A Refreshing Trip to Dalitiwan Resort, Majayjay, Laguna (1Jun2014)

If you are looking for a refreshing treat and an escape away from the striking hot weather, then Dalitiwan Resort would be a perfect escape getaway  for you. Located in Barangay Ilayang Banga, Majayjay, Laguna, this place offers the cool and refreshing feeling you need this hot summer.

My family has a definite plan to go for an annual summer family outing. Yet, there is no perfect place that suits our 'needs'. After all the discussions, we came up with one goal, to cool down and still enjoy the sun. So, to make it shorter, they don't want a beach this time. Neither they like a mere picnic in Tagaytay. So I decided to do my 'research' skills and opted to look for a cold spring resort nearest from Rizal. The first thing I check was Laguna because it is the nearest province that for sure can offer what we want for our outing.

After googling, I managed to check one by one the resorts listed on LagunaTravelGuide, to check the resorts I am choosing, I decided to look for reviews rather than go to websites. And through that, I come up with Dalitiwan Resort with the help of a review from Maaya Legaspi. As I saw the pictures, I was thrilled to share the information to my mother and she's very positive that this is the place we want to go. 

So last June 1, as a summer outing and a celebration for Papa's birthday, we went to Dalitiwan Resort through Rizal. It's quite a journey considering we left home before 6 in the morning. We arrived at the resort past 10 since we waited for awhile in Pagsanjan, Laguna with another family friend who's joining us for this amazing trip. 

As soon as we arrived, it looked like quiet from the gate of the resort. Surprisingly, the resort is quite full already when we arrived to the main area. The entrance fee cost only 80 pesos for adults and 70 pesos for kids. Since we are just there for a day tour, we just went on to look for a cottage. We had a difficulty looking a space but soon managed to find as well. The cottage cost only 500 pesos so we took 2 cottages since we are two families.


Since we were very hungry, we decided to eat first before we took our plunge on the cold refreshing spring.

Below are some of our photos proof that we really enjoy the cold water. The water is so clear and refreshing. Since the water is coming from Mount Banahaw, expect the water to be really cold to think that the sun is scorching hot that time. (I wonder what it feels like during cold season). 

 There's a hanging bridge that allows you to go the other side. They also serve a swimming pool. The water from the pool comes from the spring as well. It's untreated pool so you don't smell chlorine or any chemical on it. It's also cold same as the natural spring. It's like a stagnant version.

When passing through the rocks, just be careful because the mosses are very thick for some of the rocks that it is a bit slimy and you might glide through. And since I'm so adventurous, I was walking through the boulders even though the sun is striking and brings pain in my feet. Anything fun brings happiness, that's what I thought, and so I got myself some bruises right after because of continuously fighting the strong current. (Please I'm telling you this for you to be cautious). But overall, the experience brought so much joy not just to me but to everyone. They were so happy that we found this piece of heaven. 

The only downside to this resort is their comfort rooms. I actually don't consider it comfort room because it cause us difficulty. The shower rooms are not "shower" it's a faucet that can be opened if you are tall. My mother has to ask someone to open and close it for her. I hope they find time and allot resources to improve this. 

I hope you find this very helpful. For the resort's map, you can check their Facebook page. If you find yourself lost on the way near to the resort, you can ask some random locals, they are willing to help.

Till my next blog.

Ciao!

Visita Iglesia 2014 Tagaytay- Nasugbu Route

After months and years of working abroad, I have finally came back and did our annual Visita Iglesia. This time, my family decided to go further south and headed on to Tagaytay for a little cooler atmosphere.

We left Taytay, Rizal past 6 am and headed to Eastwood to fetch my sister who works graveyard shift. From then on, we headed straight to SLEX.

Since I was in charge to look for the churches to visit, my father relies fully on my GPS? Yeess, I myself don't have any idea of the churches and just rely purely on the help of GPS and a little research. As I did my assigned task, I chose this 7 churches/ chapels where we would do the Visita Iglesia.

• Ina ng Laging Saklolo
• Tierra de Maria
• Adoration Chapel at Pink Sisters' Convent
• Our Lady of our Lourdes Church
• Monte Maria Shrine
• Chapel on the Hill
• Transfiguration Chapel in Caleruega Retreat House

My father went on and took the Santa Rosa-Tagaytay Road. I forgot which exit in SLEX. We just continue all the way to this road until we reached the junction of Tagaytay- Calamba Road. We just turn left, maybe around 2 mins we already reach our first stop, Ina ng Laging Saklolo

In front of the Ina ng Laging Saklolo

Inside the Church.

After our first stop, we just turn left from the Ina ng laging Saklolo about 1 minute drive, we reach our 2nd stop, Tierra de Maria. 

Infront of Tierra de Maria

 Tierra de Maria was easy to find because it's just in front of the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP).

 Once you enter the chapel, you can get your own piece of advice with the Word of God.

Right after our second stop, we headed straight to our next visit, the Pink Sister's Church and convent. From Tierra de Maria head back towards the Tagaytay- Calamba Road. Go straight until you reach the Emilio Aguinaldo Hi-way. Just turn right to E. Aguinaldo hi-way. Continue until you see signs on your right that says Pink Sisters' Adoration/ or also the Angel Hills. Once you saw the sign, just turn right to the street and continue until you reach the next stop, the Pink Sisters

After the Pink Sisters, we decided to finish first our 4th stop before we have our lunch. We headed back to Tagaytay-Calamba Road and turn right this time. It was just a 5-minute ride from Pink Sisters going to Our Lady of our Lourdes Church. It is easily noticeable because it's just located along the hi-way.

After the 4th stop, we decided to have our lunch at picnic grove since we brought our own foods. We just rented a table and feast on. 

We rested for an hour before we decided to continue our pilgrimage. This time we go further into the Tagaytay-Nasugbu hi-way.

On our 5th stop, we went to Monte Maria Shrine. Monte Maria Shrine is the newly-built but still under construction property built by famous Healing priest Fr. Suarez. The land was donated by San Miguel Corporation. For the moment, the shrine still looks like a complex with high steel ceiling. You can reach here from the hi-way by taking the Tagaytay-Nasugbu hi-way. You will see signs that shows the way to Monte Maria Shrine. Also, there is a tricycle station on this right turn so you'll never get lost.

After Monte Maria, we headed back to the hi-way and turn further right. the next stop is Chapel on the Hill. It is a 5-minute ride from Monte Maria. After passing the Diokno Hi-way, continue to Nasugbu and take the first exit to the left. The chapel is very small and can't be easily noticeable but can be seen from your left side. It is associated with Don Bosco which is also nearby.

After the Chapel on the Hill, we headed straight to our next and final stop, the Caleruega. No need to go back to the hi-way because from the chapel you just need to take the Caleruega road to reach the Caleruega Retreat House. Upon entering the Retreat house, take note that you need to pay 30.00 pesos for the entrance fee. 

We went straight to the Transfiguration Chapel but there's a lot of people because there was a wedding so we hurry finishing our Visita Iglesia with the New way of the Cross and then we finish off with praying the rosary. There's actually a lot to see in Caleruega for paying the entrance fee and yet we were not able to maximize our time since it's already 4:30 pm and my parents still want to go to the Tagaytay Market to buy fruits and beef. 

For your reference, I screenshot the Google Map of the churches/chapels we visited so you can do your own plan next time. 

The stars represent the places we visit.

We went home past 8 pm due to traffic in C-5 road. Next time you visit, plan as well so you minimize the time figuring out your ways going to and fro the places for your Visita Iglesia.

Ciao!