Burot Beach in Calatagan Batangas - A Not so Secret Beach Anymore near Metro Manila

A Quick Burot Getaway

After so many reviews about this place, I’ve finally gave Burot beach a try. I am so excited to see the place as I’ve been hearing a lot about it. And since it just a few hours from Manila, with a decent budget and not so much plans. We had a perfect summer quick getaway. 

We went to Burot last May (late post). It was scourging hot when we arrived. We decided to have our trip on weekdays as I heard there are lots of campers during weekends. Apparently, maybe because its summer, the campers were everywhere. 

The beach itself is better than those that in Nasugbu or other parts in Batangas. The sand is in semi fine texture in cream color. The water is calm but there are lots of sea weeds at some parts. You can also see some Jelly fish and Star fish in the area. If you go far, some sea urchins can be spotted too. You need to be a bit careful in swimming in the area but its workable for me. 

We also saw some bigger ones than this Jelly fish 

Injured Starfish, we put it away from the shore after this shot.

It was known as a private property owned by SM Group of Companies, I assumed its true as a guard in uniform with SM logo on it is the one managing the fees. 

Entrance fee was a bit higher than those I’ve read online from other travelers and bloggers. Oh you know when the demands get up, expect this already. 

No decent comfort rooms especially if you’re sharing this to lots of campers. That’s okay since it’s an undeveloped beach. However since campers are paying for a day or overnight stay, maybe SM should at least try to build a more suitable comfort rooms for their visitors. However I am hoping that they keep the beach that way. 

One sunny afternoon

The place is more appealing when the sunset comes in, a perfect place to see the sunset. Make sure to bring lamps and flashlight as there’s no electricity in the area. It’s also better to wash ahead of the crowd or wash before it gets dark.

The sunset at Burot

I saw several stray dogs in the area, tamed and seems very used to the life at the beach

Kids playing plus the sunset is such a picturesque

Life at the beach

We did our best to wake up early to explore the place more. We went to the other side of the beach and saw a not so pleasant view. I do not know if this is still part of the private property but garbage was everywhere. Irresponsible camper’s maybe, that doesn't really care much of nature and just went there to enjoy and forgetting their part and their responsibility. 

On our way to the other side of the beach

Peaceful at far and very beautiful place to see

Yet at some parts this is what you'll see

And this 

Overall Burot beach is a good place for a quick summer getaway. I wish it will be protected as it deserves to be. The beauty of the place makes it worth raving because of its accessibility and a feeling of being away from the city. It’s recommended for those who do not have much time in going to far places for a beach trip. It’s a place that’s also asking for a little care to preserve its beauty. And also much better to be visited with your friends and love ones. 

Travelling would never be fun without them!

And another beach revealed :) Thanks for the experience!

~And the voice of the sea speaks to the soul~

What do you expect in Manila Ocean Park?

A visit again at Manila Ocean Park 

Our unplanned Manila Ocean Park trip is not what I’m expecting to see after my first visit when it was just opened. I noticed that there’s a portion that’s like a “Tiangge” mall inside, arcade games and boutiques. I also noticed that the fishes are not as many as before and the overlooking Manila bay is (as expected) not clean that makes the surroundings not very pleasant to see.

We bought the Ultimate Adventure voucher which consist of the following; Trails to Antarctica (Slide O Fun, Penguin Exhibit, Snow Village), Oceanarium, Sharks and Rays Dry Encounter, Jellies Exhibit, Acquatica Fish Spa, Birds of Prey Kingdom and Liquid Buffet for P849 per person

Though it’s not the same as what I’m expecting, I still have some shots that’s for me is the highlight of our short visit.

I'm not good in remembering fish names :) 

Also on this fish

I know it's Puffer Fish right? Unpuffed.

Hey Manta Ray!

I've seen this before, only smaller. In the dining table? :p

Mini Antarctica, with few Penguins only

It's good to read all the facts here

With my in-laws :) 

And with Hal of course!

Time to get a Fish Spa - the bigger fish, the more painful it is.

The handler told that they are not wild anymore

They were breed captive and will not be able to get back in the wild

Birds were tamed already. 

The small portion is the Jelly Fish Exhibit. 

Pink is cute

Better to see it here than up close in the sea.

Colorful Jellies ends our day :)

The place is still good for learning experience for kids, but maybe because it was running for quite some time already; the place was not conserve for its purpose. Though it was still appealing by looking at the pictures, I’m quite afraid that the marine animals here and the birds may not be getting enough care when it comes to facilities and imitating their natural habitat.

Manila Ocean Park

Address:

Behind Quirino Grandstand

Luneta Manila Philippines 1000

Trunkline: +63 2 567 7777

Facsimile: +63 2 567 2309

Email: inquiry@manilaoceanpark.com

Overnight at Royal Palm Residences

At the Royal Palm Residences

Two of my “Feb-Fab-Friends” celebrated their birthdays and we decided that our post party celebration will be just around the corner. Since we wanted to have our usual house party, we stayed overnight at Royal Palm Residence in Taguig. Some of the units here are for rent and so we arranged one. Its a cheaper option instead of staying in a hotel. Rate usually ranges from 2,500 and up. It can be lower if you’ll be a long staying guest. We got ours with a discount rate. 

Our view outside, we're on the 4th floor. 

It is a Thai-influenced and resort inspired residential condominiums, complete with recreational amenities. What I like most is they are pet friendly. They allow owners to have pets at home unlike other real estate developers. What I don’t like is because its near NAIA, approximately just 15-20 minutes away, we can hear airplanes arriving and departing the area, though it's not very loud, for me it's still disturbing. 

Sorry for not having a decent photo of the unit, I'm unable to take pictures of the rooms and others because we are too excited to eat and the unit was quite a mess already. We decorated it with balloons for more festive look.

This is all the pictures I've got inside our 2 bedroom unit.

It’s a plus that our friend work here as a Property Manager so we can explore the area so easily and she was able to arrange our reservations quickly. We decided to visit the nearby residence, the Cedar Crest for a swim, courtesy of her arrangements.

A quick swim here at Cedar Crest

It's a hot sunny afternoon

Group pic :) The girls in front are the celebrants. 

We do not have enough time to explore much but if you're a fan of high-rise or mid-rise condominiums I bet you’ll also want to get a unit of your own. For me, not much. :p

Cheers to a fun weekend celebration! 

Royal Palm Residences
Address: Royal Palm Residences, Acacia Ave., Taguig

Rizal Park Today: A quick tour back to the historical urban park in Manila

The Rizal Monument in Rizal Park

The Luneta park also known as Rizal’s park is a common site for me during the college days. Having your university just around the corner, seeing how it is today after sometime is such a good feeling. I miss everything, the heat and the smoke of the city. The college students walking around everywhere reminds me of my college existence, and gosh I’m getting older. 

Luneta is better today than few years back when I'm thinner, so baduy and still enjoying the college crazy life. That’s for me, it’s cleaner and more organized. My mom-in-law who was with us during the short visit told me that it was way better during the older times.  

Kilometer Zero is here

It was a sunny afternoon

No litters around that day - good job!

Tourist around - this will also bring them in the nearby historical locations

The Chinese Garden 

This is also new :) 

Now with food stalls around. 

Pleasant surroundings 

Guard on duty

Another new for me, not much structures before

The Orchidarium, also a venue for weddings

They remind me of the "cheering competition" days, we also loiter around  like this for practice

Lapu-Lapu statue on the side, I guess it was under construction before :p 

Another new statue 

Sorry for the photo overload. 

Having so much politics and controversy in the city, it’s still good to see a bit of improvement and appreciate the history of the urban park presented. In the honor of our national hero Jose Rizal and our independence, the park symbolizes every Filipino bravery, courage and freedom.  

Good to see you again! Maybe I should visit our University next time :D

The Rizal Park

Roxas Boulevard, Ermita, Manila,Philippines

My 2013 Highlights – Welcoming 2014 With Big Dreams and Success

It’s the time to look back and remember the best part of 2013 and now be ready for the 2014 to be more wonderful and fruitful year.

January is my birth month and I decided to have “ordinary day me-time celebration” but that didn't happen as it turned out as the most memorable day for me. I’m officially engaged! Hal decided to propose exactly on my birthday. I thought it was a surprised birthday treat with only of my closest friends and until I realized that some of his friends were also there to witness the proposal. I am clueless and totally surprised, so touch, feeling special, so in-love and so it’s a YES!

Blindfold, dance number, will you marry me shirt, engangement ring, party popper ~ I'm enganged!

 
February was a simple celebration of my Nanay’s birthday at home. Then we have a new member of the family. It's Damon and he's super kulit but lovable.

Nanay with her birthday cake and Damon on the right (now he's 1 year old!)

I got to see my classmates from BSC-CS batch 4A-07 last March for a comeback party at center Stage Makati. Though we were incomplete, it's the first time after a while to get-together in a big count.

Then it was Cher's wedding, we are five solid girlfriends since elementary and she's the first to get married.

And of course, my dream Mt. Pulag hike finally came true. It's truly a magnificent view.

Good old friends are the best to keep! 

I can't remember any major events last April. It was on the month of May when the 'Meet the parents' happened, and Hal's nephew was baptized and I'm the ninang again. :p

Hal's family and I had finally met (formally) to discuss the up coming marriage. So early and excited lang :) 

June was another trip and the QA eskapaderas 'with Hal' decided to visit Northern Mindanao (CDO, Iligan, Bukidnon and Camiguin). We went white-water rafting, falls trekking, swimming, beachineering, food triping, zip-lining, and do some bargaining at ukay-ukay. Another a-must visit place here in the Philippines.

A week of ultimate adventure! 

July and August were spent more on get together and bonding time with friends, no out of town and other plans. July was also Hal's birthday but we decided to save more bucks and just celebrate it with videoke-time with the closest friends.

September was also a no trip month for me, it was sad but some events at the office like Cocktail party and Docomolympics that fairly made my routine change a bit while preparing for the wedding, business planning and etc.

Then by October, after some few group messages and planning, we decided to go to Baler for a short weekend getaway. We explored the town of Baler. I finally learned to surf and nailed it!

We get stoked and surf it up! 

The month of November was not a very good month for me; my mother was bought to the hospital due to very high blood pressure but was luckily diagnosed for no major sickness. However, tatay was confined after a few days due to heart and lung failure, we stayed in the hospital for a week. I'm still thankful for his second life and finally he gave up smoking and drinking. He's getting better now and just need to keep the medication going and continues medical check up.

And then December, we had couple of trainings, deadline to beat, workloads and exams to prepare so to end my 2013, we had some stress-release all girls night out at Haze and had our Year end party at Metz.

After a stress long days of deadline and bulk-loads at work ~ we really deserve to party hard! 

And that’s how my year goes. It’s truly an up and down 2013 for me. I am unable to keep traveling due to some priorities but I am looking forward to put a check on my travel bucket list one at a time. I am thankful for all the blessings and for making me stronger to face life’s challenges. I was challenged few months before the year ends but I was able to keep up, be patient, be more positive and keep going. Let’s all give thanks to our Almighty God that even with the tragedy and failures; we are capable to see hope and light in every way. I am also very thankful that I am able to continue tithing and attending The Feast and was now more open to his overflowing blessings.

I know we are stronger and more focus on our goals and so please join me in welcoming 2014 with Big Dreams and Success!