Trip Lang #18 - One Weekend in Batlag Falls

February 22, 2015.

This trip was supposed to be a team building event before the big reshuffle in our account. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, we ended up with only four members joining the trip.

With big budget and few people to join, we decided to invite some of our colleagues who were available that weekend.

The players:

Meeting place was La Mirasol in Taytay where Ryan lives. It was 7:30AM when we left the place and head to Tanay. We had to stop over at 711 in Teresa Public Market to buy ice and add tilapia, talong for ensalada and charcoal for grilling most of our food.

Around past 9AM, we arrived at Daranak. There's an entrance fee of Php50. No pets allowed and they also don't allow plastic cups or anything made out of Styrofoam. So, we had to leave our plastic cups by the entrance before entering.

Actually, we could just stay in Daranak and occupy one cottage but we thought it would be too crowded on the later part because this place is a known summer or weekend getaway. So the whole team head up to Batlag Falls. It was a 5 minutes trek on a cemented pathway before we reach the entrance. Unlike Daranak, Batlag Falls is privately owned so we had to pay Php100 per person for a day trip.

Upon reaching the place, we looked for an ideal spot we can occupy to avoid many people. We found a perfect spot near the falls and had to pay Php200 for one table.

The place easily captivated everyone of us with its beauty. The water falling is cold. The whole surrounding is green. The air is fresh. Yes... Nature indeed.

What's the best thing to do on this kind of trip you'd ask? Eating! So we prepared all food that needs to be grilled. We have liempo, tilapia, hotdog and talong. I also cooked adobong chicken and devils egg the night before for this trip. We plan to pig out with so many food and just few of us.

After two kilos of food per person later, we dipped in the very cold water and started picture taking.

Our entire afternoon was spent swimming, eating, playing cards, swimming, eating and swimming again... Oh! Did I mention eating? Hahaha. Yes. We're hungry like that.

The park closes at 5PM so around 4PM we started rinsing and packing our things. This whole Sunday was spent relaxing and bonding with friends and having a good time.

Overall, our visit to this place was awesome! Great for nature lovers. Not too far from the metro, anyone can visit and unwind on weekends. The place is good for overnight camping too. They have a few simple toilet and bath for the people to use so no need to worry about mother nature calling.

Trip Lang #17 - A Decade of Love and Friendship - Puerto Galera

February 11, 2015... Our 10th year anniversary as partners in crime. We requested for two days off from work, February 11-12, but we haven't decided where to go yet.

The initial plan was to have dinner and check in at some fancy hotel. Another was a trip to Zoobic Safari in Zambales. None of that materialized because a day before our scheduled off from work, we've decided to go to Puerto Galera.

We woke up at 5AM to get ready and make sure all the things we need are in our handy-dandy-backpack. Around 5:30AM we head to Araneta Cubao, we had breakfast and boarded Alps Bus to Batangas Pier by 6AM.

Couple of hours and a half have passed when we finally reached Batangas Pier. We followed the flow of people towards terminal 3 and look for the ticket booth. A bystander assisted us in exchange of Php10.

Php230 per person plus Php30 terminal fee and Php50 environmental fee.

We passed through an x-ray machine before entering the waiting area of terminal. All passengers of Minolo Shipping Lines are to wait at gate three. While waiting, we used the extra time to use the restroom and take pictures of the terminal.

Due to strong wind, it took us more than an hour before we reached Muelle Port. The boat left at exactly 10AM (30 minutes late from the schedule written on the ticket). It was 11:20AM when we finally docked at Muelle.

Even before we alight from the vessel, I saw a person holding a small white board with my partners name written on it. It was Kuya Joel, our boat man. One final check of all the things we need and we're off to Buri Resort and Spa which was 10 minutes boat ride from Muelle.

Few minutes later, I saw a familiar beach front resort. It looks exactly like the picture I found online. Even before we got to a full stop, we noticed people lining up on the resort's entrance. We handed Kuya Joel Php250 for the boat's payment. Later, we found out that the people by the entrance were all the resort's staff welcoming us and all the other guests.

A lady ushered us to a table and served the welcome drinks. They were Calamansi Slush, very delicious and great for cooling down from the scorching heat of the sun. Cold face towels were also given for us to freshen up. One thing I noticed right away, the service was very MAHARLIKA (royalty-like). I'm already loving it.

Soon after, a lady introduced herself. She's Grace. I think she's the manager of the resort. She welcomed us and provided information about the facilities and amenities of the resort. A paper with wifi password was also handed over to us. She walked us through some more details and tell us how we can maximize our stay in the resort. Another plus factor was the free upgrade of our room from a Garden Villa to a friend Pool Villa with our very own outdoor jacuzzi. All for our 10th year anniversary. Isn't that wonderful?! We're both very pleased.

So, after the quick chitchat, since its almost lunch time we ordered before heading to our villa. As soon as we're done drinking the Calamansi Slush, one of the staff carried our bags and started ascending the cemented stairs. I've read about them in the reviews so I've already anticipated the climb. I was grasping for air so I stop ever few steps to rest and also took advantage of the time to take pictures.

Free work out!

Roughly 175-180 steps after, Kuya finally said we've reached our Magnolia Villa! Deep breath.... Deep breath... Hahahaha

As soon as our things were inside, I started taking pictures. Kuya told us that the villa has a second floor and that it can also accommodate 2-4 more guests. Imagine, that big of a villa for the two of us alone. Very nice...

Upper right - Outdoor Jacuzzi, Opposite - Master's bed, Lower right - View from the veranda, Opposite - Minibar

About 30 minutes after, the doorbell rang. It was one of the staff who has brought us our food for lunch. Due to hunger and weariness, I failed to take decent pictures of our food so bear with me here.

Grilled Tilapia, Sinigang na Hipon and Watermelon Shake for Lunch

We only slept for 2 hours before the trip so we decided to crash after lunch to recharge. It was almost 4PM when we woke up and decided to explore the place. Along with exploring comes cam-whoring, of course.

There's not much to explore outside the resort. Next to it is a residential area where fishermen and their families live. We didn't see any other resort or commercial place along the shoreline so I am assuming that this particular area is semi-exclusive for the resort.

Had enough of walking after an hour so we headed back to the pool area and ordered  banana split. We hang for a bit more and decided to head up our villa when dawn came. We requested for lamps to be put on the jacuzzi area as we planned to lounge before eating dinner which we also requested to be served inside the villa. The night was very romantic and was perfect for bonding and quality time.

The following day, the chirping of birds woke us up. We prepared cup noodles for breakfast and the leftover pasta from our dinner last night. We planned to go swimming and relax more by the pool before our 12 noon check out time.

The blue water of the pool was very inviting. We couldn't resist so we played and soaked all morning in the pool and took some more photos while eating fruits and drinking pineapple juice.

By 11AM we rinsed and packed our things for check out. We called the restaurant to order for lunch and requested it to be served by 12 noon.

After lunch we requested for our total bill to be computed so we're good to go as soon as we're done with dessert.

Our boat is ready to take us back to Muelle Port by 1PM. We took a traditional picture by the resort's name and bid Grace and the rest of the crews goodbye.

We've done a little bit of shopping for pasalubong at the Muelle Port. It was around 1:45PM when Minolo Shipping left the port and about an hour later, we were in Batangas port ready to board the bus going back to Cubao.

One night was definitely not enough to do everything that we wanted in Puerto Galera. But then again, our mission was to indulge, relax and disconnect ourselves from the busy and stressful demands of the city. I can say it was mission accomplished indeed.

Hoping to be back again in the future. 

Boat schedule as of February 12, 2015

Trip Lang #16 - Baguio with mia familia - Day 2

Second day in Baguio... (here's the link if you haven't seen Day 1 yet)

Late to bed, early to rise. The next morning, regardless of how cold the weather was, everyone took a bath. We rented a van for the whole day so we can visit most of the tourist attractions in Baguio.

First stop, Philippine Military Academy. We enjoyed taking picture with the cadets jogging in the area and by the war tanks and military equipment.

PMA Baguio

After getting enough of the photo ops and great view, we head back to Mines View Park to buy pasalubong and souvenirs.

We also went to Good Sheperd's Convent to buy their famous ube jam. By the convent's entrance there's a nipa hut that sells exotic coffee from musang's poop.

It was already lunch time so we decided to eat. Went back to 50's Diner but it was full so we tried the restaurant next door. Here's my tripadvisor review of the Mamita's Bulaluhan.

Next stop, the famous strawberry farm which was about 15-20 minutes away from where we ate.

Of course, I had to try the strawberry flavored ice cream in the area. It's Php20 per sweet cone or you can have it on an ordinary cone for Php10. We also bought lettuce for Php50 per
pile, strawberry wines for Php100 per 3 bottles and broccoli.

Most of my companion watches television every night and have been fond of the telenovela Forevermore. This show is being filmed in Benguet and the group decided to visit the place. It was an hour and a half from strawberry farm and located at the very high part of Benguet.

This is the last stop we have for the day. Some of us including me and my partner have been scheduled to travel back to Manila that night because we have work the following morning. The rest stayed another night and went home the following day.

***Since this is a family trip, I can't provide the estimated expenses. It's our elders who paid for everything except for our bus fare to Baguio.

Trip Lang #16 - Baguio with mia familia - Day 1

January 15, 2015... We were scouting the terminals in Cubao to get a reservation for our Baguio trip. It was hard to get tickets because of the long weekend due to Pope Francis' visit. After an hour we gave up.. We decided that we will take chances on the day of our departure to Baguio.

Friday, January 16, 2015, 10PM. As soon as our work ended we head straight to Victory Liner Cubao Terminal. I was praying hard inside the taxi that the chance passenger line to Baguio will be shorter compared to the previous night. And luckily, it was. We were at the terminal by 10:45PM and around 10mins before 12MN we're on the road to NLEX.

As usual, I battled with myself to sleep. It was near La Union when I finally dozed off. Yes... I stayed awake that entire time.

The winding road and the ranging engine near Baguio City woke me up. It was still dark. I check my watch, 15 minutes to 5AM. Too early. I can see the houses lights flicker like firefly in the mountain.

There's nothing much to see so I just busied myself gathering our things, preparing for arrival. My companions were already awake so I asked them to do the same for a smooth alighting. I was wearing a shirt and leggings with my high cut shoes. I have my jacket in hand but I didn't bother to wear them. I know it'll be cold when we alight but I didn't expect that it was almost freezing point. Bbbbrrrrrrrrrr........... That's not even enough to describe the coldness I felt upon stepping down the vehicles platform. So I immediately look for a shelter to avoid hypothermia.
We stayed a bit in 711 near the Victory Terminal to warm ourselves up with hot chocolate and coffee. It was around 6AM when we decided to call the owner of our rented apartment for an early check in. Unfortunately, the units were fully booked so we didn't have a choice but to leave our things in his unit and started touring Burnham Park.

(on top) 711 and Cabinet Rd. near 50's Diner (bottom)

Burnham Park

Do's and Don'ts at the kiddie park

Out of the country shot daw.

The Gang in Burnham Park

About lunch time when we decided to head to Zig Apartment. Our room was ready and all of us decided to take a nap before continuing our tour.

It was almost dawn when we decided to head out again. Since The White Haunted House is neer our place, we walked towards the area.

The White Haunted House

After the creepy house encounter and the art exhibit found inside, we head to Mines View Park. Since it is already dark we didn't see any green mountains or the mines. What unfolded in front of us were lights flickering in the mountains.

Mines View Park at Night

Tired of walking, we decided to eat. The entire family decided to eat again at Good Taste but when we got there, the line was never ending. Not far from Good Taste is the Igorot Park near Harrison Road where adjacent you'll find local seafood restaurants that grills what ever you order. That's where we ate our dinner. Good location since we plan to do "ukay-ukay" shopping after.

Dinner and Ukay Night

An hour or so of ukay shopping and we called it a night. Tired and weary muscles plus cold weather made all of us fall asleep and slumber soundly. End of Day 1.

Click here for Day 2.

***Since this is a family trip, I can't provide the estimated expenses. It's our elders who paid for everything except for our bus fare to Baguio.