No To Mining In Palawan

I’ve never been to Palawan, yet it’s now already in danger  of destruction due to mining. Palawan is very rich in beautiful places specially of virgin coral reefs. With the increasing intense adverse effects of global warming, let’s us all help to preserve the little good resources we are left. Please show your SUPPORT by casting your VOTE in the march to 10 million signature campaign to stop mining in Palawan. Please follow the link below for online voting. Thanks and god bless!

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Banaue Rice Terraces

Banawe Rice Terraces

Mountain Province, Philippines

I’d been to Mountain Province’s rice terraces way back 2007 and 2008 when my work required me to go to Santiago, Isabela. The first time was very amazing. The air was so cool and the place was so refreshing. I really enjoyed the ride, both going up and down. Although, it may be scary for those who fear heights, since the road was just on the sides of the mountains and have many curves. The driver should be very good and cautious due to the roads terrain and form.

The experience was very great, the views were very amazing. There are many photo opportunities along the way. There are also native restaurants & souvenir shops.

We went to rice terraces in a private car, I believe it’s the most efficient means of going there to really enjoy the travel 100%. This is because there are several viewing destinations in the area and they are quite far from each other.

Subic Tree Top Adventure and Safari

Subic, Zambales, Philippines

This is our next getaway in the list after our tagaytay trip. We are planning to make this a one day adventure only since it’s 1 to 2 hrs ride only from Manila.

My plan is tree top adventure in the morning and zoobic in the afternoon, like what my friend did. I’m thinking to be there during weekend so we can watch the parade at 3pm at zoobic.  So excited! =D

Subic Tree Top Adventure and Safari

The Water Parks

The Water Parks
Fontana, Pampanga, Phillippines

Yes, there are two water parks inside Fontana. The first one is the one near the villas while the second one is the one near the tennis and basketball courts.

We only get to swim in the first water park near the villas. We were not able to swim in the second one since we didn’t know there were 2 water parks. We only saw it on the day when we were already about to go home. We saw it when we decided to wander the park while some of my teammates were paying the bills.

Bringing food inside the resort is not allowed, even bottled water. But if you became hungry there is a canteen/store inside.

There were so many people when we came there. I noticed also several cars and jeepneys outside the resort, parked just beside the fence. I saw several people going out the resort into their cars just to eat.

The entrance fee in the first water park I think is P200 while 300 on the second. The parks close at 5PM. When you stayed until the second shift or night swimming shift, I believe, is for another “entrance” fee. 

First Water Park

The Gate

The Admiral

The Water Factory

The Lazy River

This one is great. I guess it’s unique in Fontana and only they have this kind of pool. It’s like a river that circle around the resort. It’s good to relax and swim here while being carried by the current. Nice moment to chat while swimming with your partner too. 

The Giant Slide

The Wave Pool 

I wasn’t able to take pictures while there were waves. I might have been swimming already. =P

The Second Water Park 

Since we were not able to swim here I can only show you the view from the entrance gate. However, from the pictures I had, it seems that they have hot spring and Jacuzzi here. I also noticed that some pools here are deeper since I saw some people diving, unlike in the first one where there are no pools where you can dive.

The Basketball and Tennis Courts

CONTACTS

I was able to read their brochure I found inside the villa. You may contact them in the following:

Reservations Hotline:

Tel. No. (+63 45) 599-5000

Fax. No. (+63 45) 599-7414/ (+63 45)843-9123

Email Add: resortrsvn@fontanaleisureparks.com 

The Kalesa

The Kalesa
Fontana, Pampanga, Philippines

While wandering the park, I came across a carrousel.  I didn’t not inquire how much the fee for a ride since I was not planning to have one, however, the driver was very kind that he was willing to take a picture with you riding on it. 

The Villas

The Villas
Fontana, Pampanga, Philippines

This is the house where we stayed. It’s so clean and spacious. We saved some money on the food since there was a kitchen where we cooked inside the house.

Fontana, Pampanga

I’ve been to Fontana Leisure Park when my office teammates planned an outing last April  2010. It happened that a relative of my teammate was a member there and that we can avail the facility as their guests.

We arrived and checked in at 1 PM and then checked out the next day at 12 NN.

The purpose of the outing was just for team bonding. At around 3 to 5 PM, we had a swimming and then just spent the rest of the time inside the house playing games or just wandering the park.

Canyon Cove - Nasugbu Batangas

This is where our company outing last May 2010 was held. I must admit, the place was so big, probably due to several buildings/hotels of the resort that were built.  

There is also a big conference hall which can accommodate an average of 500 persons, a really good place for company outing. The room that we had was great also, good facilities and clean, although others were complaining that their rooms had poor air-conditioning.

There are two swimming pools in this resort, one for the adults and the other for children. The pools are great but the downside is that there’s no deep part /place for diving.

There is also a playing park for kids beside the pool.

The sands here are quite white but there are some small pieces of dead corals you’ll see in the seashores.

The resort also offers scuba diving, banana boat riding and Jet Ski rentals.

LOCATION & CONTACT

Canyon Cove

Far East Road, Piloto Wawa

Nasugbu, Batangas

Tel. No. 02-5206400/043-9313554

The Strawberry Farm

The Strawberry Farm

Baguio City, Philippines

One of the bests experience I had in Baguio. I really enjoyed the view here, so refreshing. A very new experience too, harvesting strawberries. I just can’t really explain more the feeling, it’s so relaxing, a very far from the city life.

Actually, strawberry farm is located in La Trinidad, Benguet, outside Baguio City already, a 30 - 45 minutes ride. When we went there, taxi cabs are hesitant to take us. They said there was so much traffic there along the way, so we chose to ride a jeep instead. To make sure you will not pass over the farm, it is just in front of Benguet State University. Jeep terminal is somewhere beside the Baguio Market.

I think we paid P200 for a basket of strawberries when we went there. It’s because we chose to do the harvesting with our own hands.

Easter Weaving Room

Easter Weaving Room

Baguio City, Philippines

Here we saw how the traditional cordilleran weaving is. Located at the basement of the building is the weaving showroom where the weavers weave manually.

Arko ni Apo

Arko ni Apo
Baguio City, Philippines

Just in front the Tam-awan village is the Arko ni Apo. Picture taking is not allowed here, but no entrance fee is needed. Inside this shop are metal and wood art crafts made by artists. I saw a metal miniature of the statue found in the entrance of the Botanical Garden here. I’m very much certain that the artist that made them was the same and live here.

We were lucky to see an artist currently making a metal art work inside the shop in the 2^nd floor. Although we were not able to have some conversation, it was still an amazing experience.

Tam-awan Village

Tam-awan Village

Baguio City, Philippines

Here you can see different genuine ifugao huts. I managed to get one of their brochures and below were some of them:

The Dap-ay - Strictly for men only in mountain provinces, while it is open for both male and female members in most parts of cordillera.

The Bontoc Rice Granary - Acquired in 2006 by Tan-awan Village. It was built in 1950. It is a small granary and can allow only one person inside.

The Binayon - Is the traditional octagonal house of Southern Kalinga Province. This is purposely constructed for rich families. Built in 1923.

The Fertility Hut - Is such that it is where a married couple resides after a year of inability to produce a child. The shaman performs a ritual of offering to male and female bulols. The couple will then stay in the house for a month or so. If after this period expires and still unable to produce a child, the man has the right to find another woman, although the marriage is still in effect.

There is also a portrait sketching area here where artists paint and draw. You can have yourself a portrait or caricature at reasonable price.

The entrance fee is P50 for adults, P30 for students, and P20 for children. The village is open for rent as well as the huts. The price ranges from P500 per person and 900 for a couple. Extra person is additional P250 each and for group (10 pax or more) P300 each. Which means you can stay here overnight if you want. 

Lourdes Grotto

Lourdes Grotto

Baguio City, Philippines

It was my first time to see a grotto like this one.

Burnham Park

Burnham Park

Baguio City, Philippines

Within the Burnham Park are the boat & bike rides, and the orchidarium. We didn’t bother to have a bike ride as they seem to be very common already, but we had the boat riding. One of the best experience we had here in Baguio. The price I think was P60 /hour/person. Although the water was not that clear already, as it seems to be stagnant, we still enjoy the experience. I believe it was just shallow also that’s why it’s safe.

There were also some food vendors that had a boat and were very accommodating to take us pictures with our cam, they even volunteer. People in Baguio are really so nice.