Villa Isabella: The Team Traveler's Haven

Located at Samboan, approximately 4 hours away from Cebu City is a resort small but comfortable enough for a relaxing and enjoyable trip with your friends. The pink cottages are like cotton-candies against the blue sea and the skyline. I like the view of the skyline the most. The clouds, the sea,  and the water. They fit perfectly like a portrait on a painter's canvass. And don't you ever miss the sunset. it was my first time to be out on the beach as the sun cast it's orangey color, and it was perfect. I never had that kind of amazement before. Pure bliss!

How to go there

Go to South Bus Terminal took a Ceres bus to Bato via Barili. Asked the driver to drop you at Samboan Medical Clinic and Laboratory. Walk a little until you found a bamboo gate that say's "Private property. No Entry." That's the gate to Villa Isabella. The gate is beside a big house with a store. If you're not confident enough, just asked a local. I personally suggest don't go there alone. It's nice but it can be a little lonely. We we're the only guests there. Maybe due to it's far proximity to the city, traveler's find it hard to appreciate it. 

I don't know the actual fare since we had stop over at Alegria. A rough estimate would be PHP 172 since Cebu to Alegria is PHP 134 then Alegria to Samboan is PHP 38. 

The Place

"Villa Isabella: The Team Traveler's Haven". When you're on a team outing, you will surely enjoy this place. It's like having your own private resort. The resort has A videoke place that lets you sing 2 songs for Php 5. You will only have to list the songs. You pay after. You can sing until 10 PM only. It has a mini-bar plus canteen. I don't know if they serve food because we brought our own food. For the meat, fish and some others, we bought it in the local market. I am not in-charge of the market. I will surely ask Ryan to feature it in his blog one of these days. So might as well check it there. He was the one in-charge of the market and foods. I knew this place from scouring the net. Stumbled on it's Facebook page. The numbers are not updated that's why didn't pick this place.  

Here are the updated contact numbers:

0921-200-2327 Look for Obiso

261-2877

Rooms costs PHP 1500. We had 2. It costs the same but 1 is bigger than the other. The girl's room has 3 beds and the guys has 2 bed. It both has its own CR. I think that room is the family room. I never asked though. Both rooms has an extension room with a screen walling. It has chairs and table also. We put our foods their. Talking with the care taker, he mentioned about a room that cost PHP 1200. I was kind of regretful that I didn't ask for it to be opened so that I could take some pictures and post it here. Maybe next time I'll visit a resort, I will surely capture everything in my cam and blog about it. It surely will be beneficial.

About the Beach

The beach front is stony but I like that they are smooth. The shore on the sea wall beside the Resort is sandy. Don't miss to check it out. Night swimming is very ideal there since the beach is so well lighted. 

View of the entire resort

Our dining table.

Shoreline.

Cottage.

Cottage near the videoke area.

Room 1: Girls Room

Room 2: Boys Room

Inside Boys Room. 2 beds with own CR.

Extension of boy's room.

Kitchen Door.

Common Kitchen. We borrowed some utensils here.

The Detour leading to Villa Isabella, Samboan

The Plan:

05:30 - 06:00 AM Rendezvous at South Bus Terminal

06:30 - Departure to Alegria (Batong Malunhaw)

09:30 - Batong Malunhaw

11:00 and beyond - Enjoy!

Actual:

05:30 - 06:00 AM Rendezvous at South Bus Terminal

07:00 - Departure to Alegria ( Batong Malunhaw )

10:30 - Batong Malunhaw 

Unfortunately,Batong Malunhaw is under renovation. The group made a unanimous decision to go to Samboan over Badian not knowing that it's still 2 towns away. Alegria. Malabuyoc. Ginatilan. Samboan. Actually, we're counting on the transportation, whichever comes first, bound to Badian or Samboan, that's our pick. Lucky for us, a Ceres bus liner bound to Bato pass by. Yahoo! We're on our way to Samboan with a faint hope that Villa Isabella, one of the candidate resort for the trip is actually fit for accommodation. I actually prayed hard.

11:00 - Departure to Samboan ( Villa Isabella )

11:30 - Villa Isabella

I don't know how they were able to know where Villa Isabella is located. I was just joining the crowd when they took off the bus. We walked a dirt road unto a dilapidated sign, that says "This way to Villa Isabella". The group were divided as to where the sign is pointing. In my mind, "Gosh! This is so like a horror trip. Waaaah!" Then we saw a back gate that leads to the pink cottages that looks exactly like the one we saw on Facebook. I feel a little relief. We went inside when no one answered our call. Waaaaa! Not long after, a middle-aged man appeared saying he would call the care taker. I thanked God for the discovery of the place and prayed again that all would be OK. Everyone was tired and hungry to transfer and look for another place again. The care taker took longer so we decided to do things ourselves. Some went to the market. The others were content with chatting and feeling the sea breeze. I went to check out the place and took some pictures. Some prepared lunch. When the care taker arrived, I was a little uneasy chanting my prayers silently again. I was so happy we got the place. We had 2 rooms each cost PHP 1500. They were huge so we were considering of getting one room only but the care taker insist. We took 2. it was only the day after that we realized it was the best decision to get the 2 rooms.

Up Next: Villa Isabella: The Groupie Traveler's Haven

Simala the 2nd time around!

Yummy!

I had to wake up early since Migo had a team outing and the camera's with me. He picked it up on his way. He also brought the almonds chocolate pasalubong from Mam Ristie. I ate it while watching Slamdunk's episodes 49 to 55.

I got so pumped up watching the 55th episode of Slamdunk that I had an impulse attack to do something I've always wanted to do since my 25th birthday. I hurriedly took a bath, texted a friend if she's free to tag along. Turned out she also had some solo activity planned. I wished both us luck :D

Not my own shot. Wala ko kadala ug cam ky naa ni Migo. Hehe!

I departed to Sibonga aboard a green minibus at around 12:30 PM. Upon reaching Minglanilla, the conductor asked me my ticket, when I showed it to him, he smiled because I rode the wrong bus. He just said that I just have to pay again and I'll just have to stop at Carcar then rode to Sibonga. Haha! Some passengers were kind of making it a big thing, I just smiled and shrugged it off. What's the use of crying over spilled milk. Duh!

I was so exhausted upon reaching Carcar since I never slept well on the bus. I was afraid I'd doze off too much and have another detour again. On arrival, a Samaritan who took off the bus with me directed me to the gas station where transport bound to Sibonga is located. I was lucky there was another solo flight girl. We rode the tricycle together. It was a long tricycle trip. We paid Php50 each for the fare. I was so tired I never had the chance to chat with her. I was planning to but I doze off. When we reached Marian Hills, she was hurrying that I lost the chance to find a new friend. :(

It was my 2nd time to visit Marian Hills. I''ve been there with Jen, Elgie and Dea last February 2008. I was so mesmerized I promised to visit again but got so busy I forgot. I'm happy I have finally fulfilled my promise today. :)

The Poster

I noted there are lots of changes since my last visit. The road up is quite nice already. There were new additions to the place itself. For the first time, I got the chance to see the galleries. I never thought there was something like that. We never go there last time. There was a petition gallery, different Mary's from all over the world and some others. People are required to take off shoes in going there, I was hesitant at first for fear that I might lost mine. In the end, my desire to see and touch Mama Mary overcome my fear.I'm glad I did :)

I lighted 2 candles, gold and violet. Gold for health. Violet for plans. When I was touching Mama Mary at that sacred place, I was asking Her about something. It's kind of complicated though. I hope Mama Mary still get what I meant.

Been there for almost an hour and a half. Back at City at 6:30 PM. Migo and I had dinner at Ayala. We watched "Horrible Bosses" movie after. It was very funny that I got excited to inform my friends about it. I hope they'll watch for a good and de-stressing laugh. :)

We ended the night with 2 scoops of Gelatissimo ice cream, hazelnut and milk flavor for each scoop. :)

Alcoy-Dalaguete G Adventures

Attendees: Kring, Ryan, Jellie, Lawra, Cha, Mitch, Mira, Ed, Ken, Sensei, Izumi

Individual Contribution: Php 500

Trip Budget: Php 5500

Destination: Dalaguete, Alcoy

Trip Type: Overnight

Call Time: 5:00 AM at South Bus Terminal

Actual Departure: 6:30 AM

First Stop: Obong Spring at Dalaguete, Cebu

Arrival Time: 8:30 AM (exactly 2 hours from the City)

Fare: Php 106

Terminal Fee: Php 5

Transport: Ceres 8906 bound to Oslob

Weather: Fair with scattered clouds; Sun's rays are hidden. Ideal for a comfortable travel.

Participants in order of arrival: Lawra, Mira, Kring, Cha, Sensei, Izumi, Mitch, Ryan, Jellie, Ed, Ken

Due to Ken's lateness, we had to let go the 6:00 AM bus. We decided to left him aboard the 6:30 AM bus but he got lucky and was able to catch up when the bus went out of SBT. :D

Expenses:

2500 Foods

1500 Overnight Cottage at Alcoy Beach

  150 Cottage at Obong Spring

  155  Entrance Obong Spring

1195 Etcetera's (Fare, Entrances)

Itinerary:

  5:00 AM Call time at South Bus Terminal

  6:30 AM Departure to Dalaguete, Cebu

  8:30 AM Arrival at Obong Spring

11:00 AM BRUNCH (Breakfast and Lunch!)

01:00 PM Departure to Alcoy (Road tricycle to Alcoy beach. Fare: Php 15 each)

01:15 PM Arrival at Alcoy beach

01:30 PM Etcetera. Swimming. Videoke (Cinco Cinco Galore!)

03:00 PM Market! Market!

05:00 PM Food Preparations

06:00 PM Dinner

07:00 PM and Beyond Swimming

07:00 AM Prepare to go home

08:00 AM Alcoy Beach Departure

10:30 AM Back in Cebu

Obong Spring

Entrance Per Person: Php 5

Cottage: Php 150

If you happen to visit Dalaguete, don't dare miss this place for a day of fun and relaxation. The water is so cool and inviting. What makes this Spring different from others is its water salinity. The water is salty :D I really taste it :D Hahaha!

The spring! Brave kids on top! :D

Ryana doing the planking thing!

The water is so deep! :D

Yummy! I forgot the name!

Super yummy! Yum! Yum!

The ride to Alcoy Beach!

Alcoy Beach (I don't know the exact name, but the resort above it is Kai Nane Point.)

Entrance Per Person: Php 20

Cottage Overnight: Php 1500

Tent Put-up: Php 150 (your tent or their tent)

Nice affordable cottage. Cool and amazing beach! :)

The beach! Fine sand! Cool water :)

Weeeeeee!

Love the cottages!

Videoke Area! Our cottage is in the back!

Foods! Us! Inside the cottage!

The day after!

Back to the real world!

Truly a superb weekend get-away! Go and ask some friends to have one too! Yahooooooo!

Kawasan Finally!

Roll Call

Another one of my target destination came true last weekend when I, along with team mates visited the famous Kawasan falls and unknown paradise, Lambog Beach, aka Little Boracay.

The planning was sudden and with our hectic schedule, no one probably thought we'd pull it off gracefully. Yet we did, even if the trip was cramped to a day instead of overnight, it was a blast still.

Much to our amazement, we left Cebu aboard Ceres liner at the agreed time, 5:30 AM. The trippers really made an effort to come on time. Call time was 5:00 AM. I arrived minutes after that. I thought I was the earliest turned out I was fifth.

Arrived at Badian at around 8:30 AM. The trip was 3 hours, from what I read it should be around 4 hours. An early departure certainly made a difference.

When we arrived, we didn't had rice yet. One local was kind enough to suggest we just buy rice at some store, then have it cooked at the falls. Without second thoughts, we bought 3 kilos then started our journey. I imagined the journey to be strenuous, basing from the articles I read, but it turned out the opposite. It wasn't strenuous at all, it was fun walking along the bank seeing the perpetual beauty of the river. We had countable stopovers for poses. We arrived, I think 15 minutes later, I'm not sure though because when I was there I ultimately forgot everything. I was just thinking of my team and the dangerous beauty we were in. I should commend my supportive BF who didn't reprimand me at all for being update-less. :D

We were the first visitor so we had the chance to pick a nice cottage. We hop from a cottage until the one where we settled in, near the grill area. Much to my amazement, everyone was automatic. Someone started the fire, chopped the pork, arranges the food and everything. I am accustomed to tasking always but having experience that automatic-task I had with them, I might not include it in my checklist anymore. Thanks a lot laaganz for being so automatic. :)

No one swam until the food was ready. We were all gathered around even if only a few were doing the actual thing. That's what I like the most, the sharing thing. No one was behind. Doing things together. Supporting each other. It makes everything perfect.

Getting ready for rafting

After eating we then had our shot with rafting. We done it twice. The experience was so amazing. If you will go to Kawasan, you shouldn't miss it. We had a blast. We were so happy with the accommoda. ting "Kuya", some of us offered Php 50 as tip. I didn't know how much was accumulated.

At 1:30 PM, we were already exhausted. We didn't managed to go to the 3rd level anymore. We had come at a unanimous decision to packed up and proceed to Little Boracay.

As I was recalling the events now, most of the things we had there were spontaneous. The rice. The raft. The multicab to and from Little Boracay. The one day schedule. It was all just a spur of the moment thing. I was always a plan maniac, Kawasan trip taught me one valuable lesson - planning is not everything.

From now on, I won't be scared of outing short notices anymore. If you were with reliable people then it should not be a problem :D

I really want to write all the fun we had there, every details of it. Then I realized if I'd do so, I might forget about it. For my own benefit and maybe for you who are reading this, you should just visit Kawasan. Bring your fun,cool and reliable friends along, then you will feel this feeling I have now :)

***************
Details
July 9, 2011 

Trip Type: One Day
Attendees Count: 11
Initial Contribution: Php 500
Additional: (Rough Estimate) Php 100

Budget
Food: Php 2500
Fare & Etc: Total Money less Food

Checklist
Amount of contribution
Trip Type
Call Time
Money In-charge
Food In-charge
Itinerary

On action

Our Expenses (Accdg to memory. Pardon if I miss something)
Food Php 2500
Terminal Fee Php 5
Fare to Matutinao Php 126
Kawasan Entrance Php 10
Cottage Php 300
Cook Rice Payment Php 50
Raft Php 300
GRO Tip (?)
Kawasan To Lambog Php 20
Lambog Cottage Php 300
Lambog to Badian, Poblacion Php 20
Poblacion, Badian to City Php 117


We had overflowing foods. We brought home some snacks. Our budget was just enough.
***************

For round 2

Happiness!

Ready for the next target

Pack up for the day

The culprit

Early birds who catch no worms :P

Missing John Jay!

Pose before the adventure

Wet and ....

The massage :P

Another one of our blahs!

After the 2nd falls era

Super cooold!

Under the rock which we doubted if Dandee could fit in

another wet moment

Castaways

Lone survivor :)

Andrew's 27th @ Pinamungajan

...because everything is FREE! Transportation, accomodation and FOODS! I could not ask for more. Thanks to birthday boy, Andrew Tabanag for the FEAST.

"What happens in Pinamungajan stays in Pinamungajan!"

Along with work friends, we went to Tajao, Pinamungajan to attend our friend's birthday celebration on November 06, 2010. It was a rush decision, if Migo hadn't Ot-ed(making me overstay in the office until 9:30 PM), then I wouldn't have that unforgettable experience.

Below are the reasons why it is unforgettable:

1.      I saw falling star(twice) and made my wish. It's my first time to see a falling star.

2.      My first time to see sparkling thing in the water, Shaggy(Andrew's wife's friend) called it "Sea Plankton". It was amazing, swimming with them made me feel like a sea goddess.

3.      My first weekend getaway without Migo. It made me realized I should go out more without him.  I didn't even micro-text him. I really enjoyed the company a lot.

4.      I had a long chat with someone. It was fun and amazing. Talking with her made me feel like talking to myself. Haha!(Thanks for the wonderful chat, mam!) We started swimming at 4 PM then swam out of water at 7 PM, a 3-hour memchathlon! Wow! But that didn't end there, we had the 2^nd part during our night swimming. Simply unforgettable. I wish we have more of it in the future.

5.      Finally erased the uneasiness between friends. Hahaha!

The list of reasons above were only tidbits. There's a lot more that no longer need to be blog because I'm sure my auto-erase memory cannot do something about it.

We rendezvouz at E-mall, 10 AM last Saturday. I arrived there earlier since I need to buy some travel must-haves stuffs(shampoo, soap, toothpaste and deodorant). While Andrew and Junmar were off for some crammed up shopping, the display of sun glassess enamored me that it made me bought one. Tsk! Migo will surely nagged me if he knew. When I finally saw them, I already spent PHP 500 for some lousy stuffs. Tsk! The shopaholic me is annoying.

After some meet up delays, we finally left through SRP at around 11 AM, aboard Andrew's car with Junmar and Francis(picked him up at Minglanilla) at the back seat, convoy with JM's car with passengers Ralf, Jill, Raymond and Angeli(picked her at Talisay).We were chatting through the entire  almost 2 hour trip. We arrived at Calvo-Tabanag's lodge at around 1 PM where a lechon and yummy foods awaited us.

We were so hungry that we get foods immediately but that didn't stop us from chattering over lunch. Teasings painted each one of us a smile. Angeli, Ralf, Jill, Raymond and me ate at a table on the terrace overlooking the seashore. Junmar and Francis opt to ate alone but in the terrace also. After lunch, Andrew put 2 bottle of Tequila's on the table. I gulped, as remembered the last time I had tequila(Gurla's hurot-dagat galore) and told them about it.

It was not my plan to drink but I hate to be a party pauper so I joined the drinking besides Angeli was kind enough to give me less amount compared to them, so I feel at ease. JM had his DLSR camera capture every moment of our drinking session. The pictures were very nice. I can't wait to see it tomorrow. We were having fun at teasings,picture takings and drinking when I remembered about Jeshell. I texted her if she's in Toledo.When she replied, I told Ralf about it and he called her. Jeshell decided to come. Andrew told us he would fetched Jeshell after getting the videoke. When Andrew, Junmar and Francis left, we decided to take more pictures and mellow the drinkings, still we emptied the bottle. I was not sure if it's the 1^st bottle or the 2^nd  bottle though.

When Andrew arrived, we were excited as we saw the videoke. Then the singing began. Jill and I decded to swim at 3:30 PM but decided to moved it at a time when Jeshell arrived. Jill and I were swimming from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. We were actually talking more than swimming. It was fun.

When we went out of water,dinner was ready and it seems everyone was busy drinking while we're swimming that they looked drunk already. After dinner, Jeshell left. Another videoke session followed while waiting for Kai and Shaggy get into their swimming gear.

Around 10 PM, everyone geared up for the night swimming. Francis brought 1 bottle of Tequila.It was cool to drink Tequila in the sea water, no need of salt anymore. I just dipped the lemon unto the water(haha! Gross me! But I like it). We were swimming while drinking then suddenly, I felt weird and decided to stay ashore with Francis and Jill. When the bottle was emptied, we're back at swimming, it was then that I saw the falling star. I made my first falling star wish ever. Then Jill and I had our 2^nd chat session.

I haven't checked the time we went out of water. I took a bath at 12:30 AM, changed into dry clothes and went back to the terrace. Videoke session again. The others retired early. Jill, Ralf, Francis, Junmar and me remained. Jill and I decided to sleep at 2:30 AM. The others survived until 4 AM.

I woke up late the next day, almost 10 AM. After brunch, I decided to take pictures around the place. Andrew's kids(Andrea, Anika and Angela) were nice enough to follow me in my quest. I had fun having them around. Then Andrew announced lunch. I didn't eat again despite the invitation.

Videoke session again until 4:00 PM. It was raining so our departure was delayed. It was OK since I had fun singing the songs I didn't have the chance to sing again. The breakup and moving on songs that comforted me before. They actually teased me about it. Just fine cause it doesn't sting anymore. Hehe!

We left at Andrew's at 4 PM. I arrived at my boarding house at exactly 6 PM. Started writing this while waiting for Migo,had dinner with Migo and then he left. I proceeded to mass alone. Back at boarding house at 9 PM, feeling sad so write about the "feeling ill" entry, then continue writing this. Time check now, 10:45 PM. It's movie time.Weeee! And I feel OK now. Thanks to writing :D

$_$

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The place. 1 Terrace. 2 Dining area. 3 Videoke area. 4 Sala. 5 seashore.

Jill and I's room

Attendees. More pics from John Michael

Playing with Andrew's kids

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