East Coast and Virginia Beach in mind

You know I also dream of visiting other beaches around the world other than the beautiful beaches here in the Philippines :) and because I know someday I’ll be able to visit the United States of America (that is one major positive thought!) and spend time with my friends and cousins there, when that day comes I hope I’ll have enough time to explore some beach. Wow! Beach bumming in America :) haha! 

I heard there are plenty of nice beach in the East Coast.

North Carolina is on the top of my list being a fan of Nicholas Sparks here. I’ve come to love North Carolina because of his books. A plus that I have a  friend who lives there (Hi Liz!). It would also be nice to visit nearby states. Florida is probably where we'll stay because our very good friends Jerlyn and Lester lives there, the very reason why I want it so much  to visit US of A. I know, it's far from being a reality for now but we can wait, few years or more. Maybe 2016 or 2017, who knows?

Anyways, dreaming continues :) 

I also wish we can visit one of those popular resort cities n the East Coast. Virginia beach for one. In fact, I've already bookmarked the best site for deals on hotels in Virginia Beach - Motel.com . At least, it will come handy when I need it. Probably be looking out for the cheapest one so better to have one and I know that site can help.

I'm positive this will happen in the near future. I am not and will not give up on that dream :)

Solomons Paradise, Bolinao, Pangasinan

I found Solomon's Paradise also in the internet and decided to try it because of the good reviews, but this is small place with only 5 native cottages in a secluded area. So if you want a quiet place, this can be for you though you might find it boring if you stay too long because there is no other activity you can do here except to just marvel at the beauty of the horizon.The nearest beach where you can swim is White Beach which is 10 to 15  minutes tricycle drive.

We have this beauty all for ourselves during our stay in Solomon's Paradise because we were the only guests at that time. (December 29 to 31, 2013)

This was our temporary home, not bad for 2,500.00 including breakfast for 6 people. The huts are quite old considering it was built 2008 pa. Some windows were already broken but we didn't mind, we felt safe naman all through out  our stay. We occupied 2 cottages. If we divide the cost to six people, it was only 416.66 per person. Quite cheap di ba? (But the kubo/cottages along the white beach are even cheaper)

The only thing I didn't like is that the CR/Shower rooms are located at the building which also serves as the office, reception/kitchen/bar all in one.

The owner whom I spoke to is very nice and gave us huge discount. The caretakers are even nicer. They prepare our breakfast every morning and help us with our lunch and dinner as well. I think because we were the only guests that time so we were given all the attention :) 

Our breakfast on the first day was hotdogs, eggs and  fried bangus. On the second day, it was tocino, eggs and danggit. Served with coffee and rice :) Yummy!!

I just hope they will have some activities in the resort soon so people will not get bored. 

Solomon's Paradise is located at Brgy.Patar, Bolinao, Pangasinan. You can rent a tricycle from the Bus terminal to go there, it's 250.00 per trike. Travel time is 30 to 45 minutes.

my husband and our godchild :) she looks so scared..haha!!

More Bolinao post coming up :)

Beach and my birthday soon

I'm praying, wishing, dreaming, hoping or whatever you call it of going to beach this month as a birthday gift to myself. I have no beach trip last year which is quite sad so I'm aiming for an early contact with the beach this year.

(my Anawangin sunset picture)

I saw a voucher selling Anawangin trip and I wanted to buy one but I realized doing it on our own will be a lot cheaper. I've been to Anawangin twice and for me that is the most beautiful beach nearest to us. Though it's not for those who wants comfort while beach bumming because it's a camping beach site. Anyways, here's an entry I made about our Anawangin adventure few years ago. If I have to go back there again, we will be needing a tent because we only borrowed the one we used before, although you can also rent from there for a minimal feel but I gues sit would be better to invest in a good tent like the kind of nemo tents perhaps...so I can have can have more camping trips with my husband and friends.

Going back to the beach and my birthday- Please let me have that simple wish. I so miss the sand!!

Summer dreaming. Spanish Islands

We had typhoon last week and it rained for three days, for a while I thought summer is over and it dawned on me that I haven’t had even one summer outing to relax and for a while I felt sad. Good thing is I heard from the weather men that it’s not the end of summer yet, we just have to let another weather disturbance pass and the sun will be back! I immediately made a note mentally to get back to the postponed swimming for our group of friends and I hope this time it will push through as planned. So I am back to finding a good swimming pool nearby, one that children will not only enjoy but us adults too.If only Playa de las Americas in Canary island is near, Parque Santiago 3 would be perfect, they have this wide children’s playground and their rooms are all nice.

I am giving up and accepting the fact that I will not see any beach this summer. But I will make sure I will spend time in any beach before the year ends, it might not be this summer but it is okay because I love the beach rain or shine.

And I am certainly not giving up on a dream vacation to anyone of beautiful Spanish islands. I want to see and explore Mexico because of the many similarities it does have in the Philippines. And of course at some point I dream of spending time with my dear husband in one of the luxury hotels in Mallorca. I’ll probably stay a week or two, a grand vacation without any worries, no phone calls from the boss, no ministries to worry and most of all not bothered financially..that would be extremely wonderful!!

But back to reality I have to settle for maybe a little less about beach resorts and luxury hotels but nevertheless wonderful time with friends and their kids. I just really hope I could find one nice resort within the Metro and that it would be okay for all of us. Or maybe I can suggest for us to travel at least an hour away from the city sow e could at least get a “good” resort for ourselves.

How about you guys? Have you been to the beach? Or to any resort? How are you spending your summer so far? I am seeing a lot of summer fun pictures from bloggers so am sure most of you are enjoying or already had their summer escapade no? I’ll have mine soon :)

Nagsasa Cove

The picture was snatched from a friend's facebook page, they recently did a trip there and I was so envious. The place is so similar with Anawangin although double the distance of the boat ride in Anawangin thus making it more expensive. But still I'm dreaming of going here one day, camping, with outdoor firepit for the bonfire, 'mores, fishing and swimming or just lazing around the beach.

 

Anybody wants to schedule a trip there with me? I am so missing the sand and the beach!!

No matter what

I'm going to have one beach trip this SUMMER...And if I'm blessed..I'll be including my whole family with the trip so it will be more fun!

Beach Vacation

I seriously need a very good beach vacation right now. Can I stay in this place like for two weeks? or For EVER? anyways, this photo was taken last 2008 during our first trip to Pagudpud, Ilocos Sur. I fell in love with the beach and I miss it terribly.

FREE BORACAY VACATION

Win a Free Boracay Vacation Package by WOW Philippines Travel Agency

WOW Philippines Travel Agency, Inc. is celebrating it's 5th year in business during July of 2010, and we would like you to have a chance to celebrate with us, so we have decided to give-away a FREE Boracay Package complete with 5 Star accommodations at the luxurious Le Soleil de Boracay Hotel on Boracay Island. The lucky winner will win the following Boracay vacation package.

Vacation Package Inclusions:
- 5 Days / 4 Nights Luxury 5 Star Accommodations at the Le Soleil de Boracay Hotel
- Flights to Boracay from Manila to Caticlan Airport on Philippine Airlines
- Island Transfers - Door-to-Door from Manila to the resort and back to Manila
- Three (3) Meals each day, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Boracay Activities - Horseback Riding, Island Hopping, Glass Bottom Boat
- PLUS - 5,000 peso Spending Cash

Read More Information: http://www.boracay-packages.com

The Blue Lagoon Beach

You can guess why they called it Blue Lagoon :) yes, because the water is indeed BLUE. The sand is powdery white, the place is quiet although not as quiet as Anawangin Cove but still a perfect get-away from the noise of the city.

View from the top :) to reach blue lagoon you have to go up and down a mountain ridge you would even ask if there's a beach because of the narrow road and the mountains but behold this sight!!!
This last picture below was taken on our first trip there March 2008 and I said to my self I will be back, we did last January 1 and hoping we will come back again some other time. I love the beach , I love the blue water.

So where and when is our next beach trip? I do not know. I hope I win a punta cana all inclusive trip for two. That would be fantastic!! But a CORON trip would also be wonderful!!

Agua Seda Beach House,Pagudpud

This is where we stayed in Blue Lagoon Beach at Pagudpud. The owner is a retired teacher, she personally manages the resort, it has 5 rooms I guess, the one we stayed is what she call the dorm type, it can accomodate up to 9 persons for 3,000 pesos, other rooms are 1,500 good for 2 persons only.

That is the room at the back where we stayed

Inside the room (3 beds and a matress, A/C, with own CR)

This is our breakfast from Agua Seda, you can order food from them also, breakfast cost is 100.00 per pax with free instant coffee, I don't think they have jura capresso to make special coffee but that's ok we still love them. (sample set of breakfast is 2 pcs longganisa, sunnyside up egg and fried rice) not bad for 100 pesos.

The front of Agua Sda Beach House, that is the dining arae too.

A nice garden chair where you seat fronting the beautiful beach and in the morning you can view the beautiful sunrise from here like what I've captured below

this one is the big welcome banner/marker you'll see at the entrance of the blue lagoon beach

AGUA SEDA BEACH HOUSE @ BLUE LAGOON
LETICIA C. GARVIDA-PROPRIETRESS
Sitio Malingay, Bgry. balaoi pagudpud Ilocos Norte
Mobile : 0920-2431832 /0921-8079703
Email : lggalicinao_111@yahoo.com.ph

Beach Vacation

It's still on my wish list, a beach vacation for at least week or more and this morning browsing myrtle beach vacation rentals and looking at the nice houses and condos with pools makes me want it even more. We can blame the internet for that. But of course I am still on my sense, I know I can't do that this year but will aim for it next year, not necessarily the myrtle but Boracay or Busuanga will do. I just need to save,save and save.

I'm now 50% sure that our Palawan trip will be postponed so I'm thinking of any alternative that is less expensive, maybe we can go to Anawangin again and spend new year there? Remember our Anawangin adventure last year? it's haven and it's cheap. Now, I have to consider that again.

Early planning for summer outing

I am planning an early summer outing right now. It’s for a dear friend from UK who is set to leave the county on May 1st and yes she wants me to plan her farewell beach party with her closest friend as early as now. And that’s good so we can save enough for that trip and we can book or look for cheaper flights.

I brought up several choices, either Boracay because we both have never been there, but April is already a peak season so everything is expensive there. I just wonder if we book a lodging now will I get it cheaper than regular peak season rate or still the same? I really wanted to got to Boracay one day. Most of our friends have been there already and I’m jealous..hehe!

Next option is Busuanga, this place is so nice too. A friend went there last summer, they were able to buy a Cebu Pacific ticket that is way too cheap, like the one we had for our Cebu trip I guess. And she said accommodation is not too pricey, it’s only the tour which is (island hopping) that will cost us big. So we are considering that one seriously.

Another choice is the famous Bohol of course but again because we always go on a budget trip, we still have to check if Cebu Pacific offers seat sale here also.

Hay, again how I wish that we are all rich so we can just fly whatever and wherever we want to. IF we are rich I would always plan for out of the country trips..hehe and book the nicest hotel there, like the myrtle beach resorts in South Carolina. Will spend at least one to two weeks there and have fun with dear hubby.

But then back to reality, I’ll have to check the local rates for the above resorts now. Any suggestions of cheap accommodation to Bohol, Boracay and Busuanga? Need them please.

Subic Beaches

Just sharing the beaches I found and actually inquired when we are looking for a nice but cheap place to stay in Subic last week. Unfortunately, we went to Sariaya instead, I'll make the post about it next. For the meantime, here are the three resorts in Subic.

SUNSET COVE BEACH RESORT
Sitio Minanga, Brgy.Mabayo,Morong Bataan

They say this is not in Subic but is only few minutes away from Subic.

They have picnic huts, lodging rooms which range from 2,000 to 8,500.00 if you rent the whole Bungalow house.

They also offer a Banca Boat tour, a jetski ride and a Banana Boat Ride.

Contact Numbers :

Manila office : (02) 931 -9243 / 932-4488
Website : http://sunsetcovebeach.multiply.com
Mobile Numbers : 0928-5001132 – Cecille

When I called Ms. Cecille‘s cellphone, she was very accommodating. And though we didn’t push through with their resort, I would still love to give this arty next time.

*************************************************************************

ALL HANDS BEACH RESORT
Subic Bay, Freeport Zone, Subic,

This is actually our first choice because we thought is is not so expensive, but we inquired so late, they are already fully booked when we called up.

According to this site:

All Hands Beach and its sister Dungaree Beach are located in a private cove around the Subic Base International Airport area. They are operated and maintained by SBMA Freeport Services Corporation. Both beaches have very calm and clear waters. While there are a multitude of other water activities to participate in, surfing is not one of them as the waters are very calm. The waves are not much higher than 6 inches most of the day. These beaches are great for swimming for all ages as the water for quite a distance from the shore is shallow and warm.

WATER SPORTS ACTIVITIES & RENTALS

All Hands Beach has all of the water sports activities and rental equipment available to create a memorable and fun-filled vacation. You can participate in banana boat rides, water bicycling, kayaking, snorkeling and even Jet Ski driving.

CONTACT NUMBER
(045) 499 0695

You can view pictures here.

*************************************************************************************
Another option we had was
BY THE SEA RESORT
#99 National Highway, Barretto, Subic Bay, Olongapo City

Telephone Nos. (+6347) 222-2888 ; 224-2494 ; 222-4560 ; 223-3508 ; 222-3098 ; 223-4346

Website : http://www.bythesea.com.ph