Towards the Lighthouse of Capones Island

Since we booked an all-in package for this tour, we didn't really have to worry about anything. Well, don't take "anything" too literally. I meant the important stuff, like the transportation, the food, the itinerary and all those things. It would be an awful lot of work to get this together by ourselves (especially this group of lazy kids). Don't get me wrong. I like camping, bonfires and nature and stuff but I hate planning for it. With this arrangement, all I had to pack were my clothes, my cam and other personal stuff (plus another bag full of chips that I promised to bring for the kids).

We were scheduled to leave at 12 midnight from the meeting place at SM North EDSA bus bay. Honestly, we were kinda scared at this point because we didn't really know if Kuya Jeff and his gang will show up and that all of this maybe a scam. Well obviously, it wasn't a scam and they did arrive (a bit later than expected though, but who's in a hurry?) After a short meet and greet, we were introduced to a couple who were also joining us for this trip. Then we're off to Zambales.

It was a quick ride to San Antonio, Zambales. I'm already used to traveling this route so I wasn't really into site seeing on the way. We arrived at around 4am and parked in a nearby 7/11 outlet. We ate some breakfast while our dear organizers visited the local market for some last minute grocery shopping. I wish I ate a lot more than I did that morning. But even if I did, nothing could've prepared me for what was in store for us on the next island.  

our boat ride to the islands 

At the crack of dawn, several boats were already lined up by the beach of Pundaquit. All of them are probably waiting for the tourists coming in to the islands that day. There was nothing special about the beach here but this isn't the town's best asset. We were one of the first groups to leave the town and arrive in the island of Capones. 

We got excited as we got off the boat. The sun was just coming out and the light was perfect for photo ops. While we were taking pictures, Kuya Jeff interrupted us and said that we had to get going. Going where? To the light house. And I was like, "Oh, I didn't know we were going to a lighthouse."

Capones Island at the crack of dawn 

And then we're off. Kuya Jeff's group and some other locals served as our guide. It was fun at first. I like walking by the beach. But as we went further, the path became harder to cross. We had to walk along the rocky parts of the beach and had to climb in and out of some of them to pass through. I didn't have enough sleep, food and water in my system for this strenuous exercise. I'm not much of a walker (if there's such a word). And this wasn't walking. I think this is what they called trekking. Now I hate trekking too (forgive me for my innocence in outdoor activities). I just kept on taking pictures of the island and my friends, hoping to relieve some of the stress I'm getting from this unexpected side trip. 

beginning of our journey to the lighthouse

We stopped by this old structure that's supposedly the camp for the Philippine Navy. We rested there for a while until we resumed walking. I think the most stressful part was not knowing when its gonna end. They kept saying "malapit na" but it felt like we've been walking forever. Towards the end of the trek, we were already climbing through a steep, muddy, uphill path. After 2 hours, we finally arrived at the goddamn lighthouse.

old Philippine Navy camp (or something like that)

Its really old. The only way you can get to the top of the light house is through a creepy spiral staircase. It felt like its gonna break any moment. Its really old. Waiting for us at the top is an amazing panoramic view of the sky, the sea and the rest of the island. It was breathtaking (and not because of my exhaustion). We were lucky enough to be the first ones to arrive because we had the lighthouse all to ourselves. We spent a few minutes there, absorbing the view and taking pictures. A couple of groups arrived as we were climbing down the staircase. I saw the mix of fatigue and excitement in their faces as they went through the path that we just came from. Well, I couldn't care less about them anymore because I knew I'd be facing yet another monstrous trek back to the boat.

the Capones Island Lighthouse

old spiral staircase to the top

view from the lighthouse

Somewhere along this journey, my (favorite) slippers gave in and I had to switch slippers with someone else. We kept on switching foot wear with one another till we got the bit of comfort that we needed to get through. My boyfriend had to walk through the rocky path barefoot at some point. The torture didn't end as we arrived back at the starting point. We didn't bring anything with us aside from our cameras. All our stocks (food and water, especially the freakin' water) were in the boat. The boat was floating somewhere, not anywhere near us, so we had to wait for it to come back. In the middle of the island and under the heat of the sun, all we were thinking about was a glass of ice cold Coke. These are the moments when you appreciate the little things that you neglect when you have them. 

the boat bringing us to Anawangin Cove

Then salvation came in the form of a boat with loads of water, soft drinks and ice. We jumped into it immediately and helped ourselves with (what seems to be) the prize for the challenge that we've been through. This boat will then take us to our final destination - Anawangin Cove. More on that on my next blog.

Lesson learned: Always check your itinerary. 

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A Weekend at Anawangin Cove - The Plan

Anawangin Cove in San Antonio, Zambales

In the summer of 2012, my college friends and I wanted to go on a vacation at the beach. Just a short and sweet weekend getaway, without the need of a plane ride and nothing overly planned. We didn't have enough moolah and time to plan for something like that anyway. 

From my experience, short road trips to the beach from Manila could either mean Zambales or Batangas. There are also nearby beaches in Quezon or La Union but they're more famous for surfing (not my favorite sport). Then further away from the city are the beaches of Pangasinan, Ilocos, Bicol and many, many more. I've been to Batangas far too many times and i'm still not a fan of their beaches. But the distance from the Manila favors them and that's why I still go. Meanwhile, Iba, Zambales is my 2nd hometown (next to QC, of course). And you know how it is in your hometown - you rarely get to go around the place as much as tourists does. Because the tendency is, you'll just keep coming home and wouldn't bother going elsewhere. We had a beach nearby too so I didn't find the need to visit all those other famous beaches. But the traveler in me new that I had to visit them too someday, and when the opportunity came, I said, Go!

In the small barrio of Pundaquit lies the beautiful coves and islands of San Antonio, Zambales. Its just a matter of choosing which one. Luckily, I'm not the one organizing our vacation this time so I didn't have to decide on anything. My friend chose the most popular Anawangin Cove. 

the white sand beach of Anawangin

I'm a DIY kind of person but I can surrender to group tours if need be. And so for this particular trip, we decided to join a group tour for the following reasons: 

1. Transportation - We didn't have enough cars to go on a road trip by ourselves. Even if we did, the toll fees and fuel expenses will just rip us off. It would be more expensive, uncomfortable and less fun if we took the bus. 
2. The camping part of it all - We didn't have tents and there is no way we're buying them just for one trip. Only a few of us have tried camping and no one wanted to take the responsibility of setting up camp and taking care of everyone's basic needs. 
3. Its just more convenient - The truth is, we are just a couple of lazy kids that wants to have fun. I don't see anything wrong with that. 

So the next decision to make was to choose which group tour to join in. And the deciding factor is: the cheapest one. Normally, the rates for Anawangin Cove group tour is around Php2000 to Php3000 per head depending on the inclusions. You'll find dozens of offers if you browse online. Although you've got to be careful for those scammers. The cheaper and better may seem, the more suspicious you should be. The best way to be sure is to look for reviews and blogs from other people who have joined the same group tour. Anyway, my friend who was organizing this trip chose this deal from an ad she found in sulit.com: 

Price: PHP 1,899.00/person

Inclusions:
2 Days 1 Night Stay at Anawangin Cove
Van (Urvan) Manila-Zambales-Manila
Toll Fee, Driver, Guide, Parking Fee
Boat Ride from and to Anawangin Cove
Island Hopping to Capones Island (Trekking to Lighthouse: Optional)
Anawangin fee 2 days 1 night
Food (Complete Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Tent
5 Gallons Distilled Water
Woods for bonfire
Flashlight/Headlamp/Torch
Cooking Set (Spoon,Fork,Glass,Plate,Pitcher)

FOOD:
Saturday
Lunch
Liempo
Sinigang na hipon
Manggang hilaw with alamang
Ripe Melon
Softdrinks/Water

Dinner
Rice
Fried Pork Chop
Adobong Manok
Chopseuy
Pakwan
Juice

Sunday
Breakfast
Fried Rice
Hotdog
Luncheon Meat
Egg
Tasty Bread
Milo/Coffee/Water

Lunch
Rice
Fried Calamares
Halabos na hipon in margarine
Sauted veggies with mushroom and corn
Ripe Mango
Softdrinks/Juice/Water


Note:
Not included yung breakfast ng Saturday so bring something to eat.


To Bring:
- Blanket
- Camera
- Chips
- Off Lotion
- Sunblock
- Toiletries (Soap, Shampoo, Deo, etc.)
- and of course your other personal stuff

Not bad, eh? This package tour is organized by Kuya Jeff (link posted below). And i'm telling you now, this guy is legit. He and his gang organize weekly tours to Anawangin Cove. No more worries about leaving anything important for camping behind, these guys will take care of everything you need for the trip. 

View from the Light House at Capones Island

Now that everything is set (well we didn't really have to set anything), we just had to wait for the date and enjoy the rest of our vacation. More details on my next blog. :)

Please contact Kuya Jeff and his gang through this number: 09173745447

And also thru their Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Anawangin-COVE-tour/251338934941033

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Travel Madness Expo 2012 - An Aftermath

Its only my first time to attend a travel expo. I've always wanted to go but something always kept me from attending similar events in the past. Anyway, I had my expectations but I kinda hoped for more. Most of the booths are from travel agencies that offer THE SAME tours and rates. They even give out the same freakin' flyers. Speaking of flyers, I have a lot those now. I don't know why, but I just had to get them. Its not like I'm going to book a tour for a trip like HK, I'm a do-it-yourself kinda gal. And I hate those travel agencies that rip off their clients. Anyone could do a lot better with just enough research. Well, that's their money, not mine. 

A lot of international airlines also participated in the expo. But we're basically booked for the year and I can't spend anymore money on new travel plans. And most importantly, they are still way too expensive. I'd rather splurge on something else than on airplane tickets. I mean, Cebu Pacific can also take you to KL safely, why spend and additional Php 10,000 just to ride Malaysian Airlines instead? But then again, their money, not mine. 

I thought I'd be able to see booths from hotels and resorts, but nope, nada! Not a single one. 

Although there are 2 important things that I got coming out of this expo: 

1) It gave us an idea of how much we have to save up for our dream vacations: Europe Tour, Maldives and Caribbean/Mediterranean Cruise. 

2) I found a travel agency that could give me good rates for Amanpulo (aww yeah)

our dream vacation on flyers

While walking around the expo, the Citibank guys kept on persuading us to apply for a credit card. We weren't really interested at first but they were giving away these bags (and other freebies) which was very convenient at that time considering the tons of flyers we had been carrying around. So heck, its not like its gonna hurt to get another (its actually my 4th) credit card. 

Citibank eco bags - convenient!

In the end, we didn't really book or buy anything. All that we have now are free tourist maps and a lot of inspiration for our next destinations. I really did enjoy it though. Running around, taking flyers that we don't really need, listening to sales/marketing people sell out their products and services, and being surrounded by a lot of other travel enthusiasts. Totally worth Php50 (?). But I do hope for better promos on the next travel expo which is, I think, next year. Yeah, I'm willing to do it all over again - says the travel junkie in me. 

Till next time. ;) 

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Bellarocca Island Resort: A Beautiful Rock

Inside our villa, my dream home, everything was perfect. It was like everything else didn't matter. But of course it did. We had to go out at some point. For one, we had to eat. We brought in enough snacks, but not real food. Besides, I really wanted to try out their restaurant The only negative comment of this resort is about the food in the restaurant so I wanted to check them out myself.

On our 3-day stay in the island, we were able to try 4 complete meals from the restaurant. The menu was very limited but acceptable. Its not like anyone will be staying there for a month. They also had a buffet but we didn't try them. We weren't big on eating so it wouldn't be worth it. Two meals plus drinks for the both of us costs around 1000 Php. Only on our last night, we indulged on their expensive meals and desserts, and our check got a little overboard. 

complimentary bread, butter and jam

Contrary to the negative reviews, the food was actually good. Its expensive but really worth it. I guess they've made a few adjustments to the menu after receiving those comments. Too bad I wasn't able to take a picture of anything we ordered. We were always hungry every time we went to the restaurant and they all looked so yummy that I couldn't take the time to stop and snap at least one photo before we ate them. Aside from the gorgeous and classy restaurant, guests may opt to have their meals in the garden or in other exclusive areas in the island - subject to certain charges, of course.

Hotel Facilities and Marina Cafe and Bar

Terazzas and Hotel Lap Swimming Pool

After our lunch on the second day, we were scheduled for a free tour around the island. First stop was the hotel rooms. These are the cheapest accommodations you can get in the island. If you just want to experience staying in the island and trying out its amenities, then this is the way to go. Plus, its in the same building as the restaurant and its steps away from the infinity pool. Well, they're not really cheap, I think it costs around 30,000 Php per night. If you're lucky, you can get promo rates for a lesser price. Next to the infinity pool are the more expensive terrazas. They are like the villas without the backyard. The casas are like the terrazas but they're located on the far end of the island. 

Bellarocca Spa

Inside the spa room

We were also able to visit the other facilities in the island during our short tour. There's a bar/cafe where they organize movie nights and other parties for the guests. It can fit around 20 people. There are also venues for weddings (for rich people) and the like. There is also a spa at the top of the island. Its very exclusive and very relaxing. But of course, their rates are crazy expensive. We didn't even consider trying them. On the lower part of the island is a mini, man-made beach where people can try out water sports activities. Another infinity pool can be found here where most of the guests hang out. We didn't get the chance to try any of the pools and the beach because it was always crowded. 

the beach, seaside swimming pool and outdoor venue

Needless to say, we didn't spend much time outside the villa. But all in all, the entire Bellarocca experience was wonderful and perfect. The staff were nice and friendly. The food was superb. The facilities were great. And the villa, oh my villa. I don't think we'd be able to afford another trip back there any time soon. But I have enough great memories with me to last a very long time. This remains as the most expensive trip we've had so far, but I say, indulge yourself every once in a while because you know you deserve it. 

Till next time. :)

Bellarocca Island Resort and Spa 
Province of Marinduque, Philippines
http://www.bellaroccaresorts.com/

Tuggy's Travel

Contact Tuggy at +63 928 554 6564 / +63 2 892 4120

http://www.tuggystravel.com/

http://www.facebook.com/tuggstravel

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Bellarocca Island Experience - The Villa

From the reception area, one of the staff assisted us to our villa. We could actually walk from there but he insisted we take the golf cart instead. All the villas were named after Gods and Goddesses, still aligned with the Greek Theme of the resort. Ours is named Aphrodite and oh how appropriate of a name it was.

Upon entering the huge double doors, we were welcomed to a small foyer that has a great view of the backyard and a small fountain in the pocket garden against a glass window. The staff walked us around the villa first, giving us a few instructions on how to use the facilities and equipment. I couldn't hide my excitement. I was almost jumping at my feet while he showed us each room.Our bags came in shortly after. Did I mention that the last time I saw them was at the airport in Manila? The staff took care of them all since we landed. We had the full-on luxury experience of a lifetime.

view from the foyer

Before he left, he taught us how to use the espresso machine. Yeah. We had our own freakin' espresso machine. It became my favorite item in this kitchen. Not that I didn't like the top of the class stove and refrigerator. We didn't get to use them though. I would've brought my favorite instant mac & cheese if I knew we could cook them there. Right next to the kitchen is a maid's room. Its a pretty decent one. It had its own air-conditioning, complete with beddings and pillows and all. Even has its own bathroom. Pati si yaya naka-bakasyon kung sakali.

the kitchen 

The dining room is exquisite. (Gosh, I'm running out of words to describe this place!) It has an elegant long table with cushioned chairs stowed underneath. Its very simple yet elegant. We had our plates set up for us but all that was served were a few local fruits. The best part of the table was the collection of mini liquor bottles carefully placed on the far end. I would've loved to try them all but, of course, it came with a price which I'm not willing to pay. Not in this island, that is.

the dining room

Just like how it was described in the voucher, the living room has a Sony Bravia LCD TV (42") with complete DVD Player and state-of-the-art home theatre stereo system, satellite cable TV, iPod dock and Hi-Fi compact sound system. Just, wow. All of that situated along with this comfy sofa set. We spent our first night here after renting a couple of DVDs from the library.

the living room 

booze and dvds

When we thought things couldn't get any better, we found the bedroom. It had the same electronic equipment as the living room plus the king size bed with the comfiest pillows and sheets ever. Every corner of the villa had its own air-conditioning equipment. (Is this really what its like in rich people's houses?) Further into the bedroom is THE masters bathroom. Its the single most amazing bathroom I've ever seen. Later on, I found out that this bathroom is actually on the list of top luxury bathrooms in the country. Who would've thought there's such a list? It has a rain shower, double sink vanities, a jacuzzi whirlpool bathtub (that creates bubbles) and a complete range of luxurious bath amenities (we got L'Occitane) replenished daily. And it was huge, I tells ya.

THE bathroom

And then finally, the backyard. The dining room, living room, bedroom and bathroom had individual glass doors leading to the backyard. This part was as convenient as it was difficult. We could practically get in and out of the house from anywhere in the backyard, but we had to close them too at some point. Its not that security is an issue. I'm just not comfortable leaving them open all the time. But most importantly, we had a backyard! Here we have an infinity pool, an outdoor jacuzzi, a pocket garden and a sun deck. This is where we spent most of our time. I mean, how couldn't we? How many time could you actually have all these amenities to yourself? Plus, we had the most amazing view of the ocean (or sea?), the mountains and the sunset. I just couldn't ask for more.

the infinity pool 

the outdoor jacuzzi

To be continued…

Bellarocca Island Resort and Spa 
Province of Marinduque, Philippines
http://www.bellaroccaresorts.com/


Tuggy's Travel
Contact Tuggy at +63 928 554 6564 / +63 2 892 4120
http://www.tuggystravel.com/
http://www.facebook.com/tuggystravel

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The Journey to Bellarocca Island

The day has finally arrived. All our bags are packed and we are so ready to go. Our bags, by the way, contain loads of goodies. We brought as much food as we can to save some money because we expected that the meals in the restaurant would be expensive. We weren't charged for corkage or anything so I guess its not prohibited. 

to Marinduque via Zest Air

And maybe just to prolong the waiting, our flight was delayed by an hour. It was raining by the time we left Manila but it didn't stop us from leaving. Thank God. The plane was really small. I think less than 30 people can fit in it. Its cute actually. Knowing that most people on board the plane were also guests in Bellarocca made it kinda exclusive. It was a short flight from Manila to Marinduque, probably the shortest I've had since Naga. I didn't even had the chance to warm my seat when the pilot announced our landing.

at the Marinduque Airport

Once we've stepped on the Marinduque Airport, everything else was a bliss. We were greeted by the resort staff with a bottle of cold water and towels to freshen up. They asked for our names to verify our reservations and then led us to a van while they take our baggages from the counter. There were 6 of us in our van, the other van was much more loaded. We had a very comfy 40-minute ride through the province of Marinduque. Its very peaceful out there, but most important of all, the weather was perfect. The staff in our van told us a few facts about the province and the resort which only heightened our anticipation.

After the land transfer, we had to take another 10-minute boat ride to reach the island. There were two boats waiting for us at the dock. We took a few photos from there while the staff loaded our bags to the boats. The first sight of the island is unforgettable. Its surreal. From afar, you'll see the greens forest and white structures shaped like an elephant stuck in the sea. I couldn't stop taking photos even during the boat ride. 

the Bellarocca Island

On the island, we were welcomed with flowers and serenades from more resort staff. Then they brought us up to the reception area using golf carts. (Too bad we couldn't drive them by ourselves. I've always wanted to try that.) All guests gathered at this fab reception area for some introduction from the Resort Manager. They gave us welcome refreshments while we sign a few more papers for the reservations and wait for our rooms to get ready. 

welcome drinks and welcome letter

And at last, we reached our final destination, our home for 3 days, the villa. I couldn't even begin to describe how wonderful this piece of structure is. Seeing it made my dream house into a reality. I didn't even know what I wanted my house to be until I saw it with my own eyes. And it was there. In the freakin' gorgeous island of Marinduque. 

the Villa

To be continued...

The villa, the restaurant and more about the resort on my next blog. :)

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Our Travel Checklist from 2010

Found this list from one of our email exchanges dated June 20, 2010. These are the places that we wanted to visit together. Wanted - being the operative word. I mean, capiz? Who the hell goes to capiz? I didn't even remember that we made this. But its fun though. Especially the part where we cross out some of them.

After 2 years.

We have visited a couple more places that are not included here (might not have imagined we could afford them then). Well this list needs some major makeover because what we wanted then and now have somehow changed a bit. We need to add a few more and probably remove some (i.e. capiz). Oh, exciting times!

We'll be able to cross out a few more by the end of this year. How and when will it get finished? I have no idea. But its definitely something to look forward to. ♥

luzon

• batangas
• baler
• mt pinatubo
• baguio
• sagada
• batanes - basco
• honda bay, palawan
• puerto prinsesa palawan
• el nido palawan
• cam sur
• calaguas camarines norte
• bicol - donsol la union
• pangasinan - hundred islands, bolinao
• ilocos norte (via laoag airport)
• pagudpud
• cagayan - Palaui
• Tuguegarao
• Kalinga
• benguet - mt pulag
• mindoro - Apo Reef Pandan Island
• bataan - corregidor
• butterfly farm
• ocean park - manila
• club manila east
• cloud 9 antipolo
• zambales - anawangin potipot magalawa

visayas

• cebu
• boracay
• bohol
• kalibo
• capiz
• iloilo
• guimaras

mindanao

• dakak - dipolog
• davao
• siargao
• mt apo

ASIA

• hongkong
• macau, china
• korea
• japan
• bali, indonesia
• phuket, thailand
• beijing, china

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Bellarocca | A Dream in the Making

Photo courtesy of Bellarocca Island Website

I couldn't take my mind of Bellarocca ever since I found it on the internet while searching my next destination. It became on the top of my list of places I wanted to see before I die. Their rates are crazy high and it would take me forever to save up for it. But then, forever came too soon. 

When the era of group buying sites began, I took advantage of my unlimited internet access to check on their latest offers. Naturally, I was keen on getting the best travel discounts I could get. All the time, I hoped I'd run into a deal for Bellarocca. It came soon enough on Deal Grocer but I wasn't totally convinced so I waited for other options. I found another one on a travel agency's website, anywherephilippines.com. Their rates are quite acceptable and we were seriously considering it. Until I met Ruthy from Tuggy's Travels. If this was a fairy tale, she would be my fairy godmother. I saw her deal on Facebook:

Bellarocca Island Resort and Spa
► Marinduque
► http://bellaroccaresorts.com/► 2D/1N in a One-Bedroom Villa
► includes:
- roundtrip land & sea transfers (Marinduque Airport-Resort-Marinduque Airport),
- Welcome refreshments at the Resort.
- Intimate and luxurious accommodation with individual climate control; Sony Bravia LCD TV (42") with complete DVD Player and state-of-the-art home theatre stereo system, satellite cable TV, Ipod dock (upon request and subject to availability) and Hi-Fi compact sound systems, in-suite safe, mini bar, pillow selections, modern bath and shower facilities with complete range of luxurious bath amenitites, a private balcony/verandah, indoor and outdoor Jacuzzis, entertainment/game room, and library.
- All villas have its own eternity pool, Jacuzzi, pocket garden.
- Complimentary internet connectivity in the accommodation (cable) and public areas (Wi-Fi).
- Complimentary drinking bottles of water in the room, replenished daily.
- Complimentary coffee & tea selections in room.
- Golf cart service
- Complimentary access to the resort's range of exclusive facilities and recreational activities, i.e. 9-hole golf course, 2 main swimming pools, tea house, meditation sanctuary, fitness gym, entertainment room, among others.
► inclusive of taxes and service charge
► Not valid during Peak periods
► Valid until 8/31 and 11/30 

I just died. A 1 bedroom villa? I wondered how much an overnight stay would cost. Other deals could only offer a deluxe room and I couldn't even afford that. But this one is a 1 bedroom villa. You get to have your own infinity pool, an indoor and outdoor jacuzzi, and all the good stuff that comes with a 1 bedroom villa. I wanted it so bad. I felt like I owed it to myself to at least inquire for their rates. So I sent Ruthy a message and she immediately responded.

I practically begged her to give us a huge discount. She was very accommodating and even arranged for me to do the bargaining with his boss, Tuggy. I always thought I had good negotiating skills and this was exactly what I needed when I bargained with Tuggy over his Bellarocca vouchers. Eventually, we made a deal that was acceptable for both of us. I immediately called my boyfriend to inform him of the deal I made with Tuggy and I could hear his happiness equalling mine. We closed the deal and arranged a meet up for the payment and the vouchers. We couldn't trust them enough back then to just simply make a deposit for the payment, I mean, I've never heard of Tuggy's Travels until I met Ruthy. Its quite a large sum of money. We had to make sure it wasn't some sort of a scam. Well obviously, it wasn't, and I couldn't be happier. We made more deals with Tuggy after this one, but that's a different story. 

We dropped by Tuggy's office in Makati where I met him and Ruthy. Apparently, Tuggy works for a travel magazine and is currently based in the Philippines. He's originally from London which made it somehow difficult to communicate (major nosebleed). He explained a great deal about his work and his business. We made conversations about his personal life, his travels and our travels. Quite a funny guy. He even gave us copies of his magazine which featured a lot of tourist spots here in the country, including Bellarocca. Which leads us back to the vouchers. He showed us a couple more of his vouchers for other resorts. He's got plenty and I was eyeing each one of them. Right then I just knew I haven't seen the last of Tuggy's Travels. 

When we've finally concluded our little chat, we handed him the check and he gave us our vouchers. Getting our hands on the vouchers made it official. This is really it. My dream come true. 

I was so happy that I had to share the deal I made to my friends. And I owed it to Tuggy to promote his business after giving us a good price. I also promised to keep the price he gave us a secret. I think he'd be out of business if people started bargaining with him like we did. Anyway, I was able to refer a good friend of mine and she got a good deal with him too. So I guess I wasn't totally out of line. 

We arranged the reservation with Bellarocca right after we got the vouchers. My boyfriend and I decided to schedule it on his birthday in October. We made the deal in May. That was a very long wait. 

The booking was made thru Ms. Venus, a Reservations Manager of Bellarocca, and was finalized within a week. We immediately booked a flight to Marinduque following the dates we have reserved for the villa. For vacations in such resorts with limited capacity, ALWAYS reserve your accommodation first before your flight. Its easier to modify reservations on resorts than on flights. Had to learn this the hard way.

The only commercial airline that flies to Marinduque is ZestAir. Here are the flight schedules provided by Bellarocca management (valid as of October 2011).

We chose a Saturday to Monday trip, which was our BIGGEST regret up to this day. Its the shortest trip of them all! But we did have our reasons:

1) Longer stay means more meals and more meals means more expenses. Food in the island is crazy expensive. 

2) For some reason, those days have the cheapest flights when compared with others 

So we just thought a few hours wouldn't make much difference. But we were so wrong. The additional expenses of staying a bit longer could've been all worth it. 

The flight and accommodations are booked. Now the waiting game begins. 

Spent the following months reading articles and blogs about the island, looking at pictures, dreaming of the day when it'll be our turn. 

Bellarocca Island Resort and Spa 
Province of Marinduque, Philippines
http://www.bellaroccaresorts.com/

Tuggy's Travel
Contact Tuggy at +63 928 554 6564 / +63 2 892 4120
http://www.tuggystravel.com/
http://www.facebook.com/tuggstravel

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Pearl Farm Beach Resort | Savoring Our Last Day

For our last day in Pearl Farm, we woke up a bit earlier to have breakfast and take a dip in the pool before we check out. 

They have different dishes laid out that morning. But same as the day before, i hovered all the bacon i can get and also snatched up a couple of yogurt cups. Yummy. By this time, the waiters already knew our room number so they didn't ask us anymore when we took one of the tables in the restaurant. It was still early when we finished eating so it was easy to get a cottage by the pool. The day tour guests don't come until 9am, that is when the first boat trip to the island is scheduled to arrive. All the people there are the ones who checked-in overnight which makes it really private in a way. After a quick swim, we went back to our Samal House, packed up our stuff and prepared to leave. This is the part I hate the most. 

Check-out time is at 12nn. At the reception area, we were handed with all the receipts of the meals we had during our stay. We were glad we're still on our budget. We paid for our dues and left our bags there before we headed for lunch. There's a boat trip that leaves at 1pm, we could've taken that ride after eating but decided not to because we got nothing planned for an afternoon in Davao City. 

Lunch at Maranao Restaurant

The restaurant was unusually unfilled at lunch time. In fact, the entire resort is quite deserted. It was a Monday so I guess there aren't many day trippers on weekdays. We ordered a meal that was just enough for the both of us. And as we paid for our meal, we also gave the waiters a tip. Finally. I don't usually give tips. I'm not a tipper. But I thought we should at least give them something before we leave. They were pretty nice during our stay anyway. 

After lunch, we let the 1pm boat pass and just waited in the restaurant for the last trip back to the city which is at 4pm. We had 3 hours to waste and just spent it playing games on our iPads again. We ordered another round of buko which became a favorite in this island. Then soon came the time to leave. Took some final souvenir photos, boarded the boat, and then sailed away into the sea.

 Gong displayed at the entrance with a view of the Samal Houses

Our boat ride back to Marina Wharf

Same as the last time, the boat trip to the Marina Wharf took about 45 minutes. Included in our package are the round trip airport transfers but we were not leaving just yet. Since our flight is not until 9:45pm, we still had some time to buy pasalubong and grab some dinner in the city. One of the mistakes we made in this trip is that we didn't do enough research as to where to buy local delicacies. We counted on the Pearl Farm staff to lead us to a store like any other resort staff that we've been into did. But sadly, they were not helpful at all. They insisted that we avail their 3-hour City Tour that costs Php 1,500. But we didn't have that money to spare for a tour we didn't really want. So instead of driving us to the airport, we asked the driver to drop us to the nearest pasalubong shop in the city. I think we had a little misunderstanding right there. He dropped as off at a mall and said we could just get a cab from there that would drive us at some place we could buy pasalubong. So rude. We totally didn't expect that from them. But we had no choice. With all our luggages, we stormed into the city in search of the goods we need. When we couldn't find anything in the mall we were in, we decided to sit in a corner and do what we should've done before we came to Davao, RESEARCH. Good thing my boyfriend brought his pocket wifi with him, reception in the city was good, by the way. Then he found this place called Aldevinco which is about a 15-minute drive from where we were. We immediately hailed a cab and asked the driver to bring us there. Its late afternoon and we unluckily entered the rush hour. But the cab driver knew his way around the city. We arrived the place which was appeared to be a group of stalls selling antiques, arts and crafts, clothes and other local products that we had no interest in buying at all. I just wanted to buy suha for my mom and some durian delicacies to bring to the office. But as we looked around, I realized there was no way we would be getting it there. By this time, I was already tired and frustrated, and the weather was so freakin' hot adding more stress to my afternoon. Eventually, we found a couple of stalls selling suha and just bought everything we could carry along with our bags. I don't really know anything about suha, I don't even eat them, I hate this fruit family. After much bargaining and harassment with the sellers, we finally got what we wanted and left for our next destination. 

We went to Jack's Ridge to grab some dinner. The place is much like Antipolo. There are restaurants lined up around a cliff overlooking the city. It was amazing. The view brought me some relief from the stress of the earlier events. We settled into one of the tables in the restaurant and made our order. The menu is just plain Filipino food. Grilled meat is their specialty, I think. While waiting for our dinner, I grabbed my camera and took some shots around the place. People started coming shortly and the restaurant is suddenly full. I realized it was already dinner time and if we have come 30 minutes later than we did, we probably wouldn't get a seat right away.

View from Jack's Ridge

Cabs are quite abundant in the city. We got into one at no time at all. It was a short ride to the airport and the cab driver was really nice and chatty. He shared his own experience in Manila a few years back. Oddly enough, we didn't even tell him we were from Manila. Is it that obvious? 

The Davao International Airport is quite lovely. From the outside, I'm reminded of the airport in Puerto Princesa. But its just much more bigger in the inside. It has high ceilings, a couple of escalators and lots of check-in counters. Its looks good compared to other airports in the country's provinces, but well, its an International Airport so I think its just right. We have guaranteed our seats through the web check-in program the night before. This feature is very convenient i must say. After checking in our bags, we had less than an hour to spend at the airport. We found a couple of stalls selling local delicacies and took our moment to shop for pasalubong. It was a bit pricey but we had no choice. I have to bring something home. We let time pass by watching another episode of my new favorite TV series (Revenge). Boarding started right after we finish the episode. Our iPads have been very good companions during this vacation. Never had an idle time at all, thanks to these buddies. 

Our adventure didn't end when we arrived in NAIA. No one was picking us up from the airport and we have saved just enough money for a cab to bring us home. I read this blog about getting cheaper taxis on the departure area of terminal 3. They are the regular metered taxis that bring passengers to the airport. We could save half of the money we would've spent on airport taxis down at the arrival area of the airport. Though it was almost midnight and it wasn't advisable because taxis are rare at this time of the night.

We took our chances and went up to the departure area along with other passengers of some other flights. It was a nightmare. Everyone was fighting really bad for a cheaper cab ride home. There wasn't a line of any sort. Only people running around chasing after the next cab to arrive at the stands. And the cab drivers, with their usual attitude, took advantage of this and asked for additional charges. Whoever agrees to his demand gets him. Its like a bidding out there. We've waited for so long, giving in for others cause i was still playing nice, until I've just had enough. I was already tired and wasted, and most importantly, I have go to work in a few hours! So I put my game face on and fought for the next cab that came in. I was able to work an arrangement to share a cab with two other girls who were also desperate to go home. It wasn't what I had in mind and it was kind of risky, I know. But I was too tired to care. Luckily, we arrived home in one piece. 

All in all, it was a great summer vacation. Short but sweet. It was the perfect way to celebrate our 1st anniversary together. I wouldn't have it any other way. Its a little pricier than other resorts in Samal Island but its all worth it. Maybe I'd share our expenses in this blog sometime. Though I probably wouldn't go back there in the next couple of years, maybe someday.

Our next vacation is already planned and I can't wait to blog about it. 

Till next time. 

Pearl Farm Beach Resort 

Kaputian, Island Garden City of Samal, Philippines

http://www.pearlfarmresort.com/

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