Showing posts with label Zambales. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Zambales. Show all posts

A Solo Year End Trip - Macampao Beach Resort and Leisure Farm

Our annual winter trip is a bit delayed and there I was - longing for a quick solo yearend trip. I searched for a getaway place where I can sleep by the beach, eat healthy food, and spend some refreshing and quiet time alone. Fortunately, I found a resort in Zambales which qualifies everything I look for, and even more!
 
destination: solitude


A Solo Year-End Trip
Honestly I have this issue of inggit with friends who have hometown provinces. My parents are both natives of Malabon that's why I never had a hometown province. From time to time, I make sure to experience the province life even over the weekend. Who wouldn't love to see trees, breathe fresh air, and eat newly harvest goods from their own farm. So for this solo trip, it's gonna be at Zambales. 

 entrance to tranquility

Macampao Beach Resort and Leisure Farm used to be a family beach house until the owners decided to open their home to the public. I called them up last minute for reservation and luckily confirmed they can accommodate me.

first glimpse of a quiet way to end 2016 and welcome 2017

rustic and homey


Feast For One
The welcome lunch was already waiting for me when I arrived. The tables are already designated for each group. The alfresco dining hall is surrounded by trees which gives a forest feel. It felt so comforting.

dining area with forest feels

The kitchen staff initially setup a table for 2. They made adjustment when they found out I came alone. No questions asked. Nothing to explain. Haha Same feels whenever I travel solo.

Rates of accommodation at Macampao Beach Resort and Leisure Farm come with full board meals. Food which they harvest from their own farm. I got excited with this part specially when I have a healthy lifestyle now. Im expecting the food to be great but I didn't expect it to be a feast each time. The dishes and portions are overwhelming. I cannot believe how much food they serve. This made me realize this is one of the businesses which do not mind the money. They serve for customer satisfaction.
 
the kitchen staff served my breakfast with kamote, eggplant, and pechay. kinilig ako! ♥

Every guest in the resort surely look forward to each meal time. As I said, it was always a feast. Each meal usually consists of seafood, meat, vegetables, fruits, and mango shake. I'm curing my bile reflux and any acidic food will be harmful for me. When the staff found out about this, they replaced the mango shake with fresh buko juice. I highly appreciate every adjustment they made for my health condition.

always a lovely meal time at Macampao


Play and Relax
Sunrise and sunset times are best enjoyed by the private beach at Macampao. In between, guests can hang out at the cabanas, equipped with pillows and fans. Some of activities available include surfing, kayak, frisbee, and horse back riding. For kids, they have this inflatable plunge pool.

private beach

shelly details

where I spent most of my time for 3 days

a morning surya yoga


Comfortable Sleep by the Beach
What made me chose Macampao Beach Resort and Leisure Farm is the accommodation they offered. If you're like me who love to sleep by the beach but wants the comfort at the same time, then the cabana accommodation is the best for us. It has a bed, a mattress, pillows, blanket, mosquito net, blinds for privacy, closet, electric fans, and extension for cellphone charging! Gorgeous, I'm sold!

my home by the beach for 3 days

The ocean waves was so therapeutic that my heart happily woke up to hear the waves and feel the ocean breeze every morning. In the morning I did yoga, run, bike, and kayak. In the afternoon, I catch up with my favorite tv series. Just the way I wanted to spend my leisure time.

direct access to tranquility

thank you 2016, you're awesome!

holidazing by the beach

how i exactly wanted to welcome the new year


A Private Paradise
Aside from my yoga practice, circuit training, and swimming, my love for photography keeps me relaxed. Macampao gave me a place to do all these things. Big bonus is the sumptuous and healthy food they serve. It was such a worry-free solo retreat.
  
private parking area / running trail

lake area, perfect for afternoon yoga practice

 boating and fishing area

 mornings by the beach

 kayak time after i run and bike. felt weird that I enjoyed so much celebrating the new year alone.

 common restroom - clean shower area and maintained toilet with bidet

view from one of their rooms on the higher floor

way to dining hall and rooms

dining hall on the 2nd floor

love the sparkling champagne they served for new year's eve

sunset swing

enlightened


#ChyngFitnessDiary
For some it's just a handstand, but for those women who practice any inversion, this means months of strengthening the arms, core, and balance. This means training the mind to conquer the fear of falling. Now I understand that it's not just a funky handstand. This means a lot of struggle, hard work, and motivation. May ganon! 😂

My 2016 is all about wellness and fitness. I had countless visits to different doctors. Well, praning kasi ako. But my being praning lead me to a new lifestyle. I started to run, practice yoga, and do circuit training. I trained myself to be more conscious of what I eat. I learned to train my mind not to quit whenever I cannot stand anymore. I set goals and challenged myself that I can. 2016 brought me to be a better version of myself. Char!

whenever I get asked what's my fitness goal, I would always answer headstand. done! now trying the handstand.
share ko next post ang aking fitness journey.


Thank you Macampao Beach Resort and Leisure Farm for welcoming me to your home. It was a well spent 3 days to unwind and celebrate the new year, the way I liked it. Kudos to all the staff, specially the kitchen team who always made sure I enjoy my food.  Next time I'll surely tag my family with me.



Macampao Beach and Leisure Farm Resort
Sitio Macampao, Barangay Arew, Cabangan, Zambales, Philippines
+63 917 5267520
macampaoresort@gmail.com

Lake Mapanuepe - Sail Through a Submerged Village

"Chyng and Ga-el, we're going to Lake Mapanuepe." - an invitation from Dom.

The thought of finally traveling with these 2 bloggers already delighted me! Never mind if I haven't heard of Lake Mapanuepe. I didn't even know what awaits us there, all I know is that the three of us should travel together, at last.

Actually, I have met Dom 3x and Ga-el 2x before this trip, but all of those are non-travel related. More on chikahan over coffee sessions only. So for this trip, I know the three of us will be at ease with each other. Turned out to be super at ease! We haven't reached far enough but we already enjoyed our road trip!

Lake Mapanuepe is listed in "Lonely Planet - Philippines"

yes, we're going there


We took the Olongapo bus bound from Cubao, and from Olangpo, we transferred to Iba, Zambales bound bus. We unboarded at San Marcelino, the jump off point to our destination. We transferred to a jeepney that's going to Aglao.

Dom, Ga-el, and I at the topload

there'll be no view like this if you stay inside the jeep

preview of Lake Mapanuepe


After an hour of a bumpy ride (and Ga-el screaming "Chyng, yuko!" whenever there's a branch of tree that will hit me) we finally reached the town of Aglao.

Dom is in a hurry of reaching the lake!


We found a peaceful place at the end of this road. The view is breath taking. Mountains and trees are in sight. Locals are friendly enough to assist tourists like us.

Lake Mapanuepe - upclose

overlooking the mountain

boats to transfer the residents to the other side


I thought this is the only place that we'll go to. Then Dom said we'll need to ride a boat to bring us to the other side. (obviously, I didn't know that. hindi na kasi ako nag-effort magresearch for this trip Ü)

Since Dom volunteered to look and negotiate for our ride, Ga-el and I were left at the grass to rest and continue our un-ending chismisan! ^_^

be strong and still

I like my color combination of the day! ♥

my feet beyond the sky


After a while, we finally saw Dom and our boat!

here comes our ride!

We started to sail and after a little later we saw this cross.

the cross from afar

Pardon me but I only realized it was a sunken church when we're almost there.

Quick Facts:
The place is used to be called the town of Pili. When Mt.Pinatubo erupted in 1991, this place was totally damaged with lahar. After some time, the deserted place acquired water, thus becoming a lake. No one in the village can tell how this area is now famous with the name Lake Mapanuepe.



the remaining part of sunken church of Lake Mapanuepe

side view

Omg, so there's a submerged village where we sailed! I tried to look at the water and there I saw a semi-clear vision of the community. Creepy!

Challenge part: we tried stepping in the church. It's kinda risky for our cameras (in case we slip)! I know I can manage to swim in case I'll fall, though the thought of swimming in this water full of submerged houses is scarifying!

I swear - I feel the creeps as I walked here!

captured!
shot by Ga-el


I had a heavy feeling as we sail back. I know a lot of people are buried alive in the very same lake we're sailing. Nevertheless, it's a one of a kind experience.


○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Lesson on the Road | Lake Mapanuepe

We asked the locals how we can go back to town. They all worriedly said there'll be no jeepney schedules after noontime. This became a dilemma for us. We can walk though, but it will take us 2-3 freaking hours! Torture!

So we we're advised to speak with the town chief. We found the kapitan doing some welding job. We told him about our situation and luckily some of the workers will be going back to town after their jobs, and we can hitch in their ride! Yey! Im so thankful! I really hate to walk back! Haha

our ride back to town
imagine the workers need to fit themselves and stand in the back so Ga-el and I can take the front seats. im so touched.


○ This statement moved us:

Dom asked Kapitan why is he doing some welding jobs
Kapitan: para makatipid kami at mailaan sa iba yung pera na matitipid.

Aaww. We need public servants like him. No wonder his barangay loves this Kapitan! Mabuhay po kayo!


○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Meet my Travel Buddies | Lake Mapanuepe Edition


Dom of Eskapo

why I like traveling with Dom:
I dont need to think of anything. He always has a plan!

why I dont like traveling with Dom:
It makes me dependent. Umiiral ang katamaran ko! ^_^



why I like traveling with Ga-el:
We never had a dull moment because of her kakulitan!

why I dont like traveling with Ga-el:
I cant sleep even for a single moment! Ang daldal nya! ^_^


Thank you Ga-el and Dom for this experience.
I realized you can really meet a person after you've traveled together.
I look forward for (the Krushers Ü) and more travels with you in the future!


Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...