TBK returns to Surya Beach for the weekend

 As a solo traveller one of the nicest things is to be remembered and welcomed back ( even if they spell my name wrong). It's so simple but few hotels do it. I had a bottle of wine once and a note from the GM when I returned to the Microtel in Puerto, a card and fresh fruit at Huni in Lio and at Surya beach resort the welcome message above. They are adding new rooms and when Chester jumped out of the car one of the guys shouted "Hello Chester" and the staff all fussed over him.

You can read about our previous visits to Surya and see our vlogs by clicking the link below:

https://thebritishkabayan.blogspot.com/2022/12/tbk-travels-to-surya-beach.html

As I only booked the day before the owner gave me a discounted rate and let me off the usual paying 50% deposit ( I do not have G cash so would have had to go to the bank). Of course if you look after your regular customers well they recommend you to others ( as in this Blog) and book repeat visits ( I have already booked and paid for a 3 night Christmas stay here. That will be my third stay and Frythy, Noel and I came as day guests. 

So where is Surya beach and how do you contact them?

It is a 2 hour drive south of Puerto, mainly on the southern national highway ( that links Puerto and Brookes Point) . Once you get out of Puerto, past the Irawan van terminal and the Iwahig Penal farm the road is mostly two lanes and quite fast until you get to Aborlan. After that you turn left and the road becomes a track for the last 7 km to Suraya beach. It is well signposted but can be muddy after the rain. However I have learnt over the last year that the best beaches in Palawan are down muddy tracks!

After living in Bahrain for 12 years ( 22 km from one end to the other) I need a break after driving for an hour and on this route I stop at the Blue Sea Cafeteria overlooking the sea. On the track watch out for the amusing Surya signs:

To contact Surya beach use their Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/suryabeachpalawan 

or their Air BNB:

https://www.airbnb.com/Surya Beach

So what is there to do at Surya beach?

Nothing! Thats why I like it! Twice now I have been the only guest there- and on another couple of nights have met some really interesting people staying there. They have adjoining double cottages ( one with AC and one without) and a large family cottage ( two double beds). All 3 have an upstairs balcony suitable for a child and a sofa bed. There is a patio outside each room with chairs and a table, a bar which serves preordered food ( fish or chicken) and breakfasts, and then a fire pit, swing and seats. 

                          Just some of the activities they can arrange for you

There is also a long beach suitable for kite surfing or kayaking and they have a dingy for hire. Yo can also come as day guests ( if prebooked) and bring your own food to Barbecue ( grills and tables plus equipment provided) or pay them to cook it for you. Massage is available and they will arrange transport and Tours.

Many years ago they cleared a path to the sea trough the rocks- its shallow on the other side

Last time I stayed before Christmas there were a lot of family groups there in the day and companies doing team building workshops and end of year parties so it tended to be a bit noisy. However as I write this as the only guest here the only sound I can hear is the sea! If like me you have a dog they are welcome ( the owner has 3 dogs whose names all start with M) and can run freely . Sadly in Palawan some hotels have banned dogs ( Microtel and H Hospitality group in Nacpan and El Nido) and others charge 2,000 pesos a night for the dog to share your room and you have to leave a cash deposit on arrival and the dog is not allowed in the restaurants any more ( Ayala).  Chester loves exploring the beach and swimming here at Surya Beach.

                          There are some mangroves on the beach

They have spectacular sunsets at night and it's beautiful to be on the beach as the sun rises before they serve you your cooked breakfast ( included in the rate) 

There is also a swing between two coconut trees and as the accommodation has mirrored windows you can get some Instagrammable pictures.

Mr G can I tell you a story about this channel between the rocks ?

Sure Mr P, we readers love your stories

Well last time I stayed there was a lovely couple next door to me from Europe. They arrived late by can from the airport ( a 2 hour drive) so I was surprised to see the man taking photos on the other side of the channel as the sun rose. I assumed he had walked through the channel and so Chester swam and I walked towards him. It got deeper and deeper and my shorts and underwear got soaked ( Luckily i did not have my phone or underwear in my pockets) . When I reached the man he was dry so after our introductions I asked if he walked on water. He laughed and said he went around the other way!

                                        Chester swimming in the sea

If you are staying overnight the accommodation is first class ( it has been repainted since I was here last December) with hot shower, AC, Kettle, fridge, fan, bottled water and mosquito net , repellant , radio and torch. They have a generator if there is a brown out but they turn this off at 10 pm to reduce the noise. Just remember to bring your own tea or coffee! Water is provided.

The vies from the loft of my bed and Chester's!

Our normal routine at Surya is to have coffee and biscuits on arrival after our long drive, then walk down the beach and back. After lunch ( Chicken Tinola with rice) we have a nap then a shower and a second beach walk , taking photos as we go. Then at 6 pm we have dinner ( Grilled chicken and rice) before retiring to bed, ready to catch the sunrise. 

                                         The sunrise at Surya

After our morning walk, breakfast ( pancakes with fried egg and coffee) we pack, load the car, pay the bill and have a final beach walk before heading home. After 3 days here before Christmas Chester, who was off the lead, refused to get in the car and I spent an hour trying to get hold of him with the Suraya staff. I even drove off and hid down the lane thinking he might follow me but he did not! So tomorrow he will be staying on the lead from when we get up until we leave!

     It rained when we has our nap and there was a rainbow when we woke up

So overall we had a very relaxing two days at Suraya and are looking forward to returning at Christmas. As usual our thanks to the owner and her staff for looking after us so well. 

                            Chester and the Air BNB at Surya

We also shot some video this trip and once Luis sends the link for the new Video editing software I will make a vlog of our latest trip to Surya and our trip to Duli beach a few weeks ago. My old video editing software got deleted by accident and when I tried to download it again it had a virus. They also upgraded the software and wanted me to pay but I cold not as i still do not have a credit card!

When we return at Christmas we will have our new camera lens and drone so you will have even more spectacular shots- until then.....Ingat Palagi ( take care always)