Beachin' Around Subic

Our trip to Subic late last month was partly a family affair and a gathering with our friends. Last year, we went to Baler to surf. Though we planned to go back to Baler this year, due to some circumstances such as having an infant around and a friend who's going to be a first time mom (yehey!) we had to cancel and set for another one. Summer of 2012, we decided to go to a much nearer destination, SUBIC!. Our trip went around the beaches of Subic. After our ZOOBIC Safari, we went to All Hands Beach Resort and there, we spent the rest of our afternoon and evening.

Based on the website, All Hands Beach Resort was famous to the U.S. Navy. The name of the resort was derived from the old saying" all hands on deck". All Hands Beach is great for swimming for all ages due to the shallow and gradually sloping depth of the shoreline. -source-

The sand is fine and white. For a summer weekend, it wasn't as full, so we pretty much enjoyed the whole beach. They also offer night swimming. All Hands Beach Resorts has an awesome line of amenities and water activities for the whole family. They also have a lifeguard to watch over their guests.

Entrance fee: 

Day Swimming: Php500 

Night Swimming: Php600

The following day, we went to a nearby beach resort (which I forgot the name). The beach is more of a public beach. The usual beach resort that offers an affordable entrance fee, it opens at 8am then closes at 5pm.

It was a perfect destination for a quick dip in the ocean. Before leaving Subic, we all decided to go for another round. The view was fantastic, it was clean, with fine white sand and clear waters. If you're around the area and you want to freshen up, this beach resort is located along the way going to All Hands Beach Resort. It's near the Subic Bay International Airport.

 Entrance fee: Php200

We had a blast! For me and my family, it was amazing. My son learned how to swim on his own, he was able to see real starfishes and baby crabs in the shallow waters of Subic. Everything was perfect. The sun was out, but it wasn't too hot. Both our families and friends were around. As always, we're blessed with a fun-filled summer!

All Hands Beach Resort

Music to My Ears: Legendary Essentials

Even if downloading is just a click away, my husband and I still prefer buying original cds of our favorite artists. My latest finds are copies of the people who made a great impact in the music industry both abroad and here in the Philippines. I accidentally found The Essential Michael Jackson in line of the other music legends such as: Miles Davis and Whitney Houston.. Michael Jackson is indeed a true legend.

The 2*in*1 Series FRANCISM was an extraordinary find. We weren't expecting that it was for a very cheap price of Php180 and it wasn't on the sale rack. So I was like: "what? they're giving it out just like that?"  I'm talking about original compositions with the best sessionists to play the music and of course the cool  sound of Francis M's voice to relay the message of the songs. We don't get this kind of music nowadays. All I hear on television, over the radio and in music shops are cover songs.

The ESSENTIAL: MICHAEL JACKSON: a 2-disc cd composed of the very best of the Legendary Michael Jackson.

The 2*in*1 Series FRANCISM: a 2 disc cd---hits of our very own Legend Francis Magalona.

Both artists passed away in 2009. It was a sad event, but they left us with a unique blend of music filled with amazing songs and compositions.

Music To My Ears: Dirty Loops - Sexy back

Dirty Loops covered Justin Timberlake's Sexy Back in an extraordinary way. Reminiscent of Jamiroquai mix with Stevie Wonder and a dash of rhythmic complexity. It's hot!

I'm bringing sexy back

Them other boys don't know how to act

I think it's special what's behind your back

So turn around and I' ll pick up the slack.

Take em' to the bridge

Dirty babe

You see these shackles

Baby I'm your slave

I'll let you whip me if I misbehave

It's just that no one makes me feel this way

Take em' to the chorus

Come here girl

Go ahead, be gone with it

Come to the back

Go ahead, be gone with it

VIP

Go ahead, be gone with it

Drinks on me

Go ahead, be gone with it

Let me see what you're working with

Go ahead, be gone with it

Look at those hips

Go ahead, be gone with it

You make me smile

Go ahead, be gone with it

Go ahead child

Go ahead, be gone with it

And get your sexy on, on, on

And get your sexy on, on, on

And get your sexy on, on, on...

Zoobic Safari

The word SAFARI is often linked to an expedition or animal sightseeing. We interact with animals and feed our brains with so much information when it comes to the nature of the animals and their surroundings. Our Zoobic Safari is one good example. Our first activity in Subic was to go on a Zoobic Safari. My whole family went even our baby Mikee. But I advise not to bring your babies, not unless they like sleeping the whole day. My son slept through most of our journey, that's why I didn't have a hard time.

It was a very hot day I must say. In any safari, it's best to wear light clothing.

ZOOBIC SARARI Rates

White tigers are often mistaken as albino tigers but they're a mutant variant of an existing tiger species, the Bengal Tigers.

There were several interactive activities for the tourists, especially for the kids. They fed animals such as birds, camels and even crocodiles. You can purchase a basket full of vegetables and fruits at php100 for the animals to feed.

The boys tried the bow and arrow (php10) for every set. With that small amount we're making a big contribution helping Aetas with their livelihood. It was fun, you just want to try it over and over again aiming for the farthest mark.

 Waiting for our Tram

 It's Here! Our tram!

 This tram took us around Zoobic:

Aeta Trail & Show

Croco Loco

Savannah

 Tiger Safari

The highlight of every ZOOBIC visit is the Tiger Safari, where we get up- close and in a way, personal with the tigers, because we get to feed them. I was seated by the window. I got scared at first because the tigers are so big and I can actually feel their breath at the back of my head. It was amazing to experience these cats come to us freely than the usual caged animal.

At the Tiger Safari Cafe

Aside from various souvenirs and stuffed toys, there are travel points within the safari where they sell refreshments.

ZOOBIC Cave

with Khams and Bryan inside the ZOOBIC Cave

Inside the Zoobic Cave, you will see preserved actual animal skin and stuffed animals presented as if they're in their natural habitat.

Another highlight of our safari was the Aeta Trail and Show. They treated us to 3 tribal dances: the Monkey Dance, Butterfly Dance and War Dance. Along the trail you will also see an Aeta Village. It's actually their homes.

 Most souvenirs I saw were made by the Aetas.

There's so much to explore in ZOOBIC, activities we missed because we have an infant with us. I promised my son Franky that we will go back, just in time Mikee's big enough to even enjoy ZOOBIC himself. Our ZOOBIC SAFARI experience was a memorable because we spent it with our relatives from America whom we haven't seen in years.

Music To My Ears: Rocketeer

The kids are still sleeping on this summery Wednesday morning, I'm all by myself preparing breakfast...I just love it when I start my day with some music... listen to the beat of the Far East Movement and have a great day ahead!

Here we go, come with me 

There's a world out there that we should see 

Take my hand, close your eyes 

With you right here, I'm a rocketeer

Let's fly... Up, up here we go, go Up, up here we go, go 

Let's fly... Up, up here we go, go 

Where we stop nobody knows, knows

Where we goin' we don't need roads, roads 

And where we stop nobody knows, knows 

To the stars if you really want it 

Got, got a jetpack with your name on it 

Above the clouds in the atmosphere, phere 

Just say the words and we outta here, outta here

Hold my hand if you feeling scared, scared 

We flying up, up outta here

Here we go, come with me 

There's a world out there that we should see 

Take my hand, close your eyes 

With you right here, I'm a rocketeer,

Let's fly... Up, up here we go, go Up, up here we go, go 

Let's fly... Up, up here we go, go, 

Where we stop nobody knows, knows

Baby, we can stay fly like a G6 

Shop the streets of Tokyo, get you fly kicks 

Girl you always on my mind, got my head up in the sky 

And I'm never looking down feeling priceless, yeah 

Where we at, only few have known Go on the next level, 

Super Mario I hope this works out, Cardio 'Til then let's fly, Geronimo

Here we go, come with me 

There's a world out there that we should see 

Take my hand, close your eyes 

With you right here, I'm a rocketeer

Nah, I never been in space before 

But I never seen a face like yours 

You make me feel like I could touch the planets 

You want the moon, girl watch me grab it 

See I ain't never seen the stars this close 

You got me struck by the way you glow 

I'm like, oh, oh, oh, oh I'm like, oh, oh, oh, oh

Here we go, come with me 

There's a world out there that we should see 

Take my hand, close your eyes 

With you right here, I'm a rocketeer

 [ From: http://www.metrolyrics.com/rocketeer-lyrics-far-east-movement.html ]

Smooth Ride To Subic Via SCTEX

It's been 7 years since my last travel to Subic Bay Freeport. It was a long travel back in 2005. We passed through the old route that took us a total of 3 hours. Not to mention the slow traffic we got into for every town proper along the way. With our trip this 2012, it's different. The old travel time of 3 hours was cut to 1 hour and 40 minutes, which was really awesome because we didn't have to rush.

We took the road via SCTEX (Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway). As always, it's easier to travel if you bring your own transportation. Going to Subic via SCTEX, take Nort Luzon Expressway all the way to San Fernando Pampanga, Dau, you'll reach the point in SCTEX connecting to SUBIC.

North Luzon Toll Rates

SCTEX was made available to the public in 2008. This was my first time to travel to Subic via SCTEX. We entered NLEX around 5pm. Prior to that, we needed to drop off Emo (our pet Beagle) to my parents' house.

With green scenery, good roads and no traffic at all. Like, there were no cars at all. Funny for a summer weekend. We took our time taking pictures of the mountains, saw the majestic Mt. Pinatubo, it was a refreshing road trip.

We were in Subic around 6:30 in the evening. First stop, outlet shops. Well, we were actually looking for a grocery store so we can buy something for the baby. The duty free shops were pretty inviting.

Finally, our home for 2 nights... Forest View Residences.

Here, we met up with a family from America... Bryan!

TARAMINDU BEACH GARDEN INN

Laiya Batangas has been a regular destination for my family all year round. Anytime we want to go to the beach considering a great amount of privacy and a white beach, Laiya is the best location near Manila. But for the past year, as I was looking on booking at the very same resort we're we always go, I found out that they've "ridiculously" increased their rates. Imagine, the php5,550 overnight room rate went up to php10,700 with a maximum of 4 people. Exceeding heads will be charged php1,500 each.

Our first adventure this summer was still in Laiya. We didn't make any reservations, hoping that we will find a resort along the way  that offers more reasonable room rates. And we found one...

TARAMINDU BEACH GARDEN INN

Location: Laiya San Juan, Batangas

Taramindu was named after an 80 year old Tamarind Tree which is located within the heart of the resort.

Tamarindu is even more peaceful compared to those expensive resorts within the area. We love Laiya because even with a crowded beach, we still get some privacy. Considering that summer has already started, our visit to Laiya mid-March of 2012 was very unusual, finding an empty beach when we arrived.

The trend in Laiya goes around the no outside food allowed and cooking policy. With this, they add the food costings per head aside from the entrance fee. For an overnight stay, a room, inclusive of food will cost around php8K-11K for a family of 4. In Taramindu, we spent php5500 for a room, overnight stay and an additional php600 per head for our food, which I still find way cheaper.

Our room:

• Php5500
• 1 queen- size bed and a double deck bed.
• Hot and cold shower
• WIFI

The Taramindu Restaurant

 All we have to do is go to the Taramindu restaurant which has a relaxing view of the ocean. They'll hand you their menu and you can order anything within the price range of 600. Anything that goes beyond is additional cost. But again, even their restaurant menu is packed with delicious choices that are well priced. Over-all,  we spent a total of php7,500: a nice room with food included and our +++ spent in the restaurant.

Taramindu was a quick answer that offers same high level of comfort. If we're going to talk about having privacy, Taramindu has it. I suggest to make reservations ahead, they have a limited no. of rooms.

Whether you paid for Php10-21K for an overnight stay, it doesn't matter, because you will still walk along the very same shoreline, swim in the fresh waters of Tayabas bay and cherish the very same sunrise in the morning. I mean, do we go to the beach just to sleep in a more luxurious room? We go to the beach to have fun under the sun and even under the moonlight.

More info here: http://www.batangas-philippines.com/laiya.html