Chasing Summer: Escape at Laiya San Juan, Batangas Moonplace Resort

The summer almost ends when we set our trip to Laiya Batangas last May 28,  but still the resort was very crowded. We arrived at the resort earlier than our check in time that was supposed to be at 3 pm but we got there at 11 am and good thing the people who occupied the cottage was preparing to check out so we didn't wait for too long, and we checked in right after the place was vacated. We prepared our precooked lunch that we brought and then ate altogether. After eating our lunch, others immediately  had plunged into the water and enjoyed swimming while others lounging into the cool room of our cottage. I walked around the resort and took pictures together with my sister and kids. By the way this our second time in this resort, although not the perfect resort but it has fine white creamy sand and clear water, still you can enjoy swimming especially early in the morning like what we did, because the water is so calm and clear.

                                                                   nice fine creamy white sand

crystal clear water

Moonlight Beach Resort Laiya San Juan, Batangas

Moonlight is a budget friendly resort with a stunning white sand beach and clear waters. The beachfront cottages are only few steps away from the seashore. The rooms are air conditioned but not cool enough, that's the only downside of the resort  otherwise  the rooms and toilet is clean. And I hope by now, they already improve and upgrade their resort facilities so as to keep their guests in coming back to their resort.

                                                                          nipa huts

                                                                      parking area

                                                       Cottage with ref, sink and cr

                                                                        beach view

Al Fresco Beach Resort, Matabungkay, Batangas

We visited this resort few years back, since I just started writing a blog so its only now that I have the chance to share my travel experience and ideas on places to go to. You can visit their website for an update regarding accommodations and other fees. I would say that still the best beaches in Batangas is located in Laiya, San Juan, but there are still reasons to go to Matabungkay, I like the floating raft. It was so nice to look back the times we had spent in this resort. Just spending the day sitting and lounging in the raft, while it was being carried away to and fro by the waves, it was fun. We only had a daytrip back then with free use of resort facilities like the rubber boat, surfing board and picnic cottage including floating raft. We only paid 500php for the entrance for a day trip. We brought our own food free from corkage fee.

                                                             The Floating Raft

Al Fresco beach front

beach view

free use of rubber boat

Club Manila East A Quick Summer Get Away

CME has been one of our favorite resort for a quick summer get away, considering the travel time is short, so its not tiresome, its only less than an hour drive. We had been visiting this resort  since 2008, and every year we came here to have swimming and enjoy some fun activities such as kayaking, surfing, zipline and beach volleyball. They have cabanas, picnic huts, villas and dormitories for day tour and overnight stay. First time we came here they don't allow bringing food inside, but just recently they allow it except bringing any kinds of drinks. The entrance fee for day tour is 375php and it is free for children below 3 feet. The resort have multiple pools to enjoy like kiddie pool, lap pool, shaded pool, diving cliff, beach waves for surfing, and pool for kayaking. They also have giant slide that would pump up your adrenaline.

                                                                       wave pool

                                                                 huge pool for kayaking

 Cliff diving pool- There's a ledge you could jump off as high as 20 and 27 feet high  and 14 ft deep pool

Kiddie pool

                                                                waiting for the waves

                                                                        shaded pool

                                                 sailling pool (balsa river)

surfing area of the pool

The giant slide

CME is a cool place to cool off from this very hot weather this summer. A water park where both kids and adult will enjoy and have fun.

For more info: visit their website www.club.manilaeast.com

Tagaytay Picnic Grove

Picnic Grove is one of the most visited tourist spot here in Tagaytay. The hours of travel from Manila is roughly 2 hrs, no wonder lots of people flocking into this cool place to unwind, de- stress and relax after days of hard work. Lots of families going here for picnics, sight seeing and  just roaming around enjoying the lush surroundings and its cool breeze. The view of Taal Volcano and Taal Lake is a beautiful backdrop to enjoy from afar.There are lots of activities to do here in Picnic Grove like horse back riding for 350/hr. They have zipline and cable cars that ranges from 200 up to 400 php depending on the season and the day. Just last month we spent a whole day picnic here with my kids and friends. It was my first time to visit Picnic Grove and I find it a beautiful place to relax and unwind.

                                                              beautiful pine trees

picnic huts

                                                    The backdrop of beautiful Taal Lake

                                                                   

zipline

                                            Picnic Grove and backdrop of Taal Lake

 Tagaytay Zipline Rates:  One way ride is 200 pesos weekdays and 300php during weekends. For a two way ride 300php per person weekdays, and 400php during weekends plus you a have a souvenir photo for free. The zipline is said to be 250 meters long and 300 feet off the ground. I haven't tried it yet because I don't have the guts to experience such an extreme activity like that but I hope next time I would be able to try it! :).