Pansol, Laguna

            Swimming pools, Collete's buko pie, hot/cold spring, water falls, are some of the things that will come up to mind when someone mention the place: Laguna!

            Transient houses are scattered everywhere in Pansol, Laguna.  These houses caters the need of big group of tourist to stay overnight and enjoy the cold/hot spring, which makes the place famous.  One of the famous village that compose merely of transient houses and "for-rent" swimming pools is Mira Monte, where almost all of corporate groups/teams in Metro Manila stays for team building and team bonding (especially those from Call Center Industry).

               If you have tried hibernating in the City of Pines aka. Baguio City, where you stay in a transient house, same concept are used.  Kitchen utensils (e.g burner, refrigerator, frying pan,saddle, basin, etc) are made available for your daily use (if you plan to stay for couple of weeks or couple of months) but food not included.  You will need to buy your own supply of food and beverages.  No need to worry about the electricity and water for its included in your rental fee.  Videoke machine for sing-all-you-want session is available per house.  You need to talk tot he owner/care take though if its "unlimited" - no need to insert coin/song.

Nueva Ecija: Almon Water Park

            A friend from Nueva Ecija invited us one time to visit his hometown and taste their famous delicacies e.g. espasol, puto and alike.  We get to experienced again one of the Filipinos famous tradition, that is to celebrate every town's fiesta.  Fiestas in the Philippines are held as thanks-giving for a good and bountiful harvest, a celebration for the patron of the town (Sto. Nino, etc.) and to commemorate the town's beginning.

            Going back to Nueva Ecija is another unforgettable experience for me and for my friends.  I never knew the town has one of the highest but may not be the longest swimming pool slide if not of my friend's cousin who invited us for a swim.  Almon Water Park Resort in Sta. Rosa, Nueva Ecija is my first swimming pool and water park resort experience in the town.  The resort is located in Soledad, Sta. Rosa.  You can reach the place by either hiring a tricycle or riding a jeep for those who don't have private cars.  Its a little far from Gapan City proper and may take 20-35minutes travel.

            Entrance fee is around 100Php (child) or 110Php (adult) for day swimming and 110Php(child) or 120Php(adult) for night swimming.  Senior citizens with valid ID's get 20% discount based from adult rates.  We enjoyed the cold water in their adult swimming pool with super slide.  Though we are not able to use the slides because of the long line of swimmers who wants to experience it and our lack of patience to wait. Hahaha!  Its also raining when we arrive, hence, we are too lazy to roam around and explore the area.  We get to swim and see all the swimming pools though.  We also spent time hanging out in kiddie swimming pool where the kids can enjoy the fountain and aquabrella.  Nipa huts are available for day swimming guest but there are a number of veranda and air-conditioned cottages that has toilet/bath room and TV for those who want to stay overnight.

Dawal Beach Resort

            Been wandering Zambales for quite a while and been keeping pictures of beaches, rice fields, mango orchards and old houses but not a nice, cozy, convenient accommodation.  When it comes to Zambales, other than SBMA, Subic and Olongapo, all I can think of when it comes to accommodation are either nipa hut/cottages or a tent.  Little did I know that even their farthest towns, Sta. Cruz and Candelaria offers world class resorts.

             Arriving in Iba, Zambales from Cubao via Victory Liner (371Php/pax) is not enough to get to Dawal Beach Resort and Restaurant.  One must take another bus ride from Iba terminal to Candelaria, Zambales (90Php/pax).  Drop off point is in Brgy. Uacon, Candelaria where you will need to ride a tricycle (10Php/pax) to get to your destination.  The resort is around 200 steps away from the main road, you may also take a walk.

           Dawal Beach Resort and Restaurant was founded to cater beach bummers and wanderers who wants to experience a serene environment with the magnificent view of the mountains, sea, sand and sunset.  A perfect refuge for those  who wants to get some peace of mind and refresh their body without going too far away from Manila.