Pong Travels: Altaroca Mountain Resort 🏊

Hi! 😚
It's our company (Alta Resources) outing and it's my second time to join! Who would have thought, right? 😌 I also paid a visit to the famous Antipolo Church. I was still a kid the last time I was there. 😏

Tayo Na! Ant1polo!

Antipolo Church

Alta Roca - we stayed here. It's located in Antipolo, Rizal, so it's just an hour or less drive from the office (Ortigas). It's like a Greek-inspired place. It's interiors are mainly white with some images with sayings on it. I stayed in a room with Stephen Curry's - 😍.

Entrance - Hi, Nico!

Pathway

Loft type

Loft type



Family Room - interior (that's baby Stephen Curry - ultimate #babydaddygoals lol)

Bathroom - interior

They have 3 pools. One is mainly for kids. 2 for adults, one 4ft-5ft-7ft deep and the other one, if am not mistaken 4ft-6ft?

Kiddie Pool

4ft - 6ft pool

4ft-5ft-7ft

Restaurant is open until 10PM. They offer Filipino foods - silog meals, pasta, sandwiches, finger foods, shakes, alcohol and non-alcoholic drinks.

They have karaoke for singers like me (frustrated singer, I meant, lol) and a place for team building activities too.
It's a big spot and could accommodate huge groups too. I would say, Alta Roca is worth the try. 😊

Details below:
Resort Name: Alta Roca Mountain Resort
Website: http://www.altaroca.com.ph/
Address: Taktak Road, Bankers Village, Brgy Sta. Cruz Antipolo City
Phone: +63 2 661-6834
Mobile: +63 917 541 2626
Resort Manager: Lourdes B. De Leon
Mobile: +63 921 9269473
TeleFax: +63 2 913 8398
Email: lbdeleon@alataroca.com.ph

ROOM RATES:Standard A w/o Balcony   2-3 pax   PHP3150
Standard A w Balcony      2-3 pax   PHP3550
Standard B                            4 pax   PHP3700
Deluxe                                  4 pax   PHP4450
Family A                              6 pax   PHP5000
Family B                              7 pax   PHP5750
Dorm type                          10 pax   PHP6200
Junior Suite                          2 pax   PHP4200
Large Suite                           2 pax   PHP4500
Maharlika Suite                4-5 pax    PHP5150

COTTAGES:Kubo                               6-10 pax    PHP800
Cabana                          15-30 pax    PHP1200
Yellow Bell                     6-10 pax    PHP1500
Lanai                             10-20 pax    PHP3500
Upper Treehouse           20-30 pax    PHP3500
Lower Treehouse           10-20 pax   PHP3000
Upper View Deck          20-30 pax   PHP5000

ENTRANCE FEE:
Adult PHP175 (Day); PHP195 (Night)
Kids  PHP135 (Day); PHP155 (Night)

Check-in 2:00PM; Check-out 12:00NN
Corkage Fee applies

Note: Prices may change, please refer to the website or contact Altaroca directly. 😊
   



speak from the 💙
- pong xx 🐢 [june 3-4,'17]

Pong Travels: Talipanan, Puerto Galera 🌊

Hiiii! 😙😍😚

Finally, a trip to the beach after 5 months! I told myself that I will never go back to Puerto Galera because of the long boat ride and deep waters of Mindoro. But who am I to say no to beautiful beaches, yes? Initially, the plan was to go to Calaguas but because of the weather, we opted to go to Puerto Galera. 

Puerto Galera is located in Oriental Mindoro and is accessible via Batangas City Port. My first glance of Puerto Galera was way back 2008. We stayed at the White Beach. This time, we chose the tranquil part of Galera - Talipanan. But since, it's my friend, Star's first time, we headed to the White Beach to have lunch and to do some pasalubong shopping before heading home. 

As usual, White Beach is busy. It's like mini-Boracay. Everyone is swimming, doing water sports and activities and party-ing at night; on the other hand, Talipanan is tranquil and serene. So, you choose your beach. Both White Beach and Talipanan Beach is a long stretch of white sand with different resorts to choose from. 

It was my first time in Talipanan. Did some research the same day-down to the last minute booking for a place to stay there. Thankfully, we're able to find one. We stayed at Veronica's Inn. It's like Manila in an island. Condo-type with Infinity pool. 🏊💙

The stay was fine. It's just that during our stay, not all food in the Menu was available. Knowing that the next resort is a bit far, they should have prepared for their guests - they were fully booked at that time. Room's a bit small for 3K/night. Good for 2. And here's the catch, I was taking a shower when the water ran out. It took a while to have it back. I already fell asleep in the bathroom as I was experiencing a terrible hangover. 😓 Water was back after 15 minutes or so with conditioner in my hair and soap all over my body - too bad. 😢 The staff were very accommodating though. Hands-up! 👐 Kayak use is free and you can go kayak-ing to White Beach. Flex 'em muscles! 😎 

HOW TO GET THERE:
1. Ride a Bus (JAM Liner) in Buendia with signage Batangas Pier or Batangas Port. (PHP167)
2. Upon arriving at the port, there will be a lot of fixers, they offer the same price but of course, they have "convenience fee" or yes, tip. You can always go straight to the ticketing booth and buy your tickets. We chose Minolo Shipping Lines . Buy roundtrip tix (RT) and they offer vans to take you to White Beach or Talipanan. (PHP310 - RT Talipanan Fee + 10PHP terminal fee)
3. Upon arriving, there's Environmental Fee of PHP50. 
4. Before heading home, another terminal fee of PHP10 shall be paid before hopping into the boat. (just like # 2)

TRICYCLES can bring you to White Beach (ranges from 100PHP - 150PHP)


Resorts in Talipanan: 

Lucas Miramare - 09164175125; 09177925263
Mountain Beach Resort - 0917-5620842
      Rates: Fan Room 800PHP-1500PHP; AC 2500PHP
Mengie's White San Beach Resort - 0920-4032173
      Rates: Fan Room 700PHP; AC 1500PHP
Bamboo House
     Rates: Fan Room 800PHP; AC 1500PHP
Veronica's Inn - 0936-9491228 (Veronica)/0977-7272014 (Ced)
     Rates: AC 3K (2 pax)

Minolo Shipping Lines: (043) 287-3614

Have some snaps to share! Enjoy! Hope this helps! 👌

Always remember to speak from the 💙.
- pong 🐢


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Strolling around Talipanan shores

Floating Star

Infinity Pool

My favorite char in Veronica's

Playing billiards like a champ

Veronica's Inn

Infinity Pool + Star

I belong - all black

Mad weather

    

Pong Travels: Cool Martin Family Resort and Hotel 🏊🌴

Hello! 😎

Haven't gone anywhere far recently. But I just wanna share this cool place near our crib. It's like 10 minutes away. So to my fellow Caviteños, this place is worth the try. I have been seeing this resort's signage for a long time, but never tried until one of my officemates who is a Mandaluyong Resident (Thanks, Mark!) told me about it since he knew it's near my place. The place is very cozy, a home away from home and the owner was very nice. He even showed me around the hotel and even the interiors of the other rooms too.

They serve food in the resort - Silog meals (fried rice served with egg and a choice of a processed meat), American breakfast and Burgers and Sandwiches too. If you opt to have something different, they allow food delivery too. They even allow you to bring your own food and grill hotdogs, barbeque etc - super friendly resort, right? 🆗👌

Their rooms are equipped with toiletries (towel, shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste), mini fridge, cups, saucers, plates, spoons and forks. Very clean too. Great, yeah? 🆗👌 

They have Sauna, Jacuzzi, Videoke, Giant Projector for guests to watch games (located in the restaurant area) - these are open 24/7 or upon request just as long as we keep the tone low as the place is a residential area. They granted our request last time to sing and swim until we can't anymore. LOL. Amazing it is! 🆗👌

I have some snaps to share, but you can also check their website ↓ for pictures and rates (very affordable!)


Name: Cool Martin Family Resort and Hotel
Location: 185 Remedios St., San Martin de Porres Village Phase 3, Bacoor, Cavite
Contact Info: +63 46 4178387; +63 920 523 0497; +63 939 905 4822
Email: alan@coolmartinresort.com
Website: http://www.coolmartinresort.ph/index.php


HOW TO GET THERE:
- Ride a bus from Pasay or Coastal Terminal with Dasmariñas signage (PHP25)
- Drop off SM Bacoor (Village is right across the mall - Emilio Aguinaldo Hway entrance)
- you can walk or you can ride a Pedicab/Sidecar and tell the driver, Cool Martin Resort (will search for the fare, sorry)


- pong 🐢

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My fave shot 

Nipa Hut - Our Room

Roof Top

Videoke Room

Jacuzzi + Pool Area

my cutey inaanak, X

Pong Travels: Mt. Batulao Day Hike

Hello! 😉

Finally, after 28 months, was able to climb this beauty again. It's my 5th time in Mt. Batulao and until now, am still in awe of its charm. 

Mt. Batulao is situated in Nasugbu, Batangas. It's elevation stands at 811+ masl.

Jump-off point: KC Hillcrest Hotel and Golf Club (formerly Evercrest Hotel and Golf Club)

Considered as a Minor Climb with a difficulty level of 4/9.

March 26, 2017 - the Day hike happened with my long lost kumare - Lovely Joy. Hehe. The goal was to be active again and yes, lose weight. Trim these unwanted fats. LOL. Call time is 5:30am - yes am late, I arrived roughly 7AM. The endless kwentuhans with LJ and the reunion with the mountain are the highlights of this trip. Labyu, Mare! 💋

Our planned itinerary which you guys could follow for a day hike:

3:00AM Depart from Pasay via Nasubgu Bus

5:00AM ETA KC Hillcrest Hotel and Golf Club ((formerly Evercrest Hotel and Golf Club)

5:30AM Start Trek

8:00AM Arrival at Camp 1, old trail

10:00AM Summit, photo-op

10:30AM Descent to Camp 1, old trail

11:30AM ETA Camp 1, old trail

11:30AM - 3:30PM Cook lunch, socials

4:00PM Descent to Jump-off

5:00PM ETA Jump-off, clean-up (PHP10 - CR fee)

6:00PM Bye, Batulao

9:00PM ETA Manila

Notes: Batulao has two trails - old and new. The new trail is pretty much an open spot; old offers some shady spots. If you're climbing during the summer, old trail is recommended. Batulao could be VERY muddy when it's rainy. Sari-sari stores could be found along the trail. There's a loo in Camp 1 - PHP10 for half a pail of water. 

Before: Only 1 registration (PHP20), Campsites

Now: 3 Registration spots will come your way while trekking via the old trail (PHP20, PHP30, PHP20) and two more if you'll descend via the new trail.  

FARE: Pasay to Nasubgu - PHP106

           Tricycle to Jump-off - PHP100 (walking is an option)

WHAT TO BRING:

Trail food (Jellyace, Chocolates, Energy Bars)

Water (2-3L)

Sun protector (shades, umbrella, fan, arm protector, sun block etc)

Mosquito repellant 

Extra clothes

Medicine

Speakers (for soundtrippin' - optional)

Cookset (+butane, cooking oil, etc)

Toiletries (kikay kit)
Good vibes and sense of humor Ü

Estimated Budget: PHP600-PHP650

Sidetrip to Tagaytay is always an option. 👌

Some snaps of our day hike! Remember, packlight! 👍

And - always remember, take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints and kill nothing but time. 👌 

- pong 🐢

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that's Camp 1, old trail



the outdoors - picnic lol



thanks for the photo, mare



the split

Chill under the tree

Negrita. Ang dumiii. LOL