Snorkeling in Anilao, Batangas

Finally! A travel since my SG-Bali trip. It's been 3 months of abstinence I know! Cant believe I deprived myself from riding the boat and the plane. And what's the best way to end this deprivation is to be reunited with the ocean + meet new travel buddies.

Looking for the perfect resort is as easy as looking for some Calgary apartments for rent. One of the choices I have is Dive N' Trek. It is one of the popular resorts in Bauan Batangas. But based from Tripadvisor, Portulano Dive Resort ranks first. Initially, all resorts look the same. What convinced me to pick this place is their claim that their House Reef is excellent. Fingers crossed that their claim is true, this resort would be prefect for snorkeling as well as scuba diving.


Room rates aren't available, only packages. The P2,800/pax includes A/C accommodation, 3 buffet meals, afternoon snacks, boat transfers, unlimited coffee, tea, and purified water. Looks good enough for me. After some exchange of emails, our group was all set for a snorkeling getaway in Anilao.

Portulano Dive Resort


I was informed by Angel Juarez (thanks for the krispy kreme!) that Sept17-18 is scheduled for a clean up dive in that area. So I was surprised to find out that our group was the only guest that time. We have the resort all by ourselves!

view from top of a secluded resort with infinity pool


Honestly, I set my expectations for this resort, and Im proud to say it delivered. The girls and I were amused by the serenity and charm of the place. Plus points for the staff, they were accommodating.

entertainment area with books, board games, etc

cozy dining area

chillax area fronting the beach


The place is very spacious! Simple but every detail deserves a second look. Im impressed.
As for our accommodation, our rooms have these very refreshing full sized view of the ocean.

room with veranda - very refreshing view

the beds are good for sharing


bathroom with hot and cold shower

This resort really made us feel we're on a vacation. Laid back and very relaxing. =)
After a few moment, the staff informed us that our lunch was served. Buffet style for lunch and dinner!

lunch buffet for 8 girls

nice dining area

chicken soup, potato and onion risotto, mixed veggies, chicken curry

thumbs up for the buffet meals!


Alright, so much for the very long intro. Here comes the highlight of our Anilao weekend getaway: it's snorkeling time!

thanks Remay for the rashguard and snorkel set
thanks Dom for the trade of these SPF 100 sunblocks


Dont be too overwhelmed on what you see on top. There's more to see below. So much more if you do scuba diving..

Portulano House Reef

and yes, they've got an infinity pool in case you cant snorkel

...all shots from Maricar's Canon D10



i miss you corals!

More and so much more underwater shots...







i told you, there's so much more to see below the beach!

Satisfied and overwhelmed. I strongly suggest this place for an easy access + quick fix of your underwater world cravings- thru a mask and a snorkel!

goodbye Anilao..


○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
Now meet my travel buddies. Rona, Maricar, Saids, Carla, Kat, Pam, and Gladys.

Why I LIKE traveling with these girls?

we may be strangers, but i really love those every happily ever after stories, frustrations, heartbreaks, and dreams that we talked about. heartfelt girl talk. i enjoyed each of your unique personality. and i sincerely wish all of you well. cheers to positivity!


Why I DONT LIKE traveling with these girls?

i slept unintentionally and i had a nightmare. when i woke up, i heard the ocean waves. cant remember where I was. i looked around and i saw strangers in my room. i started to panic! haha! after some split seconds, i came back to reality and remembered i organized this trip. engot lang i know! but seriously, my heart was beating so fast because of that "where am i and who are these people" moment. kainis! haha! ^_^


Nevertheless, this trip was so fun and memorable! Thanks for joining me. Pleasure is mine. Looking forward for more in the future!

super fun! everyone is sooo competitive!
ang yabang ko pa, the tower block collapsed after this shot. hehe

photo credit: Carla of blissfulguro.blogspot.com


46 responses:

blissfulguro said...

first one to comment... may goosebumps ako chyng! saya nito ;p

Chyng said...

haha! naunahan mo ko!

pleasure is mine. it was so nice meeting you! paaak!

blissfulguro said...

thanks for organizing and for the company... we had fun! bangis, ikaw na talaga!

Pack up and Drift said...

haha. ang saya. travel with strangers. sayang di ako nakasama. waaah!! heheheh.

John Marx Velasco said...

Next time sama na ako! :)

Micamyx|Senyorita said...

Girl Bonding ftw! Sana soon makasama din kita :D

khantotantra said...

infinity pool!!! wow.

ganda nung underwater shot mo. astiiig

Nimmy said...

Wow naman! Ang ganda at mura pa ng place! For 2800 may ganyan ng buffet ang nagaganap. bongga!

madmader said...

Nice place... nice shots!
How does their house reef compare with Balicasag fish sanctuary?
Thanks for sharing :)

Michi said...

i also use beach hut sunblock. =)

Boracay Resort said...

Ganda ng lugar na ito.......sana one of this days makapunta ako jan.

Kathleen said...

uyyyyyy ganda natin sa pics.. i forgot to say thank you ate chyng for a memorable trip! :) so nice to meet you guys!

mike said...

hi ms. chyng. you don't know how glad i am to see this post. my cousin and i a planning to go there this october. hopefully it will happen (crossing my fingers and toes). any recommendations?? nice pix btw...

The Gasoline Dude™ said...

ASTIG! How I wish I could have a camera that has a capability to take photos underwater. Oh wait, I need to learn how to swim & snorkle first.

Diamond R said...

Galing. lalo na yong nasa tubig ka.

Diamond R said...

Galing. lalo na yong nasa tubig ka.

Ian | GoingRoamingWandering said...

Nice underwater shots... Anilao has long since heard as one best divespots in the country.

Unknown said...

Wow! bibilis mag comment ah... nice nice! First time to travel with strangers and all I can say is buti nalang sumama ako! Thanks sa inyo and especially to Chyng for organizing this trip. The best kayo! Sa uulitin ha!

escape said...

i miss playing blocks. kakatuwa dami din palang sumama.

gamit na gamit nga pala talaga yung spf 100. hahaha

SunnyToast said...

minsan sasama ako sa mga ganap mo...wait sila at baka ma windang kyo sa kabaliwan ko ...hahhaha:)

Pinoy Travel Freak said...

ganda ng underwater shots :-)

pusangkalye said...

ibang level uli to!!i mean sa karagatan naman na talaga. can;t follow you here anymore--takot ako sa deep lalo pag madilim.ganda pamandin ng anilao.huhuhu

Kura said...

Sa uulitin girls! Get together ulit tayo. ihanda ang mas marami pang revelations. lol!

RhonAnne said...

ay naiiyak ako sa ingit... sayang kung nakuha lang namin ang bp....
sana may next travel kapa ulit na sureness na akong makakasama...

The Nomadic Pinoy said...

mga little mermaids of Anilao! it's great to see you bond with girls who have the same thirst for adventure. good for you at parang naging exclusive sa inyo yung resort.

Anonymous said...

SARAP! Namiss ko Anilao! Na try niyo po mag dive?

Ed said...

haha, naunahan ka sa pagcomment chyng! lol..
kung wala lang sana akong podcast nung time na yun... hehe.
di bale... sa susunod! :D

Photo Cache said...

Uy organizer ka pati ngaun. nice to see this trip a success. galing underwater shots.

Katie said...

uyy ang saya saya naman! Hope to have a travel with you :) When's the next trip?

Lovely said...

I'm so glad you're back on the road Chyng! At mukhang ang saya saya ng Anilao trip nyo. Bonding with girls :)

I also booked a Scuba Diving lesson in Anilao through Cashcashpinoy. Lalo tuloy akong na-excite pumunta ng Anilao after seeing your pics. Ang ganda nung resort at very relaxing yung view :)

RON | fliptravels.com said...

WOOoooow! real time blogging! ibang level!!!

JeffZ said...

famous na ang canon d10 ni maricar! :)

i also miss the beach.. mag 2 months na rin akong deprived of traveling.. at nakakabaliw na.. hehe

good for you chyng, ur back! :)

Karla said...

I love the underwater shots! It's great that you were able to organize a great trip with your fellow bloggers. :)

RIZALENIO said...

Wow, the goodbye photo is breathtaking. Ang ganda ng lugar. :)

Robbie said...

For some reason, hindi pa rin ako impressed with the coral reefs sa PH. Wala pa akong nakikita na talagang nakaka-wow. Even the ones in Palawan. =(

The resort looks nice. Mukhang sulit naman for 2,800 kaso overnight lang. Pero the interior looks warm and cozy and clean which is a big plus! =)

Ada said...

Robbie, sa Samal Davao ang mga pamatay na Coral Reefs na kitang kita mo kahit snorkeling!

Nakakaaliw talaga itong blog mo Chyng! Haha! Parang gusto ko ng iavail yung diver voucher ko aw. Nangangati na rin paa ko magswimming. HEHE.

docgelo said...

applause for the organizer!
*ikaw yon, chyng!* ....ang husay!
so, saan ang next trip na organize mo, abroad naman?! naks...

ps : carla emailed me that she'll be in penang this week with her mom to visit her aunt married to a british retiree based in penang. prior to reading your anilao post that she went snorkeling with you, i told her via my email reply that she's in luck because her aunt's place in pulau pinang (penang island) is beachfront. looks like she has so many beachbumming time here. eh, kailan naman kayo punta ni dyanie at dom and the others di-ne sa penang? pag wala na ako dito? hehehe...

Hoobert the Awesome said...

Last weekend kayo pumunta dito right? I intended to join sana. Kaya lang something came up. We went down south. Yep, we went to Penafrancia. Andaming tao. Pero our host... ang Mayor lang naman... was very accomodating. Pili overload kami.

LMAO.

Josiah said...

Chyng, ang ganda dun sa resort. Usually, ok na ako sa mga mura lang na tulugan, pero kapag nakakakita ako ng mga lugar na tulad nito parang gusto ko rin masubukan yung medyo wala sa budget ko. Maslalo na maganda yung pwede pagdive-an sa harap nila. Thanks for sharing. :)

thepinaysolobackpacker said...

sarap ng girly trip! na inggit na naman ako sa underwater shots darling!

len said...

wow, sobrang ganda ng place! :)

Anonymous said...

wow ganda ng place! :)

Ed said...

wow. mamimeet ko sana si kura dito.

at naka all girlscout pala kayo dyan! ito yung na miss ko toinks. hehe. i mean ang corals. hehe

bang said...

wow! ang saya naman! Naku, kailangan mapuntahan din namin yan ;-)

Mommy Jam said...

what brand po yung snorkel set and where to buy please? I LOVE PINK!

Chyng said...

hi!

both are Speedo.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...