Villa Escudero Day Trip (Hacienda Escudero)

Early this year, a Balikbayan relative of Davis's arrived and wanted to see Villa Escudero (as he have heard so much about it).
Davis's uncle loves anything that is native to the Philippines so off we went for a day trip at Villa Escudero (just beside Hacienda Escudero).

It took us almost 3 hours to get there from Manila to Quezon.
whew!!!

The day tour rate is Php 1,250 per person.
This includes the following:

• Welcome Drink/Carabao Cart and Jeepney Rides/Use of most recreational facilities and lunch at the waterfalls.
• Tour of AERA Foundation Museum (courtesy of trustees)/Tour of Rural Village and Chapel
• Philippine Experience Cultural Show every Friday/Saturday/Sunday/Holidays 2:00-3:15PM
• River Rafting, swimming pool
  

Some other available facilities are:
• Nipa huts
• Chapel
• gameroom
• auditorium
• bike rentals
• souvenir shops
• tennis, basketball and volleyball courts

They also offer overnight packages. See their website for the rates :)

As soon as we arrived at Villa Escudero, we went to the reception area to get registered, where we were offered our welcome drink, which was Sago't Gulaman :)
Refreshing!

We also went around to take a quick look of the place.

on our way to the Carabao Ride

Shaney and Lola waiting for the Carabao to come

Finally!!!

That's the museum at the back

Bunches and bunches of Esudero family collections are showcased in the museum. They even have a shrunken head!!!!

Meet our Carabao, "Sexy"
there were locals in costumes seated at the back of the Carabao ride, serenading us the most beautiful native songs :)

time for our lunch buffet at Labasin WaterFalls area

Most diners like us opt to sit at tables placed directly in the stream coming from the man-made falls and enjoy the cooling spring water flowing over our feet.
The buffet lunch served is all Filipino food. I do, however, wish that they serve a free buko juice per person.

River Rafting

The Labasin Lake is 30 feet deep!!! don't worry, you won't drown if you fall since they make sure that each rafter wears a life-vest

Shaney can't ride the raft, she's too young and too small for it. Safety First!


Shaney and Lola while waiting for the Cultural Show to start

Everybody will get the chance to see and experience the Philippine's cultural dance shows from Luzon to Mindanao at the Coconut Pavillion.

Shaney Bologne enjoyed the trip the most

By the way, don't be surprised if you see locals taking pictures of you and your family because they do it for business. At the end of the day, you will be seeing your pictures posted at the corridor near the exit and they will try to sell these to you... at an expensive price! *teehee*
i guess it's about Php 100 each!!!

North Luzon Road Trip

"Tara Na! Byahe Tayo!"

Vigan, Ilocos Sur; Fort Ilocandia, Ilocos Norte; Laoag ; Cape Bojeador Lighthouse; Bangui Windfarm; Pagudpud; Kaibigan Falls; Blue Lagoon; Tuguegarao City; Banaue Rice Terraces

This trip was a really memorable one for all of us :c)

taken at the famous Crisologo Street in Vigan city

Fort Ilocandia

Paoay Church (all the while we thought that this was the church on the 10 peso bill hihihi)

Saint William Church

view from the veranda of Malacañang of the North

Malacañang of the North with Labsydoo

Sta. Monica Church and Bell Tower in Sarat

Bacarra Bowing Tower

it's also a sinking bell tower but it's called the Bowing tower because the structure was leaning (like the tower of pisa) when a huge earthquake struck Ilocos Norte. At present, the top of the tower has already fell down and this is what's left of it. Most of the fallen parts are still surrounding the area.

tres marias with the South China Sea


Cape Bojeador Lighthouse

super scary experience just to reach the top of the lighthouse!


stucked at the Bangui Windmill Farm!
uhm.. to the left.. nope, to the right..

with Labsydoo at the Windfarm

Laughtrip at Pagudpud
i think it took us quite a while to get this shot because the huge waves were taking davis (our photographer) away..


Trekking towards the hidden falls


goofing around as we got to the falls


Kaibigan Falls


the Blue Lagoon is also considered as the Boracay of the North.. you can obviously see why


Patapat Bridge

this is the long curving road across the Pagudpud beach

"Golden Gate Bridge of the North"


Nuestra Señora de Piat in Tuguegarao City
this is the counterpart of Our Lady of Manaoag


Callao Cave


Breathtaking view of the Banaue Rice Terraces


Ifugao siblings

Group pic with the Igorots
(they have to be paid whenever you wish to take pictures with them)

an elderly Igorot

trying to go down the steps...but we retreated back because it was just too hot!


part of the picture


what are you pointing at?

sweet place


with our trademark


Ethnic Village

Island Cove Cavite

A friend took us to Island Cove Hotel and Leisure Park in Cavite early this year for a day trip.
I wasn't expecting much but I got surprised at how big the area was!!!


you can play the GIANT CHESS (photo grabbed from Island Cove Hotel and Leisure Park in Cavite)
playing it requires energy, though :p

have a sumptuous feast at the FISHING VILLAGE
(photo grabbed from Island Cove Hotel and Leisure Park in Cavite)

or have fun and swim at OCEANIA
(photo grabbed from Island Cove Hotel and Leisure Park in Cavite)

(photo grabbed from Island Cove Hotel and Leisure Park in Cavite)
cottage fee: Php800
we brought in sandwiches (shhhhhhhhh.. penalty of Php600 when caught)
canned softdrinks: Php50
bottled water: Php35
pancit bihon: Php85 (very bland)
2 pcs pork bbq with rice and a small iced tea: Php125
1 pc chicken bbq with rice and a small iced tea: Php125

They also offer overnight accommodations but since we were there for a day trip, we weren't able to see their newly remodeled rooms :)

update: there was not a single butterfly in their butterfly farm! bwahahahahaha

We enjoyed their MINI ZOO the most!
They have ostriches, different kinds of birds and alligators/crocodiles.
You can take pictures with the baby alligator for Php20 per shot (take note: Php 20 PER PICTURE taken from YOUR OWN camera)
Fortunately, we were able to take a picture with the tiger cub for FREE! *teehee*



They also offer carriage rides. I think it's Php300 per 30 minutes (i'm not sure)

For inquiries, you may reach Island Cove Hotel and Leisure Park at