Quezon: Padre Burgos and Borawan Photos

Padre Burgos Photos

Calming sight at Padre Burgos

Padre Burgos sand

View from Tamarind Tree Resort

View from Tamarind Tree Resort

Padre Burgos sand

On the way to Borawan

On the way to Borawan photos

Extraordinary trip to Borawan + Tamarind Tree Resort Review

You know you had good last days of the year when you spent it travelling. It's definitely better when you're with your loved one. I did/have both, and it went from better to best because we were the only people who booked (on at in) the resort those two days.
[We were the only people who island hopped to Borawan too.]

My boyfriend J booked a one night/two days accommodation in Tamarind Tree Resort (they met at Makati for reservation) two weeks before.

I was rather doubtful of the dates because I feared that there would be lack of transportation, but thankfully it was all in vain. Apparently Dec 30 - Jan 2 are some of the busiest days of drivers.

So on December 30, I rode the legendary non-aircon Supreme bus from Batangas City grand terminal to Aria, Quezon, then rode another bus there to go to the Lucena Grand Terminal,where I would meet J, who came from Cavite naman. The Batangas - Lucena trip took more than 3h because  too many passengers loaded and unloaded the bus.

J reserved a hut for two near the beach for P2040. It has aircon, two foams and pillows, and a bathroom. I wouldn't say it's a comfort room because it is made simple - just for bath room needs. It lacked hooks for clothings, nice flooring, and it's not inside the hut; we should go outside of the hut first to have an access to it, which is rather a hassle during the night.

We paid extra P550 for three meals. It may sound too expensive and I did think it was when I didn't see the food yet, but believe me, it's not. They remembered the GoGrowGlow of 90s DOH in every meal that they served, and the servings are for totally hungry people.

We also paid P800 to the resort person for our morning trip to Borawan. They took charge to hire a boat person at the barangay.

So we then put down our things on the windows-turned-cabinets in the hut and immediately went to the beach after.

Outside our hut

Reminders

Inside

The name of our room. Very appropriate.

It was cloudy but it was still a nice sight. It was a calm high tide. We didn't swim that time; we just enjoyed the sand, the quiet surroundings and each other.

Padre Burgos sand

They served the dinner at 7:00 pm, with Celine Dion songs. There's about 5 songs on loop, and they played it every meal, thus the theme song of the trip - "My Heart Will Go On".

Dinner: Some fish that looks like a white tilapia, pinakbet, pineapple slices (not in the picture), a mound of rice.
With my pogi friend.

After a heavy and hearty meal, we stayed near the pool. I intended to swim but because the pool was not cleaned (we saw insects swimming there), we just talked until we couldn't take the mosquito bites anymore.

Candlelight drinking session FTW

We then decided to drink, because what good is a getaway without drinking? We set up the table overlooking the sea. J asked the resort person if it's possible to light the torches but he said that there's not gas so he just gave us a candle. And viola, we had a candlelight drinking session, while Jack Johnson sang through J's phone. We were also waiting for the sky to clear up because when J first went there (2010), he was amazed by the Milky Way.

But alas, the weather did not cooperate so we went to bed early (around 9 pm). But we read 100 Love Poems: Philippine Love Poetry Since 1905 (my Christmas gift to him) first because we're romantic like that. :)

THE book for romantics.
From http://flipreads.com/image/cache/data/100%20Love%20Poems_cover-600x600.jpg.

We woke up at past 7 am, so our breakfast was ready when we went at the dining area. I was so hungry that time that I forgot to bring my camera, but the breakfast consisted of bananas, instant coffee, and silog (I forgot what silog it was).

We then had our morning trip to Borawan (more pics here!).

Walking towards the bangka. It was lowtide so  the boat was parked far from the resort.

It was still cloudy but we were a bit lucky to have glimpses of the sun during the trip.

But look, a rainbow! It's a lucky day after all.

Borawan viewed from the boat.

We had the island for ourselves. We only saw people riding boats and 'harvesting' shrimps.
It rained there. Good thing we found a 'lair' so we stayed there during the rain. Jack Johnson sang for us again. His voice is totally made for beach-bumming background.

Ako sa Borawan! Yee!

Borawan panorama

Borawan sand

We stayed there till 10:30 am.
It was raining during our boat ride to P Burgos but that didn't stop Manong from touring us around the two islands which can be viewed in P. Purgos shores.

The two islands: viewed from Tamarind Tree Resort

One of the islands: Up close 

Still that one island. It rained a little harder when we got near the other one so I didn't have a photo of the island with a house on top of it.

We then had our lunch, still hearty as ever, with two viands and softdrinks.

Then we took pictures of ourselves using the tripod initially intended for the Milky way.

That's our first shot. Trial session for the tripod+cam. XD

After the camwhoring, it's time to say bye-bye to the resort. We definitely had a good time. (Though it could be improved by a little general cleaning by the resort.) :) I would love to go there again with friends, to visit the other islands, Dampalitan and Puting Buhangin. :)

Mini bus from the resort to Lucena terminal

Here are the other photos of the breathtaking Quezon.

Tamarind Tree Resort Review Summary:
Service - ★★★★☆
Ambiance - ★★★★☆
Cleanliness - ★★☆☆☆+1/2
Price - ★★★☆☆

November 2012 Panoramio Contest Entries

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/82574815

It's time for another Panoramio Photo Contest entries for me again, because it's not wrong to hope. :)

Here are my entries for Travel category:

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/82070700 (Laiya)

And here's my entries for Scenery category:

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/82071191

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/82259971 (Ilijan)

Please vote for them :)

First time! Family trip to Tribal Hills Resort, Puerto Galera

First family trip!

Living near the sea and having parents who had a house in a mountain, our family is not the travelling-for-scenery type. We didn't notice it, not until the Facebook era. (Thank deities for FB!) So one day we the kids pleaded for a getaway. 

We chose Metrodeal’s Tribal Hills Resort (THR) package worth P3799 instead of P8000 and bought 2 vouchers, because one we're just from Batangas City: it's easy just a jeepney and a boat ride to Puerto Galera (PG) pier, and two, it's the cheapest deal. (Paid by Mom. Thanks a lot! :*) Since Dad won’t be persuaded to come and one of my sisters is in Dubai, we invited my cousins to join.

Here’s our voucher:

Initially, we wanted our travel date to be during summer but due to accommodation problems, we decided to go there on October.

I was 'in charged' on booking our trip, and I didn't have a very good experience with the reservations but I will not go into details because we really had a great time at the resort. :)

I booked our stay on October 19-21, but since we planned our trip months before the event, certain circumstances arrived, we went there on October 20 and stayed until 21. 

We chose to ride Minolo Shipping Lines (MSL) since I was told that they follow their schedule strictly. Here are our tickets:

Single journey tickets for 7:30 am ride

We also paid terminal and environmental fees (PHP30 and PHP50 respectively). 
*FYI: One of the uses of envfees is for the building and maintenance of PG's sewage treatment plant - for a cleaner PG! :)
And on board we went! 

At the port

My mom, sister and baby brother! :)

MSL: On Board

Bye Batangas Port!

It was a 1-hour boat ride from the Batangas City pier to PG pier. It was our first time to set foot on PG pier (last time I went with my friends in PG, we were dropped off directly at White Beach)! 

Well, Hellllo yachts! (PG pier)

We were fetched by the MSL van (maybe in collaboration with Tribal Hills) and they dropped us at the foot of the hill where the THR van was waiting.

MSL van ride! Wooo!

Arrival: Tribal Hills Resort

Unloading the THR van. The rides were such fun!

We were welcomed by Ate Me-an at the resort office. She's nicer in person. :) Rules and regulations were explained to us, including the numbers to call in case we need the van again (they have 3), the free breakfast hours (7-9am), etc. 
If you intend to use the van out of their scheduled time, they would just drop you off on the foot of the hill. Prepare PHP100 per tricycle to go to the White Beach. 
(Extra info on THR rules, van scheds, etc. here)

And then we checked in and unloaded our baggage in our rooms. (Resort wonders later. :D)

One of our rooms. 5 and 6 are ours. :)))

Outside. So cozy and perfect for relaxing. 

One of the best bathrooms I've ever seen. (I'm quite picky with regards to CRs. They lack bidet and/or dipper though. Filipinos love dippers, not tissues.)

Good room design, I must say.

We have no complaints whatsoever with the rooms; they're spacious (we could use just one room if we wanted to, though the allowed maximum capacity is 4), airconditioned, clean and comfy. Inclusive with the rooms were towels, soap, tissue and extra blankets. 


Trekking: Aninuan Falls

Good thing we arrived early; we were just in time (9:30am) for the guided trek to Aninuan Falls which is free from the deal, though we were told to prepare PHP20 per person for the Falls entrance. 

The trek was relatively easy because it's not so steep, though it's almost 1 hour away from the resort. We had fun taking pictures of our trek. The streams we passed by were clean and cold that my brother didn't hesitate to sit and play there while we were resting.
  

One of the streams

Trekking all the way. :)

Resting. :)

After the enjoying walk, we arrived at our destination! :)

Aninuan Falls entrance

Me with the falls and our half-naked guide :D 

Enjoying the swim at the falls with PHP50 coconut juice drink

After an hour of falls enjoyment, we went back to the resort. Because we were relatively faster than our other companions, we walked ahead of them, without a guide. Sooo we got a little lost in our way. And because of hunger, we stopped over by a ministore that we didn't pass by on our way to the hill. 
(It's my first time that a tetra pack drink was called 'FunChum' (used as generic). It was always Zesto.)

We asked for directions from the friendly residents of the area, and at last, we reached the resort after an hour. 

Stairway to heavenly resort, at long last!

Because of fatigue, we took a nap right after the trek in their large beds. It was refreshing. We then enjoy the resort's beauty.

The pool was relatively small compared to other resorts, but because no one used the pool with us, its size was not a problem. We also avail of the free bubble bath, but due to faulty wiring, as explained by one of the staff, we only experienced it for ~15 minutes. 

To add a little luxury to our relaxation, I brought my Human Nature Bamboo Body Scrub and massaged my companions. They really loved it! I was massaged by my cousin too and god it was awesome. 

Photo from http://humanheartnature.com. 

It's a must try for more relaxation on your getaways. 
(Comment if interested in buying the product or PM me here :D)

For refreshment totality, we had a bottle of Antonov Ice each which was sold at the bar near the pool.

PHP 80 in the resort's bar

 It' s costly (PHP40 at the White Beach) but we bought anyway. However, their Mindoro Sling, THE famous PG cocktail drink, is cheaper (only PHP300 per pitcher) than in White Beach, which costs PHP330.

White Beach Night Life

Our PG stay would not be complete without the White Beach night life! We went downhill before 6pm which is outside the van sched so we rode a trike to WB. 

Night at Tribal Hills

Waiting for our Mindoro Sling :)

The eye-catching fire dancer

We came back to THR with the scheduled van at 10pm, indulged in the pool again, and enjoyed a good night sleep.

Second Day: Departure

Free breakfast with overlooking Mt. Malasimbo and PG Sea! 

The choices for breakfast are tocilog, hotsilog, longsilog and continental breakfast, with hot coffee or tea. It was a hearty breakfast, though not as luxurious as mentioned in Metrodeal site.


Aaand, picture galore for our last hours in the resort!

The resort is designed to have vibrant colors in pictures. Love it!

All in all, it was worth it. The place is gallant, we didn't experience being charged for miscellaneous things (like extra blanket or water or van ride) nor did we have staff problems. We had a great time from our landing to the resort to our departure. 5 stars out of 5 for you!

I thank the driver of the van that we last rode for driving faster down the steep slope; it felt like riding a roller coaster! 

Til next time Tribal Hills! 
I'll visit you again soon, surely!