Exploring Bulacan: San Ildefonso and San Miguel

Exploring Bulacan:

San Ildefonso and San Miguel

I spent my whole summer of 2013 from April to the middle part of May in Bulacan, more specifically in Alagao San Ildefonso Bulacan. Nearby town of San Miguel is where a villa called Krizelna is located and I had really a great time out there!

At the Entrance of Villa Krizelna Resort,
San Miguel Bulacan

Villa Krizelna is a resort in San Rafael Bulacan that caters to group outing via series of diverse 10-pool designs fit for swimming for both adults and kids. They have the deepest level of pool at 8 feet and an array of kids pool ranging from 2 feet to 4 feet deep.

and as far as I can remember, we paid 100 pesos per person as the entrance fee.

At Villa Krizelna

What they offer:

Parking and Entrance

They have a 10-year established resort that opens up a big parking lot that could accommodate 2-6 buses. Upon entering their entrance, Villa Krizelna will open up to fruit-bearing trees ranging from indian mango, pico and kalabaw mango, guava trees, tambis / macopa, coconut trees and many more.

This makes their resort a unique venue for nature tripping plus public pools designed to entertain your idea of fun and adventure through swimming in summer

Their pool is themed differently and custom-tailored to wade away boring summer fun compared to other resorts in Bulacan. There is their snow white, elephant and jacuzzi with fountain, dolphin, the mushroom, jurassic, adult deep pool and more. They also have different flowering plants beside pools and within sight from swimming.

Selfie with Green Lantern

They have a 2-set pool that is fully covered catering to people who wants to enjoy swimming without getting exposed under the heat of the sun. Countless slopes of slides grace the middle of pools for kids to enjoy not just for swimming but also for playground fun. 

They have as much as 3 slides forming a flower in the middle making your summer swimming a really different experience. The chlorine treatment they use on their pools are imported from the U.S. to make sure nothing gets in your skin that is too harmful or over reactive.

Their Cottages

Beside the pools are countless cottages where you can place stuff and things their visitor brought along for swimming such as towels, slippers and more. Their cottages are equipped with an outlet for those who have the need to plug in a radio or laptop.

Different themed cottages are also built beside the pools from nipa, apartment-type, swing type, and more. Cottages in the middle of the resort are ideal for barbecue get-together, drinking and grilling as they have grills situated on the sides. Videoke rooms open up for fun in singing while drinking.

My experienced out there with my uncle and the rest of the family was truly epic. It’s nice to go back there sometimes. :) #thexuixuiWay

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N Hotel Cagayan De Oro City

If one asked me to where one should stay in Cagayan De Oro wherein it is not too expensive but the ambiance seems to be in a 5 star hotel and the amenities will make one wants and stays more, I should probably recommend N Hotel too…

I first visited the hotel last November after our adventure in Bukidnon with my family. After we explored Central Mindanao University in Valencia City, Monastery of Transfiguration in Malaybalay City, Pine Grove Mountain Lodge, Forest Park and Dahilayan Gardens and Resort, all in Dahilayan Adventure Park, Bukidnon.

 This is my first cousin, i took this photo of her!

I stayed in a deluxe room of the hotel, I think it was the cheapest one but it costs me 3600 pesos a night. It has two bedrooms with spacious comfort room, big flat television and so much more.

I had truly a relaxing night and around six in the morning on the next day I used their swimming pool and it was so okay since I am the only one using the pool very early in the morning. After my swimming trip, I took my breakfast in the hotel and leave by 7am because I have to be in Xavier University Ateneo De Cagayan, my school for my class.

Lastly, if I will have a chance to stay again in N Hotel, I will be very glad. :D

Seda Hotel ─ Cagayan De Oro City

Welcome to the City of Golden Friendship, Cagayan De Oro City, the gateway of Mindanao and the famous Dahilayan Adventure Park. But where exactly one can stay if he or she is in the City and wants to have the finest and grandest accommodation which is also at the heart if the city?

Well, I must probably recommend Seda Hotel Centrio for that. Seda Hotel is one of the newest and grandest hotel in the city owned by Ayala and located in the very heart of the city. It is the only hotel in the city that shares a roof with the upscale Centrio Mall. Though connected to the mall, it ensures security and exclusivity with a private entrance that leads to the Front Desk at the 4th floor where guests are greeted by a contemporary open layout connecting the lobby seamlessly into an e-lounge with its bank of iMacs and Misto restaurant and bar. Further up are the meeting rooms while outdoors, the "al fresco" dining area leads up to the adult and children’s pools.

For health and fitness, Seda Centrio has an adult and children’s pool, a gym, and can arrange in-room massage with an accredited service provider.

The Hotel is approximately an hour drive to the Laguindingan Airport and within 20 minutes to the popular tourist attractions of white water rafting and waterfall trekking through Mapawa Nature Park and an hour to Dahilayan Adventure Park. Seda  has 150 guestrooms provide a serene retreat with a range of amenities that ensure comfort and convenience throughout the guests’ stay..

Deluxe Rooms are contemporary in design, spread across the 5th to the 10th floors with features that include king or twin beds, a 40-inch LED HDTV with cable channels, media panel with HDMI, USB and audio-visual connectivity, complimentary Wi-Fi and broadband internet access, IDD phone with iPod dock, alarm clock, voice mail and radio, coffee and tea making facilities, mini-bar and in-room safe.

Club Rooms are a sanctuary for travelers who recognize the benefits of exclusivity. They offer private access to the Club lounge on the 11th floor where they enjoy the utmost in care and attention, as well as private check-in and check-out; daily Continental breakfast, afternoon tea and cocktails; all-day coffee, tea and non-alcoholic beverages; iMac stations; work tables; reading materials; a wide-screen LED HDTV with cable channels; and secretarial assistance.

Premier Rooms are the perfect choice for long-staying guests or families who require more spacious hotel accommodations. At 35 sq-m, each features a bedroom with a kitchenette, and can be connected to an adjoining Deluxe Room. Premier Rooms also offer access to the Club Lounge and its privileges.

The first time happened in the middle part of December 2013. I can’t recall the exact date of it since it was not really planned that we will be there, it’s just that we don’t have the choice!

Around 1pm that day, we went to Initao, Misamis Oriental and explored Lasang Adventure Park and the well-known Midway Beach Resort. Because I wasn't able to swim at the sea of Midway Beach, eventually I got bored and decided to go to another place.

At first we can’t really decide where to go next, are we going back to the CDO city and go home or to Iligan City to explore more waterfalls? Then I remember Seda Hotel, and told my buddies that we will visit Seda Hotel as a walk in guest and they said yes. So we went there and reached the hotel around six in the afternoon.

The lobby of the hotel is that the fourth floor since the first three floors is for the Centrio Mall so in order to reach the lobby one should use the elevator. In the lobby we paid 300 pesos per person. With hat payment each one of us will get a chance to use the swimming pool and use the two hundred as consumables.Then the two photos show the items or the food that we chose as our consumables but seriously we paid another 200 for that. Expensive :)

Their pool is open until nine in the afternoon and while at the pool you can dine anytime you want. After our swimming trip, we took a shower and I so much loved their shower room, it was so spacious and so clean with hot and cold water, bath soap, and shampoo with conditioner.

The second and third time I went their happened last January and last week February 5, and as usual it’s the same thing happened as my first visit!







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Timoga Cold Spring Resort - Iligan City

As I have mentioned in my previous post,

I was at Maze Park and Resort

before I went here in Timoga. 

Here in Timoga, the entrance fee is 50 pesos and yes it will surely worth your pay. It’s as a small resort compared to Maze Park but they have their “own uniqueness”  from the other resort like for example the water in their pools is from the spring so that means that the water is spring cold and of course flowing. Nothing beats Iligan City in terms of abundance of fresh waters. Imagine, the city itself has about 23 waterfalls that is why Iligan City is dubbed as “The City of Majestic Waterfalls”.

What I enjoyed the most in my stay in Timoga was their slides, it was not as extreme and as good as the slides in some resort in Bulacan that I have explored but I enjoyed it, maybe because of the water perhaps

In Timoga they are not selling meals so as a piece of advice if you will visit the place, you must bring your own foods or you can just buy in “carenderia” in front of the resort.

In the top most pool, you can even see the beautiful sea of Iligan.

For about 2 hours again, we enjoyed the resort and

went to another place and it was Tinago Falls..

                           

 

                                                 (I am not the owner of the last two photos)

TO BE CONTINUED...

To read and view my Tinago Falls expereiced , click HERE. 

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Maze Park and Resort - Iligan City

Last December 12, 2013 we finally explored Iligan City for the very first time and just like any other previous travels, before we went there, we already listed the top three tourist destinations we wanted to visit so bad and these are –The Timoga Spring Resort, Maze Park and Resort and Tinago Falls. By the way, Iligan City is also called, “the City of Majestic Waterfalls”.

Iligan City is about 2 hours public bus ride away from Cagayan De Oro City. As of this time, the fare for air-conditioned buses is 75 pesos for students with ID while regular fare is about 85 pesos. We departed Bulua Terminal in Cagayan De Oro City around 7am and reached Iligan by 9:00am. From Iligan Bus terminal we transferred into a “habal-habal” or motor cycle and we paid 120 pesos up to Maze Park and Resort.

When we reached there at around 9:30am, the resort was still so serene like we rented it privately since there were no other visitors in that early morning.

Maze Park and Resort has Olympic size pool and regular pool for swimming, mini zoo, small children playground, cottages for small and large gathering and a skate park too! We paid 25 pesos each for the entrance fee and it was fair enough.

We stayed and enjoyed the resort for 2 hours before we travelled back to the national highway and to Timoga Cold Spring.  When we reached Timoga, our tummies called us so we decided to take our lunch which was supposedly planned inside the resort; however, they don’t have any restaurant inside and so they were not selling any meals. Fortunately, there are carenderias in front the resort which technically saved us! And after we took our lunch, we went back to the resort and paid 50 pesos each for the entrance fee...

Been there already? How was your experience? Let me know in the comments section or message me on Facebook!

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Del Monte Pineapple Plantation - Camp Phillips, Bukidnon

Last November 4, 2013 my friend Cassandra Cabrera from San Miguel, Manolo Fortich Bukidnon invited me to visit her with her friends in Camp Phillips, Bukidnon. I was so excited that time because it was my first time going to Camp Phillips , where Del Monte Pineapple Plantation is located.Before that invitation, I was already so intrigue of how wide the plantation was and I really want to see it personally.

The photos below show us taking photos with the Giant Pineapple Pineapple Statue,

which symbolizes the Del Monte Pineapple Plantation in Camp Phillips, Bukidnon

        

The two photos (up and down) show the wide Plantation of Pineapple in Camp Phillips Bukidnon. It is of course owned by Del Monte Philippines. For me, having this plantation in Camp Phillips, makes the place known for everyone. For sure, it also helped natives in the place to get a job from Del Monte and received special benefits.  

By the way, if you will go to Dahilayan Adventure Park , you will be able to pass this plantation and took photos of you before arriving at Dahilayan! 

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Dahilayan Adventure Park – Dahilayan Gardens and Resort

After my photo shoots at the Forest park, we rode in a van for about 10-15 minutes and we reached the Dahilayan Gardens and Resort. The entrance fee is 60 Php for adults and 40 for children. In the resort, you can witness the panoramic mountain views. Perfect for outdoor weddings, family bonding, and just for strolling for nature. 

           I did not do anything extra ordinary in Dahilayan Gardens and Resort except for my favorite pastime: picture-taking! AS USUAL! Below is my photo with the beautiful panoramic view of the mountains of Dahilayan - truly amazing!

Before I went there I already Googled some images and below are the top 2 the photos which really captured my interest and when i went there, i witness it in my two eyes that it was real! Epic bird's eye view of Dahilayan Gardens and Resort!

I do not own this photo. i grab this on Google and when i went there i told myself, "yes this is real!"

A 6 ft. deep beautifully landscaped man-made lagoon perfect for a variety of activities. Ideal for guests who want to experience the water adventure while being in the mountains. Experience the simple joys of fishing for tilapia and consuming your catch.

For a complete list of all activities inside Dahilayan Gardens and Resort, click HERE.


After one night and 1 day adventure in Dahilayan. We went back to N Hotel, Cagayan De Oro and I, myself, stayed in the hotel for 1 night. I stayed in their deluxe room that cost 3, 600 per night.
 By the way, we reached N hotel around 3pm and we just left our things out there wnd went directly to SM City CDO for shopping and took our dinner in Centrio Mall and then we went back to the hotel around 9pm.




TO BE CONTINUED….
YOU CAN CHECK MY NEXT POST REGARDING MY STAY IN N HOTEL… JFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/marklowillalmedaa

Dahilayan Adventure Park – Forest Park

Right after my 3 different rides in Pine Grove Mountain Lodge. We went to the Forest park and there as usual we have our vainest photo shoots with the view, with their “artificial zoo” or what ever it was.

Here in Forest Park they have more amenities than their neighbor, Pine Grove Mountain Lodge, unfortunately i was not able to experienced any of those.There’s nothing really much things I did inside Forest Park except for my favorite pastime: picture-taking!

Here is the entrance of the Forest Park

Different kinds of amenities can be found inside Forest Park as I have mentioned such as horse-back riding, zorb, trampoline, etc. and most of all my favorite  the ATV trail. I dreamed to experience driving those cute ATV and and you know what Forest Park ATV trail was  very challenging due to the steep clay hills and rough terrain! You can check the photo below and imagine driving those ATVs in that place! EXTREME!!!!

It surely requires much dramatic post! :)

For a complete list of all activities inside Forest Park, click HERE.

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Dahilayan Adventure Park – PINE GROVE MOUNTAIN LODGE

As I have mentioned in my previous post, we reached the Pine Grove Mountain Lodge around 7pm from Monastery of Transfiguration, MalaybalayCity. We checked in the lodge and well I have my own room that time that cost 5, 000 pesos per night (not to brag anyway). It was so cold out there that I must wore my jacket while having our dinner in the lodge and I definitely encourage everyone to dine there, its worth to pay and their lobby, “oh holy God Christmas is in the air in November”, Their Christmas Tree was so tall and well lighted than in N Hotel’s.

Pine Grove Mountain Lodge and Resort

They also have their mini Christmas village and I totally enjoyed taking photos with it. In my mind, “I must enjoy the place especially this lodge since we pay 5,000 pesos each room!” haha

I am the one wearing Black, third from the left!

              

This is the Google Image of the Lodge

This is the Dining Area and Lobby of the Lodge

I took this at the entrance of the Lodge.

Also, check out my room, it has 2 king size bed rooms, big flat screen tv, spacious comfort room and with own veranda. However since it was so cold, I turned off the aircon and slept so well.

Anyway, I will divide this Dahilayan Adventure of mine into three parts; first I’ll narrate about my experiences in Pine Grove Mountain Lodge, second is at Forest Park and third is at Dahilayan Gardens and Resort.

First things first, Maayong Buntag Pine Grove Mountain Lodge and I’m freezing! Yes, the it was cold outside but as the sun rises up and struck its light in our veranda straight to my room felt so warm inside. We took our breakfast and our adventure started afterwards…

 The 6 main attractions of the Pine Grove Mountain Lodge are ;

1] Asia's Longest Dual Zip Ride
  
Unfortunately, I wasn't able to experienced this but they have this feature which cost 500.00php per person but if check in, in the lodge you can avail 20 discount to all rides! The Longest Dual zip ride boasts of two 840m zip lines with a drop of 100 meters. Zip riders are transported via 4WD Safari Cruiser to a launch tower of 4500' ASL. Zoom through the rain forest canopy at 60-80 kph to land at their Carrier-type flight deck using a special arresting gear system. Supposedly, this is how it looks like:

Asia's Longest Dual Zip Ride
(I am not the owner of this photo)

2] 320 + 150 meter Dual Zip Ride
  
Yes, I have experienced this ride which costs 250 per person! It is called 320 + 150 meter Dual zip ride since the first zip ride is 320 m and the second one is 150m. In the Lodge they own the longest zip ride in Asia (that time) but we did not tried it but instead we took the second longest zip ride and here’s the photo with my cousin Rotsen Almeda-Alutaya. 

Me and My Cousin in 320m Dual Zip Ride

So how about a jump shoot before the ride?

I never get tired of zip riding, the higher, the longer and the more extreme it is, the more I feel so excited and the more I feel it challenging.

3.] FLYING LIZARD

I was not able to experienced this as well, this canopy glider move tru the trees, crawls along vines, and zips between three trunks while you pedal along the high wire. This is how it looks like:

Flying Lizard
(I am not the owner of this photo)

4.] Rope Rides

I was not able to experienced this too, here in Rope Rides, you can build your confidence level and learn teamwork at their Tower of Power Ropes Course, a 12-m stage High and low Wire Obstacle course complete with multisided rockwall.! It cost 250 php per person and this is how it looks like:

Rope Rides
(I am not the owner of this photo)

5] DROP ZONE

This is the most extreme and dangerous ride, it features a 120-ft Free fall into a man made lake. Swoop to within feet of the water surface making it an adrenalin pumping screamer of a ride. This is the Philippine's first extreme pendulum swing of its kind. But this cost 500 per person or 750 pesos per pair! This is how it looks like: (since i was not able to do it :( )

(I am not the owner of this photo)

6] SNAKE ROLL ZIP RIDE

This is the newest attraction of the adventure park and cost 500 pesos per pair and yes i have experienced this. This is also the first roller coaster zip ride in Asia - only in Dahilayan! Second ride we chose was this I love it more. It was a little bit more extreme than a normal zip ride (I recommend you to try this too!)

Snake Roll Zip Ride

WHO SAYS IT'S ONLY 6? Think again Dahilayan because CARABAO BACK RIDING FOR ME IS ALSO A GREAT EXPERIENCED IN DAHILAYAN.. WHY??? .....ITS BECAUSE....

Third and last ride was the carabao (BUFFALO) back riding. You will pay 20 pesos for a ride going back to the lodge and believe it or not I enjoyed it the most because it was so crazy, the street wasn't concrete, the ride was bumpy and the slope of it was stiff and seriously I was laughing out loud the whole time and even my cousin told me, “wow, that was crazier and the most extreme of all the ride here, HAHA”

After that 3 rides we went to the next villa called the “Forest Park” and you can check my experiences out there in my next post! J

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