Category: Food and Travel Discoveries

Water camp resort in Kawit Cavite

Water camp resort in Kawit Cavite

by MJMCM ♥ 1 Comment

Do you feel like you need to recharge from the whole week of too many activities, responsibilities, and tasks? Pressure and stress can generally affect your well-being! But, there are things that you can do to alleviate that feeling, and one of them is to find a place that is nature friendly, a place that has a lively environment to boost your mood, and a place where you can enjoy it with the whole family! Well, you might want to consider water camp resort in Kawit Cavite, Philippines.

Water camp resort in Kawit Cavite, Philippines.
The water camp is located on Magdiwang Highway, Josephine Village, Panamitan, Kawit 4104 Cavite.

The place has numerous pools with slides, a kiddie pool, an adult pool, and a wave pool that are available around the area, plus there are other amenities that you and your kids would enjoy! Yes, water camp is a child-friendly resort and safety is also their priority, there are lifeguards around the area to ensure that guests are out of danger.

The environment is clean and the facility is maintained. We went here a few years ago for a gathering and have been here twice this year (2022) for a birthday celebration last June and we went here last week of November just to unwind and let the kids have some playtime on water.

You can’t get bored in this place because of the upbeat music that is being played! It’s a good way to boost a person’s mood because it relieves stress and bad vibes.

What to do in water camp?

  • Enjoy swimming with your loved ones!
  • Try their wave pool and slides.
  • Walk around the area.
  • Enjoy cooking or grilling your food.
  • Participate in their free Zumba session.
  • Relax and feel the natural sound of falling water.
  • Take pictures for remembrance!
  • Socialize with other people.
  • You can also stay here overnight and choose from standard, deluxe, or higher room rates that they offer to their guests.

Water camp resort is a nice place to visit if you want to relax and at the same time feel the vibes of nature. We went here many times already and we choose to go back once in a while because of the good experienced we felt each time we visit.

Queens strawberry farm in Alfonso, Cavite

Queens strawberry farm in Alfonso, Cavite

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An adventure that is being spent with your loved ones is worth the time!

Do you know that there is a place in Alfonso Cavite where you can spend valuable time with your family or friends with a touch of nature?

This place is the Queens strawberry farm!

It’s an Agritourism haven business that is situated near Tagaytay city! It’s a few minutes away from the busy city of Tagaytay.

Strawberry farm in Alfonso, Cavite, Philippines
Address: Alfonso Cavite, Hawilian 2 Brgy Upli, 4123 Alfonso, Philippines

Things that you can do in this place:

  • Walking around the area.
  • Watching the fishes as they swim around the man-made fish ponds.
  • If you have kids, let them play at the spacious playground.
  • Try their pastry products and other farm-to-table recipes.
  • Explore the different corners of the place.
  • Enjoy the view of nature.
  • Have fun, relax and utilize the time for unwinding and learning.

We went here the third week of August, so we don’t expect to see fruit-bearing strawberry plants available from their strawberry potted plants farm. It might be prettier if there are fruits, but unluckily it’s off-season. But anyway, we tasted one of their pastry product that is made from buko and strawberry.

Buko pie strawberry

Shown above is the Queens strawberry buko pie. Well, the taste is just fine and you will appreciate it if you both love buko and strawberry. The combination also blended well with the taste of the crust.

The entrance fee is 50 pesos per head and is free to younger kids. The ticket is also consumable, meaning you can use it to pay for their products at the entrance area. We use it for the buko strawberry but added 190 because it cost about 390 pesos.

There are also other recipes like cheesecake, other pastries, salads, and strawberry fruits that are available to buy.

The photo above shows a list of some corners that you can explore at the Queens strawberry farm. A spacious parking lot, a bakery, restaurant, sweet charlie square, a fishing village, a hotel, and a king berry hall. Not included on the list but they also have a spacious kids playground, shown below.

We only paid for our eldest child because our younger got it free! This is a spacious area where children can play as long as they want for the fee of 100 pesos.
The fishing village, is an area where you can catch live fish that you can bring home with you or you can ask the staff to cook it for you. However, take note that there are additional fees for this activities.
You can see fish along these man-made fish ponds in some corners of the place. They are of different colors and they look so lovely as they swim around!
This is a place to dine with your loveones. The restaurant interior is pretty, and the ambiance is relaxing. The food in the restaurant is good, a quite pricy but reasonable.
Random pictures that you can see around the area.

Queens strawberry farm is a good place for gatherings and as place for big events as they have function halls that caters a variety of special occasions. You can also enjoy here if you don’t mind getting tired of roaming around and looking for something to uplift your mood. There’s so much that you can learn from this place! Feel free to ask the staffs around the area regarding their style of farming, how they do it, and how they keep an environment friendly place.

Funnside Ningnangan in Kawit, Cavite

Funnside Ningnangan in Kawit, Cavite

by MJMCM ♥ 1 Comment

Are you one of those people who love to eat outside and try out new recipes from your usual meals? And looking for a place to eat freshly cooked recipes? Well, you have to try funnside Ningnangan! It is located along the main road in Kawit Cavite Philippines.

Funnside Ningnangan in Kawit Cavite.

Things that you would also like here would be the spacious area, the Kubo (Nipa hut), and the well-ventilated area while eating your meal. We went here at 9 pm for our dinner and there were still a lot of people coming by. Group of families, friends, and lovers are some of the customers here. During our visit, some people celebrated their birthdays here! You can also celebrate your loved one’s birthday in this place, and ask the staff to give a surprise announcement of his/her birthday!

Below are the fresh foods like salmon, chicken wings, tuna, pork liempo, prawns, seashells, milkfish, tilapia, squid, etc. that you can choose and will be freshly cooked for you by the Ningnangan’s staff.

We tried their grilled pork liempo, grilled tuna belly, baked seashells with garlic and butter, sinigang na salmon belly (salmon belly with tamarind flavor), and deep-fried crablets that taste like chicharon!

The food that we tried was cooked and served well. Thanks to the staff! This place is highly recommended for those people who love to eat various kinds of recipes. The price is just right or reasonable for the good taste and service we experienced here!

Eating in this kind of place where you can see a lot of people enjoying their meals is somewhat relaxing and will gonna give you a moment of boosted mood and energy, it also improves your attention and concentration.

Tagaytay weekend getaway: Where to go and stay for a quick visit?

Tagaytay weekend getaway: Where to go and stay for a quick visit?

by MJMCM ♥ 1 Comment
Tagaytay City Philippines

The night is not yet over! It’s an unplanned weekend getaway with my family, but it’s worth it because we enjoyed it so much! Just one piece of advice when traveling is that be at your destination while it’s not yet too dark so that you can still explore more places. And have more time to decide where to visit.

Tagaytay is one of the most popular towns in the Philippines where people love to spend time together. It is a tourist spot destination for local and foreign visitors.

It has a good climate and ambiance that most people prefer to visit during the holiday season or whenever they have free time. The overlooking Taal volcano island (an active volcano) and the Taal lake that is located in the province of Batangas is an iconic view of nature that is a must-see in this place.

There are a lot of places in Tagaytay where you can explore and at the same time relax or unwind but you might not be able to visit all for just one day unless you stay there for a few days.

But if you are a bit impulsive, and have decided quickly to visit Tagaytay and might be thinking where to go, then this post might help you!

Below are places that you might as well consider when you are on a quick visit to Tagaytay.

If you are looking for a place to stay in Tagaytay City? You might want to consider Magallanes Square Hotel. It is located along Magallanes Dr, Aguinaldo Highway, Tagaytay City.
While many restaurants and coffee shops were around Tagaytay City proper, there are also other places that you have to try! Just like this Memory Lane, which is located along Magallanes Dr, Tagaytay City.
This is a good place if you want to see the Bulkang Taal and the Taal Lake in a nicer view. We went here after spending our night’s rest at the Magallanes square hotel. It is located at  Picnic Grove Complex, Barangay, End, Tagaytay, Cavite.
If you loved walking around, and don’t even mind being tired doing it, you might want to visit the People’s park in the sky! It is located at Calamba Rd, Tagaytay, Cavite.
People’s park in the sky Tagaytay City

People’s park in the sky Tagaytay City

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The People's park in the sky at Tagaytay City.

After going to Picnic Grove, we also went to People’s park in the sky. If you loved walking around, and don’t even mind being tired doing it, you might want to visit this place! It is located at Calamba Rd, Tagaytay, Cavite.

When entering the area from where you need to park your cars, you have to pay 20 Php, and going inside the gate you have to pay again 30 Php per head. After paying the entrance fee, (for environmental purposes), you can now walk going up to the People’s Park area.

If you aren’t a person who wants to walk because of some reason, you can still go up there by riding the Jeepney (it’s a vehicle that is popular in the Philippines) you just have to pay for a minimal fare.

What to do when in the People’s park in the sky?

  • Enjoy brisk walking and the view of nature. Walking can give wonderful benefits to your physical health so don’t feel dismayed about it!
  • Explore your mind on the things that you can see while walking. Nature gives us fresh air to breathe which helps our respiratory system. It is also a blessing for our mental health because it relieves our stress and calms our minds.
  • Get to interact with other tourists. Boosts your confidence by socializing with people you can see physically. Social connection can give new learnings to explore with.
  • Take photos for remembrance. Taking photos saves memories that can last a lifetime! You can look back to these memories soon and be proud that you experienced those moments in your life.
  • Buy some products sold by the locals of Tagaytay, this way you can help with their livelihood.

Going to the People’s park in the sky is a fun way of increasing your patience and leveling up as well your appreciation of nature. Going up is very hard especially when you are taking the long road just like in real life, but there is a fulfillment after all. And it’s all worth it!

The Picnic Grove in Tagaytay City

The Picnic Grove in Tagaytay City

by MJMCM ♥ 1 Comment
Picnic Grove in Tagaytay City Philippines

Picnic Grove is a good place if you want to see the Bulkang Taal and the Taal Lake in a nicer view. We went here after spending our night’s rest at the Magallanes square hotel. It is located at  Picnic Grove Complex, Barangay, End, Tagaytay, Cavite.

The place has changed already since our last visit. And it just looks more beautiful and amazing because there are already new structures that were added, just like the modern type viewing decks, restaurants, and small shops around the corner.

The picnic areas were maintained, you can gather your friends or family there to rest and eat your snacks or meal.

We paid 50 Php each for the entrance fee, and 35 Php for the parking fee. There are also restrooms around where you need to pay 10 Php for the maintenance.

What to do when in Picnic Grove?

  • This place is a great one to walk around if you love brisk walking.
  • Enjoy the view of the Bulkang Taal and Taal Lake.
  • Take photos as much as you can for remembrance!
  • Buy some pasalubong and souvenirs.
  • Enjoy the horseback riding.
  • Ride the big Ferris wheel, we paid 150 Php per head for the ride. It’s just a 1 round trip so be sure to enjoy and look around while you are on top of the Ferris wheel.
  • You can also try the Zipline.
  • Eat your meals in the picnic areas.
  • Rest and feel the relaxing and calming environment.

We took our lunch in Alamat restaurant found inside.

We tried their bulalo and sizzling sisig with rice for lunch.

Sizzling sisig
Bulalo

The Picnic Grove is clean during our visit, and hopefully, the management will make sure that the area maintains its cleanliness. See to it that there could be no people dumping their garbage anywhere because it may ruin the surrounding.

The Magallanes Square Hotel in Tagaytay City

The Magallanes Square Hotel in Tagaytay City

by MJMCM ♥ 2 Comments
The Magallanes Square Hotel in Tagaytay City.

Looking for a place to stay in Tagaytay City? You might want to consider Magallanes Square Hotel. It is located along Magallanes Dr, Aguinaldo Highway, Tagaytay City.

The hotel is just easy to find, and there are numerous restaurants and convenience stores across the hotel so there’s no worry if you arrived at the hotel at night time. It was already dark when we arrived in Tagaytay because we traveled late in the afternoon. After eating our dinner at the Memory lane country diner, we then looked for a place to rest, and thankfully we found this quiet and nice hotel.

Outside Magallanes Square Hotel
Reception area
Lobby
Inside Magallanes Square Hotel
Captured notes in the corner!

-Let your smile change the world but don’t let the world change your smile-

CTTO

From my perception:

Your smile is a great reflection of who you are! You can’t fake a real smile as they say. So, be sure to give that genuine smile within you, and your life could be happier! Who knows it might be the reason to lift someone else mood at the same time?

-Rainy days are good for the soul-

CTTO

From my perception:

Yes, it’s real, rainy days wash away worries and help to heal every single pain. The calming embrace and refreshing environment brought by the rain can help us within. So don’t be afraid, allow the rain to pour. Allow challenges to shape you!

The bedroom is organized, fully air-conditioned, clean pillows and beddings, there’s a television if you want to watch, a telephone just in case you want to communicate with them, a small heater for your coffee (coffee, creamer, and sugar provided), bottled water, cabinet, hairdresser and below it there’s a small fridge.
The bathroom/comfort room is clean and has a working faucet. Cute soap, toothbrushes, tubes of toothpaste, towels, towelettes, and indoor slippers are also provided.

The room of the hotel is already good for its price. We stayed in their deluxe room, we just added a little for the extra bed because the kids were with us. A breakfast meal is also provided, upon checking in they asked what we want for breakfast and the time that they will deliver the food. We said 8 am and they delivered it at exactly 8 am.

We had a good night’s sleep and a comfy experience with this hotel. Hopefully, the management of this hotel will continue to do their job well, especially maintaining the cleanliness and working capability of their resources.

The Memory Lane Country Diner in Tagaytay City

The Memory Lane Country Diner in Tagaytay City

by MJMCM ♥ 5 Comments
Memory Lane Country Diner in Tagaytay City Philippines

While many restaurants and coffee shops were around Tagaytay City proper, there are also other places that you have to try! Just like this Memory Lane, which is located along Magallanes Dr, Tagaytay City.

This restaurant is owned by the family of Jolina. She is a well-known Filipino actress and one of the popular actresses during my younger years.

The exterior design of Memory Lane is nice and it has a lovely ambiance. There is also a spacious area at the back where the guests can park their cars.
The interior design of Memory Lane is simply cute, and there are a lot of displayed items around the area where it will take you to experience the old times.

A note says -FAMILY- The best things in life aren’t things. Your family will give you inspiration and motivation to push through your life’s goals. Years may pass, changes will take over but the beautiful memories will retain, so treasure them.

Jolina with her family in a picture frame.
Here’s what we ate during our visit. The food is delicious and is well prepared.

Memory Lane Country Diner is a good place to eat and rest at the same time. I can say that the place is clean, pretty, and you feel at home. The place will teach you to appreciate memories. The old-school-styled concept of the place is relaxing and enjoying as well. The customer service is good, and you can feel genuine hospitality with them.

Serene view at Sta. Ana Cagayan Philippines: Nangaramoan beach and stone formations

Serene view at Sta. Ana Cagayan Philippines: Nangaramoan beach and stone formations

by MJMCM ♥ 8 Comments

Thinking of an awesome and pocket-friendly beach to visit this summer, or just to spend your free time? Well, you must consider this place!

Nangaramoan beach located at Sta. Ana, Cagayan, Philippines.
Nangaramoan beachfront view

The Nangaramoan beach is located at Sta. Ana, a province of Cagayan Philippines. People here are friendly, kind and have a simple way of living.

Nangaramoan beach has white sand with a slightly golden color, the water near the sand is shallow so children and anyone who doesn’t know how to swim can fully enjoy it here! But of course, an adult’s supervision for the young ones is still necessary. This place is worth the long drive because of the spectacular view that it can offer. It’s a place where you can relax and unwind with the whole family or friends.

Choose to visit the place if possible during weekdays so that there could be fewer people. We went here using a private vehicle, and it took us more or less 3 hours of travel from Tuguegarao City (the capital of the province of Cagayan).

What to do in Nangaramoan beach?

  • Enjoy the clean and beautiful pieces of nature.
  • Go swimming
  • Walking in the sand, build something with it.
  • Pick attractive stones and keep them as a remembrance.
  • Take numerous photos and moments with your loved ones.
  • Rent a cottage where you can cook and eat your meal.
  • If you are a diver, you can enjoy seeing the corals and fishes in the deeper part of the water.
  • Buy kinds of seafood that the locals in the area are selling.

Below are the photos of the beach and some stone formations that you can see when you’re at nangaramoan beach!

Being a nature lover makes you appreciate everything in this place, and would leave a painful emotion if you see something that could harm it. During our visit to this place, I can say that it is a clean and comfy place. But hopefully, there could be policies and people that would oversee the whole area. This is to avoid some people littering wastes and make sure that the area is protected from anything that could ruin its beauty.

The SM mall in Baguio City Philippines

The SM mall in Baguio City Philippines

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SM Mall in Baguio City.

A shopping mall is a good place that can help you relieve stress and boredom, help you get a good physical activity through walking around, it helps to boost your mood because there are lots of things that can surely entertain you while inside the mall. And Baguio City also has an SM mall where you can do countless things like in the other cities. What’s good in this Mall is that you are connected with nature. The place is surrounded by trees and mountains thereby providing fresh air and good ambiance.

The SM Mall in Baguio is located at Luneta Hill, Upper Session Rd, Baguio, Benguet. This is a spacious mall in the city where you can spend some of your time dining in, doing shopping, sightseeing at the Mall’s roof deck, etc.

The mall already has most of the products that you will be needing while in Baguio. There are numerous food stalls and restaurants inside where you can enjoy a variety of cuisine that will suit your cravings!

The best place for me when in the mall is their roof deck, where you can view the beautiful environment of Baguio.

Priceless happiness we can get from nature

Priceless happiness we can get from nature

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Happiness is a feeling of satisfaction, contentment, and fulfillment about a thing, situation, and place. It may have different definitions, but it’s often described as involving positive emotions.

One thing that can make us feel happy and recharge is when we spend time with nature!

Connecting with nature can offer countless wonders for our well-being. Exposure to it will not only make us feel better from within but also contributes to our physical well-being. It helps to regulate our blood pressure and heart rate. It also helps us to combat stress and mood disorders. According to research, people who are spending more time with nature are usually happier in life, and they are more likely to feel that their lives are worth it. Nature can generate positive emotions and thoughts, such as being calm, joyful, creative, and being able to concentrate better in life.

Below are lovely views that I captured during our holiday visit to one of my family’s favorite places, Baguio City!

Exploring the beautiful nature of Baguio City Philippines.
This pretty man-made tree house is a fantastic reminder that life is something worth exploring.
You can reach the treehouse and be able to see the breathtaking view on top by using the stairs. In life, there is no such thing as easy. We have to try being brave enough in stepping at each level that comes our way, even though it’s scary!

Whenever I go out and spend a few minutes of my time with nature, I usually take photos and keep them. And when I go home, I take a look at it and there’s something that makes me fulfilled. Being able to capture it myself makes me happy to see those beautiful arts of nature!

This is a long, nice, and clean road. It’s a reminder of what we should aim for in life. Long life, pleasant attitude, and clean heart.
The calming view of this mountain is a great way to freshen up our bodies after long hours of travel.
These tall pine trees are very helpful in the environment of Baguio City as it gives shade, helps purify the air, and hold the soil to avoid erosion during the rainy season.
The cotton-looking clouds that embrace the sky give comfort to people who stare at it. They provide spectacular formations that help us to feel the surrounding magic.

If you’re searching for a wonderful place to spend with your family, choose a place where you can unwind together with nature. And you can consider Baguio City. The natural healing effect of nature is very beneficial to our wellness.

Helpful tips for your road trips

Helpful tips for your road trips

by MJMCM ♥ 6 Comments

Taking a road trip allows you to get closer to nature. Visit other communities and spend some time viewing their natural resources.

Road trips are also a great way to relax our bodies, and at the same time to connect with other people. It’s a great activity for the entire family, or group of friends to create bonding moments together and to produce happy memories that you can look back in the future.

Road trip tips
Image source: Photo library provided by Pexels

A simple road trip can relieve our stress, elevate our mood, and help with our overall health.

But aside from that, we also have to make sure that we are safe whenever we travel, these tips below will help you achieve a smooth and comfy road trip!

  • Take enough rest and sleep before your travel. Especially to the one who will drive the car, to avoid sleepiness that can cause road accidents.
  • Don’t drive especially when you’re tired. Reschedule your trip if you are not prepared.
  • Check your car engine. The driver should assess the car before traveling.
  • Study the direction, or map of your destination. To avoid time delays.
  • Drive safely.
  • Bring delicious and nutritious snacks. Avoid sweets, salty and oily foods.
  • Stay hydrated, bring enough water to replenish your body. Even though you are just seating in the car, you will also feel tired.
  • Have a plan on where to stop.
  • Sit comfortably, bring with you some pillows that you can put on your back to avoid back pains.
  • Don’t forget to bring important things that you will need to your destination.
  • Ask your companions about how they feel, maybe someone is already feeling uneasy? Occasionally, they just don’t want to tell it.
  • Play upbeat music to keep you entertained, avoid playing calming music when driving as it will make you feel sleepy.
  • Stop every 2 to 3 hours to do some stretching, and to check your fuel.
  • Talk about interesting stories, just to make the road trip lively.
  • Take photos for remembrance.
  • Document your trip through a simple video, taking photos, or journaling about your experience.

Traveling expands your knowledge because it helps you to explore the realities of life and be able to experience it.