Overnight Stay at the Llamar Beach Resort in Laiya, Batangas

Alfred and I celebrated our first anniversary as a couple last May 7 and we decided to take a trip to Batangas with the baby girl.

We left Manila at around 2pm because Alfred had to bring the car to the car doctor, as Brianna calls it, to have some parts changed to make it safe for us to travel. We took the SLEx, naturally, and exited at the Calamba toll gate then headed towards the STAR Tollway. We exited at Sto. Toribio, Batangas to get to Lipa.

To those who need to know how much the toll fees at each exit are:

SLEx Brgy. Mapagong Calamba City, Laguna: Php 91.00

SLEx Brgy. Sainsin Calamba City, Laguna: Php 25.00

STAR Brgy. Sto. Toribio, Batangas: Php 29.00

STAR Brgy. Tambo Lipa City, Batangas: Php 6.00

Total: Php 151.00 (one way)

After 2 hours of driving in the vicinity of Batangas, we reached Brgy. Aplaya and headed straight to the Llamar Beach Resort. After checking in with Ate Baby - they didn't have a reception area, Ate Baby just welcomed us and led us straight to our room - we went to the beach to just walk on the shore for a bit, since the little girl wanted to play on the sand:

After a few minutes, we went back to our room - which, I don't have a photo of - and ate. We bought food at Andok's and drinks at the 7-11 in San Juan City since we weren't sure if there were such stores in Laiya (they have an Andok's shop, but no convenience store). Llamar Beach Resort doesn't require for you to pay for corkage fee for whatever you bring into the resort. Great, right?

We stayed in an apartment room, nearest the shore. It has a double-sized bed, a plastic table and stool set, a cabinet, and a basic restroom. The restroom was small but it was really clean. I just wished there was hot water because I had a toddler who isn't really used to taking a bath with cold water. 

Since we didn't bring anything from Manila except our clothes, we had warm beverage from 7-11. We had to ask Ate Baby for some ice and a bottle of Coke Light for our one-on-one drinking sesh. We also asked her for paper plates, paper cups, and plastic spoons and forks for our dinner.

A plastic of ice: Php 50.00

A bottle of Coke Light: Php 65.00

Paper plates and cups, and plastic spoons and forks: FREE! YAY!

After a good night's rest, we went to the beach after a very light breakfast to soak up the morning sun:

An hour after, Brianna asked us if we could finally eat breakfast:

We ate our leftovers, naturally, but we were told we could buy food from the resort. They had a common dining area near the pavilions where you could eat.

Anyway, after a few more hours at the beach, we headed home but not without fighting with a toddler who didn't want to leave the beach. Okay, I admit: Even I didn't want to leave yet.

The Llamar Beach Resort is quite cheap compared to all the other resorts in Laiya. Their rates start at Php 3,000 (that's the cost of our room!) Quite easy on the wallet, if you ask me.

There are 2 types of rooms in Llamar Beach Resort. There's the apartment:

And then the cottage, costing Php 6,500, at the most, and has 2 types:

They also allow daytrips in their resort. There are cabanas near the shore as well as a shower room beside the pavilion for those who chooses this option:

We haven't had the chance to see it because they were undergoing some maintenance when we were there.

Anyway, the rate for the cabanas start at Php 1,500. Quite cheap, especially if you are a group of 10 people. 150 a pop! Plus the Php 150 entrance fee for the daytrip, that's just Php 300. Of course, that's just an example. Hihi.

If you need more information about the Llamar Beach Resort, you can reach them through the following:

Contact numbers:
+639178137799 (Globe)
+639436904247 (Sun)
+639175326775 (Globe)
(02)7519863 (Landline)
Email Address: info.llamarbeachresort@gmail.com
Website: www.llamarbeachresort.com

They prefer to be contacted from 8am-5pm, Mondays to Sundays. You can also walk in, but of course, you'd have to pay in full instead of in an installment basis if you choose the reservation option.

If you are looking for a cheap place to stay in Laiya, Batangas, you should definitely give the Llamar Beach Resort a look. Pwede pang humabol sa summer vacation!

Day 2: #TeCasIlocosTour2015

I know I took a hella long time since I last posted about our Ilocos tour back in January but better late than never, right? Hihi!

We woke up really early January 16th for the second leg of our tour. We stayed at one of the resthouses along Saud Beach in Pagudpod. It's not much of a room, but that's to be expected in a place along the shoreline. I mean, you wouldn't spend much time in the room anyway.

We drove half an hour from the place we were staying at to visit the Patapat Bridge when we saw this pretty rainbow.

And then, the Patapat Bridge...which they also call the Patapat Viaduct.

Fun fact: The shoreline at the foot of Patapat Bridge is literally the edge of the Philippines. I would've taken a screenshot of the Google Maps app to let us know where we were but we were all Globe subscribers and Globe didn't have reception in the area. As in the whole of Pagudpod...I think. Haha!

After Patapat Bridge, we went to Paraiso ni Anton.

Paraiso ni Anton - also known as Calvario de Patapat - is a small waterfall that's believed to be magical. People who want to heal themselves or to prevent any sickness would drink or bathe water from this waterfall. Of course, I had Brianna experience this:

I just have to mention: I love Ilocos not only because it is the most beautiful place I have been to but also because their pasalubongs are really cheap! Their souvenir shirts cost PHP150 each and the quality of the shirts are great! I mean, I remember seeing shirts in Bora with the same price but the shirts would, like, melt after a few washes. But the Ilocos souvenir shirts? Pwedeng ipanglakad! The designs are classy, too!

After that miraculous waterfall, we headed to Blue Lagoon, the Boracay of the North but we just had to pass by the Timmangtang Rock - which I don't have photos of because the wind was blowing hard and no way was I risking getting sick during the trip - and the Kapurpurawan Rock Formations:

Pagbigyaaaaaaaan...

The Kapurpurawan Rock Formations was a very beautiful place and it gives a great view of the West Philippine Sea. It was quite gloomy the day we went there but the view still took my breath away. The rock formation itself, too, is something else:

We headed to the Boracay of the North for a little beach time and for lunch.

The shoreline of Blue Lagoon was where the 1980 movie starring Brooke Shields with the same title was shot. Of course, the name of the movie was where the place was named after.

Brianna is so addicted to the beach that she still went to play on the damp sand despite the very very very cold air.

We had food cooked by the locals who live by the beach. It cost us around 500 to have a kilo of crab, a kilo of shrimp, a whole clump of puki-puki (tortang talong but soooooooo much better than the way !), and like 5 kilos of rice cooked for us. The fee also included plastic spoons and forks, and paper plates and cups. Not bad, eh? You'd think I'd taken photos of the boodle table but noooooo. Everyone was so hungry, including me, that our phones hadn't made it out of our purses 'til we got back to the van.

We then headed to the Kaibigan Falls after but Brianna and I stayed behind because she was too tired, she fell asleep the moment we sat in the van. When they got back, they all were raving about how majestic the falls was, I was so jealous.

That was our last stop for the day and we headed back to Saud Beach for more beach time...

...and of course, take a photo of the sunset.

That ends our second day in the beautiful province of Ilocos. Day 3's packed, like day 1 so I might be writing it in 3 parts again. Hihi.

Day 1, Part 3: #TeCasIlocosTour2015

(You can read Day 1, Part 2 of our tour here.)

Before heading to Pagudpod, we passed by the Cape Bojeador Light House and the Bangui Wind Mills. On our way to Cape Bojeador, we stopped over at this place that sells salt. Some of us went down to see how salt from Ilocos are made but most of us stayed inside the van because we were parked on the side of the road and we didn't want to be like that roadkill I mentioned before.

After that, on to Cape Bojeador, which was breath-taking. I don't know why old buildings have this kind of effect on me.

It was raining when we got there so we didn't spend much time there. Although there wasn't really much to see there. The view, though, oh my gosh:

This photo was taken by a foreigner, probably a Swedish guy. After taking this shot, he asked us to take one of him and his Filipina date. They were so cute, they kept on laughing the entire time.

After that last shot, we literally ran to the van because it was beginning to rain hard. We then went to the Bangui Wind Mills. We didn't really get to enjoy the place and take loads of pictures because by then, the rain was pouring down hard on us. Brianna was also too tired by that time so we stayed in the van while she slept. The warriors that were my family and the Castañeda family went through with their picture-taking session by the wind mills:

They were shivering when they entered the van. They were too wet because of the rain/mist from the sea and the wind was blowing so hard at the same time. We had to turn the air conditioning unit of the van off for a few minutes so they could recover from the cold.

After their chilly Bangui Wind Mills experience, we headed to the Saud Beach in Pagudpod where we settled and ate early dinner in - SUPER SARAP NG FOOD OHMYGOSH - so we could sleep early.

Our first day's quite tiring. The trip from Manila to Ilocos itself is tiring, add that to the full itinerary we had and that will equate to an early night in. If you will be booking with the agency we booked with, N.E.C. Tours, you most probably will have the same itinerary.

Our second day's quite chill, though...

Day 1, Part 2: #TeCasIlocosTour2015

(You can read Day 1, Part 1 of our tour here.)

After visiting Paoay Church, which is so beautiful, we went straight to the Paoay Sand Dunes. This part, I enjoyed way too much!

I asked our driver/tour guide from N.E.C. Tours if I could let Brianna ride the 4x4 but he said that small kids aren't allowed to experience the 4x4 ride through the sand dunes as a safety precaution. They are right, though. Those dunes are wild! For me, at least. Hihi.

We had to force my sister to ride with us - she's malulain - to cross another thing off her bucket list. Good thing she came with us because it was too much fun!

We rode this monster to the sand dunes:

I don't know why but I find its name funny.

And then we were off! All the slips and slides in the dunes felt like rollercoaster tracks but crazier. Maybe it's because we didn't really know where we were all going.

All the "tracks" look like this. Mej nakakastress nga.

We kept on teasing my sister, Jan (the one wearing glasses), by screaming even before the drops. It was so much fun because she kept on saying "Nasstress ako!" Yes, we love teasing her.

When we got to the spot where we'd sand board, the kuya manongs asked for our cameras and he took our photos on the sand:

Kuya Manong: O ayan, ma'am, sir! Mukha kayong nasa Dubai.

Mandatory jumpshot with the West Philippine Sea at the background. I don't know why we allowed for this to happen but to be honest, it was fun to shoot. Hihi.

One last photo before sand boarding.

After taking waaaaay too much photos - I think - we all gave sand boarding a try:

(Clockwise) My brother, Carlo, my sister, Jan, Tita Titat, and Jocas who were family friends.

I tried sand boarding down the Paoay Sand Dunes twice because...

I WIPED OUT (eh?) THE FIRST TIME I TRIED IT!

But on my second try,

I WAS SUCCESSFUL! WOOH!

After sand boarding, we went back to the parking area/admission area but not without passing by the famous Himala spot:

In fairness, may eye for photography si Kuya Manong.

Gusto ko 'tong i-post kasi emote na emote kami ng kinakapatid ko. Hehe.

Apparently, they shot some scenes of Nora Aunor's movie, Himala, in the actual spot where these letters are standing.

Lula pa more!

On our way back, we experienced the highest drop in the sand dunes but we made it back alive. A little rattled but alive nevertheless.

After the sand dunes, we went to what they called the Malacañang of the North.

The Malacañang of the North's facade.

Our group's photo - minus my mom - in front of the double doors that lead to the house's receiving area.

The Marcoses' backyard. So pretty.

This is where the Marcoses lived whenever they went home to Ilocos during Ferdinand Marcos' term as president. It is a huge piece of land and it also covers a part of the lake behind it. Our tour guide told us the name of the lake but I was too busy resting that I drifted off for a bit.

The house is now a museum and they tour everyone around the house. Brianna and I didn't join the tour because we were looking for food and water. They served empanadas there but Brianna didn't want that so we had to get back on the van to get food. When we came back, we took a look around on our own. I don't really enjoy house tours in general but these dolls really bothered the wits outta me:

These were the Marcos sisters' dolls. Too freaky, if you ask me.

After that, we went to Macy's Diner for late lunch (at 2 in the afternoon!) in Laoag after. The food was awe-some. They serve diner food: burgers, fries, milkshakes, etc. I love the whole vibe of the place. It felt like we were inside an Archie comic or the movie Hairspray, complete with the jukeboxes, neon lights, and black-and-white checkered floors. Too bad I don't have a photo of the place except for this one because I was way too hungry to take photos. We had to leave, too, right after lunch because we were running late. The sun might've set by the time we got to the Cape Bojeador Light House and the Bangui Wind Mills - which I will talk about in detail on my next Ilocos post - if we didn't leave right away.

Day 1, Part 1: #TeCasIlocosTour2015

(Our tour of the beautiful province of Ilocos will be documented in a long series of blog entries, totalling of 8 posts. I'm so sorry. Ang ganda talaga, I want to relive it as much as I can.)

I've always wanted to visit Ilocos since I've read about it back in college. To be quite honest, though, I was surprised when this tour was brought up. My dad told us about the trip just a week before we had to leave. It felt like someone threw hot water at me - I am not used to not planning what I should be packing weeks before the trip - but at the same time, I was just sooooo excited.

While the whole Philippines flocked to Manila for Pope Francis' arrival, we went on an 8-hour roadtrip to the northern part of Luzon to visit the wonderful province of Ilocos.

Zoo World in Caltex...it's ZOO unexpected!

We spent my sister's birthday weekend at Fontana in Clark and on our way home, we stopped over at one of the many gasoline stations along the North Luzon Expressway (Caltex station in San Fernando, Pampanga) for late lunch. We love spending time in this particular gasoline station because of the Nike, Adidas, and Fashion Rack Designer outlet stores here. The entire Tejada family goes bonkers here.

Usually, the kids and I would just wait for everyone else in the mini playground near the Jollibee branch here - I don't get to shop huhuhuhuhu - but last Sunday was different since we learned that there's an actual zoo in this gasoline station: Zoo World.

Zoomanity Group Christmas Giving in Paradizoo and Residence Inn, Tagaytay

On December 14, 2014, the Zoomanity Group team, together with Zoomanity Group (ZG) CEO Robert Laurel Yupangco, will be at Paradizoo in Mendez, Cavite and Residence Inn, Tagaytay. Headed by JB Badon, the group deputy operating manager, the group as well as some bloggers will celebrate the Christmas season by welcoming indigent children in the said zoos.

The indigent children will get to experience some activities that Brianna, the fambam, and I experienced in Residence Inn, Tagaytay exactly a year ago:

1. Farm animal feeding:

2. Animal show:

3. Horseback riding:

They will also experience the zipline - which I can't ride because of my C-section - and the cable car that almost everyone in the family forgot to ride:

As for Paradizoo in Mendez, Cavite, we still haven't been there but what I know is that the children can get to experience the zoo's 12-hectare property that houses farm animals and a mini zip line.

This yearly event with Zoomanity Group allows for volunteers to give gifts and for the leader in zoo management to open the zoos and theme parks' doors to less fortunate, indigent kids and give them an experience they will never forget.

The Zoomanity Group is currently operating 5 theme parks in the Philippines: Paradizoo in Mendez, Cavite, Residence Inn, Tagaytay, Zoobic Safari in Subic, Zambales, Zoocobia in Clark, Pampanga, and Zoocolate Thrills in Loboc, Bohol.

Zoomanity Group Christmas Gift Giving 2014

I've been a fan of the Zoomanity Group even before I had Brianna. We used to visit Residence Inn in Tagaytay when I was a kid way too often:

I asked my mom and she confirmed that these were all taken at the Residence Inn in Tagaytay. I can't post any photos of the animals because there weren't any. I understand. I mean, films for cameras then probably cost a lot so taking photos of animals without us was just too much for my average-income parents.

Of course, after I had Brianna, there were more trips to the different zoos here in Manila as well as in the provinces. We got to visit Zoobic Safari for the first time ever, two years ago:

Zoobic Safari - the only Tiger Safari in the Philippines - is a 50 hectares zoo with different activities; Zip Line, 4D realto, Tiger and Lion encounter, crocodile feeding and a lot more. And I am happy to tell you that I have tons of photos during this trip because unlike back in the 90s, I used my trusty Blackberry with 64gig of free storage space to take photos of that weekend instead of a disposable camera with 32 shots worth of film.

Zoomanity Group, the leader in theme part and zoo management, is inviting everyone to experience and visit their animal friends this December. They are also excited about the new activities coming that they will launch by the end of 2014 or early 2015 that will surely amaze the youngsters or any young-at-heart.

The Christmas gift-giving to indigent children - started by Zoomanity Group honcho, Robert Laurel Yupangco - will be held at four different locations this December 13, 2014: Zoobic Safari in Subic, Zambales, Zoocobia in Clark, Pampanga, Residence Inn in Tagaytay & at Paradizoo in Mendez, Cavite.

This event for the indigent children is a way to give back the wonderful blessings they have received from the previous and current years. Since zoos are mostly for children, this is the time of the year that they would like to share these happy places to kids who are not fortunate enough to experience these kinds of activities all the time. Participating in this event won't only give you a great time at the zoo; it will also teach you the real meaning of Christmas.