It is summer time! Time to have fun and relax! Since we frequent the South and its hot springs , we decided to give the north a try. We heard a lot of praises for the SCTEX highway or the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, and hubby has been itching to try it out. Although we did try it when we went to Clark, Pampanga for the Hot Air Balloon Festival last February 15, he wanted to try it going to Subic .
We used it to get to Subic , and boy, the travel WAS FAST! From the Mabalacat Exit, we got to Tipo Road in just 30 minutes! Well, that’s hubby’s driving, slowing down within the speed limit only when he sees an expressway patrol…sigh. It was awesome not having to go through the San Fernando exit and navigationg through the Pampanga and Olongapo streets.
We were supposed to go to our company outing in Waterfront Beach Resort, but since we were able to leave the house at around 9am already due to a series of booboos, we decided not to go there anymore since it was too late. (we were supposed to leave at 6am) sigh...
We decided instead to go to
Sunset Cove, also in Morong Bataan. This is a resort recommended by my friend, apple. We wanted a beautiful, not-too-crowded beach resort for Bea’s first Beach experience, and we got just that.
When we reached the Tipo Gate, we went straight through Subic , until we reached the Morong Gate. (Take the same route as if you’re going to the JEST camp or Ocean Adventure.) When we reached the Morong Exit, we just followed the signs for Ayala’s Anvaya Cove. The road is narrow and winding, and covered with lush trees. About 500 meters from the Morong Gate, there is a sign for Sunset Cove, turn right. Pass through an even narrower and rocky road until you see a public school, turn right again until you reach the steel gate of the Sunset Cove Beach Resort.
The resort’s owner, Mrs. Cecille Jimenez is very warm and welcoming. She is so hands-on when it come to running the family resort.
She let us stay at the Master’s Bedroom of the 2-Storey Guest House. It is airconditioned, good for 4 people, with its own toilet and bath (with hot and cold shower). The bed is a double deck, with a pull out at the bottom. This room costs P2,500.00, this on top of the P100.00 entrance fee per person.
Guests are also required to pay for the Outdoor Kitchen and Utilities if you intend to cook your own food. This is an additional P500.00, plus you have to get a table or nipa hut near the beach where you can put your things while swimming or eating. We were assigned a nipa hut, good for four persons, costing P750.00.
When we arrived, they had no electricity. we were definitely bummed out. it was lunch time already and it was hot. i was hoping to rest in our airconditioned room. the owners were apologetic, assuring us that this is a rare occassion. they even lent us plastic beach beds and pillows so that we can rest outside, beside our nipa hut. hubby was disappointed, but was soon snoring off to dreamland since the bed was comfy and the ocean breeze was very relaxing. the thick trees also provided cool shade for us weary travelers.
They also had a playground for bored kiddies, and videoke machines for bored adults. Banana boat rides and other fun stuff are also available upon request.
they also had a big bird cage, in the middle of the picnic area, however i couldn't find any birds. i was also amused at their bulkan grille. it was a place where you can grill stuff, shaped like a volcano. it had an exhaust fan on top to direct the smoke out to the volcano's "crater". however when it was our turn to use the grille the exhaust was not working so instead we were engulfed with a cloud of smoke. the sacrifice was worth it though because we had a wonderful dinner that night...thanks to hubby!
anyway here are some more random shots of the resort:
The beach itself was ok. not white sand but it was ok. water was very clear. too bad though that at the time that we were there, there were a lot of jelly fishes. when we got out of the water, we felt itchy all over.
Anyway, all in all, we had a great time. Bea had fun playing on the shore, we even brought home some sand as a keepsake for Bea's first Beach Experience. It was definitely a family bonding time worth remembering!
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