Kahuna is a Hawaiian word defined in Pukui & Elbert (1986) as “a priest, sorcerer, magician, wizard, minister, an expert in any profession.”
More subtly, it is “an important person, the person in charge,” or “a very large wave.”
The Kahuna Beach Resort has, figuratively, something of both. It is magical and its and its guest-friendliness and customer service are as awesome as a surfer’s wave.
Where is Kahuna Beach Resort
The Kahuna Beach Resort and Spa is in is in San Juan, La Union, Philippines.
But before digging right into it, here are a few bits and pieces about La Union, Philippines
La Union is one of the four provinces comprising the Ilocos Region (the others are Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, and Pangasinan).
It is 269 kms northwest of Manila and can be reached in three ways, i.e. by air, sea, or land. The best option is by land – if you don’t mind the roughly four and a half hours ride. It is not a boring ride, though. There are numerous “convenience” stops along the way and, of course, the chance to see the Clark Airbase which is now an economic zone.
The main source of income of the province is farming and fishing. It grows plenty of rice, corn, garlic, cassava, and tobacco. Some areas are planted with grapes and if you care for a drink with a wallop, you can try the basi, a native wine fermented from sugar cane.
What makes Kahuna Beach Resort Unique
At first glance, there’s nothing unique or exceptional with the Kahuna, until you get past the reception area and come face to face with an unobstructed view of a wide expanse of sea.
Except for those beach resorts in SirIt is facing the West Philippines Sea and its long coastline of brownish to gray, fine sand has earned it the title of the Surfing Capital of the North because of the series of huge waves battering its shores – which brings us back to Kahuna where surfing is one of its fun activities.
How I got there is by default.
Maybe it was during our dinner at St. Joseph’s Resthouse in Sagada when someone suggested that, instead of heading straight back to Manila the following day, the group shall take a swing to La Union because some members of the Philippine FJ Cruisers Club, Inc. wanted to meet us there.
So I got swept away by the group.
But it was serendipitous, to say the least. In fact, it was love at first sight, not only because I have a sentimental attachment to the sea, but because it is difficult not to fall in love with Kahuna.
The lobby is well-appointed – neither too garish, nor bare. Its soft aura gives an immediate welcoming ambiance to travelers wearied after a long journey.
The girls behind the counter are very efficient, courteous, and smiling – evident among the entire operations staff of the resort.
Kahuna has about 40 rooms, cum cottages, ranging from Standard, a little over a thousand U.S. dollars, to Rest House which cost about half a grand.
My room was at the bottom but it a lot better than those of some resorts I’ve been to. It is just perfect for double occupancy. The toilet and bath are clean and stuffed with all the necessary toiletries. Bottled mineral water is in ample supply and the tiny porch provides space for contemplation or relaxation at the end of the day. But more than anything else, the wifi signal is strong even in my room.
We rolled in slightly after 12 with lunch in everyone’s mind. So we hit the dining area immediately. And it was something to behold. Not only was it huge to accommodate a hungry horde, but it also has a panoramic view of an entire ocean.
The menu is a mixture of Filipino, Western, and a little Japanese, expertly prepared by a Filipino chef who gives his creations a bit of the famous Ilocano taste. Then he presents these in a way to whip up your appetite even if you have just had a hearty brunch.
Space is a common problem among resorts of Kahuna’s type. The difference is that while others squeeze so many things into a small space, making them look like a fat woman in tight clothes, Kahuna maxed out its space.
The cottages are laid out like a small community of houses, enough parking space, sufficient amenities to cater to different guests, yet leaving enough room to wander about.
For example, there is a function room, a spa, a billiard table for those who want to shoot a few balls, a smoking area, and a modest swimming pool where I made four laps before breakfast.
But what sets it apart from most is it’s huge beachfront.
It is long and wide for an array of early morning activities like this surfer stretching out prior to hitting the waves.
For bonding (some members of the group),
posing for posterity,
Or anything you want to do while enjoying the gusty breeze and the thunder of the waves as they hit the shore.
And if you’ve got the nerves, try learning how to surf. There are plenty of instructors to choose from.
Later as I sat on the sand awed by the unceasing onrush of waves that broke just before my feet (and spilling student surfers time and time again) I felt some disbelief that I am experiencing all these in such a short time. It seemed an entire lifetime of pure happiness was given to me in a small bottle, not to be opened lest it diffuses into thin air never to be experienced again.
But there I was, and it was real. And in as much as I want it to last forever, it won’t. All I can do is hold on to their memories so that someday, when I am too frail to make it to my bathroom safely, it will be nice to think that long, long ago, a wonderful group of guys did not mind giving me a ride that took me to places I could never have made it on my own – even if I loved to.
To them, the Philippine FJ Cruisers Club Inc., I give my deepest gratitude.
~oOo~
