One Hot and Humid afternoon in Enchanted Kingdom

Our cousin invited us to her birthday in Enchanted Kingdom. Just on time too my sister gone there a week ago but she didn’t enjoy it because she was part of the committee in the company outing done in Enchanted Kingdom. My sister agreed right away because she wanted to ride the extreme rides but had no time. But for me I’ve been there 4 times so I was having second thought, in the end I agreed anyway it’s a celebration too so I can talk to our cousin longer.

Enchanted kingdom is a theme park, it is considered as the “Disneyland of the Philippines”.  It is located in Santa Rosa, Laguna.

While our niece, nephew and my sister were enjoying the rides, me and our cousin were sitting on the bench talking. They were laughing at us because according to them it’s sign of aging. They wanted to ride most of the extreme rides but the lines were long, took half hour or more to be accommodated.

Here are the rides they tried:

Ekstreme Ride. It is a  thrilling. My sister loved it. She loves the exhilarating feeling from being dropped from a height of 120 feet with a maximum speed of 47mph. Ekstreme Ride takes a minute. It slowly goes up and you can see the aerial view. Our nephew didn’t notice that they would be dropped and before he knew it they were already on the ground. He said it was fast.

The second ride was the Flying fiesta. It is a swing ride that gradually increases  the speed and tilts, which create a wave-live motion.

They wanted to try more rides but we knew they couldn’t, so I told them to sum all the extreme rides for me space shuttle would be the best. This ride had long line that took them more than half hour to be accommodated. One can experience 360 degrees turn. It is a two minute ride. After they rode it our niece got dizzy and stop riding.

Because of a long queue in most of the rides, my cousin and our nephew tried Kart-Trak. If you want to experience to be a race driver for a day why not try it. They took the 2-seater for 470.00 pesos and that is for 10 minutes session.

They were already done with the car racing but those who were queuing  for space shuttle, they were still there. After the space shuttle we decided to have a relaxing ride and that was the Grand Carousel. And that made them burst out in laughter because me and my cousin joined. Why not, not bad for a last ride before going home.

It was a  fun day even was so hot and humid.

Splash Mountain Resort In Los Banos, Laguna

To beat the heat of summer we decided to have a day get away to a resort in the outskirt of Manila, Los Banos, Laguna. Splash Mountain Resort-Hotel was out choice. Just more than an hour from Alabang and we were off to a greener place. It is  destination for family, friends and even company outings. It has several swimming pools which  cater to all ages complemented with picnic huts, poolside kiddie slides and giant waterslides . According to its website the Resort can accommodate up to 3000 people. This Resort has Function rooms can hold up to 400 seminar participants and 350 wedding and party guests.

The entrance fee ranges from 60.00-180.00 pesos per head. Giant waterslides area has a higher price. In our case we opted for Giant waterslides because with this package we could explore the resort unlike with the ordinary entrance fee there is a limitation where the guests can go. Those guests that take giant waterslides have wristbands, it shouldn’t  be removed while in the premises of the resort.

We didn’t know that it is a hot spring resort until I smell rotten egg while swimming. I was like where that coming from. Then we realized the water is coming from a hot spring because of the Mount Makiling. The water is lukewarm that I thought it was because the water is exposed to sunlight that makes the water warm.

 

Our niece enjoyed the water so much from the moment we arrived till the time we went home, she was in the pool. The only times that she would get out from the pool were to eat and pee. She and my sister  took 9 slides from the tornado slide, she wanted more but my sister was so tired.

It was a great day to beat  the summer heat. For those who want to have a last minute to enjoy the summer why not try Splash Mountain Resort.

SPLASH MOUNTAIN
Km 58. Barangay Lalakay, Los Baños, 4030 Laguna
Splash Hotel: Tel. No.  (0917) 583-2993; (049) 536-6399
Splash Oasis: Tel. No. (049) 536-6398

How to get to Splash Mountain Resort in Los Banos, Laguna

This summer is my first summer that I really just need to relax. Since I resigned from my job so I am staying at home. And now I just realized how summer is super  hot in Manila. Lol that’s crazy I knew it was super hot but not this hot that I feel it’s more than 40 degree Celsius.

My sister said there is a nice resort just near Manila. I was reluctant because I am not really a fan of swimming pools. I am not comfortable with the swimming pools because of I am not sure how they treat the water, It might have  too many bacteria.

But since it’s too hot I agreed why not try the swimming pools in Laguna. We visited the Splash Mountain Resort. Its located in  Los Banos, Laguna.

We learned from its website that we just need to ride bus that is bound to Sta. Cruz, Laguna and it will pass by the Splash Mountain resort, where we can drop off. We took bus from South Station of  Alabang, Muntinlupa. The fare was 60.00 pesos per head. We asked the doctor to drop off us to the Splash Mountain Resort. And true to what its website says, the conductor did. It’s a well-known resort then.

When we were about to return to Manila, the buses wouldn’t stop even we flagged them so we had to go to Calamba City thru Jeep since there is a Bus station in that area. The jeep fare was 13.00 pesos per passenger. We rode the bus from Calamba City and the fare was 48.00 pesos per head till Alabang, Muntinlupa.

Public Transportation

Going to Los Baños is easy even if you don't have a car with you. For those who want to commute, you can ride a bus bound for Sta. Cruz, Laguna. This will pass by Los Baños, just tell the bus conductor to drop you off at Splash Mountain. The Splash, Suites and Oasis Hotels are all located at Splash Mountain resort complex.

If you are coming from Quezon City, aircon buses are available at Cubao, along EDSA corner Aurora Boulevard. HM Tranport leaves at 3:30 am daily from Cubao to Sta. Cruz via Los Baños and buses depart every 15 minutes until 10 pm. Going home from Los Baños, you can wait for buses bound for Cubao at the highway in front of Splash Mountain. The last trip for buses coming from Sta. Cruz is at 8:00 pm.

For those coming from Manila, aircon buses bound for Sta. Cruz are available at JAMand Tritran bus terminals at LRT station, Buendia. First trip is also at 3:30 am and buses also depart every 15 minutes.

Driving From Manila

We are located along the national highway at Km. 58, Brgy. Lalakay, Los Baños, Laguna approximately 10 km after the city of Calamba. It takes one hour drive to reach us from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Thru the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) take the Calamba exit and drive towards Los Baños. Watch the road signs to Los Baños that will direct you to make a right in Calamba junction and upon reaching the busy Pansol resort area drive another 4 km. Splash Mountain is located on a curve immediately after two hills sandwiching the highway (we are after these hills on the left-hand side of the road). You won't miss the billboards, the huge facade and the spacious parking area to your left. Driving another 2 km. is the town proper of Los Baños where City of Springs is located. The University of the Philippines at Los Baños and IRRI are five kilometers after our resort.

Source Splash Mountain

SPLASH MOUNTAIN
Km 58. Barangay Lalakay, Los Baños, 4030 Laguna
Splash Hotel: Tel. No.  (0917) 583-2993; (049) 536-6399
Splash Oasis: Tel. No. (049) 536-6398 

Weekend Get Away to The Caliraya Springs Golf and Marina Resort - Cavintin, Laguna

Somebody left a fan with a print of Caliraya country club in our office. We checked it on line and we found out there are many activity in that place, which is why when my coworker saw a deal in METRODEAL about a Caliraya Springs, she mistakenly took it as Caliraya country club. All of us told her to include us and our family members to purchase that deal. After she purchased, she searched how we would get there. Then she realized she was wrong. We had no choice but to take it. LOL lesson read it carefully before agreeing. Another mishap? We will not make it as another mishap; we browsed the website of Caliraya Springs Golf and Marina Resort, looked interesting, many activities too. 

Our coworker called the office on how to get there; the lady on the other line was so accommodating, sent an email on how to get there. Since we are residing in Paranaque we decided to take Alabang because it’s nearer to Laguna.

We set the alarm clock at 4:15 am to prepare early, and then we reached Alabang, Muntinlupa around 5:40am. We thought there would be a bus or van somewhere near the Festival Mall but the terminal is transferred to South Station. Read in here how we got there.

The amenities in this resort are biking, Fishing, swimming, kayaking, jetski, boating, hotel accommodation, golf, restaurant, Jacuzzi, weddings and karaoke. There are on going construction of facilities for team building and other fun activities like mud slide, web spider obstacle, hanging bridge, zip line and others. 

 
Caliraya Springs Golf and Marina Resort has a vast land. According to the guard it has a land area of 700 hectares. Enough space for more development in the future

.Our day tour was a gloomy day and there were rain showers. When we arrived in the clubhouse, we were accommodated right away, there were few guests. The first impression was a deserted place. The building’s paint was too old, the ceiling was under repair. This resort needs intensive maintenance.  The employees were courteous.

The fun activities included in our day tour package are:

Duck-feeding with two bowls of feeds

Duck feeding was our first activity. We were 8 people in our group plus a family with 3 members. All in all we were 11 people in the group. The kids loved it, they were dancing and hopping towards the ducks but while we were feeding the rain fell, had to stop it and return to the clubhouse.

   

30-minute horseback riding session

After our duck feeding we were transported to Marina Resort for other activities. We tried the horse back riding. The trail is short in just less than 10 minutes we were done. The guides told us that we could do it later again.

 

30-minute kayak

The sun showed his might a bit after our lunch, we took that opportunity to try the kayaking. It was the activity that I enjoyed most because the water of the lake is still, easy to maneuver the kayak. Most of us it was the pop activity of them all.

Swimming in the pool

It was raining so no fun to deep in the pool but of course the kids love the water. They still enjoyed the swimming time. 

Plated lunch included in the Day Tour package

We requested that our lunch would be served in Marina resort. It was composed of fried fish fillet, chicken adobo, sautéed vegetables and rice. In Marina Resort there was no store or cafeteria, the bad thing when we asked the booking officer if we could bring our own food she said there would be corkage fee of 200 for every package of food. The good thing we brought food for the kids otherwise we would be so hungry. The store and the restaurant are in the clubhouse, far from Marina Resort where we stayed most of the time.

 For the discounted price of the tour of P550.00, great price for a day get away from the hustle and bustle life of the city.

Address: Barangay East Talaongan, Cavinti, Laguna

Contact:
Phone: (+632) 723-0781 to 88 loc. 306
Mobile: +63 (2) 917 857 8268
Website: http://www.calirayasprings.com

Caliraya Springs Golf and Marina Resort, Barangay East Talaongan, Cavinti, Laguna - How to get there

Caliraya Springs Resort and Marina Resort, is a private resort with many amenities. Good place for relaxation and enjoyment. Private vehicles are better to bring rather than take public utility vehicles. We were planning to hire a van but we didn’t. Here’s how we got there.

South Station in Alabang, Muntinlupa then took a bus, Greenstar with a signage of Sta. Cruz. Told the conductor to drop us off in Pagsawitan, that’s in boundary of Pagsanjan and Sta. Cruz, Laguna. The fare was 102.00 pesos.

From Pagsawitan we crossed the road then took a jeep with signage of Sta. Cruz. Told the driver to drop us off in the terminal of the jeep to LUMOT. The fare was 8.00 pesos.

The jeepneys going to Lumot pass by the Pagsawitan, its just that you cant take a jeepney with available seats because before the jeepney left the terminal its already full, that’s why we were advised to go to the jeepney terminal instead.

From the jeepney terminal of in Sta. Cruz, we rode the jeep with the signage of LUMOT. Told the driver to drop us of in Caliraya springs Golf Club and Marina Resort. The fare was 34.00 pesos.

By the gate of the resort there is a tricycle. One way trip is 100.00 pesos.

You should take tricycle because the clubhouse is far from the gate. It’s advisable to take your own vehicle or rent a car or van because the waiting time taking the public utility vehicles is long.

Expect a ride in going to Lumot with overloaded passengers. Actually some of the passengers argue with the driver because he was still loading even the back, had many, the front of the windshield had already sitting on and even on his left side, he let a passenger sat beside him. Some were on the topload. It was scary in some points because the road is narrow and uphill. It was an adventure indeed. The last trip of the jeepneys is 4:00 pm. The locals are nice, friendly, and easy to talk to.

If you want to have a weekend get away and don’t want to get far from the Metro. This one is for you.

Instruction coming from the Caliraya Springs Golf and Marina Resort on how to get there:

If by private vehicle:

Option 1 – Through South Expressway

• Take the south expressway
• Take the calamba exit
• At the calamba crossing (SM Calamba), turn right
• Straight ahead using the highway passing towns of Los Baños, Bay, Victoria, Pila, Sta. Cruz and Pagsanjan.
• After passing the Pagsanjan Archway, you will see a T road (at the end of the road is a Catholic Church)
• On this T road, turn left to Lumban, then drive for 4 kms, then you will see a Y road, take the right
• Drive the 6kms ascent, then you will see Caliraya Recreation Center
• 5kms further, on the left side is the entrance of Caliraya Springs Golf and Marina Resort Comples

Option 2 – Through Rizal

• From Edsa take Ortigas Avenue turn right at the first intersection after the Cainta junction towards Taytay.
• Following the main highway bound for Laguna pass through the eight municipalities of Rizal.
• Make a U-turn at Barangay Bagong Silang, Lumban to start ascent to Caliraya lake.

If by commuting:

Option 1 – From Cubao

• From the Cubao Bus Station, take a bus (HTM transport or any bus) going to Pagsawitan. This road will take you about two to two and a half hours.
• Then, at Pagsawitan terminal, take a tricycle or a jeepney with a signboard “LUMOT”
• This ride will go up using Lumban-Caliraya-Cavinti road, pass by Caliraya Recreational Resort/Caliraya Resort Club Inc., Lagos del Sor Resort then after you will see Entrance gate of Caliraya Springs Gold and Marina Resort Complex.

Option 2 – From Metro Manila Bus Stations

• Take a ride at the Sta. Cruz-bound bus of HM Transit on EDSA Cubao or Green Star on LRT/Taft Ave.
• The bus will go through South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and will exit at Calamba tollgate. Get off at the Pagsawitan, Pagsanjan terminal.
• Then, ride a jeepney with “Lumot” signboard. The Lumot bound jeepney will pass thru Pagsanjan, it will turn left then pass thru Lumban, turn to the right to climb the mountain Lumban-Caliraya-Cavinti road, pass by Caliraya Recreational Resort/Caliraya Resort Club Inc., Lagos del Sor Resort then after you will see Entrance gate of Caliraya Springs Gold and Marina Resort Inc.

Address: Barangay East Talaongan, Cavinti, Laguna

Contact:
Phone: (+632) 723-0781 to 88 loc. 306
Mobile: +63 (2) 917 857 8268
Website: http://www.calirayasprings.com