So last weekend (21st July) we headed to Batangas a province 110 km south of Manila and we stayed at a resort called Lago de Oro. We were promised white sandy beaches and snorkeling. We had had no recommendation and found the resort via the web.
After a 2 ½ hour journey from Manila we arrived to find the tide was in, so only a little bit of grey beach was showing, and we were duly informed that all the snorkeling gear was broken. The sun was out with no cloud cover and it was hot, very hot. All of a sudden the idea of weekends away via the net did not seem very appealing.
Anyway after muttering that we were considering finding another hotel to stay in, never a serious option as the thought of getting the boys back in the car and reloading the luggage in the heat was too much, all of a sudden snorkeling gear appeared. We were told we could hire a boat who would take us to a private beach (with white sand) and they would pack us a pic-nic.
After the usual hysterics by Bradley about getting in the boat (“why can’t we just stay here”) we were on our way. After about a twenty minute boat ride we arrived at a private beach with white sand, about 50m long and 10m wide in the middle of a very shallow sea with two huts to use to eat your lunch and get some shade and the oddest outside toilet you could ever imagine (honestly you would just wee in the sea).
Another couple were on the beach when we arrived but at the sight of Bradley and Adam they soon got back in their boat and left the beach just for us. So that left us to have our pic-nic, paddle in the sea (looking for fish and sea shells) and play in the sand and enjoy the relative tranquility. What was truly bizarre was how hot the sea was. Honestly the first few steps in was hotter than you would have a bath. After a while the lack of shade and the early afternoon heat meant we decided to head back to the resort and play in the pool for the afternoon.
We have now found out that Lydia (our yaya) lives 10 yards from the sea and therefore has no fears about picking living creatures out of the water for the boys to hold (hence the star fish).
The resort had a large water skiing lake, and a tractor with a small carriage that drives people around the lake. On seeing this all Adam wanted to do of course was ride round and round on this carriage whilst we wanted to play in the pool. Poor Lydia, she spent the rest of the afternoon in the trailer with Adam – domestic help is marvelous.
The resort also reared its own sheep (which the eventually ate), fortunately Bradley an me were passing as the couple looking after the resort were about to feed the sheep and they asked Bradley if he wanted to help, which he did. I think this was his favourite part of the weekend and he kept referring to the aforementioned couple as daddy and my friends!
At night the tractor was parked just outside our room. Even in the tropics there appears to be no greater entertainment for two boys than pretending to drive a stationary tractor. Indeed world war 3 will not be started by a rogue state with nuclear weapons or the battle for scarce resources it will begin with stationary tractor, a 2 year old and a five year old wanting to drive it and the youngest one shouting at his older brother “No! Babley sit in trailer”.
After the regular evening thunderstorm (we are in the rainy season, though as yet not that much rain) it was an early night for all.
Lydia had a separate room and we all slept in one room so it was an start (for me!) on Sunday. Getting up was very pleasant though, still hot even at 8.00am, but the tide was now out revealing the promised white sands so it was down to the beach to hunt for fish and crabs. The sea was so shallow that you could walk out for about a mile and I did a bit of snorkeling. Lydia was fishing out jelly fish for the boys to look at, but they got their revenge by stinging Adam, and he screamed – bless.
Much to everyone’s fascination we also managed to find a melted (I kid you not) jellyfish on the beach.
Adam recovered and went back on the tractor ride with Lydia whist we continued to play on the beach and then back in the pool followed by lunch and a 3 hour journey home (you can’t get anywhere quickly here by road).
All in all a very enjoyable weekend. Despite our initial reservations the resort was great, nice and cosy and a good size for the children and the staff could not have been more helpful and friendly.
After a 2 ½ hour journey from Manila we arrived to find the tide was in, so only a little bit of grey beach was showing, and we were duly informed that all the snorkeling gear was broken. The sun was out with no cloud cover and it was hot, very hot. All of a sudden the idea of weekends away via the net did not seem very appealing.
Anyway after muttering that we were considering finding another hotel to stay in, never a serious option as the thought of getting the boys back in the car and reloading the luggage in the heat was too much, all of a sudden snorkeling gear appeared. We were told we could hire a boat who would take us to a private beach (with white sand) and they would pack us a pic-nic.
After the usual hysterics by Bradley about getting in the boat (“why can’t we just stay here”) we were on our way. After about a twenty minute boat ride we arrived at a private beach with white sand, about 50m long and 10m wide in the middle of a very shallow sea with two huts to use to eat your lunch and get some shade and the oddest outside toilet you could ever imagine (honestly you would just wee in the sea).
Another couple were on the beach when we arrived but at the sight of Bradley and Adam they soon got back in their boat and left the beach just for us. So that left us to have our pic-nic, paddle in the sea (looking for fish and sea shells) and play in the sand and enjoy the relative tranquility. What was truly bizarre was how hot the sea was. Honestly the first few steps in was hotter than you would have a bath. After a while the lack of shade and the early afternoon heat meant we decided to head back to the resort and play in the pool for the afternoon.
We have now found out that Lydia (our yaya) lives 10 yards from the sea and therefore has no fears about picking living creatures out of the water for the boys to hold (hence the star fish).
The resort had a large water skiing lake, and a tractor with a small carriage that drives people around the lake. On seeing this all Adam wanted to do of course was ride round and round on this carriage whilst we wanted to play in the pool. Poor Lydia, she spent the rest of the afternoon in the trailer with Adam – domestic help is marvelous.
The resort also reared its own sheep (which the eventually ate), fortunately Bradley an me were passing as the couple looking after the resort were about to feed the sheep and they asked Bradley if he wanted to help, which he did. I think this was his favourite part of the weekend and he kept referring to the aforementioned couple as daddy and my friends!
At night the tractor was parked just outside our room. Even in the tropics there appears to be no greater entertainment for two boys than pretending to drive a stationary tractor. Indeed world war 3 will not be started by a rogue state with nuclear weapons or the battle for scarce resources it will begin with stationary tractor, a 2 year old and a five year old wanting to drive it and the youngest one shouting at his older brother “No! Babley sit in trailer”.After the regular evening thunderstorm (we are in the rainy season, though as yet not that much rain) it was an early night for all.
Lydia had a separate room and we all slept in one room so it was an start (for me!) on Sunday. Getting up was very pleasant though, still hot even at 8.00am, but the tide was now out revealing the promised white sands so it was down to the beach to hunt for fish and crabs. The sea was so shallow that you could walk out for about a mile and I did a bit of snorkeling. Lydia was fishing out jelly fish for the boys to look at, but they got their revenge by stinging Adam, and he screamed – bless.
Much to everyone’s fascination we also managed to find a melted (I kid you not) jellyfish on the beach.Adam recovered and went back on the tractor ride with Lydia whist we continued to play on the beach and then back in the pool followed by lunch and a 3 hour journey home (you can’t get anywhere quickly here by road).
All in all a very enjoyable weekend. Despite our initial reservations the resort was great, nice and cosy and a good size for the children and the staff could not have been more helpful and friendly.
1 comment:
Hello everyone looks like you had a great holiday some really nice pictures.
TC
Lanie
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