Anvaya Cove, Bataan

It's December. And I suddenly remembered what we did last year this same month. For our brain stroming we went to Anvaya Cove in Bataan. Actually, it's an all-work escapade rather than leisure. But I still had my fun. Because who will not fall in love with a high-end resort with the view of the beach, lots of food and friends to be with? Just the company is enough to make my stay there worth it.

This is the view on the way to the resort. Sea, sea, sea.

Front View of Anvaya Cove

The Pool Area

We went straight to work mode so we were just inside the conference room the whole day except on lunch time and breaks. So when we went out again, it was already night time.

We went straight to the restaurant near the beach to have our dinner.

And then we went to the beach! We had a bonfire, a christmas party and we did stargazing! We were so lucky that there was a meteor shower that night. We saw a lot of shooting stars. A romantic night eh? :)

It was a short, tiring but fun time!

~Wandergirl.

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HOT AIR BALLOON FEST 2012

Last February 2012, I was able to attend the Hot Air Balloon Festival held at Clark, Pampanga. But it was only now that I had a chance to post the photos we took then.

the ticket for the event

 

Mt. Pinatubo

 

cesna planes everywhere

is this paragliding? XD

Demo operation

And of course we didn't forget to took so many memorial shots of ourselves. XD

We were not able to ride a real hot air balloon so we just took a photo here.

Cessna planes. We were given a chance to ride one! so fun.

Military jeep?

We had fun that day. I will try to go visit other festivals around the country next time. :)

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CARAMOAN ISLANDS ADVENTURE [part 2]

   

[side trip to Naga – CWC - Legaspi]

March 6-9, 2013

this is the continuation of my caramoan islands adventure part 1 entry. [CARAMOAN ADVENTURE PART 1]

DAY 3

The third day was the day we have to leave Caramoan. We left early because we want to stroll around Naga that day. We ate our breakfast around 6:00 am. Then we thank our host for accommodating us. We even took a picture for remembrance. By 7:00 am, we depart from Guijalo Port riding the huge boat that we missed on our first day. As expected, it was more comfortable there. It was also faster. The weather was still rainy though.  We reached Sabang around 9:18 am.

One of the things I will never forget on this day was our arrival to Sabang. Since there was no port there, the passengers must ride a balsa type they called Roro from the boat to reach the shore. This balsa will then be pushed by men on either side until it reached the shore line. The waves were huge when we arrived so it was shaky. It was fun for us though. We were laughing the whole time. 

CWC POOL.

Then we ride the van again to our next destination – Camarines Sur Water Complex also known as CWC This was one of the must visit place in Camsur expecially if you are into Wakeboarding. CWC was a man-made resort that’s the main attraction is Wakeboarding. We checked in to one of the cheapest cabin (the trailer type) since we will only stay there for a night because our flight back to manila will be the next day. They also have a free drop off to the airport so it was really convenient.  

THE MAIN ATTRACTION: Wakeboarding

HUTS AROUND

We just strolled there for a while before we decided to go the Naga to have a stroll around the area. According to their website, Naga’s must see destinations were their churches so we went there. 

CONCEPCION CHURCH

OUR LADY OF PENIAFRANCIA CHURCH

INSIDE THE CHURCH: There was a wedding happening that moment! <3

After that, we became hungry so we tried their must try restaurant called Biggs. Then I met a friend there for the first time and we had time chatting until 5:00 pm. After that we parted ways and my friend and I went back to CWC.

This is the itinerary and expenses we had on that day (March 8, 2013)

ITINERARY

6:00 am – breakfast/ check out at Caramoan Bed And Dine

7:00 am – departure from Guijalo Port to Sabang

9:18 am – arrival to Sabang

11: am – arrival to CWC

11: 30 am – strolling around Naga

-          Concepcion Church

-          Our Lady of Peñafrancia Church

12:30 pm – lunch at Biggs

1:30 pm – meet up with a friend at SM Naga

5:30 pm – back at CWC

EXPENSES

Boat to Sabang – 120 pesos

Van to CWC – 150 pesos

CWC trailer type cabin – 1,200 pesos (600 pesos each)

Lunch at Biggs – 180 pesos

Jeepney fares etc.  – 57 pesos

Snack – 27 pesos

TOTAL EXPENSE FOR DAY - 1134 pesos

DAY 4

There wasn’t supposed to be a day 4 in my itinerary. I was supposed to leave Naga by 7:00 am. But due to bad weather my flight was cancelled. The only available flight for me was on Legaspi Airport and it was for 2:20 pm.

That day, I was able to meet a local named kuya Randy who’s supposed to be on the same plane as me. But unlike me, he decided to take a bus from Naga to Manila. Yes, you can reach Manila by land. But it was a nine hour land trip on a not so good road. He guided me to the van terminal to Legaspi.

So I went to Legaspi to catch my plane. It was a two hour trip from Naga. It was a good thing for me thought because I was able to see the majestic perfect cone Mayon Volcano. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to take a picture because it was very cloudy that day.  I arrived at Legaspi Airport around 11:00 pm. It was raining so I wasn’t able to stroll around the city. But I was able to enjoy myself nonetheless.

EXPENSES I had on that day (March 9, 2013)

Van from Naga to Legaspi – 140 pesos

Round Trip airplane fair – 1800 pesos (Cebu Pacific Promo fare)

TOTAL EXPENSE FROM THIS TRIP – 7,629 pesos

THE VERDICT

So that was how my Caramoan trip went. It was my first time to go to an unfamiliar place alone and my first time to ride a plane alone. I felt like I did so many first times with this trip. I also learned that I was not afraid of flying and traveling by sea either (even though I don’t know how to swim). But one thing I really learned from this trip is that you should never be afraid or hesitate to ask questions. Especially if something unexpected (like cancelled flights) happened. Locals are very kind and accommodating people.  They will help you.

ACCOMODATION REVIEW

Caramoan Bed And Dine

It’s a hometel in the town proper of Caramoan. Their price is cheaper than the other places to stay there. If you are on a budget Bed And Dine is a good place to stay. The more number you have in a group the cheaper it will get. Since we were only two, we paid 3680 pesos for our three days two nights’ accommodation.

The hosts are very kind and accommodating people. Most of all, their foods were superb. I think I gained weight because of the delicious pinoy foods they cooked for us. It was far from the ports though. But part of the accommodation is a free tricycle service to the ports so it’s not really a problem. All in all, Caramoan Bed And Dine is a budget friendly, comfortable, highly recommended place to stay.

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