The only thing is, I hesitate to say where it is. This place literally is a diamond in the rough as an exotic tropical beach resort. And the greatest thing about it, is that almost anyone can afford to go there. But if the so-called "jet set" ever hear about it, speculators will buy up all the land around the bay, build 4-star and 5-star resort hotels (costing $1000 a night or more to stay there) and ruin it for the rest of us.

But I'd sure like for the average person to know about it because the place is incredible. I spent a 10-day vacation there, back in March of 2004, and it was fantastic. But my fiance and I were just about the only ones there. The place was virtually deserted. We practically had the entire resort to ourselves.

We spent 10 days there, 5 of those days included her two daughters and her niece. So for the hotel room (for 2 for 5 nights and for 5 for 5 nights) plus three meals a day (for 2 people for 5 days and for 5 people for 5 days), it only cost me a total of about $400, total. And the food was absolutely fantastic. I had Eggs Benedict for breakfast each morning and it was the best Eggs Benedict I've ever had, BAR NONE.

In two years, the prices have gone up some. But I estimate that I could repeat the same thing for about $600. Heck, I could spend that much for dinner for one at L'Escalier at The Breakers Resort Hotel in Palm Beach. So to be able to feed two for 5 days and then 5 for five days plus a hotel room for 2 for 5 days and then 5 for days, that's one heck of a bargain. And like I said, the food was exceptional and you certainly got your fill. Unlike the 5-star restaurants where you might pay $150 for your entree and there is barely enough on your plate to keep a bird alive. That price not only included the hotel room and regular meals, but between meal snacks and drinks like ice cream and sodas.

And then there is the resort, itself. A really nice place. The natural snd is nearly white as snow. And the water is so clear that you can see all the way to the bottom of the bay, even with it as deep as it is.

As for the round-trip airfare, it cost me about $850 roundtrip to get there and back. Of course, I went economy class and went after the lowest fare I could find, which was a combination of American & China Air (American from St. Louis to San Francisco and then China Air from San Francisco to Taipai (a brief layover) and then on to Manila, Philippines). Heck it cost me more for my stay for three nights at the Manila Westin (no longer part of the Westin chain) than it cost me for the entire 10 day stay at the beach resort. So, now you at least know that this fantastic place is in the Philippines. So I guess I might as well spill the rest.

The place I'm talking about is the area around Batangas Bay. There are a number of resorts there, at varying levels of cost and amenities. But the place that I recommend is the Matabungkay Beach Resort and Hotel. Fabulous place. And it's been greatly improved since I was there two years ago. Another really nice beach resort around Batangas Bay is the Eagle Point resort, which was closed for renovations when I went to Batangas.

This is definitely a place that Anthony should visit. I'm already planning my next trip there, though I may be going alone this time. Which is a shame because it's the perfect honeymoon resort.

URL's to these two resorts are:

http://www.matabungkay.net/

and

http://www.eaglepoint.com.ph/