Valentino Spa and Resort and a Side Trip to the famoue Batangas Lomi

It was quite a busy season, hence our summer outing was postponed until about early July. We were looking at other options but Valentino Spa has offered us a perfect overnight stay for our alloted budget for about 20 people.

We stayed in a 2 dorm type room, with 4 double deck beds; There were only 2 bathrooms, hence we took turns taking a bath; There were shower areas near the pool at the back of the location where we were situated at and it sure helped the boys so they left the two bathrooms mostly for us girls to use.

Valentino Spa and Resort offers Villas too, for families and friends alike. They have a spacious area, suitable for team buildings too. There were about 3 swimming pools, and a jacuzzi (that is always on).

Since it was past the peak season, we almost have the whole place all to ourselves. We were able to do some team activities without disrupting other patrons. It sure was a great place to relax and take a dip.

Here we are, waiting for our turn at the famous Corcolon's Lomi in Batangas! Its a must try if you are nearby. We waited close to an hour before we were served with our orders! It's cheap and tasty! Cholesterol overload, though. =)

 

Tali Beach, Nasugbu Batangas

I was quite excited when I heard we are going to Tali Beach Resort for my birthday weekend. It was such an exciting countdown since I haven't been to the beach this year, nor have I had any trip outside Manila for a Vacation.

 

Tali Beach was in Nasugbu Batangas. Off we went from Fairview to Batangas at 6AM. There is a slight delay due to some MMDA officer thinking we were riding a Colorum Van. (This shall qualify for an entirely different post, I'd say).

 

Ready as we all are, we arrived in Tali Beach Subdivision, with high hopes of a great swim day. The weather is lovely, it is great for a late afternoon Swim. =)

 

We were directed inside the Subdivision. The Place was not yet as developed as the Terrazas de Punta Fuego. Well I thought maybe that is why we have not heard much about This membership place.  \Our friend has advised us that there are is no Clubhouse, and no pool to swim in. So We are only headed to the beach side.

 

The house we rented is Php 17,500. It was a huge house, with plenty of beds to sleep on. I counted 4 big rooms, with at least 4 beds in each room, All air-conditioned.

 

The Kitchen was well ventilated, Complete with kitchen utensils, knives, gas stove, microwave oven, plates, cooking pans, and so on.

 

Up we went to the roof top to further explore the house; It was a huge space, where the whole family and friends can stay and unwind and have a nice long chat feeling the cool wind blowing.

 

The House had a rooftop Jacuzzi too! The view was that of the Sea, when facing the back of the mini pool.

 

So we prepared for lunch, rested for a while and to the beach we go. =) It was a 3 minute drive from the house we rented to the beach sides; There were many mini beaches along the "Beach Drive" of the subdivision. There was the Tali Beach, Palm Beach, Marina Beach.

 

The Stairs going down to the beach side wasn't that bad. SO excitement was still in me... not until I was close enough to the beach that I saw piles of trash in the water! If you swim, you will literally be swimming with the garbages! What a heart dropping scene when all you want is to take a dip in the sea. =(

 

 

We stayed and took photos of the surrounding... It was great except for the huge pile of plastic bags, chips packages, tetra, juices, and some other garbages you'd normally see in your black bag.

 

 

We were told to try out the other beaches, so we went to Marina Beach, just a minute from where we first stationed. But this beach was no different. There were a lot of dead corals on the beach side, there were a lot of small rocks too, and dried weeds all over.

 

Overall ratings: Nope this beach is not for Swimming. I would not even dare come back to this side of Nasugbu. It is way too costly for a dip in the small Jacuzzi, and not be able to enjoy the Beach. Why would I even travel 3 hours for a small pool? =(

 

 

 

 

Team Building @ Club Balai Isabel

It was something new for the team, Usually when there are team buildings, it is at the expense of the employee and there was no activity that would really bring out the employees' potential. This year, were different though. Given that our new head has endorsed a team building and was approved... We were scheduled to go to Club Balai Isabel. It was an overnight team building and we have about 5 activities that day so that we would build relationships, say whatever we want to share... and so on. 

Given this, we of course had little time to go around the place.. but of course we managed to do so and off we went to check out the place and see if its worth going in here. We actually thought we could swim in the lake... but then swimming was not allowed in the place and only water sports were allowed. Too bad, we were so close to the Taal volcano you can see it from one of the road in Club Balai Isabel. It would have felt really wonderful to swim and feel being in the same place as the famous volcano! 

The resort was huge, there were private villas, the one assigned to us had 3 rooms that could accommodate a total of 10 people at the very least. The villa had a comfort room in each of the bedrooms, a kitchen and a sala which is spacious as well. Hmm.. even with the supposed directions, i really found it hard to find places in this resort. The villas are all over the place, it was like a small subdivision... with the function hall and the pool side far from each other. he he 

The Pool was huge though, it looked like an infinity pool from the view... it has a kiddie pool and as you swim the pool gets deeper, even reaching up to 8 feet if i am not mistaken. :D Club Balai Isabel also has their own church, but unfortunately we weren't able to find it as you had to go around a certain road.

Weekend at Terrazas de Punta Fuego!

I have never really imagined being able to go to Punta Fuego because its members only... But I did!! =) Thank you for the kind soul for inviting me over for a weekend at Punta Fuego... It was indeed a memorable one.

Guest Pass at the Clubhouse

We were stopped at the gates, and was asked for the member's name and if they have left a name of their guest (us)... and we were asked to enter after a few minutes of them checking. :D whew! I thought
we're not going to get through! ha ha

The place was so cool, it was literally at the top of the mountain. and you can see a breathtaking view of the sea, the sky and just breathe fresh air! :D

I loved the infinity pool! It was breathtaking to be there, dipping and just enjoying the warm water! The pool was enough for a day's dip... and there's still the whole sea for us to explore, actually. 

And we did! Banana boat was cool... but after experiencing water rafting, its nothing compared to the adrenaline rush in the rivers or CDO. but banana boat drop is still cool nonetheless. hehe

I wasn't able to get a photo of the Jacuzzi, below is a partial photo of the Jacuzzi / relaxing pool area.... it was working perfectly and was as relaxing as you would have thought. =)

Across the Beach of Punta Fuego, there's the small rock/mountain formation that we were able to climb and it was so cool in there!!! 

When we decided to swim in the middle of the sea, it was one of the best decision ever! he he The water was really clean, and cold. It was one of the best dip in the sea 20 feet deep, because the water was calm, and it was not too wavy.

After the day's activity, the place is still not ready to just let you go... you are still captured by the beauty of the sunset... this place has never failed to make you feel so one with nature.