A Day at Tanay, Rizal

One of Delai Lama's rule: Every year go someplace you've never been before. I've never been to Rizal. It's an hour or so (depending on the traffic) away from Manila. Upon searching and reading different blogs about this province, I decided Tanay would be our destination this year.

First, we headed to Calinawan Cave. It comes from the word "linaw" or clear. Our tour guide told us that during the Japanese invasion, the cave serves as a hiding place for Filipino fighters. The cave has different sorts of stalactites and stalagmites. Which the tour guides are repeatedly reminding us not to touch. I thought I would feel suffocated inside and I constantly worry about my 2 year old son. But the cave is safe enough. There are low ceilings and steep part but as long as you took cautious steps and just be careful then you will be alright. It was like a workout when we finished touring the place! I was perspiring heavily and out of breath. It was a wonderful experience and a good exercise too!

From there, we went to Daranak Falls. The place was packed with tourist like us. Many children were already enjoying the cool water from the falls. It literally feels like the water have ice on it. From the shallow part, the water to me looks dirty but on the deeper part at the foot of the falls the water is semi clear. We had a nice time there but the only thing I complain is the comfort and shower rooms! They only have one CR with 5 cubicles. How would they accommodate hundreds (or thousands?) of people? Especially during summer season, they must think of things like that. 

To end our Tanay, Rizal adventure, we went to Tanay Lakeshore or Parola. When I saw pictures of this place in the internet, I thought it was a giant structure. But when I saw it, it's not that high! My thought, Hey I can climb that in seconds! Wrong. My knees were trembling after a few steps that I hold on to the railing so tight. Haha! Looks can be deceiving. I was a coward little girl. Because I have the camera, my sister was already scolding me for it took me forever to make it to the top. After few shots, I couldn't wait to descend. It was a funny experience! :)

Three places in one day. Rizal has satisfied the nature lover part of me.Will I return again to these places? Maybe. Maybe not. But if I ever visit again, maybe we'll try other spots like Daraitan River, Regina Rica, Kinabuan Falls and the Grotto. That's just some place you could visit in Rizal. But you could always explore and discover more!

Amana Waterpark

Last Saturday, we went to Amana Waterpark Resort. This is our last hurrah this vacation since next week will be school time once again. My sister and I are teachers so we're enjoying every minute of the remaining of our break. We chose Amana because of the exposure and advertisement it received. It is a newly developed resort (it just opened 2009) but the place is packed with excursionist like us. To think we're almost at the end of summer season, what more during the months of March and April? But even if the resort is filled with people, we managed to squeeze in and enjoy our day. They have 8 pools (as I counted) and over 100 life size action heroes characters including the likes of Justice League, Incredible Hulk, Dragon Ball Z, Shrek, Wolverine and Cyclops, and many more. It's just perfect for picture taking!

The Wave Pool with 13 waves!

So many people!

The Kiddie Pool

Here you can find the Dragon Ball characters

The Twin Infinity Pool

The Avatar Pool

Pool with Jacussi

Madagascar Pool

And our photo ops with some of the known figures.

It was a great day even if it rains mid afternoon. I have not yet experience some of Amana's facilities like the zipline, and the 3Max Rides, and the horseback ride for my son. So maybe, we can come back next summer and be amazed again by the Resort of the Star which is known as "Amana Waterpark Resort." 

Truly Filipinos

Yesterday, the Department of Tourism launched it's international ad/commercial to campaign the tourism logo "It's More Fun in the Philippines." I like the song and the photos although only few we're shown. Maybe, it's a strategy to intrigue the watchers. They will be curious as to what else Philippines has to offer. This international campaign will bring more tourist in our country and in return boost our economy, don't you think? So, I'm helping out by posting it in my blog and because I really do believe in how beautiful my country is. Just like our recent vacation to Potipot Island, a lot of places you'll discover! It really is MORE fun in the Philippines!

These are what I came up with: some places we've visited and some traditions and foods that are truly Filipino. :)

Hundred Islands, Pangasinan

Tukuran Falls, Oriental Mindoro 

Potipot Island, Zambales

We are celebrating the Feast of San Jose today!

Panasahan, Malolos, Bulacan

Halo Halo! The best this summer! :p

Summer Getaway 2012: Potipot Island, Zambales

Our first plan for our summer this year is an Ilocos Sur tour (again!) but as usual it didn't push through. We wanted to visit a place that's not too far but still not over commercialized. My brother and his girlfriend were the ones who told us if we want to go here. I checked the net and a lot of raves are written about the place. I even read that it is dubbed as the "little Boracay of the North." And just the picture of an isolated island with white sand and a lot of greens makes me agree almost immediately and no doubt in my mind that this is our beach to be this year!

We stayed first in a beach resort in Brgy, Uacon, Candelaria, Zambales. There are many resort there and depending on your budget, you can chose whichever you like. We chose Sunbloom Resort and because we arrived there past 2 pm, we decided to just rest and go to Potipot tomorrow morning. The next morning, we took a boat to get us there and it is more or less 5 minutes boat ride.

The boat ride costs us P500. The usual price is P400 pesos per 6 people but since we're a company of 7 plus a kid,  the boatman charges us additional P100. There's also P100 entrance fee per head at the island. The tables are free to use but the nipa houses all over the island are rented for the price of P500.

Potipot's sand is not that white up close but is fine and just right for a barefoot walk. The water is calm and crystal clear. Perfect for my little son who is itching to take a dip. We enjoyed our time swimming, snorkeling, and making sand castle. After we've finished the first leg of our swimming stretch, we decided to tour the island to discover what else it has besides the pristine waters. I read from a blog it takes them 15 minutes to circle the whole island. But it took us more than 15 minutes because we took so many photos that by the time we're halfway rounding the island, we are all so tired and decided to just went back to our table and rest.

My Potipot Island experience is definitely memorable. If only we can stay longer. Potipot Island - checked! I wonder where our feet will lead us next summer. Tons of beautiful places yet to discover in our country. I can't wait until my next jump! Happy Summer!

Puerto Galera: The Nature Trip

We went to Puerto Galera for only one reason: the beach! But when we arrive in our hotel, the manager suggests a lot of activities and places to visit. Well, that's not a bad idea, we thought. We don't know when we'll be back to this wonderful place so we might as well enjoy our trip to the fullest. There are so many things you can do there besides swimming. There are parasailing, banana boating, kayaking, jetskiing, scuba diving or snorkelling! You name it, they got it! hehe. I wanted to try parasailing (so badly) but I have to have a partner. :( I encourage my brother to go with me even willing to shoulder all the expenses but he doesn't want to. Times like these I miss my daddyfriend tlga. Tsk tsk. Ok, so I didn't experience any activities there, but we got to experience a more fun of discovering this beautiful province of Oriental Mindoro! We go nature tripping!

the beach! 

Tamarraw Falls

Tukuran Falls

on top of Tukuran Falls

Calsapa Hanging Bridge

tall coconuts!

everything is sooo green!

 a man pulling a carabao

we passed by this spacious field and this tree caught my sight

Oh Philippines, you really is a beautiful country! I can't wait to discover more of you. :)