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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Zoo-tiful Yoki’s Farm

Pandemic may have stopped all of us from being outdoors, especially for babies and kids. A quick visit to this place is enough to reconnect us with nature and refuel our minds that got used to being indoors for a long time.

Yoki’s Farm is located at Mendez, Cavite. A 1-2 hours drive if you’re from the south. Can be easily searched on Waze or Google Maps. It’s near Tagaytay as well, so you can have a side trip there afterwards.

What’s good at Yoki’s Farm is that they allow babies and kids, no age restriction even to senior citizens. We went there early morning on a Friday, a long weekend holiday for 2021 Lunar New Year. Our tour lasted for almost one and a half hour. Overall experience is nice, it’s a new experience for my 2 year old toddler who loves animals. Seeing her reaction on the animal encounters is worth it. And it’s her first time to go outside for a long time since the pandemic started.

In terms of health protocol, you’ll still feel safe since the property itself is wide, spacious and open area. The tour guide also ensures that phyisical distancing is followed, they don’t crowd the guests in one area. We also saw alcohol bottles and disinfecting mat on each area.

Entrance Fees: P300.00 per person for Farm Tour only; P800.00 for Animal Encounter; Tour Guide Fee P100.00. Babies up to 3 years old are free.

Helpful Tips:

• Food and drinks are allowed inside
• Best time to visit is early morning to avoid long lines at the entrance and crowd inside. The cool breeze in the morning is a bonus.
• You can bring a stroller but not recommended since there are parts wherein you have to climb a few steps. And the farm tends to get slippery & muddy when it rains. You can leave the strollers in the reception area.
• Bring a small umbrella, though the tour guide also provides 1-2 umbrellas for the group.
• Wear comfortable clothes and shoes.
• Always check their FB page for updates before visiting.

Update as of today, I checked their FB page and saw their announcement that temporarily only 15-65 years old are allowed to enter their premises.

Here’s a short video of our visit at Yoki’s Farm.

A Cloud 9 Overnight

It’s holy week and yes, Filipinos wait for this summer’s long weekend vacation and most of us are busy in different ways, be it spiritually or physically. Of course who wouldn’t miss spending this break in a nice place. If you’re looking for a chill escape from the heat and city’s stress, “Kaja, let’s go back to Antipolo!”

Again, one of our fast-planned trip, probably made it within the week. We brought our camera but chose to use our mobile phone’s cam because we’re lazy & we just wanna relax 🙂 Due to Maynilad’s water interruption notice which Dear’s barangay is affected, we chose to stay away from Manila even just for a night. Another thing is that we haven’t spent a holy week trip as a couple. We usually go out with families and do Visita Iglesia, so this time we tried this setup, which we liked more 🙂

overlooking Manila

Antipolo’s known as a place that’s really accessible from the metro, it has many resorts & accommodations that really suits a quick escape with added chill of weather comparing to Manila. It’s somewhat similar to Tagaytay but planning your trip here is cheaper from commuting, resort rates, etc.

Commuting to Cloud 9 Hotel & Resort at Sumulong Highway, Antipolo

Some of the resorts,  bed & breakfast may be found along Sumulong, and commuting to this place is not so easy as it is with Antipolo Church if it’s your first time.

Our route (impromptu & we depend on the drivers’ directions) –  From Taft Ave., Mla., we rode a jeepney to Cubao (P 25.00 fare/head) then went off at Gateway Mall, Araneta Ctr. Most of our colleagues told us that we can ride a jeep going directly to Sumulong but the FX terminals in front of the mall said there’s no jeepneys or FX there with that route.

We’re told to try at Farmer’s Market FX terminals, again, no routes were found and so we just took the alternative route as instructed by the dispatcher, we rode an FX going to Marikina with a signage Rodriguez (P 25.00 fare/head). We went off a place they call “Bayan” , the driver told us that there’s a jeepney terminal near Marikina Sports Complex directly going  to Sumulong Highway. We walked a block then saw a market and across is a jeep terminal with routes going to Padilla..Cogeo..Antipolo via Sumulong Highway.

After the long wait, jeep finally came with an Antipolo via Sumulong Highway signage (P 18.00 fare/head). Jeep’s so packed at the back, good thing we’re seated in front so we opened Google Map to check if we’re really heading the right direction, and thankfully we were. After an almost hour drive, we went off along Sumulong Highway, in front of Cloud 9 Resort & Hotel. Some of the landmarks that can tell you’re near this resort were Jac Liner, Eugenio Lopez Center and Leonardo’s Bar.

Recommended route (what we learned along the way) – We think this is the easiest route. From Manila, via LRT 1 get off at Doroteo Jose Station then via LRT 2 get off at the last station it’s at Santolan. Go downstairs, jeepneys are loading in front of the station with signage Antipolo via Sumulong Highway and that’s it! Next time we’re going to Cloud 9 or Sumulong, we will try this route.

Commuting from Cloud 9 Hotel & Resort at Sumulong Highway, Antipolo back to Cubao and Manila

There are some jeepneys along the highway but mostly it’s loaded because they already came from the terminal. You have to go back to the terminal and best way is to ride a tricycle (P  15.00 fare/head), just wait for a few minutes or so because there’s only few tricycles passing by. We’re lucky enough to spot one tricycle though because his passenger went off across the resort. It’s a 10-15 minute ride back to the line of jeepneys going to Cubao, but you can have a guaranteed seat with less passengers,  travel time from Sumulong to Cubao is just an hour with fare of P 35.00 each. From Araneta Center, Cubao you’ll have to walk 3 blocks going back to Aurora Blvd., then ride a jeepney or FX going back to Manila. We rode an FX, with fare of P 40.00 each, travel time was almost 1 & 1/2 hour, there’s a heavy traffic from University Belt  to Quiapo due to the after effect of procession and crowd of devotees observing the Good Friday.

Accommodation

360 Degree View Sky Deck and Bridge

Cloud 9 Hotel & Resort

Or also known as Cloud 9 Sports and Leisure Club based from their own website. We walked in at the resort, no reservations. Then there’s this one guy at the reception who told us that rooms were fully booked but the lady double checked and they gave us a Deluxe Room worth P 2,000/night inclusive of breakfast for 2 persons, additional P 200.00 charge which will be refunded upon checking out. From our overnight stay, here’s what we think about this place…

hills of Antipolo, view from our room.

Cheaper rates compared to other resorts, lowest room rate start at P 1,200.00 breakfast not included. It’s located along the highway but it’s not commuter friendly, better if you go here with your own car.

C9 half chicken served with atchara

night booze

Cafe Nueve’s menu are just the usual and it’s expensive. Their serving’s good for 2 persons already, the taste is okay, good enough for a hungry tummy haha.

Staffs performance are average and somewhat lacks friendliness and customer service. Upon walk in, telling you they’re fully booked without verifying first. Then upon checking out, they didn’t even bother to double check the room before letting us leave hehe it’s unusual for a known resort, don’t you think?

Rooms and bathroom are a bit old but they’re comfy & clean. The air-conditioner’s working well but the TV’s cable channels are just limited to 10 I guess.

at the Sky Deck

The whole resort is big compared to others, you can also hold special events here like weddings, which we’re currently eyeing on hehe 🙂 The place is quiet, not crowded despite it’s peak season, but they only have 1 swimming pool which we did not bother to try because we got lazy again.

dare?

For adventurers, you should definitely try the Sky Bridge and chill at the 360 Degree View deck, it’s their newly added attraction and these 2 kept our excitement, perked up our mood despite some of the cons we experienced during our stay 🙂

going down wearing Dear’s slippers because of my wet feet haha

If you don’t mind spending a little over your usual budget for accommodations then Cloud 9 Hotel & Resort can suit your needs. A resort with more privacy and quiet surroundings that is closer to nature and boasts an access to a clearer and higher 360 degree panoramic view overlooking the metro.

Estimated Budget / Expenses (for 2 persons)

• Transportation – P 400.00
• Accommodation – P 2,000.00
• Food – P 2,000.00

Total – P 4,400.00

Contact Info

It’s better if you call them via land-line and they require a 50% down payment of total room rate if you want a reservation. If you want to risk, you can also do walk in like we did.

taken from their website

Here’s a short video of our Sky Bridge walk hehe 🙂

Enjoy your long vacation! Please rate this post, thank you! 🙂