78. I PRIVATE ISLANDS I REAL ESTATE TURTLE ISLAND THE ISLAND THAT MOVES By David M. Brown fter landing at the airport on Busuanga Island in northernmost volcanic towers rise on both ends, which are like fins flipping through APalawan province, you can reach magical Dumunpalit Island in the turquoise waters. Others say these formations appear as if God about an hour, depending on the trades, by a spider boat or smaller has literally imprinted his hands on the rocks and is lifting the island banca piloted by the local Filipinos. As if knowing you’re en route skyward. So the local name refers to its serenity, and the English name, somewhere special, dolphins often frolic, arc and dive beside you in paradoxically, its sense of movement. the turquoise waters. On the reef-protected eastern shore, larger boats are anchored and The approximately 75-acre red marble and volcanic-rock island, draft boats pulled in. Here, about 2,000 feet of pristine absolute-white surrounded by coral reefs, is in the Mindoro Strait connecting the fine sand beach gives way to coconut palms and, farther, the verdant South China Sea to the Sulu Sea, about a 40-minute flight southeast of island’s high point, more than 300 feet, with extraordinary views to all Manila. Dumunpalit is a last frontier of the Philippines, a timeless land points. Here, 10 to 50 miles out, is just water, with distant slivers of of awe, wonder, sea and stars. land. In the Cuyonin language, it is, indeed, “the place which never changes,” The owner, an American doctor, calls it his retreat, an enclave in the but it’s also known as Turtle Island because 150-plus-foot-high ocean. “I’ve stayed on the island nine times now, and every time I have a sense of homecoming when I arrive. And every time I’m here I enjoy an experience that is spiritually centering yet uniquely grounding, making me appreciate what is really important in life.” Once, he remembers waking just before dawn and hearing a voice repeating, “Ahoy, there.” He responded, then fell asleep, and awoke again, after the sun had risen, to hear the same haunting phrase, which seemed both immediate and distant. “Locals say they have heard it, too; ‘It’s just the wind,’ they told me,” he recalls. Another time, he fell asleep, watching as the sky performed with shooting stars. Every time he visits, he sees at least 15 or 20. “A legend has it that there’s an energy portal here, and I understand why more and more.” TURTLE ISLAND - PALAWAN, PHILIPPINES I 79. The turtle symbolizes wisdom, wealth, long life and endurance in the Feng Shui tradition. With huge 55 foot wide multiple indentations resembling hand imprints on these massive rock guardians, God may indeed have favored this island and lifted it out of the ocean 80. I PRIVATE ISLANDS I REAL ESTATE TURTLE ISLAND - PALAWAN, PHILIPPINES I 81. Just off the beach, a metal-roof, hardwood and bamboo caretaker locations in the Philippines for this; the country has placed the area in cottage, with a porch, includes a septic toilet, kitchen and a shower; a Marine Protection Zone because of the red, pink and blue coral reefs. 200 yards inland, a larger more sturdily constructed guest cottage on “It’s an explorer’s paradise, a hiker’s fantasy, a diver’s dream and a a private lagoon, also with a porch, has a tiled kitchen, tiled shower, swimmer’s delight,” the owner says. septic tank toilet, rain catchment system, a stainless holding tank and a beach bench. Island hopping? Nearby are Club Paradise on Dimakya Island and Maricaban Resort in Maricaban Bay for excellent dining and other A 100-by-75-foot site has been cleared for an owner’s residence by amenities. four full-time caretakers, who use the island’s boat for maintenance and to pick up supplies every week. Inadvertently, these men have created “Turtle Island is both primordial and transcendental,” the owner says. beautiful two-foot-tall coral and sea-shell walls during maintenance of “Nowhere else — and I’ve been fortunate to travel throughout the world the island’s 13 white-sand beaches. during my career — have I enjoyed this sense, as the name suggests, of time stopping, of peacefulness, of gorgeous seclusion in paradise.” Two concrete-lined water wells with Jetmatic manual hand pumps deliver year-round potable water for bathing, drinking and irrigating From an exclusive boutique resort to a health/wellness retreat, a high- the garden. Many fruit trees have been planted, including bananas, end dive resort or a luxury private enclave, Turtle Island offers endless tamarind, papaya, coconut, mango, citrus and rambutan, which possibilities. Priced at US$ 3.4 million. For more information on this provide excellent nourishment — and tropical drink mixings. The owner outstanding lifestyle investment, see www.escapetoturtleisland.com or suggests that another 15 acres is plantable in the island’s loamy soil on www.privateislandsonline.com. the saddle of the island’s two highest points. Pathways lead you into the island, which is vibrant with “toto yalo” birds, the rare Palawan eagle, butterflies, dragonflies, bumblebees, TURTLE ISLAND bats, monitor lizards, and rainforest amoghis, natuk, banyan and red- Palawan, Philippines flowering coral trees. Enjoy the numerous natural paths, challenging 75 acres 200-foot cliffs and landmark rocks cut with erosion holes in their US$ 3,400,000 centers. INQUIRIES [email protected] Throughout the island, particularly on the southwest, are terrestrial 760 348 8785 and underwater caves for snorkeling or scuba-diving — one of best .