close. We found this “creature” (nope, it’s not a fruit though it looks like one)…

and different colors and sizes of starfish. We have seen colorful fishes too!

After few more hours of waiting for high tide, we were able to swim hours before we packed to go home at 5PM. But before we headed to the boat, we took some snaps at the entrance (once again)

Daddy (he was telling us now he could brag to our relatives that he has been to Samal Island)*lol*

and last but not the least, me and Ace.

Twas such a very great day for everybody! No matter how much we paid for, it’s all worth it…and we will be going back there soon (if budget permits!). Hope you also had a great time looking at our photos.