Balatoc Mines Tour

I've traveled numerously in Baguio City.

But there was this one travel that made an impression. The travel was way back 2011. When I went to and experienced a different adventure - The Balatoc Mines Tour! 

Located just 30 minutes or more from Baguio City, the Balatoc Mines in Itogon, Benguet is a great sidetrip from the heart of Baguio City.

The road to Balatoc is a combination of winding roads and bumpy rides at times. The view itself going to Balatoc Mines is fascinating and majestic. The wide and thick greenery covering the mountainside along the curving roads going to Balatoc Mines will definitely boost a little bit of adrenalin to the passenger.

After 40 minutes of bumpy jeepney ride. Finally, I was at the jump-off point of Balatoc Mines.

I immediately descended to the spot and inquired about my tour. Luck was on my side that day. Well, the tour has just started and I was asked to join the group in order that I won't miss anything.

I was not even paid when I joined the tour.

I wore my helmet and my safety shoes and off we go to the tour.

The tour itself started from what they call the Vegas Tunnel!

We were made to do some activities while inside the tunnel.

Rock Bolting!

The tunnel was filled with smoke coming from the previous dynamite blast.

Dynamite Blasting!

How to make and use the dynamite to destroy the rocks inside the tunnel.

Shoveling the rocks, debris, and dirt brought about by the dynamite blast.

The Tunnel

After the tour, we were fetched by a train from the inside of the tunnel. The train ride was good for 5 five minutes only.

The tour itself lasted for more than an hour.

I enjoyed this unique tour!

This is one experience that I am offering to other tourists to experience while you are in Baguio City.

Experience the Balatoc Mines Tour! 

Road Trip to Antipolo

The love for motorbiking started with love for riding a mountain bike.

I have made lone road trips in Laguna, Rizal, Batangas, Cavite and Bulacan. 

But the most unforgettable road trip was the group road trip with my brother and cousins from Tanauan City, Batangas, passing Laguna and then reaching Antipolo City, Rizal.

It was October 4, 2011.

Meeting time was 5 am and we started from Tanauan City. We did not use the Calamba route to Manila. Instead, we opted to use another route.

We used the Makiling-Banahaw route which was longer and farther from Manila. 

The road to Antipolo via the remote municipalities of Laguna was long and winding. There were times I almost fell asleep. Good thing I was listening to my ipod on that travel.

Half-way through, we reached Pagsanjan and another 1 and half hours of traveling.

The heat of the sun was picking up and my eyes were then burning.

Finally, we reached the Antipolo Cathedral. I usually travel alone. But that was one day I traveled with my Kuya Derik (my eldest brother) and my cousins, Elvin, Hapon and Den-Den. We reached Antipolo after almost 3 hours of traveling.

  

We even had our motorcycles blessed with holy water in order to have a safe journey home. Talk about being religious..

We ate our brunch at the house of Atty. Jojo Sison in Antipolo. Then afterwards, we started our way home but this time we used again another route via C-5 and passing the old municipal road from Alabang to Calamba.

We made an hour stop at the house of our uncle, Tito Taba. And around 3 pm, we were home back in Tanauan City, Batangas.

It's really fun motorbiking in the Philippines! =) 

The Farm (at San Benito, Lipa City, Batangas)

The Farm (at San Benito, Lipa City, Batangas)

As early as March 8, 2013, I was already planning for my summer tour in the Philippines. I knew then that there will be times that I would not be able to tour this summer due to the fact that I would be having (I hope)  a summer load in FEU. 

And as an alternative, I was planned that during weekends this summer, I would roam using my motorbike around Batangas and Laguna. The thrill once more of traveling 120-140 kilometers per hours and the wind brushing to your face are the spectacles of riding a motorbike and traveling!

Anyway, I planned on going to Taal Basilica and the Ruins of the Old Taal Church in San Nicolas, Batangas. But while searching the net for other tourist spots in Batangas, I came across a place which was just 35-45 minute ride from Tanauan City. I had no idea that there was such a place existing within our vicinity. Having traveled around the Philippines, seeing tourist spots is not new to me. But this one is definitely exceptional, and it was a good thing I was able to go this place and experience (a bit) the world-class wellness and spa in - The Farm!

Staying at home bores me, I needed to go out and see the world, and I needed to ride my bike once more!

En route to Taal Basilica from Tanauan City on board my bike, I stopped over a place I have never been into.

Having seen the spas in Palawan, Boracay, Cebu, Davao and in Tagaytay (Nurture Spa), I was thrilled to go to another one. What made me excite more was the fact that it was just here in Batangas.

  

From Tanauan City to Lipa City, it took me 20 minutes to reach this marker, and from this marker another 8 kilometers or roughly 10-15 minutes due to the traffic inside Lipa City.

From Manila, travel time using the skyway and the ac-tex is roughly 1 hour and 30 minutes.

On board a bus, it would take you almost two hours to reach Lipa City. And from the terminal in Lipa City, a tricycle ride is necessary.

You will definitely not be bored while traversing the way to The Farm. The rural view is just fascinating and worth-seeing..

  

I was enjoying my ride! I was thrilled... This is one joy ride!

Finally, after 40 minutes, I was able to reach the gate of The Farm.

Honestly, I did not have any reservation but I told myself I had to see the place and make the necessary inquiry. 

I was looking for a place that we (my girlfriend) could spend the night with and relax and just simply enjoy the presence of each other.

And I knew that this is the perfect place! 

Reception Area

First stop was to go the reception area and make the necessary inquiry.

The Farm allows Day Tour for the price of P5,000++ per pax. The price includes the use of the facilities (yoga and pools) and a free lunch.

Among the amenities offered by the The Farm are  Detox Cleanse, Wellness Holiday, Specialized Healing Retreats, Prevention Program, Organic Weight Loss, Diabetes Management, Heart Health and Stress Reduction Reduction, Environmental Detox, Holistic Skin Therapy and Beauty and Longevity.

You can choose from a variety of packages from the different programs that I mentioned.

But my main concern was to see the rooms that they offer.

And I was not disappointed!

The interior of the Sulu Terrace was just jaw-dropping! "I want to live in this place," I told myself.

Accommodation for single or double occupancy for the Sulu Terrace is P8,400.0 ++

On the other hand, the Palmera Suite is P14,700.00 ++

While the Anahaw Family Villa is P18,900.00 ++

There are other villas to choose from like the Garden Villa (P21,000.00 ++), Narra Pool Villa (P32,000.00 ++) and the Master Villa (P52,500.00 ++)

I'd settle for the Sulu Terrace, and the accommodation includes a free breakfast, the use of the yoga spots and the pools.

After seeing the Sulu Terrace, my guide Jun toured me around The Farm.

 And our first stop was the man-made falls and pool.

There were plenty of resting places to choose from and relax!

The 200-year old mango tree.

One of the spots to relax and simply be with nature.

The Amphitheater (a  place for yoga)

They even grow their own vegetables. Served fresh right after being hand-picked!

The South Pool

Where one could simply swim and forget about time.

I definitely recommend The Farm to those people who need to loosen up, detoxify, relax and enjoy life.

In case you are wondering if they are offering shuttle service since the place is in a remote, serene and secluded place away from the hustle and bustle of the city, the answer is in the affirmative.

Pick up point: Bonifacio St., Lipa City

Drop off point: The Farm

AM   7:30 / 8:10 / 11:30 

PM  14:30

Pick up point: The Farm

Drop off point: Bonifacio St., Lipa City

AM: 8:00 / 12:20 

PM  15:20 / 17:20

The Farm

119 Barangay Tipakan
4217 Lipa City, Batangas, Philippines

Sales Office:
Shop 11, Ground Floor, The Peninsula Manila
cor. of Ayala and Makati Avenue, Makati City
Tel: (632) 884-8074 Fax (632) 889-1150
Mobile: 0918-884-8078

Contact persons:

Ms. Anku Chibb
Business Development Manager

Mobile: 0918-803-9441
e-mail: bdm@thefarm.com.ph
website: www.thefarm.com.ph

Mr. Michael Di Lonardo
General Manager
Mobile: 0917-501-8885
e-mail: gm@thefarm.com.ph
website: www.thefarm.com.ph

Sit back and Relax at

   

Sohoton Cove, Bucas Grande Island

March 2012.

I just finished my tour in Siargao! One of the best places to visit and stay in the Philippines.  

But there were islands that were needed to be explored. And so I chartered a boat that would take me to the islands of Siargao. The end of the island hopping adventure is the start of this blog - Bucas Grande Island. 

I paid P5,000 for the ride.

Imagine, there were only three of us on that small boat. The boatman, his nine-year old son and I. And we traveled from mainland Siargao to Bucas Grande Island.

It was more than 2 hours away from Siargao Island. The small boat covered the long distance and withstood moderate waves. 

I survived!

Map of route from Ocean 101, Cloud Nine, Siargao to Bucas Grande Island

We reached first the Cinnamon Island Cottages. I was so hungry that day, I asked the boatman to stop so that we could partake our breakfast at the island.
  

The owner was kind enough to allow us to eat even though we were not listed as guests that day. 

The cottage is managed by Strengthened Association of Volunteers for the Environment of Sohoton (SAVE Sohoton). The rate is P2,500/room per night with free breakfast (for 1-5 persons) Contact No: 09488205835 Roldan (Operations Manager)

Thereafter, we proceeded to the Sohoton cove Visitor's Area.

After a few minutes, we finally reached our destination for that day.

Sohoton Cove Registration Area 

The turquoise waters that surround the many islets in this area  were clearly fascinating.

"Good thing I made this trip," I told myself.

I really cannot recall how much I paid that day. But if I remember it right, I paid P1,500 - P1,800 for the boat and the guide.  

In just less than 15 minutes, we were off touring the cove.

We were four in the boat. The guide, the two boatmen and I.

 I had no plans of getting wet that day. Probably because I was already exhausted. I was on the 13th day of my tour in Mindanao which started in Cagayan de Oro.

The first thing that we had to pass was the Sohoton Cove itself.

It was a very low and narrow opening. I knew then why we were required to wear our protective helmet.

Sohoton Cove

After passing the narrow opening, we passed by the Horseshoe landmark. Sohoton cove's only landmark. 

There were plenty of tourists that day. Unfortunately, it was high tide that day and I was not able to go inside the Crystal Cave. No swimming for me that day!

Among the places you can explore inside are the Bolitas Cave, Crystal Cave, Hagukan Cave,   and the Magkukuob Cave.

This is the spot where tourists jump-off the cliff and plunge directly into the water .

One of the may adventures one can experience exploring Sohoton Cove.

After exploring the inside of Sohoton Cove, we went back to the registration area 

I was told that part of the package that I paid was I can still do some boating to the other side of the Cove and see the multitude of jellyfish which are non-stinging.

By then, I was onboard a smaller boat and we, the boatman and I, were paddling! 

We arrived at the specific site. But there were only a handful of jellyfish that day.

It was already past 2 pm and I decided to call it a day.

We headed to our last destination that day, Surigao City!