staycation review – Jellybeans in the City

#DisconnectToReconnect at Ging by Elaren, Cavite

During the height of the pandemic, staying connected through digital means was the order of the day.

Since everyone was self-isolating, social contact with our extended family was primarily done virtually, through phone calls, text messages and DMs on social media.

However, with the loosening of quarantine restrictions and more people moving about, it’s now time to transition to more personal connections and interactions, wouldn’t you say?

#DisconnectToReconnect

Admittedly, technology was my lifeline during the time of strict lockdowns:

Social media kept me abreast of news and updates, not just among my friend groups but also among my extended family scattered across the country and the world
Office messaging apps like Microsoft Teams and video conferencing apps like Zoom allowed me to still do my job and fulfill my work obligations
Video streaming apps like Netflix, Apple TV and HBO GO kept me and my family entertained

However, all of this increased screen time does have some serious downsides:

While I generally enjoyed staying at home (and escaping the stresses of the commute in the city in the process), there were times when I felt easily tired, boxed in within the confines of my home and closed off from the world.
Aside from the raging pandemic, some extreme changes in my workplace while my coworkers and I were isolated from each other made me feel quite stressed and anxious.
Since I’m always online, there was a time when I felt that I had to be always on call and would answer calls or respond to messages after office hours.

Well, I took advantage of the staycation that my family took together with my in-laws at the Airbnb rental Ging by Elaren in Cavite last Christmas.

Here, we all welcomed the opportunities that its distance from the metro and absence of WiFi connection gave us to be able to disconnect from technology.

Going somewhere without constant internet connection may be daunting to some (and definitely a nightmare for those with screen-addicted kiddos!) but there are some advantages to it as well:

It encourages relaxation. Since we are not bombarded by a deluge of notifications and other distractions from our devices, we found it easier to unwind and disconnect from the stresses of our everyday life.
It gave us more time for offline activities. Since we’re not glued to our mobile devices, we more time for other forms of entertainment such as exploring its landscaped grounds, reading books, whipping up our family meals together and even singing karaoke by the bonfire area.
It gave us more opportunities to connect with each other. Spared the option to retreat to our own digital world, we find yourself more inclined to interact with each other: cooking together, playing boardgames, singing karaoke or simply catching up with each other.

Ging at Elaren is a two-storey, four-bedroom home nestled in the quaint town of Alfonso, Cavite, offering us city slickers a chance to get away from the chaotic hustle and bustle of city living while vacationing in style and comfort:

The property is enclosed by a large gate to provide guests with privacy.
A large parking area out front can accommodate up to four cars
Front yard houses a tree house and fire pit
Swimming pool with lounge chairs and barbecue area
Indoor living room with couch and outdoor seating area
Dining area (good for ten people) with L-shaped kitchen for food preparation and cooking
Two air-conditioned downstairs bedrooms: one with single bed and one with queen bed and access to pool area; both rooms with en-suite batrooms
Two air-conditioned upstairs bedrooms: one with two queen beds and en-suite bathroom and one with one queen bed and access to veranda

As we ready ourselves for more work and stress in a world that’s slowly but surely opening up in the aftermath of a global pandemic, it makes sense to find time disconnect – from the near-constant demands of work and life – in order to reconnect – with the ones we love and with ourselves.

Book your stay at Ging by Elaren via Airbnb where it is rated an average of 4.46 stars.

For the health and safety of its guests, Ging by Elaren is committed to Airbnb‘s five-step cleaning process.

Ging by Elaren is located off the Aguinaldo-Alfonso in Barangay Marahan 1, Alfonso, Cavite City, a few minutes drive from Tagaytay. Check in is from 2pm to 4pm while checkout is before 12pm.

Check out my posts regarding previous Airbnb stays:

Socially distant staycationing at Casa 1254 in Pansol, Laguna

6 reasons to staycation with the fam at Jennifer’s Abode, Tagaytay

Burnout-busting staycation in Our Own Little Paradise

After a busy quarter into the year 2022, many of us may already be feeling tired, drained or stressed out.

Whether from work responsibilities, family duties or tasks we take on for our communities, the sheer magnitude of headspace and efforts we devote to so many areas in our lives can lead to burnout.

A great way to fight the effects of burnout is to take a break from the stressors in our lives. Over a recent long weekend, my extended fam and I took a staycation in a private home in Lipa, Batangas to do just that.

Staycationing in a time of pandemic

A portmanteau of “stay” and “vacation,” (and sometimes also referred to as a “holistay” from “holiday” and “stay”), a staycation usually involves a short trip to a local destination (as opposed to one abroad) to enjoy fun and relaxation without a lot of the effort and costs that long trips abroad usually incur.

Sa Ating Munting Paraiso “Our Own Little Paradise”

Especially in this time of pandemic, staycations are a great way to get that well-deserved break. Staycations can also be planned to enable us to practice social distancing and safety measures such as:

Traveling via short drives that require no stopovers at crowded stops for meals and bathroom breaks
Staying in a private and self-enclosed area with little contact to people outside our immediate circles
Bringing food in, cooking onsite or ordering in to that eliminate the need to dine out

All the time spent together while traveling, eating or hanging out during staycations also prove helpful to family bonding.

A restful idyll in paradise

In Barangay Bulaklakan in Lipa City, Batangas is a picturesque private residence called Sa Aming Munting Paraiso (“In Our Own Little Paradise”).

Its location affords it with ideal vantage points with which to view Mt. Maculot and Taal Lake.

These natural wonders were formed centuries ago when volcanic explosions destroyed the previous Taal Cone, creating a depression that is now called the Taal Caldera. This caldera contains what is now Taal Lake and has Mt. Maculot has its highest rim.

This 6300 square meter property is built to combine the comforts of home and the gifts of nature to provide urbanites with a restful getaway from the stresses of city living where they can renew friendships or revitalize familial bonds.

The ground floor of main house boasts of a luxurious yet tastefully furnished lounge (with a toilet and bath to the side) well-suited for conversations and family activities.

Equipped with adequate WIFI connection, it also provides spaces for work and entertainment.

A spacious dining room wrapped with large windows and sliding doors that gaze out into the surrounding rainforest is an ideal setting for delicious family meals.

A kitchen island (where dining ware and cutlery are kept) also serves as a surface for preparing salads or drinks, as well as a breakfast nook or buffet table during mealtime. Near it is a two-door refrigerator to house food and drinks.

Adjoining the dining room is a secondary kitchen equipped with rice cookers, an oven toaster, a microwave, a four-burner gas stove and other implements for food preparation and cooking.

Up the stairs is a master’s bedroom furnished a queen-sized bed and sitting area to provide guests with restful slumbers and an awesome view. Outside is a veranda that leads to a spiral staircase leading to the roofdeck.

Downstairs from the kitchen is a second bedroom furnished with two double-sized beds.

The family room next to it houses a single bed and three bunk beds to accommodate a larger group.

Each bedroom has its own en-suite toilet and bath (with hot and cold water as well as handwash, body wash and shampoo). Each bedroom is also fitted with air conditioning and electric fans while fresh linens, blankets and pillows are also provided.

Stepping outdoors brings guests to more areas for recreation such as a bahay kubo where they can find shade and a quaint yet comfortable place to sit.

They can take cooling dips in the two swimming pools with cascading water and given shade by the surrounding trees.

They can also take a dip in outdoor jacuzzi and let the cool water jets massage their aches and pains away.

A covered patio equipped with an outdoor grill, a karaoke machine, table and chairs as well as nearby lounge chairs provide a venue for barbecues and outdoor dining.

In the evening, guests can venture out to the property’s backyard and hang out around the bonfire pit.

They can also take a night-time stroll around the beautifully lit premises.

However, for the really spectacular views, guests should proceed to the roofdeck which is also accessible through an external spiral staircase.

It is the perfect spot for sunrise and sunset views of the local attractions Mt. Maculot and Taal Lake.

A restful sojourn in this little bit of paradise is sure to rejuvenate and recharge city slickers, busting their feelings of burnout.

So why don’t you treat yourself and your family to a staycation here?

Book your stay at Our Own Little Paradise via Airbnb where it is rated an average of 4.46 stars.

For the health and safety of its guests, Our Own Little Paradise is committed to Airbnb‘s five-step cleaning process.

Our Own Little Paradise is located in Barangay Bulaklakan, Purok 4, Lipa City, Batangas. Check in is from 2pm to 7pm while checkout is at 11am.

6 reasons to staycation with the fam at Jennifer’s Abode, Tagaytay

Summer is just around the corner, and pretty soon, we urbanites will be feeling the heat.

It will be high time to hie ourselves and our fam off somewhere cool for a bit of R ‘n R.

How about a sojourn in chilly and breezy Tagaytay? A staycation in this popular destination would be just the ticket when the mercury rises.

May I recommend a place my extended fam stayed in recently? Jennifer’s Abode just may be your ideal staycation venue in chilly Tagaytay, especially during a time when we need to maintain physical distancing due to the still present threat of the pandemic.

1) It’s within driving distance from the metro.

Located along Raflores Street, Tagaytay Country Homes 1 along the Tagaytay-Calamba Road (near Ayala Malls Serin and Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Church), Jennifer’s Abode is an easy two- to three-hour drive from Metro Manila.

The extended fam were able to travel safely and comfortably using our family cars, avoiding the risks entailed when using public transportation. The relatively short driving time also precluded the need for stopovers in crowded areas for meals or bathroom breaks.

2) It has everything the fam needs for a restful break from the metro.

If a relaxing stay is what your family is looking for, there are many opportunities to do just that at Jennifer’s Abode.

You can spend a quiet time taking in the morning sun in its lush garden.

You may also catch up with each other or enjoy family game time in its spacious and comfortably furnished living room.

Take a few steps up the stairs and sit back at the family room for a movie marathon. Here’s a tip: the house’s internet connection is actually strongest here so maximize your browsing or streaming time when you’re hanging out here.

Meal preparations are hassle-free with a kitchen equipped with a refrigerator, a three-burner stove, a microwave oven, a rice cooker and water dispenser, as well as various kitchen implements to help you cook from scratch or reheat your prepared food, as well as clean up after your meals.

You also have the option to visit nearby restaurants and order food for takeout such as our Korean feast from Neul Bolm located a little over three kilometers away.

Jennifer’s Abode — Samgyupsal and Woosamgyup

You may also opt to just order from food delivery services such as our Bulalo dinner from Farmer’s Table which was ordered via FoodPanda.

These meals can be enjoyed family-style in the well-appointed dining room equipped with dinnerware and flatware.

To take your rest during your stay, retreat to the Master’s Bedroom furnished with a double bed and has terrace overlooking the pool and a view of the surrounding pasture.

The second bedroom is a cozy space as well with a canopied double bed and windows that let in the cool breezes.

One of the place’s shared bath is also located in the second floor.

Step up the stairs to the third floor and you will find the attic which is furnished with four single beds laid out dormitory-style.

The attic also includes an extra bedroom with a double bed.

Stepping outside will bring you to a gazebo where you can enjoy the cool Tagaytay breezes.

A small pavilion equipped with a karaoke underneath the gazebo brings the perfect opportunity for you and your companions to rock out and have a great time.

You may also take a dip in the swimming pool and wash up in the house’s second bathroom just up the stairs.

With all the facilities available at Jennifer’s Abode, you and your fam can have fun yet relaxing stay, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

For any concerns you may have about the place, a caretaker lives just beside the house and can be immediately reached for assistance.

3) The family can enjoy the great outdoors in a nearby park

On the other hand, if you are in the mood to venture outdoors, you can take the kids out to the nearby park, also located inside Tagaytay Country Homes 1. Inside this sprawling grassy enclosure which houses various playground equipment such as slides, seesaws and swings, young and old alike can enjoy spending time outside.

4) You can go on a food trip with great al fresco dining options.

You want have to travel far if you want to explore the gastronomic possibilities that Tagaytay has to offer as Jennifer’s Abode is conveniently located near top foodie destinations such as:

Lime and Basil for a delicious taste of authentic Thai cuisine…

… or at Mozu at Ming’s Garden for the delectable comfort of classic homegrown dishes.

5) Nearby attractions provide you with a view of the scenic Taal Lake and Volcano

Tagaytay became a tourist destination because of its scenic views overlooking the Taal Lake and Volcano. Staying at Jennifer’s Abode also places you within easy distance of attractions that provide such views. These include:

The Picnic Grove, where you can go for a walk along an eco-trail…

… or Zoori, where you can take a ride on the cable car or go zip-lining as your take in the view.

6) You have nearby options to shop for supplies and pasalubongs

Should you want to sample the local wares or bring home some pasalubongs for the folks in Manila, you can easily drop by popular shopping destinations such as:

The Mahogany Market located behind the new Tagaytay City Hall where you can shop for fresh meat, produce as well as herbs and flowers for the plantitos and plantitas back home…

… or Rowena’s, with three branches in the Tagaytay area, where you can shop for its famous fruit tarts, buko pie and other pasalubong favorites.

So when are you planning your next staycation in Tagaytay?

Book your stay at Jennifer’s Abode via Airbnb where it is rated an average of 4.46 stars.

For the health and safety of its guests, Jennifer’s Abode is committed to Airbnb‘s five-step cleaning process.

Jennifer’s Abode is located at the end of Raflores Street in Tagaytay Country Homes 1, Maitim 2nd West, Tagaytay City. Check in is after 3pm while checkout is at 11am.

Socially distant staycationing at Casa 1254 in Pansol, Laguna

Nearly two years into the pandemic, we can’t help but feel like we need a break from the stresses and hassles we encounter while quarantined in the city.

We also want to be able to spend time with our extended family after being separated for them for so long.

With quarantine restrictions loosening just a wee bit, we can now enjoy some time with our loved ones through socially distant staycations such as what I had with my in-laws at Casa 1254 in Pansol, Laguna.

Casa 1254 was deemed as the most suitable venue for our socially distant staycation-cum-family outing, as it ticked off the requirements that will enable us to keep ourselves safe during our trip:

It should be within driving distance. Casa 1254 is less than two hours away from Metro Manila by car. Traveling by car is a lot safer (in terms of social distancing) than traveling by plane or other public transport systems. Also, given the short driving time, we didn’t need to have stopovers in crowded areas for a meal or to rest from the drive.
It should be in a private, self-enclosed area. Casa 1254 is a single, detached house enclosed in a perimeter wall with parking slots for up to four cars inside the compound. We had the place all to ourselves, allowing us to minimize contact with anyone outside of our family circle.
It should have its own kitchen. We expected dining out options to be quite limited, and, since we didn’t plan on going in and out of the venue often, we brought enough food for the duration our stay which we either cooked or reheated in the kitchen.
It should have good internet connectivity. Since we didn’t plan on going out and will spend the entirety of our time within the property, we needed to have fast and reliable internet access for work and entertainment.

With those important considerations addressed, the entire extended family was able to enjoy our stay at Casa 1254 and maximize its amenities for family bonding:

Living Areas. We congregated at the living room and adjoining sitting area for lively conversations and catching up. The kids were also able to set up their mini tents and use their toys in this sprawling space between the two areas for their playtime.

Dining Room and Kitchen. Family bonding was made even more enjoyable with good food. We dined in style in the well-appointed dining room on dishes re-heated or cooked in the spacious kitchen which are furnished with a large refrigerator/freezer, a stove with oven, as well as a hot and cold water dispenser.

Plates, cutlery, cookware, cleaning items are already provided.

Swimming Pool. The heated pool was the piece de resistance for the kids who had lots of fun splashing around. An outdoor BBQ and patio with a cabana was available for poolside dining.

After pooltime, the kids washed up at the 3/4 bath in the ground floor.

Bedrooms. At the end of each fun-filled day, we retreated to our respective bedrooms to rest and recharge. Each air-conditioned room conveniently has an en-suite bathroom, complete with toilet and shower.

Bed linens, pillowcases, towels, shampoo, body wash, hand soap and toilet paper were also provided.

View. Upon waking up, we basked in the cool breezes and calming view of the mountainside from the wrap-around balcony of the second floor and the roof deck of the poolside cabana.

Our stay was fairly trouble-free as a caretaker who lives in a separate building was available to help us in operating the pool and other concerns during out stay.