Saltitude: An awesome venue for your awesome Anilao beach adventure

Anilao is a barangay in the municipality of Mabini, Batangas. Over the years, it has become known as a divers’ paradise, its clear blue waters teeming with diverse marine life. Being only a few hours away from Metro Manila, it can offer some respite to city slickers seeking time away from the hustle and bustle.

If you’re dreaming of a beach trip you can pack with memories of fun and adventure aside from the usual swimming and sunbathing, why not go to Anilao? There’s just so much to do and discover, such as:

Diving

Anilao is best known for its diving scene, being the place where many of the country’s most experienced SCUBA and free divers converge to venture underwater or to coach diving newbies. If you’re new to diving and don’t want to invest in the required gear, you can rent these out at most diving resorts in the area.

Diving in Anilao can show you so many wonders beneath the waves from colorful lion fishes and wrasses darting about to exotic neon-colored nudibranchs that seemingly float here and there.

You can also catch sight of unusual views such as the ruins of a sunken restaurant at the Dari Laut dive site.

Snorkeling

If diving is not your cup of tea but you still want to peek into the rich wildlife that Anilao has to offer, you can always go snorkeling instead. This way you can observe the many species of marine life that reside Anilao’s waters without the need for training or bulky equipment.

Jetskiing, Windsurfing and Kayaking

You can pretend to be on a spy adventure ala Tom Cruise in the Mission Impossible series, with the wind blowing through your hair as you zip through the waves.

Or how about harnessing the power of the wind and waves by windsurfing?

Both of these are great items to tick off on your bucket list, particularly if you’re type who feels the need for speed.

However, if you want a leisurely glide over calm waters instead, then kayaking is for you. Paddle along the shoreline and work off your stress while giving yourself a great upper body workout.

Trekking

If you want a change in scenery, do venture up the mountain, the Mount Gulugod Baboy that is. From its peak, you get a sweeping vista of the Batangas coastline and the vast sparkling sea. Enjoy a sunset picnic here and bask in the orange sunlight while taking in the stunning view.

Dining and Drinking

All those swimming, diving, snorkeling, jetskiing, kayaking and trekking will surely work up an appetite.

Take a bite (or two or more) of all the fresh seafood and meats grilled right by the sea. There’s something about the smoky smell of food grilling and the salty sea air that makes eating at the beach a gastronomic adventure.

Take a nightcap by sipping some margaritas at the beachfront while staring at the open water. Who knows? You might even catch sight of a passing pod of dolphins.

Lazing About

At the end of each day at the beach, you may just want to curl up on a comfortable bed and read your favorite book. After all, R&R stands for “rest and relaxation,” right?

All these and more are in store for you and your beach buddies at the newly opened Saltitude Dive & Beach Resort. Situated along the Anilao shoreline, it provides a haven for beach lovers and adventure seekers with well-appointed yet quirkily decorated rooms styled according to different beach activities.

For more details, visit saltitude-anilao.com, email info@saltitude-anilao.com or call +63 927 4220428 or +63 43 4101857.

Header Photo Credit: Kris Mikael Krister on Unsplash

Resort details and other pics provided by Saltitude.

This post contains affiliate links.

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Baguio Trip Basics: How to do what you want to do in the City of Pines

Much has been said and written about what to do during a sojourn to Baguio City. From the places to visit, food to eat and stuff to buy, it really is a challenge to be able to tick off all the stuff in your Baguio itinerary. So for this post, I’ll focus on the how, the strategies you can use to make the most out of your trip.

During the fam’s recent trip to the City of Pines, we discovered that, as with most things, especially travelling, planning is key:

Know your priorities. For example, prior to setting out for this trip, we determined that the highlight for this trip is a visit to the BenCab Museum. With this as a priority, we were able to carve out most of our second day for this activity: from eating breakfast at the Cafe Sabel within the museum’s grounds, exploring the museum’s galleries, even getting notebooks that feature BenCab’s artworks from the souvenir shop.

Stay in the center of the action. It’s a good thing that the place where my family stayed during our vacay – Summerlin Appartelle, available on AirBnB – is conveniently located along Gibraltar Road: a stone’s throw away from The Good Shepherd Convent (where we shopped for pasalubongs for the folks back home including that famous Ube Jam!), and a short drive away from the Mansion House (where bought raisin breads that rival those from Baguio Country Club) and from Korean Palace (where we planned on pigging out on samgyeopsal and other Korean food favorites). Happily, the appartelle is also just on the adjacent street to where Amare La Cucina is located; this is where we met some of our relatives to catch up over some Baguio’s famously yummy brick oven pizzas. Also, with the traffic congestion and lack of parking spaces in the city, you might want to consider leaving the car where you’re staying and just taking a cab to where you want to go; fortunately, ride-hailing apps like Micab and Grab are already operational in Baguio.

(Not yet on AirBNB? Sign up using my link to get Php1,600 in travel credit.)

Leave some room for the Baguio must-dos. Things like shopping for walis tambo and eating strawberry taho at the Camp 7’s Pasalubong Center along Kennon Road as we were leaving Baguio rounded up the family’s Baguio experience.

Do you have tried-and-tested travel tips? Do share them in the comments!

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Baguio’s famous pasalubong: Good Shepherd Ube Jam

Aside from the walis tambo, coffee alamid and Baguio Country Club’s raisin bread, the ube (purple yam) jam from the Good Shepherd Convent tops the list of pasalubong (souvenirs) from the City of Pines that you can bring home to family and friends.

The Good Shepherd Convent manages the Mountain Maid Training Center. It is a social enterprise borne out of the need to sustain the convent’s mission of the sisters which is “bringing about fullness of life with care and compassion, by enabling the economically challenged, deserving youth from the six tribes of the Cordilleras to live in dignity and integrity” through a regular income from product sales.

Today, the training center produces a number of food products that are recognized for their quality with the famous ube jam comprising half of their total sales. Proceeds of the sales of these products support the college education of 370 working students from the convent’s adopted communities.

Fortunately, the Good Shepherd Convent is just a 5 to 10-minute walk from Summerlin Appartelle, where we lodged during our stay in Baguio. Hubby and I made our way there while the kids were resting.

Our stash of Good Shepherd Convent goodies included:

  • An 850g bottle of Ube Jam – of course! – (Php350)
  • Two 440g bottles of Ube Jam (Php210 each)
  • A 12oz bottle of Peanut Butter (Php185)
  • Two jars of Lengua Cookies (Php175 each)
  • A 280g jar of Chocolate Crinkles (Php175)
  • Two 320g jars of Snowball Cookies (Php200 each)
  • Two jars of Caramel Alfajor (P200 each)

Here are some reminders to make the most of your visit:

  • Bring your own reusable shopping bags. Baguio City has an ongoing ordinance that prohibits the use of plastic bags and styrofoam. You can buy ecobags at the counter for as low as Php20 per bag but if you have a huge collection of ecobags at home (like I do!), you might want to bring those instead.
  • To save time, write down your orders on a slip of paper (there are some provided) before you line up at the counter. The prices of the available products are featured in one of the store windows.
  • Check out the view. The convent has a lookout point where you can see the vista of houses lining the mountainside. The lookout point houses a gallery that documents the history of the convent, a mural of Jesus, the Good Shepherd and a statue of Our Lady of the Good Shepherd.

The Good Shepherd Convent is located at No. 15 Gibraltar Road, Baguio City. For inquiries, call + 63 74 4241109.

Kids take a first crack at adulting at Kidzania Manila

Children can only aspire to what they know exists.

This is central to Kidzania and its Director of Education Dr. Ger Graus’ philosophy.

When you enter Kidzania, you enter a sprawling but kid-sized edutainment zone where children can explore and discover on their own while learning how to operate in the real world. It is a mini-metropolis, where the kids can fill roles in establishments such as a bank, a school, a hotel and more, while imbibing Kidzania’s culture, economy (it has its own currency – kidzos – that kids get paid with after fulfilling their tasks), and even language (say “Kai!” for “Hi!” and “ZanK-U!” for “Thank you!”).

The fun learning roles kids can take part in at kiddie-fied real-world establishments or brands include:

  • Actor or Street Performer (Star Magic – Acting Academy)
  • Artist or Student (National Bookstore – Art and Design Academy)
  • Pilot or Cabin Crew (Cebu Pacific – Aviation Academy)
  • Pastry Chef (Goldilocks – Bakeshop)
  • Client or Banker (Bank of the Philippine Islands – Bank)
  • Free Reader, Book Display Designer, Creative Story Teller, or Book Writer (National Bookstore – Bookstore)
  • Plant Engineer (Coca-Cola – Bottling Plant)
  • Crew Member (McDonald’s – Burger Shop)
  • Customer, Car Designer, Car Salesperson (Honda – Car Dealership)
  • Tourist, Tour Guide, or Safety Inspector (Victory Liner – City Tour Bus)
  • Clean Energy Engineer (First Gen – Clean Energy Center)
  • Cable TV Service Installer (SKYcable – Climbing Building)
  • Cookie Engineer (Cream-O – Cookie Factory)
  • Culinary Student (Lady’s Choice – Cooking School)
  • Logistics Officer or Pick-Up and Delivery Team Member (LBC – Courier Service)
  • Treats Inventor (Oishi – Creative Hub)
  • Fashion Model (Penshoppe – Fashion Boutique)
  • Firefighter (Pioneer Insurance – Fire Station)
  • Gas Dispatcher or Mechanic (Shell – Gas Station)
  • Electrician or House Painter (First Balfour – Hime Finishing)
  • Home Shopping Host (O Shopping – Home Shopping Studio)
  • Health Care Worker (Johnson & Johnson’s – Hospital Baby Care Training Center)
  • Paramedic (Green Cross – Hospital Emergency Room)
  • Surgeon, Assistant Surgeon, Anesthesiologist, Instrumentalist (St. Luke’s Medical Center – Hospital Operating Room)
  • Receptionist, Wait Staff, Housekeeper (Holiday Inn – Hotel)
  • Production Engineer (Magnolia – Ice Cream Factory)
  • Laundry Operator (Champion – Laundromat)
  • Feature Writer or Comic Artist (Metro Publishing – Magazine Company)
  • Marine Conservationist (Century Tuna and World Wildlife Fund – Marine Research Lab)
  • Recording Artist (Star Studio – Music Studio)
  • News Writer (Philippine Daily Inquirer – Newspaper)
  • Pharmacist (Mercury Drug – Drug Store)
  • Pizza Maker (Yellow Cab – Pizza Parlor)
  • On-Cam or Off-cam Talent (ABS-CBN – TV Studio)

… and so much more!

Parents accompanying their kids won’t be bored either. They can hang out at the Parent’s Lounge where they can sip of some coffee as they watch TV or surf the net powered by SKYzone.

Hungry little ones can sate their appetites with the Belgian Waffle, Purfood Hotdogs, Goldilocks and McDonalds outlets inside the park.

And here’s something to spur you to visit Kidzania really soon: Until July 31, you can avail of an Unli-Pazz which allows a kid and an accompanying adult to enjoy a month of unlimited visits to Kidzania for only Php2,475.

Kidzania is where kids can take a first fun glimpse at adulting.

Disclosure: I work for SKY which is one of Kidzania’s featured establishments and powers the cable TV and internet access in the Parent’s Lounge.

6 Things You Need to Consider Before Visiting Art in Island Museum

Art in Island differs from most of the other art museums wherein the artworks are admired from a respectable distance and must not – under any circumstances – be sullied by the hands of those who admire them.

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Being an interactive 3D museum, Art in Island invites its visitors to “be part of art,” to immerse themselves in the pieces by taking creative poses and taking lots of pictures. It features illusory art pieces, murals and installations wherein elements trick the eye; these are best enjoyed when concretized in images that you get to take home with you.

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I recently visited the museum right before the Holy Week break together with my daughter – slash – partner-in-crime. While we were able to enjoy a lot of the exhibits, we made some rookie mistakes which we hope to remedy on our next visits.

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For folks who are planning similar outings, here are six things you would need to plan on before you head on to Art in Island:

When to go. As with most things in life, proper timing is essential. Not surprisingly, the museum tends to get crowded during weekends and holidays, with the notable exception of Holy Wednesday (when we made our visit) and Maundy Thursday (yes, I asked!). Although the museum is open from 9.30am to 9.30pm, I would advise going when you still have quite some energy in you; the exhibits are spread across a sprawling two-storey building and there will be a lot of walking involved.

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What to wear. Again, with all the walking to-and-fro, it would be best to be in comfortable clothes. Note, though, that you will be required to leave your shoes at the reception counter so if you don’t fancy walking around barefoot, bring a pair of footsocks. Also, since you’ll be taking a lot of pictures, wear something you won’t mind seeing yourself in again and again.

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How much to pay. The standard entrance fee is Php500 but students, senior citizens and persons with disability can get their tickets at only Php400, provided they present their relevant IDs. Birthday celebrants can get in for free on the day of, one day before or one day after their birthdays; they just need to present their valid IDs. These fees already include one-time access to the museum (once you’ve made your way to the exit, you can’t go back anymore), and access to whatever shows are ongoing inside the museum (unless otherwise specified, of course).

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Who to go with. Expect to take a ton of pictures and to walk around a lot. Therefore, consider going with people who are game to take in the entire experience. A camera maven with a good eye for angles and light, and is willing to to take multiple shots to get your desired pic right, is a god-send.

What else to bring. A camera, of course! It can be your phone cam (hopefully fully charged), your fancy DSLR or whatever suits you. If you don’t have a companion to take your pictures, a selfie stick with a stable tripod and a bluetooth shutter should do the trick.

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How to act. Since the museum is a public place, expect to encounter lots of other people, especially if you go during busy days. Take turns in taking pictures with the installations. In fact, why not offer to take others’ pictures for them and make some new friends?

Art in Island is located at 175 15th Street, Brgy. Socorro, Quezon City (a short distance from Cubao). For inquiries, call 02-4211356.

You may also book your tickets via Klook. Use my code JELLYB to get 5% off (for new Klook users) or 3% off (for existing Klook users).

A quiet and restful getaway at La Luz Resort

To escape the stress of work and city living, Hubby and I took our little boy to La Luz Beach Resort in Batangas during the All Saints Day break.

As soon as we arrived, I felt an immediate sense of tranquility. This small resort, nestled farther away from the bustling bigger resorts, offers a serene and restful family-friendly getaway that’s perfect for us city folks seeking a break from our hectic routines. The resort’s commitment to maintaining a natural environment is evident as soon as you step onto the grounds. Existing trees have been preserved, and new ones planted, creating a lush and green sanctuary that complements its location adjacent to a marine sanctuary.

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One of the standout features of La Luz is its dedication to environmental preservation. A swimming ban during low tide protects the nearby coral reefs, ensuring that the marine ecosystem remains undisturbed. This resort truly feels like a nature preserve. Plus, for those who can’t bear to leave their furry friends behind, La Luz is pet-friendly, allowing dogs on the premises.

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The resort’s amenities are clean and well-appointed. Our room, furnished with local bamboo pieces, exuded a rustic charm while still providing modern comforts. Though there were no TVs, the strong air conditioning and robust free WiFi signal ensured we remained comfortable and connected. This absence of TVs encouraged us to disconnect and enjoy our surroundings, which was a refreshing change.

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Dining at La Luz is a delightful experience. Meals are served buffet-style in the pavilion, and while bringing outside food is prohibited, the mandatory food package is well worth it. Each overnight guest is treated to a series of meals that include lunch upon arrival, an afternoon snack, dinner, and breakfast the next day. The variety and quality of the food exceeded our expectations, making every meal a pleasant part of our stay.

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The beach, though a bit rocky, is clean and the water is wonderfully clear. For those seeking adventure, La Luz offers a range of activities for an additional fee, including helmet diving, disco boat rides, flying fish, kayaking, banana boat rides, jet skiing, snorkeling, and even a separate bonfire. These activities provide plenty of options for fun and excitement, ensuring that every member of the family finds something to enjoy.

Our visit to La Luz Beach Resort was a quick getaway that left us feeling rejuvenated and eager to return. Despite some rough patches on the road leading to the resort, the journey was worth it. The resort’s peaceful ambiance, excellent service, and commitment to environmental preservation make it a standout destination for anyone looking to unwind and reconnect with nature.

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For more information, you can visit La Luz Beach Resort’s website or contact them directly via landline at 02-806 7667 or 02-806 7581, or mobile at 0916-370-4017, 0927-805-3484, 0920-603-8814, or 0998-338-7111. You can also email them at customerservice@laluzbeachresort.com.

A Quick Walk Around the Picnic Grove Eco-Trail, Tagaytay

I went on a solo adventure by walking along the eco-trail in one of Tagaytay’s most famous tourist spots, Picnic Grove. It’s a 500-meter trail surrounded by lush vegetation and scenic views. I took advantage of the cool early afternoon breezes (unheard-of back in Manila), armed with my comfy rubber shoes and my iPhone to track my steps and to provide me with some tunes (via my Spotify Emo Trip playlist) while I go on my walk.

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Entrance fee is only Php50, quite affordable, so there are actually a lot of other tourists taking in the sights and chilling practically anywhere. The were lots of stairs (some quite narrow), stones steps and even a wooden bridge! There are a few wide gaps in between some of the wood slats in the bridge which triggered my acrophobia but I was eventually able to conquer it and walk over to the other side (looking quite pathetic as I was holding on to the railings for dear life). The views were worth it, though.

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The trail winds around the grove passing by the cottages and the zipline and cable car stations. When you reach the end of the trail, you can buy souvenirs or plants from the many shops there.

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 Next time, I swear I will prance across that wooden bridge!

Hungry after wandering? Check out Jaytee’s for some hearty eats with the family or barkada.

Hiking Around Snoqualmie Falls, WA

When my husband and I visited my brother in Seattle last summer, he took us to one of Washington State’s most popular scenic attractions: Snoqualmie Falls. It’s waters cascade down to the Snoqualmie River, most of which are diverted to power plants.

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We hiked down to the viewing deck and later down to the river’s stony edge, following the trail that’s really meant for people much more physically fit than me. The view of Snoqualmie Falls from the viewing deck and the adventure trek at the river were well worth it though.

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Now, if only the hike back up wasn’t twice as hard.

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Snoqualmie Falls is located east of Seattle on the Snoqualmie River between Snoqualmie and Fall City, Washington.

A Quick Getaway to Bahay Bakasyunan

I mentioned in a previous post that during a recent stay in Bahay Bakasyunan, our family caught sight of the Pililla Wind Farm. Bahay Bakasyunan has become a family favorite for hassle-free out-of-town trips as it is more easily accessible to people like us who reside east of Manila.

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It is a sprawling resort in Tanay, with amazing views of the Sierra Madre Mountains and the Laguna de Bay. It has accommodations that can house pairs or large groups. Use of its various swimming pools (3 infinity pools near the main office and 2 near the cottages) is part of the accommodations package but the more adventurous family members can engage in ziplining, ATV rides (like my son!), wall climbing and more.

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If you’re planning to stay at Bahay Bakasyunan anytime soon, here are some tips to make your stay even more enjoyable:

  • Be prepared to be disconnected. Mobile data signals are spotty at best and totally non-existent in some areas.
  • Provide the waiters in the dining room a list of your preferred meals (refer to their menus) at least 2 hours prior to dining. Use the order slips at the reception. That way, your food will be waiting for you when you get to the dining room.
  • Try to get up early to see the view in the morning.
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Let me know what other places are great for quick getaways near the Metro.

Bahay Bakasyunan Resort and Conference Center is located at Sitio Balimbing, Barangay Plaza Aldea, Tanay, Rizal. For reservations, call:

  • Landline: 02 7064509
  • Mobile: 0917 5755116, 0998 9942513, 0917 8303438

(We learned that other guests were able to secure discounts from deal sites like Agoda or Expedia but we haven’t tried booking from those yet.)

Know more about Bahay Bakasyunan Resort and Conference Center here.

Exploring the Pililla Wind Farm

During our family’s stay in Bahay Bakasyunan in Tanay earlier this year, we were able to catch sight of a row of windmills near the shores of Laguna de Bay. These are some of the 27 windmills of Pililla Wind Farm in Rizal, operated by Alternergy and helps serve the need of Metro Manila for renewable energy.

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The family took advantage of the holiday break and headed over to Brgy Halayhayin in Pililla, Rizal to see these structures up close. Aside from the windmills, we also saw the glittering expanse of Laguna de Bay.

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There’s a viewing deck which provides great perspectives of the windmills and the lake. It also has a cafe that serves coffee, shakes and pastries.

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Despite the heat, nearly non-existent mobile data signal and the long trek going here, the trip here was worth it.

Check out other scenic places nearby: