Our Taal Vista Hotel Staycation

What joy it was when I had a staycation in Taal Vista Hotel with someone special. After picking up Sue at the airport, we went straight to Coastal bus terminal where we got a ride going to Tagaytay. Got off the other side of the "forked" road. From there, we took a tricycle going to the hotel.

We arrived at the hotel around 10pm. Good thing valet service picked us up by the gate. Checked in and settled in our room.

Hotel lobby..

The room was just gorgeous! Ours was located at the Lake Wing. Talk about an overlooking view of the Taal Lake. But that was enjoyed the next day; for now, it was more of the city lights.

File photo: Taal Vista Hotel

Although tired from the trip, me and Sue went out to grab something to eat. Our initial plan was to go to McDonald's which is just across the hotel but unfortunately it was closed for renovation. We decided to have bulalo in Don Juan Bulalo Restaurant. Good thing it's open 24 hours. Perfect meal for a cool weather.

Back in the hotel, we simply tugged ourselves in bed while watching television until we fell asleep.

Rise and shine!

View from our room's veranda..

What a beautiful day it was to wake up with an amazing view by the veranda and a beautiful lady by your side. ^_^

After taking that much deserved bath, we went down to Cafe Veranda for our buffet breakfast. The day's menu was a mixed of Filipino and American cuisine. We had danggit, sausage, omelet, soup and lots of bacon. I was also introduced to the Cafe's chef, chef Edwin. He prepared us tawilis as compliment. Yum!

Breakfast was satisfying plus the factor that area was facing the Taal Lake view.

After that hearty meal, we went around the hotel premises and explore.

Get a vast view of the Taal Lake by the deck.

Viewing deck..

I was planning on taking a dip in the pool but I decided not to and just chill by the poolside because of the cold, foggy weather.

Pool area..

Gym..

It's almost an hour before checking out, we went back to our room, fixed our stuff, freshen up and checked out. Time flew so fast that the our stay seemed short yet we enjoyed our stay. Hope to come back for another relaxing staycation at Taal Vista Hotel.

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Building a Community of Opportunities

All the while, when I think of Gawad Kalinga it's about building houses in a community. They do build houses but I never thought they are more than just that. And that's what I discovered when I visited GK Enchanted Farm.

The GK Enchanted Farm is Gawad Kalinga’s platform to raise social entrepreneurs, help the local farmers and create wealth in the countryside. The man behind the continuous success of Gawad Kalinga, Tony Meloto mentioned that the road out of poverty is to provide decent homes; then teach them how to become enterpreneurs. And that's the main purpose why GK Enchanted Farm was built.

 

The place is not just a farm but a community. Farm because of the freshly picked greens and fruits; community because of the families and staff that work together to built better opportunities.

Going there was quite a challenge. The time I got the invite, I immediately checked how to get there since Norzagaray is a few kilometers away from where I lived. But with the several rides and turns, I doubted that I could commute. So instead of commuting, I took advantage of the shuttle service. I could, at least familiarize myself on how to get there..

It was an early call time. We left Enchanted Farm Cafe in Quezon City around 7am and arrived at GK Enchanted Farm few minutes before 9am. The place is huge. One thing I noticed at once was the foreigners of different nationalities in the area. They're actually volunteers that came all the way from different parts of world to help out in the farm's advocacy. There we got to meet Clementine, Leslie and Fabien, to name a few among the social entrepreneur mentors in the farm.

Leslie is no stranger in our country, she's a Filipina who has a good life in New York but chose to go back and do what she has been doing now.

Now back to the farm..

The buffet (from breakfast, to lunch and then dinner) are guaranteed fresh. All ingredients came from the farm. Talk about health and nutrition.

During our stay in the farm, we got to know and learn more about the different social entrepreneur opportunities that anyone could willingly have.

PLUSH AND PLAY

Plush and Play's current designs..

One of the staff in action..

GOLDEN DUCK

In the process of making those golden eggs..

The finish product..

 
BET ON HAMLET

Dimsum making..

Finish product.. These taste good!

GOURMET KESO

Yummy!

GK Enchanted Farm is just about learning but there's also exploring.. We were toured around the farm.

The Bamboo Palace

Lifebank Center for Bayanihan Economics

Oasis - Yes! They'll have a spa and wellness center..

Hyundai Center

Some of the houses in the community..

Not to forget a bit of relaxation.. Enchanted Farm has a swimming pool and it's an infinity pool..

On our last day in the farm, we learned a few farming 101.

Learning to transplant a seedling..

Removing weeds and grass from the crops..

The whole experience was like a mini immersion in the community. We stayed and got to interact with the families living in the area. I encourage you to visit GK Enchanted Farm whether it's for relaxing, learning, road trip etc. Drop by and get inspired by their vision to help people help themselves.

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#MakatiStaycation at Holiday Inn

It was a dream come true for me to be able to have that chance to stay in one of the iconic hotels in Makati - HOLIDAY INN.

I made my reservations few days after the #MakatiStaycation press launch. Ms. Teri of Holiday Inn was very accommodating in making sure everything's set by the time I check-in.

I was welcomed by the hotel's general manager ... That is my! Flattering.. Though I'm not used to it. Bit nerve-wracking!

Going back, our room was located at the 11th floor; and I so love the ambiance.. Explored the room; and what amazed me were the multimedia ports that are not actually located at the back or side of the flat screen TV. Cool!

First thing I did was jump in my bed and watch cable.. Talk about relaxation.. I am enjoying it!

While waiting for my sister to arrive from work, one of the staff brought something to my room. Fruits courtesy of the hotel. Still snuggled in my bed, more TV and internet; Wi-Fi connection is really good.

By the time my sister arrived, we called for some food delivery. Afterwards, slept like babies til 6:30-ish..

Good morning sunshine! That what greeted us by the window the next day.. We first have a dip in the hotel's swimming pool located at the roof deck. Their gym is also located in the same level.

Pool by the roof deck..

Then we let ourselves be famished with the hotel's sumptuous breakfast at Flavors.. Yum! Yum!

Food was definitely great. That was heaven for me! 

We were already packing up when the hotel representative called me and said that we can extend our stay a bit more. Cool!

My sister had a short workout at the gym. Afterwards, we said our appreciation from the hotel staff for the wonderful stay. More photos here..

Hope to experience this again. ^_^

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STAYCATION: Spending the Night at Eurotel

With all honesty, my first impression with Eurotel was just another motel in the metro. You may ask why? Maybe because of the location, some of their branches are quite near with other inns or apartelle that caters short time stays. Another reason was the building color; I'll say, I'm used to how other hotels in the metro looked like.

But that changed when I, myself experienced staying in one of Eurotel's branches located in Angeles, Pampanga.

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Bacolod Travelogue - Part 1: Melba's Farm

Check out my trip to Bacolod and San Carlos, Negros Occidental during my birthday last year..

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Staycation: Remington Hotel

It's very seldom that I experience to stay in a hotel. And I was fortunate to have a staycation at Remington Hotel in a recent commitment I participated to.

more about this on Samut Sari Atbp. 

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