April 21, 2010

Bellarocca: Water, earth & sky

Because Bellarocca Island is a rock, the beach is quite small and the shoreline's incline is steep. The rough coral and rocks which the beach is composed of make me suspect that the island is young too, geologically speaking; the water has not had time to grind the pieces into fine powder. It's not very comfortable for bare feet, but I commend the resort management for not importing fine sand from other islands, a practice quite common among more environmentally-insensitive beach resorts in the Philippines.

the beach at Bellarocca Island Resort


When the tide is high, which is most of the day, the sea flows onto the lower steps of the stone stairs which lead from the seaside pavilion to the beach.

sea water flowing onto stairs during high tide at Bellarocca Island Resort


I love the beach and I'm a pretty good swimmer, but I have to confess that I have a great fear of being bodily in deep ocean water (I'm perfectly fine in boats), which means that I spent most of our water time in Bellarocca's infinity pool. I love how its deep blue tiles match the color of the deep sea, though it did make my heart race the first time I saw it. Quite deceiving really, since the deepest part of the pool is only four feet (1.2 meters).

the infinity pool of Bellarocca Island Resort


This was my favorite poolside deck chair. I love the canopy and the chair can be swiveled to face either the pool or the ocean.

poolside deck chair at Bellarocca Island Resort


Mount Malindig on the main island of Marinduque dominates the view both from the pool and the beach. It is a potentially active volcano and its last eruption, whenever that was, is evident throughout the land trip, with large boulders made of volcanic rock strewn by the roadside. Bellarocca Resort maintains a 9-hole golf course at Malindig's foot—that little white dot is the clubhouse. I think that the volcano's deep rifts and craggy top make for a fascinating study. BELLAROCCA SERIES #3

Mount Malindig as seen from Bellarocca Island Resort


Natural or man-made, take a refreshing dip in Watery Wednesday.
Watery Wednesday

37 comments:

JTG (Misalyn) said...

The poolside deck chair looks cool. I bet those lovely pillows are soft and huggable. I can imagine you sitting on that deck chair while looking at the sky. Mesmerizing.

Kaori said...

So many beautiful photos! The resort sounds like a dream! I especially like the stairs leading down to the water. Gorgeous view :)

Jim said...

I really like the angles of the first two shots. Beautiful.
Sydney - City and Suburbs

Louis la Vache said...

«Louis» has heard that prisons are posh these days, but didn't realize they were THIS posh... If they are this nice, why would anyone want to escape?

Chattahoochee Valley Daily said...

Perfectly lovely vacation destination. Some of the prettiest beaches I have ever seen had very course sand; good for smoothing the rough skin on your feet.

Unknown said...

Bellarocca is definitely a name to remember! And what a cool chair! :-)

Photo Cache said...

That chair is delightful. It seems like everything about the resort has been carefully selected.

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brattcat said...

You've given us such an interesting angle on this holiday, Hilda.

Reena said...

ganda...i want to swim there!

Al said...

Umm looks very relaxing Hilda!

escape said...

wow! you went there?! i saw the island from afar when i went to marinduque last year. im sure you have more photos to post here. looking forward to this.

Unknown said...

Well...this looks fabulous, Hilda! :-) Perhaps one day I may visit there!

Lowell said...

How could you not have a fantastic time in such a place. All of your photographs are stunning - very well done! I love that infinity pool - that's where I'd be, too!

Ebie said...

I would love to plunge into the water and take a swim! The water looks so inviting! Lovely vacation spot!

Oakland Daily Photo said...

I found photo two to be particularly compelling. The angle you chose added to the sense of the ocean's power.

Unknown said...

that deck chair is calling my name!:p wonderful photos, love the top photo, great angle. i've been planning to visit Marinduque, i've seen photos taken in some of the nearby islets and they're beautiful!

2sweetnsaxy said...

Looks like a real paradise. Interesting angles on the first shots but I like them! Beautiful shots!

Olivier said...

j'aime beaucoup le fauteuil, il fait très année pop ;)

T. Becque said...

It looks like you must have had a fabulous time, how could you not with that water! The angle on the first image is very intriguing and fun to view!

Jilly said...

What a gorgeous place and such super photographs. You are a brave photographer taking shots at those angles. I must learn to do that.

Pam Lane said...

I love the perspective on the first two shots!

eileeninmd said...

Wonderful photos, Hilda! The first shot is shot awesome and the scenery is gorgeous. Lov ethe infinity pool and the cool chair too.

VP said...

Really something more of a beautiful rock! Love the deck chair.

Cezar and Léia said...

Dear Hilda,
First of all I need to comment that you are SOOOOO BEAUTIFUL in your new picture profile! :)
And girl...what a perfect vacation!This place is magnificent, I wish I could swimm, and after to see that pool, I need to start with swimming lessons as soon as possible!
Ahhh the first shot is perfect, I love this kind of picture, I mean with different angle.
Lucky you!
Hugs
Léia :)

Let's Talk Over a Cup of Coffee said...

You have a wonderful vacation. Such a lovely place to have my summer vacation too.

arabesque said...

the pictures all look gr8!
nice weather esp. the 1st and the last one.
i've been reading your vacation galore, it seems very far and off, but the view left me speechless as well as the white sand beach, even though i don;t know how to swim.
just beautiful.
^0^

can;t w8 for your next post 2morow...
Ps: i love the new profile!

Rob Siemann said...

Wow. Well, one month to go till my next holidays. Off to Rome, if all goes well.

Lois said...

I grew up near the ocean, but I feel the same way about being in deep water like that. Maybe because I was stung by too many jelly fish when I was little or seeing the movie "Jaws" might have done it! I love that chair Hilda. I wish I had one!

Hedwig said...

Lovely photos, the perspective in the two first are so great. I'll try that sometime.

Anonymous said...

Cool photos! Have a nice day! :)

Halcyon said...

Wow! Sounds like a fantastic getaway.

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

Kudos to the worker renting out the kayaks, they line them so nicely, or did you ask them to so you can take a nice photo?

Hootin Anni said...

Fabulous...you photography skills astound me. Just absolutely perfect pictures.

I'm trying to catch up on my wonderful visitors from Wednesday. I thank you for dropping by and leaving such a kind comment. It's always so much appreciated.

Thanks, and do come again sometime soon.

Hope your day has been treating you well so far!!

Hilda said...

Ann:
The resort staff take great pains to present everything perfectly! Including the kayaks on the beach.

Unknown said...

Wow! Gr4eat pics.

Lori Lynn said...

Wow! I really enjoyed reading about Bellarocca and your photos are stunning. Looks like you had a beautiful time there!
LL

Suzie said...

What a lovely beach! Could be great time for all