The brilliant and dazzling white coral sand beaches of Caluya were one can found various species of sea stars and urchins entice in the reefs of the island.

Caluya is very famous for their sought-after delicacy, the “tatus” or coconut crab (Birgus latro). A nocturnal creature with strong pincers and has known for its ability to crack coconuts in order to eat the contents. They usually burrow in coral rock and thick undergrowths. The meat of this crab is enormously appreciated, just like lobster and other crabs.

Coconut crab locally known as tatus; a nocturnal creature known for its ability to crack coconuts by using its pincers

Your trip maybe not complete if you don't try to eat the raw or briefly cooked exotic urchins locally known as “tirik” (Tripneustes gratilla). A rounded-spiny herbivore comes in various colors and species living on the vast coral reefs of the island. The five strips roe or gonads resides within the structure of the urchin, in a yellowish or orange substance resembling into a firm custard has a great tangy flavored after taste and it is also considered as aphrodisiac.

Pincushion urchins abound the coral reefs of the island. The tangy five strips custard like roes or gonads edible part of the urchin; it also considered as aphrodisiac

Wide plantation of seaweeds is very famous in the island. Various kinds of edible seaweeds, locally termed as “tambalang” are abundant in the area. Most of the locals are engaged in the seaweed farming. The fresh and dried seaweeds are very marketable in the local market and exported in nearby islands and provinces.

Seaweed farming is the main livelihood of the locals in the island.

Other profitable activities include mining, copra making, fishing, farming, raising livestock, native and shell crafts making.

The Island is three-hours away from Centro Weste Port in the Municipality of Libertad and five hours travel time from Lipata Seaport in Culasi via a ferry boat. The island has several safe docking places; the Masanag Pier during the habagat season; Tonggo pier during the amihan season and Dapdap Pier in Semirara Island. One can also ride on small cargo and commercial passenger vessels plying regularly the Culasi-Libertad-Caluya-Semirara-Mindoro routes.

Having lived in Delhi for some years, I have had the opportunity to be exposed to its myriad wealth in the form of historical monuments, art galleries, museums, places of worship and centers of classical dance performances.

Dilli Haat is a treasure trove, a fascinating, picturesque, modern day village situated in the heart of a bustling city, which represents a miniature India.

As I bought an entrance ticket and entered the gates leading to this unique attraction, my eyes were greeted by an original and creative landscape. Spread over an area of about 6 acres, I marveled, as I strolled leisurely across the complex, paved with stone and brickwork, skillfully interspersed with grass, flowering shrubs, towering eucalyptus and fruit trees. The minimal built up area was used mainly to display an extensive range of skillfully crafted handicrafts and ethnic wares by artisans from diverse states of India. The typically North Indian architecture using slate stone and latticed brickwork gave an authentic appearance.

I visited each counter, examined and admired the skilled craftsmanship of the artisans. As I interacted with them, I appreciated the fact that the customers had the convenience of a direct link with the craftsmen, thereby, enabling negotiation in purchasing exclusive handicrafts and antique pieces.

I was captivated by the wide variety of shawls and stoles from Kashmir, in stacks and stacks of vivid, shimmering hues and vibrant contrasts. Even for the discerning eye, there was a varied range of shawls in silk and wool, plain shades, alongside richly embroidered stoles in silken threads, priced at the lower end of Rs.100 to as much as Rs.100,000. The celebrated pashmina shawls, moderately priced around Rs.2500- Rs.5000 had soft, earthy tones in a choice of plain or embroidered variety.

Moving on, the next counter had a fascinating array of Indian tunics (long kurtas and short kurtis) displayed with traditional embroidered Kashmiri jackets, all at easily affordable prices. This was followed by an exhibit of bedspreads, cushion covers, letter holders, manufactured in the famous Benaras silk, and richly woven brocades and tissues.

The Rajasthan counter was resplendent with traditional miniature paintings from Udaipur, painstakingly painted with a single hairbrush, using a natural stone colour on special handmade paper, wood or silk. Side by side, were placed artefacts in marble, alabaster and soapstone with delicate inlay work using precious stones like malachite, lapis lazuli and mother- of-pearl.

The next counter had intricately designed artefacts from Karnataka known as "bidri' in an attractive alloy of zinc and copper, inlaid with pure silver sheets or silver wires. Thereafter, I got engrossed in an interesting display of curios in shell and sandalwood from Kolkata.

But it was late now. I was pleasantly tired, and though tempted to linger on and sample the exotic Indian dishes served up at the Haat, time being a constraint, I had to return home.

To conclude, Dilli Haat is truly a tourists' paradise, a show window in the midst of a lush green setting, a destination where one can pick up a charming memento or gift to adorn our homes.