altum viditur

We were very lucky to have booked a room in EcoVillage on the Holy Week of 2007 when all resorts near Camsur Watersports Complex were fully booked.

EcoVillage is a gated community with different natural and man-made structures and sights to see.

It has a bird aviary of exotic birds, a floating gazebo, hanging bridge, bird houses, small parks within the area, a swimming pool and different kinds of trees and flowers. there was also a man-made bat-cave on top of a stream and surrounded by tall bamboo trees so the cave does not look man-made at all.

It’s accommodation facilities vary from studio type units with own T&B to cabins. The cabins are the most inexpensive at Php350, having a bed and an electric fan, with a little camp-feel at night since it’s located outside with trees and it’s dark. If you’ll be out exploring the whole day, and on a budget, this lodging is good enough for you. Eco Village has comfort rooms and shower facilities near the cabins so no worries about that.

It’s in the same vicinity as CWC but quite a long walk. A tricycle ride costs Php 10.00 per person.

Enjoy world-class cable skiing facilities at Camsur Watersports Complex and enjoy some relaxing time at The EcoVillage in Pili, Camarines Sur.

For more information call:
Telephone # (+6354) 477.56.36 or (+6354) 478.00.93
or e-mail us at: infocamsur@gmail.com

The EcoVillage Management Office
Capitol Complex, Cadlan,Pili, Camarines Sur
Philippines 4410

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Camsur Watersports Complex, Pili, Camarines Sur
The Great Bicol Adventure: Rest and Relaxation in Awesome Camsur

We went to Marinduque some five years back, but the good memories still stay with me. I have never heard of Marinduque until we were planning for a vacation there, but I am so glad that one of my friends knew about the place. So off we went for a vacation that was not so planned, yet turned to be magnificent.

This was a time when digital and old school cameras ruled the scene, so you’ll have to forgive me if the photos here are not of the same quality as those in the other blogs (I’m sure my husband would want to have that disclaimer). In fact, many of the pictures you see here are scanned. One thing I remember most from this trip is the fact that it was my first time to taste C2 iced tea.

You can reach Marinduque by taking a bus to Dalahican Port in Lucena (3 hours) then riding one of the fast ferries (less than 2 hours). You need to take a jeepney ride from the Marinduque pier to the town (30mins).

Marinduque is a very simple town, and in fact it will be hard to find establishments still open after 8pm. It may have changed since we were there last, but there were no bars, no restaurants, and no malls in town. We had a great time, though, talking about ghost stories, as there were rumors of extraordinary incidents in town.

We stayed at Boac Hotel, the one hotel that we were able to book. It was nice, clean, and most of all, affordable. Though one of our friends swears that he heard people talking in the hallway at 2am, only to find none when he looked out. Creepy!!!

There are gems of places to unwind and relax in Marinduque. Though food was quite hard to find, their beaches were perfect for rest and relaxation.

We went to Tres Reyes Islands, a virgin island that boasts of perfect white sand.

We went spelunking in Bathala Caves, and saw some big snakes in the process (notice I am not jumping with glee).

Anyway, here are some traveling tips for you if you ever plan to go to Marinduque:

• Bring cash! Perhaps it’s progressed now, but back then we cannot find an ATM in sight! For the ladies, bring extra cash! You can buy a lot of good handwoven abaca bags, for very reasonable prices.

• Get a friendly driver with his own jeepney to act as your escort service. There are not much public transportation in town, and you would want to be sure that someone is there to bring you back to land.

• Make reservations in the Boac Hotel. Although it is not the Shangri La, it is quite hard to get rooms if you just walk in. The Boac Hotel is DOT certified, and many workshops and seminars are held there.

• When you start traveling, bring plenty of food and water to last you through the day. Food is very cheap, but it is not so easy to find.

Most of all, respect the culture of the town. Don’t wander around town late at night making noises. You never know what you might find!

Lyn Almario is my older sister and travel buddy. A freelance writer and an Engineer, in no particular order.

In April of 2007, Amrei and I went to Bicol in time for the Holy Week vacation, we were going to meet with Angku and Ryan who were currently vacationing there (Angku’s hometown is Bicol), the day after we arrived. Then Abet and Hasmin will follow from Manila, on our third day.

Our first stop was where we would be staying – EcoVillage. It was only very lucky for us to be able to book a room in EcoVillage because it was the holy week so all accommodations that we contacted near CWC were all fully booked. We got a room because we very eagerly followed up for cancellations. The Eco Village management was nice enough to notify us when a room became available.

Ate Lyn (but we call each other “Teng” short for “Ateng”), my sister, her husband and their friends were already in Bicol for three days when we arrived. They’ve already swam with the whale sharks in Donsol. On their last day in Bicol, they tried out the Camsur Watersports Complex (CWC) where we met them up for breakfast.

We had pancakes and omelet. I remember that the breakfast foods were only around Php 90-110. I was a vegetarian then so I requested for a tomato and mushroom omelet.

CWC at that time only had a few accommodations, the containers were under construction.

I was delighted to enter the complex, with a big pool that’s surrounded by cabanas for spa and lounging, the clubhouse, and the 6-point cable ski system. The whole walking area is made of wooden flooring too! It’s a very relaxing atmosphere.

The place also has a good view of Mt. Isarog.

Read what you can do when in CWC here.

Contact Camsur Watersports Complex at these details:

Camsur Watersports Complex Office:
Provincial Capitol Complex
Cadlan, Pili, Camarines Sur
Contact Number: +63(54) 4773344 / 4773347
Fax Number: +63(54) 477-5162
E-mail: infocamsur@gmail.com

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The Great Bicol Adventure: Rest and Relaxation in Awesome Camsur
Eco Village, Pili, Camarines Sur

Bicol is really beautiful, no doubt about it.

We plan to exhaust the wonders of this great region (if that is at all possible!) little by little. And so we plan our travels well, making sure we go to the most number of places we can on a limited time. But one place that is always present in our itineraries is awesome Camsur. Specifically, the Camsur Watersports Complex (CWC).

While we are novice wakeboarders and kneeboarders, we are nevertheless hard core “TH” – as in trying hard – we really tried very hard, though many times we failed. :)

While our muscles ached after the adventure, we will always yearn for the unique rest and relaxation Camsur has to offer.

So, here are some traveling tips to help you unwind and have fun in awesome Camsur.

Come early. Around 8 or 9 in the morning will be an ideal time to arrive. There aren’t too many people yet, and you don’t have to wait for a good 20minutes just to be able to ride again. The later it is in the day, the more people there are.

If you can, go on a weekday.

Don’t pay for the whole day package unless you are sure your body will be able to take the pain. You can always upgrade later. For the not-so-sure, there are 1-hour packages available. This is advisable only if you come early. Otherwise your 1 hour will just be spent on the long lines.

Don’t pay for the whole day package unless you are sure your body will be able to take the pain. You can always upgrade later. For the not-so-sure, there are 1-hour packages available. This is advisable only if you come early. Otherwise your 1 hour will just be spent on the long lines.

You don’t need to pay for the coaching/tutorial sessions separately. Operators of the ropes will tell you what to do.

Follow instructions very well. If you are easily spooked, this might not be for you.

Try the different boards available. Contrary to common beliefs, you don’t need to be experts kneeboarding before trying wakeboarding. You can go straight to wake boarding if you like.

If you are not in your best physical form, you might want to do some stretching exercises just before riding the waves.

If you fall after just a few seconds of being in the water, try again. And DON’T swallow that water!

it's a wrap!

Most of all, have fun! Make sure that you are able to laugh at yourself. On that note, let’s ride!

Recommended travel time: year-round
Approximate Budget: USD 25 (day travel) for one person

Lyn Almario is my older sister and travel buddy. A freelance writer and an Engineer, in no particular order.

Photos by Amrei Dizon and Roma Regala.

We were in Camarines Watersports Complex on April 2007 and we need to go back!!!

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Camsur Watersports Complex, Pili, Camarines Sur
The Great Bicol Adventure: Rest and Relaxation in Awesome Camsur

The photos in the internet built up my expectations, and it’s good to discover that the Andanita Taj of Tagaytay delivers.

It’s small in front, and all that I saw in the photos  is the facade with three lighted domes. But when you enter, it’s a big, cozy place with couches and pillows. Ambient music that’s distinctively Indian, and walls full of illustrations and artworks, plus a closer view of the Taal Lake!

Description: Hot and spicy dish with tomatoes with Goa. Heavy use of vinegar and the traditional meat is from Portugese Influence.

It’s really spicy with the chilly powder showing in the dish (those red dots).

For a garden that’s been listed in travel menu of Travel Café Phillipines (TCP), which is a marketing initiative of the Department of Tourism, this place may not be a real secret anymore, though it’s location is still far from the hustle of the city.

Sonya’s Secret Garden is located at Barangay Buck Estate, Alfonso, Cavite, about 2KM from the main road, taking the way to Nasugbu from the Tagaytay Junction. The place is well kept with lots of plants and small areas for relaxation. There’s also a spa at the end of the trail.

The food is mainly served at The Sunflower, one of the many dining areas of Sonya’s Garden. I did not try their eat-all-you-can set menu. It costs Php 610 (USD 14) for  green salad, bread, pasta, dessert and drink. Since the Sonya’s Garden is one of the recommended places of TCP, I feel a little disappointed having to be on a tourist destination with very limited food choices. Paying quite an amount for food is no problem if you feel that it’s going to be worth it, right? I was also expecting an elaborate gourmet menu, which they don’t have. I was hoping to taste some gourmet Filipino favorites, or exotic garden foods, but my expectations were let down. But I am sure that the food will be very filling and worth it, only that I was looking for something else to eat. So if you plan to go to Sonya’s Secret Garden, don’t expect for a gourmet eating experience, but enjoy the garden experience that it has to offer, especially with the delightful ambiance.

Here’s the map to the place (taken from Sonya’s Garden website).

Sonya’s Garden also offers bed and breakfast services for those who wish to have a relaxing time.

Fortunately for us, on our way back to the junction, we decided to go to the Taj of Tagaytay, which, from my www-reading, is a fusion restaurant of Indian and Persian cuisine. The photos of the place looks interesting too. To my delight, the place really cool and artsy.

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Andanita Taj of Tagaytay
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REHM Apartelle

As I’ve mentioned in My Tagaytay City Story, we searched for a good place to stay in for the night. REHM is not within the junction with the lake’s view, it is along the route to Sta. Rosa from the Tagaytay Rotonda. From Tagaytay junction (rotonda), take the route to Sta. Rosa, make a left in front of Econo Inn Hotel, it gets a little dark but don’t worry. There’s a lighted signage to see REHM Apartelle. The place is on the opposite lane and is about 2 minutes from Econo Inn Hotel. It’s decent and worth it because most inns, apartelle and hotels (including Microtel and Days Hotel) were already fully booked or are kind of expensive, in a sense that a room is too small for comfort, considering it’s price.Especially if you just need a place to stay in for the night.

So we got a room for Php 1500 (USD + 33) that has a big bed for two, free breakfast, cable TV, hot and cold shower and the thing that made us have a look, free wi-fi connection. The place has two towels, a roll of tissue paper, a pair of toothbrush, small soap and a sachet of shampoo, which I actually liked because for it’s price, it is trying to be as hospitable as possible.

It also has a small round table inside where breakfast will be served. Yes, there are no common kitchen or dining area, so you’ll eat at your room, which is also ok for me because it’s more convenient. For it’s price, it’s actually ok for comfort, only thumb’s down for me though was when the kid (yes, he’s a teenager) that was in the reception, forgot to wake us up at 9 AM! But everything else is ok.

REHM APARTELLE, Tagaytay City
Contact Details:
213 Francisco Road, Tagaytay City
0906-2835777, (046) 483-2683.

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Souk Kafe

Last Saturday was my friend Ktin’s bday celebration (today is her birthday, Happy Birthday, Ktin!) in her house in Cavite. We drove for about two hours to get to Dasmariñas. After the party, we visited Souk Kafe in Robinson’s Dasmariñas and met with the very bubbly owner of the restaurant. We were there until 12 midnight.

We already had a plan to go to Tagaytay after the meeting. I searched for lodgings that are economical since we’re only going to sleep the night away until we go sight seeing in the morning. Too bad it was hard to find these places in the internet. Only the more famous, and of course more expensive accommodations were at the first few pages in the searches. I even searched for resorts, so just to be prepared, I brought a set of swimwear.

Since we finished late, we still tried to call up Microtel, which was said to be 10 minutes away from Souk Kafe, but it was fully booked, and so was Days Hotel. I was ready for an adventure, anyway, so me and my travel buddy decided to go up to Tagaytay and canvass for accommodations when we get there.

It was a really dark drive from Dasmariñas to Tagaytay, and there were a few forking roads, but stay on the right side until your gut feel says you’re almost there! Well, our gut feel would know because our way started to get foggy with a really fine drizzle. We rolled down the windows a bit and… brrr! The second sign of getting near the Tagaytay Junction is the “hotels / room for rent” signage in every couple of meters. Then the famous rotonda (junction) with 7-11 on the right.

From the rotonda, to the right (side of 7-11) is the way to Nasugbu, Batangas and to the left is to Sta. Rosa, Laguna. And somewhere there is the famous Taal Lake that we were not able to see because of the darkness.

I dropped by at 7-11 to pick up some snacks (that amounted to Php 485) and from there, I could see Overlook Inn so we checked it out. They have a room for two at Php 1350 with a small bed and Php 1670 with a bigger bed. Both have a T&B, TV and free breakfast (hotdog, egg, rice). Since the rooms were a bit small, we tried to look for other places further down the street to Nasugbu. We found Tirona and Eufel. We did not ask for the rates of Eufel because we did not quite like the look from the outside (like a real house, so there’s probably some common areas with the other guests) and Tirona seemed fully booked with all the cars parked around it. Then a man, from nowhere, came y my window holding what seemed to be two coupons. I opened my window and in his hands he held two business cards for Jessar Inn and REHM Rooms for Rent, their rates and amenities. He talked to us saying that Jessar is his Aunt’s place and he’s on his way home and he could guide us there with his tricycle, which was four minutes away, en route to Sta. Rosa, the opposite side of where we’re at. He even wanted to show us his ID. He does not look shabby so I said there’s no need for identification. What got us interested was that there’s free wi-fi connection on both places. And so we followed him. It was around 10 minutes away at 40 KPH.

There’s a hundred peso difference between the rates of the two Inns, the cheaper one, REHM, has two available rooms while Jessar was fully booked.

We checked out the next day at around 2PM, went to Ming’s Garden and Sonya’s Secret Garden. Had super-late-lunch/early-dinner at Taj of Tagaytay and passed by Olivarez Complex (where there’s Mercury Drug and Mc Donalds) and left at exactly 9:20 PM. We were in Kamuning at 11 PM with no stop-overs but with a bit of wrong turns and getting lost, when already in Manila! All in all, it was a fun time though I was not able to use my swimwear.

I’ll be posting separate articles about the places I’ve mentioned, but for now, I shall hit the sack.

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Related article: Subic Trip

Playa Papagayo Beach Inn and Restaurant is just beside 7-11 at Olongapo’s National Highway and there’s a signage at the facade for Playa Papagayo and Cantina Mexicana. Pass by a couple of resorts first, including Arizona Beach Resort, before getting there. Arizona, just like Blue Rock Resort was almost full and Palm Tree Resort would not accommodate four people in a room even if we pay the extra bed and person so we’re left with no choice that to get two separate rooms which would cost Php 2,500 (54.50 USD) per room. And that made me wonder if Subic Bay resorts do not have rooms with two beds on it. Lucky for us, we found Playa Papagayo. After checking out its neighboring resorts, we found it to be the best in terms of ambiance and affordability.

When we checked in, the receptionist was polite and accommodating. We got a 20% discount upon checking in, so our Superior Deluxe Room, which had two beds, priced at Php 4,032.00 was cut down to P3225.60. We had the choice of getting the Standard Room that is good for two persons at a discounted price of Php 1,200.00, which would be cheaper for us, but we preferred the Deluxe room because it’s more spacious and was on the second floor.

The place reminded me so much of Bamboo Beach Resort in Boracay.

We ordered our dinner from the resort, Cantina Mexicana’s menu, before 6PM then had some fun time at the beach.

After eating, we prepared for a night out. We went out to have a couple of beers. We tried Oriental Rose Tavern, a red-light bar. The girls said that shows are not allowed in Barretto, girls only dance. I don’t know what kind of “shows” are prohibited there, but I’ve been to Fields Avenue for a trip of student journalists and I don’t remember any remarkable shows. I was in Fields Avenue to interview girls about their job, and about the whole system in Fields as well. Also, I’ve been Venus in Puerto Galera and the shows the dancers/showgirls did were actually entertaining. There were star dancers who do acrobatic and sometimes almost athletic pole dancing and all the girls in the dance floor were very energetic. So anyway, we played five rounds of billiards at Php 10.00 per game. San Miguel Light is Php 60.00 and Rhum Coke is Php 65.00.

Before finally going home, we bought Ice Cream on Stick and some snacks from 7-11.

In the morning, we had our continental breakfast at Nina’s Margarita Bar. A breakfast includes three freshly baked pan de sal (salted bread), a slice of butter, a spoon of jam, small a small serving of juice and a cup of coffee. You can ask for more butter and/or jam anytime. But we ordered for additional food.

Bacon – Php 110 — menu says there are five (5) slices, rather it was weighed according to grams

Egg – Php 20 — menu says it could be cooked any style, but you can only ask for scrambled and sunny side up. I asked for ’scrambled and curry’ style (meaning with tomatoes and spices, and I’ll just pay for the additional ingredients) but they could not accommodate it.

The waiter in the morning was not as good as John. He’s not very lively, which was actually, not bad, as long as he’s attentive. But he was not able to get our orders correctly for a couple of times, and I would always ask him to repeat our orders, because it so seemed that he’s getting a little confused. So it would’ve been perfect if not for the minor restaurant hassle in the morning. So my advise: revise the menu and say that the side order of bacon is served according to grams, and eggs could only be scrambled or sunny side up. Breakfast is served until 10:30 AM.

After breakfast, we enjoyed more of the silver-white sand beach. The water was cold when we first dipped at around 5PM the day before, and it was also a bit cold at 10 AM. But it’s fairly clear and the shore is clean. The sand turns dark gray when wet, and the sand below gets easily disturbed and the water becomes “dusty” so taking pictures underwater was a bit hard for us.

We checked out at 1PM and had lunch at Rizal Highway then off to Zoobic Safari! Read more about our tour in the Zoobic Safari.

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This year at Puerto Galera, instead of the usual Coral Garden – Bukete – Bayanan island hopping, we only went to Coral Garden and Bayanan. We were supposed to go back to White Beach, where we were checked in, but the boatman was nice enough to wait for us while we have lunch at the nearby Aninuan Island. So instead of going to Bukete, we went to Tamaraw Beach Resort to have lunch.

We went to the small dining area and ordered for food.  think it took about an hour before our food was served. While waiting, I took photos around and surveyed the place. They offer different water rides: banana boat, glass bottom boat and wakeboarding, even. But a little pricey for half an hour’s worth.

There are lounge chairs in the shore, and ping pong table beside the coffee shop. The place is full of plants and flowers too.

I asked for their rates becuase Tamaraw Beach Resort seemed a nice place for families and honeymooners. The rooms look nice and clean too. They even have weekly and monthly rates for the units that have kitchennette.

It’s peaceful and quiet, with its quaint own shoreline. I wish to get away to Tamaraw Beach Resort soon!

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AMCI Anniversary Weekend