Mabini Escapade

 After not seeing each other for more than a year due to the pandemic, finally!

Thanks to the long weekend last February 12, 2021 (Chinese New Year), were given the chance to meet each other after spending months of languishing in the pandemic.  

We booked at Altamare Dive and Lesire Resort in San Teodoro, Mabini, Batangas.

From the room balcony, the view was astounding and breathtaking.

Accommodation amounted to P5,600 for 2 nights.

Past 4 pm, we decided to go to the nearby resorts, Casita Ysabel was the first stop.

Then, next stop was Solana Resort wherein we booked our buffet lunch (P600/pax) for the following day. Good thing we were able to book here for our lunch.

A couple of souvenir pictures inside the resort won't hurt. =)

That night, we enjoyed our dinner in Altamare!

Card game and bottles of red wine.

DAY 2

We rented a van for P2,500 for our tour at Mt. Gulugod Baboy.

It was a bit foggy that morning and we had to wait for the fog to lift.

And after waiting for nearly an hour, the weather cleared.

Going down, we saw vintage cars parked at the basepoint and again, a souvenir picture was inevitable.

Past noon, we rented a boat (P3,500) and had our island hopping experience. The only stop though was Sombrero Island and a few stops at the snorkeling areas.

Normally, the island hopping involves several islands such as Tingloy Island  but due to the pandemic, we had to settle for one island.

We still enjoyed the snorkeling and the boat ride. Though MJ enjoyed it more!

Jun, Cyc, Laine, Jayson, Jen, Rico, MJ

Another dinner, card game and drinking spree.

DAY 3

Going home, we went to Corcolon in Cuenca, Batangas and ate what Batangas is known for - LOMI!

Landscape pictures of Altamare (courtesy of Cyc Sarm)

Thank you Cyc Sarm for the wonderful pics of Altamare!

Thank you guys for this adventure!

See you in our next escapade!

Enrico Garcia

Laine Javier

MJ Corillo

Jen Torres

Cyc Sarm

Jayson Javier

in spirit

Nikko Darilay

Lester Reyes Alvarez

This blog is dedicated to my mentor, who happens to have her birthday today - Master MJ Corillo! =)

 

Master MJ Corillo

Casita Ysabel, Mabini, Batangas

This is my first blog for 2021 though it happened year 2020. 

It was actually my last travel in 2020 and it happened in Mabini, Batangas.

I do not normally blog a resort or hotel but this one deserves to be known.

The resort is called Casita Ysabel.

I booked this resort thru Agoda.com (normally, I use Booking.com). I paid P10,300 for a 2 night stay.

and upon arriving, my expectation did not fail.

The atmosphere of the resort is relaxing and rejuvenating. A good place to stay to escape the stress and negative impacts of the pandemic.

Upon arrival, I roamed around the resort and immediately felt respite. Then, later I did some snorkeling (P150 for snorkeling equipment while kayaking is also P150 for 1 hour). Around 8 pm, I had my therapeutic massage for P900 and it was worth every penny.

The view at night is even more majestic and captivating.

DAY 2

The following morning we rented a boat to have our island hopping tour. Normally, it involves hopping in various islands but due to the pandemic we (with Sir Mike and her wife) were allowed to go only to Sombrero Island. We paid P4,500 for the boat rental.

Boat Rental

Bunso - 0936 994 5459 / 0915 721 1159

We left the resort around 6 am and after less than 30 minutes, we arrived in Sombrero Island. The weather was not quite good but it did not hamper our enthusiasm to enjoy the island.

 We spent the morning snorkeling and then later boarded the boat and we circled Tingloy Island since we were not allowed to land due to strict pandemic measures of the municipality.

After more than 3 hours, we went back to the resort and then I hired a habal-habal ride (P500) to Gulogod Baboy. My driver (Dodong) also offers boat rental and he was kind enough to guide me in my trek.

Dodong - 0999 718 9687 / 0927 960 6902

Entrance fee is only P50.

After trekking the muddy and sticky trail, we reached the summit. I was awed by the view.

Trekking from the resort will take me more than 2 hours.

Using the motorcycle ride, 25 minutes and the trek was for only 12 minutes.

DAY 3

with Alice

I enjoyed another relaxing evening and had my massage anew. The following morning. I left the resort and extended my gratitude to the very accommodating and hospitable staff most especially to Alice. she arranged the tours, massage and food.

with Kim

And then I went to SM Lemery and met my friend Kimberly (from Dubai).

Thank you for meeting me and see you later in Dubai! 

Tips

1. You can have a day tour in the resort for only P1,200 inclusive of lunch (8:00-5:00). You have to book thru their facebook page.

2. There will be a rapid test upon entering Mabini for P1,000. 

3. You can also just rent the boat and enjoy the island and then later hike Mt. Gulogod Baboy.

ENJOY!

Top 5 Beaches in Batangas

As a pure-blooded Batangueno, I have roamed around in almost all the beaches in different cities and municipalities of Batangas. And these 5 beaches are my top 5 choices! 

I have scored them based on the following criteria, 5 being the highest.

1. Hamilo Coast, Nasugbu, Batangas

sand - 4
resorts - 5
view - 5
amenities - 5
activities - 5
Suggested resorts - Punta Fuego, Canyon Cove, Munting Buhangin, Pico De Loro

2. Matabungkay Beach, Lian, Batangas

sand - 4
resorts - 4
view - 3
amenities - 3
activities - 3
Suggested resort - La Primavera

3. Bagong Silang, Calatagan, Batangas 

sand - 4
resorts - 3
view - 4
amenities - 3
activities - 3

Suggested resort - Playa Calatagan

4. Balacbacan, Laiya-Aplaya, San Juan, Batangas 

sand - 3
resorts - 3
view - 3
amenities - 3
activities - 3


5. Anilao, Mabini, Batangas

sand - 3
resorts - 3
view - 4
amenities - 3
activities - 5

N.B. - The sand in the beaches of Batangas is not white sand, but close to being a white sand.