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.
 

           We brought our own food and rented a Nipa hut.  If you don't have prepared food, I suggest you buy it in Gapan City because there are small numbers of convenience store and sari-sari- store along the way.  Though the resort has a small cafeteria/store/billiard/videoke hall, it is too pricey and you may not save more.