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“Good things come to those who wait.” This was my mantra on board the bus en route to Poro Point in La Union, a province located in the Ilocos Region, North of Manila. We had been journeying nearly 6 hours, and I was eager to plant my feet on solid ground. However, the anticipation of what lay in store proved greater than my growing restlessness (and queasiness, I might add), so I distracted myself with the pretty and quaint provincial scenery. I was on my way to the Thunderbird Resort, and I happily anticipated the good things which were in store for me over the next three days.

Thunderstruck

On the seventh hour, and just when the phrase “a distant thunder” was beginning to take on new meaning, we arrived at our destination. Looking around at the verdant, rolling hills, framed by beautiful cliffs that dropped into the white-foam capped blue of the South China Sea, I knew this was going to be well-worth the seemingly endless road trip. Nestled atop the highest of the rolling hills, in French/Greco-Mediterranean splendor, I beheld the Thunderbird Resort. Picture this: sprawling white façade, high domed Majorelle blue rooftops, contrasting with the green grass below and the powder blue skies swirled with billowing white clouds above. Truly a welcome sight to a weary traveler’s eyes. In that moment, as I looked upon the obvious beauty of the resort, I was thunderstruck.

A tour of the resort served to heighten this feeling. Thunderbird is quite exclusive, with only 36 luxurious rooms in all. 22 of these rooms are Deluxe, 10 are Deluxe Vacation-Owned (time-sharing units), and 4 are Deluxe Suites. The rooms are very spacious, attractive in design and interior decoration (consistent with the French/Greco Mediterranean theme), and complete with all the features and amenities that make for a more than comfortable stay.

As we strolled through the grounds, I recalled the legend of the mythical Thunderbird. Most powerful of all mythological creatures in any Native American and Pacific Indian legends, the Thunderbird is a symbol of power and privilege, and only the most prestigious of chiefs may have this as their family crest. True to its mythological namesake, the resort, in its inspired beauty and luxury, is a symbol of power and privilege.

Thunderbird-ies
Next stop on our tour, The Cliffs Golf Club. Golf aficionados are sure to love the expertly designed 9 holes of the club. I am not a golfer, but the beautiful golf course made me want to take up a club and learn about birdies (excuse the play on words, but should I say “Thunderbird-ies”?) and holes-in-one. Plans to expand to a full 18-hole course are in the offing, which would make Thunderbird an ideal venue for local and international golf tournaments. In the meantime, the 9-hole course is competitive enough for a great game. The last few holes also provide a unique experience with the panoramic and breathtaking seascape in view.

From The Cliffs Golf Club, we trekked on over to The Cliffs Beach Club, where another amazing vista was in store for us. The Beach Club, decked out like a Grecian island paradise, sits atop the highest cliff, overlooking the clear blue waters. A few steps down, one can stroll on the beach, or take a dip in the sea. What impressed me the most is the Spa, which is located within the area of the Beach Club. Here, in the midst of God-given natural beauty, one can choose from a variety of treatments and massages. Although not yet fully-operational, it is evident that the Spa will soon be a Thunderbird favorite.

Our last stop was the fabulous Santorini Swimming Pool. This is where I opted to hang out and dive into the inviting water. The pool is large enough for laps, yet very pretty in design, with a bridge (which leads to the Santorini Pool Bar) and cascading waterfalls. As I was enjoying my swim, I noticed dark clouds gathering overhead which signaled the coming of torrential rains. But everyone in the pool, myself included, only seemed to delight in the downpour, as though the mythical Thunderbird orchestrated blessings to be poured out on us.

The Sound of Thunder
After freshening up, we headed on over to what is perhaps the most popular attraction at Thunderbird Poro Point: The Fiesta Casino. The Casino is the happening place to be, with a wide variety of table games, slots, and two large V.I.P Rooms for added privacy. The vibrant sights and sounds of the Casino heightened the air of excited, almost frenetic, activity. The sounds of the machines were interrupted by the occasional victory cry of a lucky winner. The Drivers, the casino’s live band, pumped up the party atmosphere with everything from classic rock, to blues, and ballads It struck me as rather humorous that here, in the middle of Poro Point’s Export Processing Zone (which is where the resort is located) thunder had a different sound: “Ca-ching!” I chose to sit back with a few drinks to watch the band perform. In hindsight, I should have tried my hand at the slot machines. Maybe the “rain blessing” of the afternoon would have resulted in a triple 7. Oh well.

A Growing Rumble
With the day’s excitement, I almost failed to notice the sound which was growing ever louder, emanating from my mid-section - the rumble of hunger, which was beginning to sound quite like thunder. Thankfully, I didn’t have to suffer for long as dinner was waiting for us at the resort’s fine-dining Mediterranean outlet, Olives Restaurant. The chef had prepared 3 of their best-selling dishes - nothing short of a feast. Our appetizer was the delectable Pizza Quatro Stagioni, topped with mozzarella cheese, Kalamata olives, artichoke hearts, Prosciutto ham, and mushrooms. The smells that came from the wood-fired oven, where the pizza was baked to a crisp perfection, were heavenly. Next up was the spicy lamb shank, Moroccan style, braised with ginger, saffron, chilies, served with fresh veggies, and a generous helping of creamy mashed potatoes. The delicate blend of spices was perfect, infusing the tender lamb meat with distinct flavor. This was served with a glass of robust red wine which complemented the dish to perfection. My stomach was no longer rumbling at this point, but I could not resist the mouth-watering stone oven-roasted sea bass, which was served next. The fresh cut of roasted fish, served atop a bed of blanched spinach, was moist and fresh with a delightfully crusty top. A glass of white wine was a happy partner to the dish. To prove the saying that “there is always room for dessert”, I could not pass up on the panna cotta with a couli of berries which was the perfect end to an incredible meal.

Aside from Olives Restaurant, one may choose to dine at Vegas Café, have a drink at the Cabana Bar (both conveniently located within the Fiesta Casino), or enjoy light snacks and cocktails at the Patio Santorini at the resort’s main lobby.

The lure of the bird
After dinner, I walked around the grounds, in a feeble attempt to burn off some calories. It was peaceful on this side of the resort, a sharp contrast to the bustling Casino. I realized then that Thunderbird Poro Point offers the best of both worlds: a haven for rest and relaxation, as well as the dizzying, dazzling high-rolling nightlife. A bit of something for everyone, you might say. This the lure of Thunderbird

From the myth of the famed winged creature, to the reality of the resort, both “Thunderbirds” emanate prestige and command one’s awe and respect. As I went to bed that night, I looked forward to spending the next couple of days living it up at Thunderbird Poro Point. All of a sudden, the 6 - 7 hour journey, which I knew I had to endure once more en route to Manila, didn’t seem too long. As for that possible triple 7? Well, I will just have to go back to Thunderbird to find out.