Long weekends, portraits, and a lake...

The past two weeks gave us two consecutive long weekends--non-working Mondays at that! It gave me time to rest and... well, do just about nothing. I don't remember being pre-occupied by anything, which is good. That's how I like it.

The first long weekend also particularly gave me the time to celebrate my birthday with my lovely girlfriends. Away from the city, by a calm lake, overlooking a volcano. I don't remember getting busy throwing a party, which is good. That's just how I like it.

I'd just like to take this space by sharing some of the travel photos I took in this birthday get-away and the portraits of my beautiful friends. They're a beauty inside out. :)

Photos taken in Club Balai Isabel, Talisay, Batangas:

 

 

Beach Clubbing at Canyon Cove

Another nearby chill-out place to go to is the Canyon Cove Beach Resort at Nasugbu, Batangas. Good news is, it's open to public, unlike most of Nasugbu beaches that are exclusive for their club members only.

We had a chance to stay here in our segment's Kick-off last year. It wasn't fully refurbished at that time (not sure if it already is now), and some condos and buildings looked creepy ruins. Oh, this used to be White Cove Beach Resort (which I never got a chance to go to before) and unfortunately, as I learned, the Evercrest group (the former developers) had some financial problems so the development did not push through then.

Now with the new management under the developers of Canyon Woods, the hotel and swimming pool areas are completely built and maintained, and over-all, a good place for relaxation and fun-filled activities (not to mention some boy-watching too!).

They have decent toilets and shower areas, and provided beach activities like kayak and banana boat. It's the only resort inside the cove so the beach doesn’t get too crowded unlike other beach areas in Batangas. It offers a South China Sea-view from the hotel room balcony; the rooms are well-designed; bathrooms have separate bath tub (thumbs up!) and shower. My roommates and I were lucky to get a room with a separate living room area. The amenities and food are pretty decent as well.

What's also great is... after your noon time check-out, you can easily drive to Tagaytay for lunch!

Resort

Far East Road, Piloto Wawa Nasugbu, Batangas, Philippines

Telephone: +632 520-6400

Main Office

2 & 3/F ACT Tower,135 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Salcedo Village , Makati City

Telephone: +632 892-9827

2 1/2 to 3-hour drive to Laiya, San Juan, Batangas

If you're looking for the quickest beach getaway... then the destination to Laiya, San Juan, Batangas is it.

We just had to hit the beach for my cousins Monique and Isay before the they leave again for the States. Bora escapade seems to be not feasible anymore due to our tight schedule so we drove to the nearest destination in Batangas. It's a 2 1/2 to 3-hour drive from Alabang (if there's no traffic). You can actually go if you're into those spur-of-the-moment road trip.

We went here on a cold weekend of January and stayed in Taramindu Beach Garden Inn for the day. Don't be deceived by their website though. The place looked spacious but when we saw the place, I guess it's one of the smallest resorts in San Juan with probably less than 20 rooms (more on hotel type and not cottages). Nevertheless, the food was good. They have ala carte or set menus which were budget-friendly for its quality.

Don't get too excited with the beach of San Juan, Batangas as well. It looks amazing on photos but once you step on it, it's not that great. Their sand is a combination of little stones and sand with some glass in some areas.

Taramindu is located towards the end of the Laiya road, near La Luz Beach Resort. You can go there for a walk and sneak to chill in one of their cabanas for a while. I was surprised that La Luz is overrated. Again, it looked great on photos but it's not Paradise. I cannot totally judge though 'cause I was not able to experience their accomodations.

On the other hand, I was able to take a nice snap in this resort. Cute, little naive girl she is. :)

It was cold, breezy, cloudy in San Juan, sometimes the sun peeps from the clouds... you can fall asleep lying by the shore. A good break before we get busy again the following Monday.

Taramindu Beach Garden Inn

Telephone: (+632) 448-56-11

Mobile: (+63) 0917-824-0024

La Luz Beach Resort

Telephone:

+632 726-6687 loc. 113

+632 726-4977 loc. 106

+632 726-7445 loc. 103

+632 727-7032 loc. 102

Mobile:

+63 (927) 993-8417

+63 (916) 394-4367

Contemplative Mood in a Church

"When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers — the moon and the stars you set in place — what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them?" --Psalm 8:3-4

Wherever I see this breathtaking view such as this which was in Caleruega Church in Tagaytay, I can't help but give praise to God with his majestic creations - the trees, the sunset, the sky, the hills. Man's creations, no matter how big or intricate a church structure, are nothing compared to His glory you see everywhere. Sometimes I wonder, why does He even bother with us? Yet He loved us unconditionally, I can't find the words how much so.

We caught this sunset in this Dominican church open for couples who are to wed, groups in a retreat / recollection, people to hear mass, or individuals who want to just want to find solitude (with a good view of the Batulao hills). I also found that it is a venue for renewal workshops, study, research, youth camps, marriage and family encounters, leadership seminars, art, music, and liturgy workshops, and environment an agriculture-related activities. This is one of the stop-overs you must come to when you're in the area of Tagaytay, going to Nasugbu.

Caleruega Philippines

Brgy. Kaylaway, Batulao,

Nasugbu, Batangas, Philippines

+63 921-2709890 / +63 921-8304226

+63 (043) 706-0348

Ask for: Ms. Jackie / Ms. Melda / Ms. Cristalle

Let's Not Waste It

I won’t waste my time, efforts, money, and my life on things I know that in the end would ruin me, complicate my life or lead it to nowhere.

Life is meant to be enjoyed, but not wasted.

So this blog was put up to help us remember this. Be it regarding relationships, friendships, family, career, I’d rather be living it up than wasting it.

So take a walk with me as I journey through life. This blog features basically two of my favorite passions: Travel and Photography. Click on  the Libby Malibiran photography tab to check out my photo works, on Libby's Travel Footprints tab about my globetrotting adventures, while on Thought Bubbles tab are some of my musings on anything or everything under the sun.

Thank you taking the time to read this and I would appreciate your comments. Hello world, here I come! :)