VLOG: Our Labor Day Snorkeling Escapade in Bauan, Batangas

While everyone was going crazy over #LaBoracay, our gang went on a day trip to the famous Binukbok Viewpoint Resort in Bauan, Batangas. The resort boasts a rich marine sanctuary perfect snorkeling and diving. It’s a perfect playground for us who were craving for some dose of invigorating vitamin sea, albeit the absence of pure, powdery shores.

How To Go There:
From Jam Liner’s Cubao or Pasay terminal, board a bus bound to Lemery. First trip usually leaves at 3:00 am (from Pasay), but be sure to be at the terminal 30 minutes ahead as the bus can leave earlier. This was what happened to us — bus left at 2:45 am so we had to wait for the next bus which left at a little before 6:00 am. Fare is Php 143.

Get off at the Lemery terminal. From here, commission a tricycle to San Luis and ask the driver that you are going to Binukbok. Special trip costs around  Php 120-150 per way, and travel time takes around 30 minutes. The tricycle will then bring you to Binukbok Viewpoint Resort’s parking lot and wharf.

Make sure that you had pre-arranged a boat transfer from San Luis to Binukbok Viewpoint Resort. Contact the owner of the resort, Manny Garces, directly at +63919.833.2078/+63917.V-NUK-BOK(8685265) / +63942.833.2078. Boat rate starts at Php 600 per way. The boat ride takes around 15 minutes.

Tips:
Binukbok Viewpoint Resort does not have a powdery shore, so, if that’s what you are looking for, then this resort is not for you. But, if you’re in for a breathtaking underwater adventure, then go ahead! The beauty of the resort lies underneath as its marine sanctuary is teeming with huge, colorful fishes and sea wonders.

Bring your own food. You may ask the resort staff to have your food cooked or reheated at a minimal fee of Php 500, cook all you can. They also have plates, glasses, and utensils that guests can borrow.

If you have, bring your own snorkeling and/or diving gears like masks, snorkels, fins, lifevests, etc. to save  money. But if you don’t have your own gears, you may rent some at the resort with prices as follows:

• Mask and Snorkel – Php 150
• Lifevest – Php 50
• Fins – Php 100
• Booties – Php 100
• Regulator – Php 250
• Tank – Php 250
• Wet suit – Php 250
• Weights with belt – Php 100

It will save you time and energy if you will bring your own car from Manila to Bauan. The schedule of the buses are irregular and buses are mostly scarce in the afternoon.

Have you been wondering how beautiful the underwater life is in Binukbok? Please watch our video and you will understand why we call this a happy playground!!!

And the best thing that I love about Binukbok is that it’s super wallet-friendly!!! I only spent a thousand bucks for a day trip of unlimited snorkeling fun! Bus fare, boat transfers and food included!

Team Building at Peninsula de Punta Fuego

A view from San Diego fine dining restaurant

Two weeks ago, we had our much awaited company outing at the picturesque Peninsula de Punta Fuego in Nasugbu, Batangas. All the while I thought there is only one “Punta Fuego” in Batangas. Sorry for the  ignorance. Little did I know that Peninsula, Terrazas and the Yacht Club comprise Club Punta Fuego. I blogged about a rest house we had rented in Terrazas de Punta Fuego (click here) some time in 2011. Here’s a map of Club  Punta Fuego for your reference.

So, is it open for non-members, non-owners? The answer — yes, but in selected parts of the Club only. There are Casitas and Suites that are available for rent (price starts at around Php 8,000, see here : http://www.clubpuntafuego.com.ph/rooms/casitas/). In Terrazas, there are privately-owned beach houses that are available for rent. In Peninsula however, we saw a sign that says “Please be informed that short term (less than 6 months) renting of residential houses in Peninsula de Punta Fuego is not allowed. Please respect the village’s privacy.” There, well said.

The pool near the lower beach

Going back to our company outing, after an about 3-hour drive from Manila, we finally arrived at Peninsula de  Punta Fuego, and their staff gave us a warm welcome. We were served cold towels and welcome drinks — refreshing after that long travel time!

We were then led to San Diego, the Club’s fine dining restaurant, for our morning snacks. In fairness, the food was good! We had some Mexican empanada for snacks. I like how the tangy flavours burst into my mouth with the flaky crust.

Mexican Empanada

 After our morning snacks, we were shuttled to the lower beach for our team building activities. Beside the lower beach is the pool and water activity center, as well as Il Jardineto, an al fresco dining restaurant by the poolside.

Red lounge chairs adds a pop of colour

 We had some fun at the obstacle course, and the bucket race gave us some adrenalin boost, definitely. But the highlight of our trip was this: underwater cam-whoring! Sorry, I have no photos of the marine sanctuary as they wouldn’t lend  me a life vest! Haha!

Using Sony Cybershot TF1

 The beach also looks out to another scenic island with white-sand shores. I wonder what island is that? Can’t wait to see it for myself.

And here is the lower beach. I was quite hesitant to have a dip into the water here because I could still recall Terrazas’ not-so-clean beach, but when I saw the fine sand and the clear water (way,way,way clearer than in Terrazas), I felt more than happy to oblige. The beach here is serene. Of course, stop comparing it to Boracay. We all know that we don’t have that kind of sand here in Batangas. My friend, Irog Jose, had a chance to go snorkeling (yes, he has his own life vest, snorkel, mask, and even fins!) and he was amazed by the rich marine life there. There were giant clams and schools of big, colourful fishes. From the shore, we could also see some schools of fishes, only monochromatic.

The pristine lower beach

The SPECIAL award goes to…the Green Team!!!

And while we didn’t win the championship this year (yeah, we were the last, hehe!), we felt like champions in the company of good old friends and colleagues. The time we spent, the meals we shared, the games we played, the laughter we had, are all priceless. Here’s to the next PT team building! Cheers!

I can’t get enough of this flame tree. =)

A Weekend at Terrazas de Punta Fuego

My friends had been planning for this weekend getaway a.k.a. mid-year get together for months now, and finally, last weekend, we rented a beach house in Terrazas de Punta Fuego in Batangas.

 We left Makati at around 10am and arrived at Magallanes Square in Tagaytay a little before 12 nn. There we had our lunch at LZM’s. Bulalo, of course, is the highlight of our lunch. After having lunch, we continued driving our way to Nasugbu. We arrived a little passed 2 pm.

The beach house we rented (Php 15,700/ night) could fit 12 to 15 people. It has 4 big rooms, 2 T&B, a lounge, a kitchen and 2 swimming pools. Not bad! Since we were 13 in the group, we paid P1,200 each for the accommodation. Kids are included in the headcount.

Here’s the dining area where we literally indulged ourselves with comfort food (Thanks to Angela and Tita Lei for your kitchen wonders).

 This is the outdoor pool in the garden. You can also eat in this area or have some booze like what we did. For smokers, this is your designated place as they impose a no smoking policy inside the house.

 The kitchen is complete with plates, utensils, microwave, fridge, water dispenser (you need to bring your own water though), etc. They also have a dirty kitchen where you can prepare your meals. If you need help grilling or washing the dishes, they have helpers on standby until 10 pm.

There are 2 rooms on the first floor and an extra bed outside the 2 rooms. If you’re brave enough, you can sleep here (right Ron?).

 These 2 bedrooms share an aircon and an exhaust fan.

Both the T&B’s are on the first floor so if you’re the type who needs to pee at night, make sure you sleep on the first floor or be brave enough to go down at night.

 There’s 1 room on the second floor with aircon as well. The other 2 rooms beside this room is locked as those are the owners’ rooms.

There’s a lounge on the second floor where you can watch a movie or just take a nap.

 They also have a collection of DVD’s to choose from.

 This is the indoor pool at the 2nd floor. You can also play billiards here. The pool here though looks like a jacuzzi, like only knee deep.

A place for booze again.

The attic can fit 4 to 5 pax. Mattresses are also available as well as linens and pillows. The room is freezing cold at night.

Here’s the beach. As the owner said in her multiply site, there really is no beachfront house in Punta Fuego. To go to the beach area, we drove a few meters away. Can you walk from the house to the beach? I bet you can go down, but going home passing the steep curves? That’s the big question.

The building on the cliff is the luxe Amara en Terrazas. These are condo units inside the Fuego compound. I think some are open for rent as well. Not sure though.

The sand is not powdery white though. There’s no “white” beach in Batangas. Often, there are off-white or coral sand bars.

 Overall, our stay was fun! 

Tip:

Bring some mosquito/insect repellent 

Bring your own towel. the beach house is well, a house, not a hotel, so they do not provide towels.

Bring your own 5 gallon water for the dispenser. In our case, we ran out of water on our last day.

Bring all the booze and food you need. Supermarket and convenience stores are far from Punta Fuego. When you pass by Tagaytay, get everything you need.

Where will our next get together be? Find out, soon!

Club Balai Isabel: A Quick Escape from the Metro

It was almost a year ago when we went to Club Balai Isabel for a weekend getaway.

From the poolside, there is a panoramic view of Taal Volcano.

Photo by Enan Sison

We stayed in one of the Family Villas which has 3 bedrooms, a kitchen, a lounge and a lanai. Rates are about Php 14,000 per night, so if you are a big group, this is a good choice.

A view from our veranda.

In the lanai, we grilled some goodies like chops and veggies.

The place is also very environment-friendly, where one can reunite again with nature. They also have a spa where you can have a relaxing massage.

Aside from the villas, they also have hotel/condo type accommodation near the pool area.

Special thanks to Kuya Enan and Shoti for some of the photos.