puerto galera

For our holy week trip this 2009, our family decided to go to Puerto Galera. This trip included my mother, my brother, his wife and three children, me and my hubby.

Since we had children with us, we decided not to “go with the crowd.” We left for Galera on Tuesday (April 7) and went back on Thursday (April 9). We stayed in Talipanan, where it was quieter and not too crowded.

At around 6am, we met near Robinson’s Place Pala-Pala where the terminal for vans traveling to Batangas City port was located. The fee was Php 150.00. There was little traffic on our way to Batangas and we arrived at the pier after approximately 2 hours.

At the pier, we bought tickets for the Commandos motorized boat, which is the only boat which makes its stop at Talipanan beach. Tickets are priced at Php 300.00 (one way) or 550.00 (round trip). It is advised that you buy your round trip tickets when you arrive at the port.

After the standard inspections, we boarded the boat. Coincidentally, with us on that boat is JB Soriano, a reporter from GMA. He was making a report on people going to Puerto Galera. We gained a little screen time in his report which was shown in GMA’s 24 Oras.

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The boat ride was around 1 hour and 15 minutes long. During the travel, we were lucky enough to see a dolphin and flying fish (some sort of) jumping above the ocean.

Upon arriving at Talipanan Beach (the last stop after White Beach and Tamaraw Beach), we were welcomed by Ate Marge and Aya, the persons in charge of the resort we were staying in. We stayed at Mengie’s Beach Resort. The room we had was priced at Php 2500.00 per night. It was an air conditioned room, with a king sized bed, spacious toilet and bath, and a terrace outside. We also had an extra mattress which was setup on the floor of the room. Ate Marge is very accommodating; she lent us the kalan, fueled by coal, where we cooked our food. She also let us borrow one of her pitchers which we used for our water.

The resort also had a restaurant that served different kinds of viands and meals. The prices were also reasonable. We tried out the Sinigang na Tuna, which was priced at around Php 100.00 and was good for 4-6 persons.

One of the activities that we did was to ride the banana boat, which had a rate of Php 200.00 per person (the children were free). The first round was where my nephews rode, and it was made sure that the banana boat would not turn over. The second round however, which consisted of me, Junjun, my brother and his wife, and my niece, was the exciting banana boat ride. We were first bought up to White Beach and on the way back to Talipanan, they tried very hard to throw us off the banana boat, to which we happily complied to.

Other activities which could be tried were parasailing (at around Php 1500.00 for two persons), snorkeling, boat ride to coral reef (Php 700.00 per boat), and sea walking (this is at Php 1000.00, I think).

We also got to try the pizza from Luca’s, an Italian restaurant within the walking distance from Mengie’s. Their pizza and pasta servings were HUGE, and it was fairly priced. We had the Cañonero variety, which was priced at Php 380.00.

Before going home, Junjun, my brother, my sister-in-law and I also got henna tattoos, for a minimum of Php 100.00.

We enjoyed our vacation at Puerto Galera. We had lots of bonding time and lots of fun. I wonder where our next holy week would be spent…

Valentine Getaway at Balay Indang

Junjun and I spent our first valentine as hubby and wife at Balay Indang. It was a wonderful retreat from the noise and hustle of the city.

Balay Indang (The Red Ginger Farm) is located in Indang, along the road that one passes by from Indang to Mendez. The big number “88” at its massive gate is the sign that you have found the place. We first stumbled upon this place when we were searching for a wedding venue. Unfortunately, we decided to hold our wedding in Manila, but we resolved that we would go back to spend a day or two at this place.

On our first day, we arrived at the place at around 6pm. Ms. Sonia welcomed us and we went to the main house (Balay). After which, a staff went with us to guide us to our room and give us the key. We stayed at the Rebekah room of the Yakal house.

The room was very spacious and cozy. It had big windows which you can open for more ventilation. There are also incandescent lamps which add to the rustic feel of the room. There was a “mini sala” which had a small sofa, banig carpet and lots of pillows. Also in this area were various magazines and books that you can read.

The bed was big enough for two persons, and there was another “sofa bed” which could also be used if you had a child with you. It also had enough pillows, and blankets which I really like.

I adored the bathroom, which had separate areas for the toilet bowl, the lavatory and the bath area. The flooring of the bath area was covered in pebbles and terra cotta tiles which you can step on while taking a bath. Toiletries and towels were also provided with the room.

After checking out the room and taking lots of pictures, Junjun and I lounged at the sala area and read some magazines. At around 7pm, someone knocked at our door and informed us that dinner was ready to be served. We then proceeded to the main house, where dinner was setup at the porch area.

**Meals in Balay Indang are served Russian style per guest table, but you could always ask for a refill if you want more. =)

For our dinner, this is what we had: salad (lettuce, pine nuts, corn kernels, peaches, carrots, cucumber, singkamas) with caesar dressing; onion soup; rice with grated carrots; shrimp with broccoli, mushroom and asparagus; embutido; parmesan crusted baked fish; baby back ribs; graham balls; chocolate fondue (apple, banana, pineapple and marshmallow); iced tea.

I loved the baked fish and the baby back ribs. The cheese gave the right amount of saltiness to the fish. The baby back ribs were flavorful and the meat was tender that I did not have a hard time getting it off the bone. I think we ate for about an hour, and we were filled to the brim. =)

After dinner, we walked around the property, lounged at the main pavilion, and took some pictures. We then retired to our room.

We woke up at around 7am the next morning. Again, we went around the property and inside the main house, taking pictures in the process. We were notified for breakfast at around 8am.

Breakfast consisted of: french toast with bananas and chocolate spread; garlic fried rice; chicken adobo; fried danggit; tortang talong; salted egg ensalada; pickled cucumber; ripe mangoes and hot native chocolate.

When we had our fill, we visited the different pavilions, stayed in the hammocks, and took a lot of pictures again. We also did the barefoot walk. It was a path that had different sized rocks and pebbles covering it, so that when one walks at it barefoot, the feet are stimulated and massaged.

Again, at around 10am, we were served the morning snack. We had some kind of crispy halo-halo. It consisted of bananas, jackfruit, beans, and kaong inside a wrapper, and fried like lumpia. Sesame seeds covered the outside. It was paired with cola. I liked the way the sesame seeds gave a nutty flavor to the snack.

We stayed in the main pavilion near the swimming pool reading magazines, until we were told that lunch was ready. For our lunch feast we were served: salad (lettuce, hard boiled eggs, pine nuts, corn kernels, peaches, carrots, cucumber, singkamas) with ranch or vinaigrette dressing; smoked fish tomato based pasta, shrimp kebab in mango-lime dressing; tortang cabbage; stuffed chicken; beef wasabi; curry rice; sweetened saba with jackfruit; dalandan juice.

Junjun liked the shrimp kebabs while I liked the beef wasabi. It was a unique dish – you can taste the kick of the wasabi in each of the beef cubes, but it is not overpowering or too hot for me to handle. The pasta was also good since it was light and flavorful.

After lunch, we rested for a while, and then we decided to hit the pool. We changed into our swimwear and went to the pool area. Even though the sun was shining, the pool’s water was cold. We stayed in the pool for less than an hour, the decided to call it quits when I started shivering.

We started packing for home, and at around 4pm, we ate our last meal at Balay Indang, which was a snack of pancit sotanghon, toasted bread and cola. After we finished packing, we settled our bill, and went on our journey home.

Our package in Balay Indang costs Php 2,400.00/person. This includes overnight accommodation in a non-aircon room, 3 main meals and 2 snacks. You are also free to do any of the activities in the place like use of the swimming pool and billiards table. There was also an additional service charge of 3%, which I think was ok given the service that they have provided. Ms. Sonia and the rest of the staff were very helpful and accommodating. Day trips are also available, for the rates, you may inquire with the owner.

You cannot go there walk-in, since they have to count you for the food preparations. However, reservations are hassle free. You just have to send an SMS to Ms. Marge the date and time that you will be arriving, and the type of “package” that you will be getting. Contact details are as follows:

Balay Indang (The Red Ginger Farm)
San Juan St., Mahabang Kahoy Cerca
Indang, Cavite
+639178665825 (Marge Tan)

Overall, our stay in Balay Indang was very pleasant (not to mention, tummy-filling). Except for the squeaky doors, I did not have any problems with them (Junjun was thinking of bringing oil or WD-40 the next time we will go to there). I hope that service will not change, but definitely that can improve more. Looking forward to the next time that we will go back there.