A Refreshing Pause

March, the usual month that simply says it’s the start of summer or dry season here in Philippines and as Daddy Dear’s birth month makes it even extra special. He wanted to celebrate it outdoors but still with safety. A hidden place of our own, “Kaja, let’s go to Amadeo!”

We chose to look for nearby stays and just within Cavite, it’s still inconvenient to travel far given the pandemic travel guidelines per LGU. So we went to Amadeo, it’s a municipality in Cavite, also known as coffee capital of the Philippines. It’s close to Tagaytay, so also expect cold weather less the crowd and surrounded by more greens. Going there is just one to one and a half hour drive away if you’re from the south. I found this place at airbnb, they have an awesome pool photo that really caught my attention. We booked directly with them and got a promo for our overnight accommodation. Checked in from Sunday to Monday, we are their only guest. 🙂

Going there is better if you have a private car, it’s tucked away from the highway and you have to go through alleyways. Upon entering the main gate, make sure to follow their guard’s direction. It’s like a big compound with several properties inside, I even saw some residences there.

Since it’s a garden place, you feel so serene, it’s like you’re hidden from the busy life, as if you’re not in Cavite anymore. The buildings, facilities are kinda new since they only opened 2018 and all are well maintained. We’re supposed to check in 2:00pm, but they hard a time cleaning and sanitizing the rooms due to previous guests that exclusively rented all the rooms and whole resort. After one hour of waiting, the manager saw us at the reception area and took us to their cafe, she offered coffee and ube pandesal as their apologies and compliments. We don’t want stress though we’re a bit disappointed on a rough start, it’s okay and besides we have the whole place for 2 days.

They have unlimited Amadeo brewed coffee, but it’s only available at the cafe. We rode their “golf cart” when going to our room, it’s a bit far from the main area and pool. The room has 2 beds, it can accommodate 4 persons, it’s spacious and we love the balcony with a view of trees. You can hear birds in the morning and insects at night. They have available room service for food especially at night, when you don’t want to go out anymore.

The main feature of their place for me is the pool, picture perfect and classy. The surrounding area is also clean even up to the comfort rooms, they also provide pool towels. Just be brave enough to swim in the cool water and be kissed by cool breeze when going out of the water haha. They also have several venues for birthdays, weddings, even a camping grounds. Actually, it’s not a resort, more like an events place that also offers accommodations. The food serving is a bit generous, one plated meal can serve up to 2 persons. Meals are good and somewhat tastes like those in catering, especially the roast beef. Breakfast is just the usual but still with big servings.

Our overall stay is nice, we felt safe and relaxed, their staff are also hospitable. Our toddler loves to swim in the pool and she can easily sleep on the wooden swing 🙂 Do try their delicious Ube Pandesal and I think they also sell Amadeo coffee. Some points that can be improved: The resort doesn’t have a wifi yet, but I think they are already on the installation process. Data connection is fast only at the main areas, poor signal inside the room. Given their room rates, at least offer free breakfast for overnight stays. Since accommodations are far from the main areas, be prepared to walk, their golf cart is not always available. For room service or food orders, you have to text them. Bringing of food and drinks inside the resort is not allowed.

Here’s a short video of ours during our stay at Montvida Garden and Events Place. For inquiries, visit their page at Montvida Garden and Events Place | Facebook

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Weekends at SOMO Market

Recently amidst pandemic, most of us are looking for a quick chill spot that even just dining in a restaurant can be considered a stroll. There’s this one stop shop ala bazaar and mercato with wide open space in the south, “Kaja, let’s go to SOMO Market!”

Yes, we have a mall in Bacoor, Cavite that’s called NOMO, meaning North Molino. I think this is also related to SOMO, since it’s located near Vista Mall Daang Hari and it’s located in South Molino thus explains the name. It’s like a weekend market similar to those at Salcedo and Legaspi, Makati.

Just type SOMO Market on Waze or Google Maps to locate it, you can’t miss this place since it’s almost beside Vista Mall Daang Hari, it’s along the highway too. Plus, the big water tank with it’s name on it is another given. 🙂 It’s like a huge vacant lot that has been transformed into an open market. Plenty of parking space but you’ll have to pay a parking fee of P30.00 before entering.

Community market / bagsakan as what their FB page says, so there are lots of tent stalls to match your shopping mood. They sell lots of varieties from food, clothes, thrift finds, toys, housewares. To me, it’s like those World Bazaars held at World Trade Center in Pasay back when we can still shop without worrying on that virus.

For families and with kids, I think it’s best to visit in the morning. They open at 8:00am, you can catch the morning sun and breeze while playing in the grass or simply sitting beside your parked car. For our own safety, we just went to wide areas with our toddler, we did not visited the food stalls covered with tents. We’re also worried that their management might call our attention hehe. There are some babies and kids at SOMO too, I guess since we went in the morning, they kinda allowed us and we always maintain physical distancing to other visitors.

For couples, friendships, it’s best to visit late afternoon. Food trucks are also stationed, they have live bands at night, so expect food trip with acoustic music.. perfect for upcoming dry season, some even do picnics here. I also noticed that more stalls open late afternoon than in the morning.

Still, always remember to apply physical distancing, wear face masks and face shields. Also, per checking their page earlier, they have an announcement that only 15-65 years old are allowed to enter.

SOMO Market is open every Friday-Sunday only. For other details, visit their official Facebook page here – SOMO Market | Facebook.

We are not related to them nor this post of ours is not sponsored, we just simply want to document our experience.

That’s it, please rate this post and happy shopping! 🙂