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.
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.
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.
Roughly 175-180 steps after, Kuya finally said we've reached our Magnolia Villa! Deep breath.... Deep breath... Hahahaha
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.
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.
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.
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| Php230 per person plus Php30 terminal fee and Php50 environmental fee. |
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.
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| Free work out! |
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...
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| Upper right - Outdoor Jacuzzi, Opposite - Master's bed, Lower right - View from the veranda, Opposite - Minibar |
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| Grilled Tilapia, Sinigang na Hipon and Watermelon Shake for Lunch |
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.
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.
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| Boat schedule as of February 12, 2015 |
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