Carlmig Leisure Homes: A Private Resort Within Manila

Are you looking for a venue to conduct you’re annual outing or just looking for a private place where you can hang out with your family, friends and/or officemates, and MUST BE WITHIN METRO MANILA OR NEAR MAKATI?? Then CARLMIG LEISURE HOMES might be the place for you. This private resort is conveniently located in Palanan Makati, just near Cash and Carry.

If you think that the proximity and transport convenience will equate to higher expenses, then you are wrong. The rate per unit of Carlmig Homes will only cost you almost seven thousand pesos Php 7,000 for 12 hours for 15 persons! That’s the same or even less than the usual rate of fancy private resorts in Pansol. This will be even more sulit when you consider the transport cost from Manila to Laguna, added by the hassle brought by the terrible traffic when going South, ugh.

CARLMIG HOMES offers 6 units to choose from, each has a second floor, with 2 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms perfect for overnight bonding.

Each unit also comes with a very cute swimming pool that is 4-feet deep. 

The water per my observation are being maintained through filters and chemicals that the staff are putting every morning.

We did not get to try it though during our stay. 

The place also has videoke to unleash the inner diva of the guests.

It also has a kitchen complete with cooking utensils, pans, rice cooker, refrigerator and a stove.

The shower in the bathrooms are equipped with water heater, and that’s a big thumbs up for me!

You also do not have to worry about the food and drinks because the place is walking distance away from Ambers and Cash and Carry supermarket, super hassle-free talaga!

As for the parking area, the area can accommodate at least 6 cars in the front. The roads around the place are a bit busy and I wouldn't recommend side/street parking.

The only thing I think that will need a lot of improvement is on the area of cleanliness. During our stay, there were A LOT of bugs and tiny cockroaches. They were on the kitchen and even on our beds! I hope they get rid of these insects ASAP.  

Stonewood Garden Private Pool Resort Angono Rizal Review

Aside from Pansol, Laguna, the Province of Rizal also offers private pool resorts that are perfect for team buildings, reunions, and other celebrations for a big group.

We rented Stonewood Garden Resort in Angono Rizal for 22 hours from 8AM to 4PM.
We paid Php 18k for the venue including one bedroom good for 10 persons.

There is a parking area that can house 2 cars. Vehicles can also be parked along the street just outside the house. The place was located inside a subdivision so I can say that the place is secure.

The place was big enough for us composing of 15 adults and 3 kids. 

The activity area was very wide perfect for team buildings, receptions and gatherings. 

They also have indoor venue located on the second floor.

The place had 2 pools, 1 for adult (4ft - 6ft), 1 kiddie indoor pool (thigh deep) with 1 extra jakuzzi pool. 

adult pool

indoor pool (3ft deep perfect for kids)

The whole place was clean and the water in the pool was well maintained. I did not get itchy after swimming which I usually do when I swim in dirty swimming pools.

view from our rooms balcony

The owners were very simple, kind and accommodating. Although cooking using LPG was not allowed, we were given consent to bring electric stove so we can cook our food which we bought from a nearby market. There was also grill provided. 

Although there are many rooms available, we decided to rent just one room good for 10 persons. It was only for securing our belongings and also for kids and adults who wanted to sleep or rest. 

Here's the contact number of the resort for inquiries. :)

         

Donsol Accommodation: Villa JoLee Affordable Inn for Backpackers

If you are looking for a nearby and affordable accommodations in Donsol while doing the whale shark activity, Villa JoLee will be one of your options.

Just two blocks away from Donsol Tourist Center, Villa JoLee offers affordable and decent place to stay. 

I rented their single bed room for Php 400 for one night during my solo backing trip in Donsol. Towel provided. The owner was so nice. They also offered flippers and snorkeling set rental to be used for whale shark watching.

single bed for Php 400

Here's the contact number of the Inn if in case you would like to inquire. You're welcome. :)

Clean toilet (no warm water shower)

If in case the Inn is already full or you would like to look for other hostel to stay, here's another picture with contact numbers as a bonus. Again, you're welcome. :)

BICOL's PINANGAT: My Pasalubong Recommendation

I consider Bicol as one of the best provinces I have been to in the country. In my experience, the people were so nice, the beaches were so good (see where I stayed in Donsol here), and the food was really unforgettable!!!

Indeed Bicolano Cuisine are freaking delicious! From coconut milk (gata)-based dishes to unique desserts (try Pili and Sili Ice Cream), almost everything is a must try.

Pili Ice Cream is the bomb!

So after the whole Bicol trip, I looked for something to take back to Manila to share the goodness of Bicol  to my friends and loved ones.

You can buy different pasalubong items in Ibalong Pasalubong Center located in Legazpi Grand Terminal. But if you want to take home a delicacy like I did, I recommend Bicol's Pinangat. It's Manila's version of Laing, made from gabi leaves,  dried fish, shrimp paste and maybe some coconut milk. You can buy it in local restaurants along Camalig, Albay but if you already happen to be in the terminal, you can go to SM Supermarket. They sell famous Dad's Special Pinangat in chilled packaging, perfect for transporting. They sell each pack for Php 45. I recommend getting the spicy flavor.

Pinangat sold for Php 45

Travel from Legazpi to Manila took 12 hours so prolonging the life of this dish was very critical. In order to keep it chilled, I bought a cooler box for  Php 150 and put some ice in it. Tube ice were conveniently placed beside the Pinangat's chiller.

Tube Ice

The icebox had to be sealed securely to make sure that the ice water would not spill during the trip. Thankfully the staff from the supermarket helped me seal it using packaging tape. (Bicolano's are sooo nice!)

Right after I went home, I immediately checked the package and still found some ice on top.
I put the Pinangat in the fridge and left one pack to be heated for dinner.

Bicol PNR Still in Operation - Naga - Legazpi

If riding the PNR train to Bicol is included in your bucket list, just like me, then you are in luck!

PNR has resumed its operation late last year (2015) but only from Sipocot to Naga to Legazpi.

After stopping its operation due to calamities in the Bicol Region, PNR now operates from Sipocot Camarines Sur up to Legazpi, Albay.

Currently, there is only one one-way trip per day. Train from Naga to Legazpi leaves at 5AM in the morning. In the afternoon, train goes back to Naga from Legazpi at 5:20PM.

Hope these pictures below I've taken during my PNR trip in Bicol Region will provide additional information on their operation.

PNR Legaspi Station

Naga to Legazpi Bicol PNR Fare Matrix

Naga to Legazpi PNR Trip Schedule

restored facilities dates back to Spanish era

PNR Legazpi Station

Just the ordinary train were used

PNR Daraga Station with the best view, the Mayon Volcano

written April of 2016

Cres Snack Inn: Legazpi, Albay's Budget Friendly Food Haven:

Located along Rizal Avenue, Cres Snack Inn is probably one of the underrated restaurants in Legazpi Albay, probably because it did not appear in my searches when I googled best places to eat in the province. It may look like an ordinary Carinderia or "turo-turo" but they serve one of the best Bicolano dishes I've ever tasted. 

Cres Snack Inn along Rizal Avenue, Legazpi City, Albay, Bicol

Here, you can order food by half, so you can try two or more of their dishes. I personally tried their Bicol Express (of course!) and Laing. Both were tolerably spicy and really delicious.

Price ranges from 50 to 100 plus pesos per order. We were seven that time, each of us ordered  two plates of food in half serving with one rice and our bill was only 665 pesos. That's less than 100 pesos per person.

Different dishes to choose from, Bicolano food etcetera

Laing of course!

 Special thanks to our Bicolano friends for recommending Cres Snack Inn!

Marine Diversity in White Beach Puerto Galera

Just got time to upload this video I shot last year.

 This is just a short glimpse of what you will experience if you try snorkeling in Puerto Galera.

You have to pay an extra 100 Pesos to the boatman to take you to the sanctuary. This is because you will have to be taken by their small boats because big boats may damage the corals and therefore not allowed. But I tell you, it's definitely worth it!

Here's another, during our fish feeding experience... Waves were a bit stronger so it was really hard to swim (or was I just scared? hehe)