Anniversary Get-away

On our first year anniversary, we planned to have our second honeymoon out of town, but since we had an early vacation in Baguio and Sagada last April, we decided to search for resorts near Manila instead. After a week of searching and inquiring, I found a blog and saw the nice garden of Cristina Villas in Antipolo City. Luckily, our friend is holding her wedding in that same Hotel Resort, so she gave us a location map and directions.

We went there last June 12, left the house at around 10:30 in the morning and we arrived at exactly 12 noon in the hotel. We checked-in and rested for a while, ate the mushroom sandwiches that I made then watched Bee Movie. :)

In the afternoon, we explored the place, brought some food with us and spent the next two hours appreciating the overlooking view of Metro Manila while sitting on the their nice swing.

We were not disappointed with what we've seen in the blog, though of course the pix there are nicer than ours. :)

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We went for a swim just before the dinner, enjoying the pool all by ourselves.







They have 2 big swimming pools and a kid's pool in separate locations. We had the chance to see the beautiful perfect orange sunset while we were on the pool, but were not able to capture it on camera.




The landscape is nice indeed, and my most favorite place was their Café Cristina.




I like the interior design and the open space and it was even more beautiful at night when we had our dinner.

















At nine, we went to their cafe in the middle of the resort with matured landscape and trees surrounding it. Alvan ordered their recommended chili beef with banana and I ordered the specialty of the house pork binagoongan...hhmmm...yummy for those who love salty food :). The usual entrees range from P130-150, very affordable and generous in serving. After dinner, we had our stroll to see the garden at night with its lights on. Afterwards, we went back to our room to watch two more movies we saved on the laptop.

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The following day, we went back to the cafe to have our complimentary breakfast. Of course the typical pinoy breakfast, silog!




I really enjoyed the love birds near our table and the occasional sound of the frog on top of the lotus leaf on a pond right in front our coffee table.

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Sadly, we were not able to avail a room overlooking Metro Manila because there was a convention ongoing at that time. Ours is in the first floor, still elevated and you can see the trees and the sky (since the hotel building itself is on a hill), but not the full view as compared to the rooms on the 3rd and 4th floors.

So if you are planning to stay in their hotel, make sure to reserve a room with balcony for a more romantic experience.

The hotel is not that new, and it is not a 4 or 5 star accommodation.







We love the resort better, they have open cottages that you can rent for an overnight, ranging from 1000-1,800 for max of 15 pax according to them. The cottages have an attic where you can sleep.
There were areas that are still under renovation, but generally, we like the ambiance and the landscape. The pool is well maintained too.

It was a nice experience to just be away from the city and be alone with my hubby...

I am now starting to think where would we spend our next anniversary get-away :) God willing...

Hi "Frank"

Five o' clock in the morning last Sunday, June 22, we were awakened by the roaring sound of the wind. Alvan went downstairs to check our kitchen door that kept banging. The howling wind was so strong with a heavy rain. We clicked the light switch, but the the electricity was out. I texted my sister and asked her if there is a typhoon hitting Manila, and she said yes, the name of the typhoon is "Frank". Well, I never knew! all I know was, a day before Bicol was at storm signal intensity number 2 then 3, but got no idea that it was coming over to visit us.

The morning light started to rise so I was able to witness a storm for the first time in my entire life! Really guys, I have not experienced a typhoon in Davao, nor in Iligan, at least none during my stay there.We tried to be still and listen to the raging sound. I would suddenly get off our bed, look at the window, went to the other room, or downstairs, just to look at the storm from different angles :). I was astonished! A bit afraid of course. I saw that the the rain was not dropping downwards, but sideways, as in perfect horizontal direction. We searched the internet when the electricity resumed and found out that it was signal #3 in Manila and the surrounding provinces and "Fengshen" (its international code name) was going north, up to Baguio the following day.

We woke up at 12 noon, wow what a rest indeed! We were not able to attend church that day. The heavy rain lasted until 10 in the morning and the strong wind slowly subsided after that, though the rain was still consistent until the following day. In the afternoon, Alvan and I went to Trinoma Mall because I had left some items in the baggage counter a day before, there we found out that the rail way station was closed, it could have been very difficult for us to travel to Makati to attend church, good thing we decided to stay at home.

Well, I know to those who were in Manila and NCR for a long time, witnessing a typhoon is not a new experience, but for me, it was spectacular!

Click here to view some typhoon pictures.

Caving, Sagada Trip Part III

The most amazing experience we had was on the last day, the caving!!!

We woke at 6 am the following day, ate our breakfast at Igorot Inn, then prepared for the caving. We were instructed to wear preferably jogging pants or leggings, and slippers, and we did not have what they suggested except for the slippers :).




On our way, we are greeted by the landscape of Sagada.









The walk is only 20-30 minutes away from the poblacion of Sagada to the caves...



We passed by the the cave where there were "hanging coffins", the traditional way of the Igorots to bury their dead, they actually hang coffins that look exactly like logs and not like coffins.

See that?

Those are their ancient coffins.

The next stop was the Sumaging Cave, known for it's beautiful stalactites and stalagmites.








The guides have their own petromax, to provide enough light for the tourists. Papa arranged for our guide (P100 per person is the standard rate, should be 1:4 ratio of tourist to guide).





While waiting for our our guide...


















And so the caving begun...










Touching, and tasting, and feeling the pure clean ice-cold water

All we can say is "ohhs and ahhhs, and wows"










Mama Zen stepping on the stalagmite, amazed by the stalactite that looks like a banana cluster.

The Turtle

The Pregnant Woman

The Mocha Cake

There are areas of the cave that you can swim in..."

The Curtain

You ask if it's tiring? No, it's EXHAUSTING! But way worth it guys!!!



Two thumbs up! This is a "Must Try" experience. I mean, I've been to several caves already, Sumaging cave really stands out!

So now we know why Papa really wanted us to experience caving in Sagada, 'coz it's awesome!

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We went home in the afternoon, just right after the caving. The last jeepney that travels from Sagada to Bontoc leaves at 1 PM, and it was already full when we arrived at the terminal. We had no choice but to climb up on top. We had to leave that day because we already had tickets for Manila and the Cable Tour Bus leaves at 3 pm from Bontoc. Well, we had the full view of the sky and pines, and the cliff, and the beautiful mountains!

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See also Part I and Part II of our Sagada Adventure.

The Tour, Sagada Trip Part II

The following day, Papa took us to Bontoc, a neighboring municipality just 20 minutes down from Sagada.

That's me with Bea posing under the early morning sun.






Alvan and the Bontoc Tricycle, he likes to pose beside the tricycle of different places we visit.







This is the place where they used to stay when Alvan was still small...











This is the overlooking view of Bontoc poblacion. On the opposite side of the river is the neighboring town of Samoki.






On our way to the hot spring in the interior of Bontoc.

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On our 4-day stay in Sagada, we kept on looking for the "Frenchman" who was known for his french bread that we tasted when we were in Baguio... but we failed to see him :(







but instead, we found what seems to be a secret garden...

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The following day, Papa took us to Besao, a 15 minute bus ride from Sagada, the place where Papa grew up. This is St. Benedict's Church, where Lolo Alejandro, Papa's father ministered as an Anglican priest.






Remembering and appreciating the wonderful view.








The view from the balcony of Tauli Clan's vacation house in Besao









The vacation house...

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Sagada is a place for slowing down and contemplating as you commune with the beauty of its nature...