FlashBack: Subic SCTEX

As we are test driving our new car we decided to go to Subic and pass through the new hi-way, I am amazed to see the SCTEX (Subic, Clark, Tarlac Expressway) Road going to Subic. It was build along the rice fields and mountains. The sceneries were gorgeous, it's like driving along with the mountains. The roads are good and most of all there are only few vehicles that are passing by. No traffic, no hassle! The toll fee is kinda expensive but for me, as long as it's convenient, it's ok for me to pay for a certain amount.

This is the card they use as toll pass...you just need to swipe it but hmm there's a little problem when we got to the other end. The card didn't detect what tollway station we entered. hehe... Maybe they're still on testing mode.




Note: Flashback Posts are posts from my previous blog.

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Sierra Madre Tanay - Day 3

It's our last day at Sierra Madre Resort, we were up early to eat breakfast in Bulaluhan beside the resort. We had 2 Bulalo and 3 rice for less than 300. It was delicious! While eating, a group of Vespa Riders came in to have coffee, but when they saw us eating Bulalo they were enticed and also ordered a set meal for all of them. I recognized one of their member is an actor, Gabe Mercado also known as "Ok ka ba Tyan" Yakult commercial is one of them. My hubby took photos of their Vespas neatly parked beside the bulaluhan.

Road signs

Bulaluhan

Tanay is a very popular place for Motorcycle Riders because of the paved zigzag roads that are nice for banking. Every weekend, there are a lot of motorcycle enthusiasts meeting up and traveling around Tanay to enjoy the ride and to destress themselves from the whole week of work. For the aficionados they race for fun. One good thing about this place is that it's so accessible that you do not have to spend an overnight to fully enjoy the place plus the fact that you don't have to spend much to get here. One can have a ride here on a half day if you only want to travel and not stay anywhere else. The most popular food here is bulalo and dinakdakan so when you're here, you might want to try these foods. The photos below show different groups of Motorcycle Hobbyist who regularly visit this place. My husband and I too are frequent visitors of this area when we just want to unwind with his Grand Dink.

Related Posts:
Sierra Madre Day 1
Sierra Madre Day 2
Sierra Madre Ocular 
Sierra Madre Accommodation and Rates

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Jampack Daranak

We've been to Daranak Falls before but we decided to visit it again since we were just in the vicinity. My main purpose is actually just to take photos of the falls but when we get there it was really crowded. You can really tell from the outside that it is crowded because the parking lot is full and you can see the people blocking the entrance coz everybody wants to go in first even if they're still settling their fees at the counter. I kinda expected it coz it's Holy week, people go out since it's long holiday and Daranak Falls is one the most accessible tourist spots near Manila. We decided to go back and just postponed the visit anyway we have many chance to see it again some other time. I also don't want to take photos with lots of people near the falls.

I need to know the current rates for the entrance fee and tables but I did not get out of the car coz we are maneuvering, good thing I have a good set of lens I was able to capture the price list. I now have the rates but I don't know if it's updated. hehe.


While driving back to Sierra Madre Resort, I got to take pictures of the vehicles going to the Falls. There are trucks jampacked with people and a tricycle also full of passengers in and out the sidecar. I was amused on how many people are out on Holy Week, you can easily tell it on these photos.







We chance upon a store selling fresh buko juice so we bought 2 but the knife of Manong Magbubuko is not that sharp. We were laughing coz the juice was spilled less juice left for my hubby...huhu...but they were kind enough to tell us to just exchange it for a new one but we didn't accept it coz we want them to earn. We were happy anyway coz Manong is nice.



Related Posts:
Daranak and Batlag Falls Day Tour

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Sierra Madre Resort and Country Club Tanay - Day2

We woke up early to start the day. We'd like to see the sunrise in the mountains and have an early breakfast so we can go down the hill and see if we'd like to swim as Sierra Madre has 2 swimming pools but you have to go downhill to see it . I had daing na bangus for breakfast and tapa for my Hubby both with coffee which cost us around Php300. The price is just right for the meal. After the sumptuous breakfast, we headed straight to the pool but we brought our car because my hubby doesn't want to walk that far because the stairs are kinda steep.



These photos shows the entrance of the Sierra Madre Resort, the Reception Area, Dining or Restaurant Area and the Music Lounge with piano and sound system where you can pay for the Videoke.

We first visited the prayer mountain, since it's Good Friday we paid respect to the Holy Mountain where you can do the traditional Station of the Cross. The last cross would be on the top of the mountain which we did not visited because it needs some trekking to reach it. There's also a Chapel where they conducted a Mass.

The photos below are the 2 swimming pools with overlooking view of the mountains.

The rest of the photos are the places inside the resort where you can roam around and unwind. The view of the mountains is enough to commune with nature, there's also a waterfalls in the resort but I did not go down to the third level because no one's going there and the grasses are tall.

Related Posts:
Sierra Madre Resort and Country Club Tanay- Day 1
Sierra Madre Resort and Country Club
Sierra Madre Accommodation and Rates

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Sierra Madre Resort and Country Club Tanay - Day1

This has been a long overdue review of Sierra Madre Resort and Country Club where we spent our 1st Year Wedding Anniversary on a Holy Week. We booked a room for two nights and was able to get there at around 6pm of Holy Thursday because we were in Quezon in the morning to join my Hubby's Scooterista Ride. Since we do not have enough sleep yet, my Hubby just slept as soon as we were settled. I went out to check the vicinity and was caught by the lovely moon which I took photos on but I found the first 3 photos kinda creepy because of the moonlight effects and the shadows of the pine trees. It looks like it came from some foreign ghost movies.

After taking photos of the moon, I roamed around to see what else to photograph in the vicinity. The bridge and the gazebo are photo friendly since they are lighted during the night. I love how the pine trees are situated at the back of the hall because it gives a nice effect on my photos.

This is the view of the rooms overlooking the mountains. The lights are nice but my photo is kinda blurred. Then I also got a photo of our room just to show you how it looks like. The room is big enough for two persons. It has a toilet and bath but with no air condition because it's always cold here, an electric fan is enough to cool the room down.

Here's a shot of a rainbow during our trip going to Sierra Madre before dusk. We were so fast that I didn't get a good shot of the rainbow as there are electric cables and post in the photo. I remember capturing rainbows in Pagudpud which are more clear and has a good view at the background.

Related post:
Sierra Madre Resort Ocular
Tanay Roads
Sierra Madre Accommodation and Rates

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Chillin' at Ace Water Spa

Ace Water Spa has always been our favorite spa destination. It's a different kind of spa compared to the ones we already knew. It has several pools with spa facilities, a kiddie pool and a lap pool. Imagine yourself swimming in the pool with the benefit of the hydro massage. Each facility has a note on it on where the hydro massage will focus. They have different massage for all the parts of the body you'll just have to read the direction, follow the right position and click the button to make it work. They also have 3 hot pools with ginseng which are therapeutic, just be careful with the position coz you have to put your nape in the cold steel to prevent your temperature/blood to go up and be aware of the time limit they said in the note coz you cannot stay there longer. Ace water spa also has steam room and sauna bath in case you want to try that out.

The amenities at Ace Water Spa is commendable, they have clean facilities and everyone is required to wear the proper swimming attire. A snug-fitting swimwear is required as the water pressure can be very strong and could literally bare your body parts. A swimming cap is also required to prevent falling hair in the pool. They also have swim wears for rent in case you forgot to bring yours. The bathrooms are nice and clean, they have a complete set of shampoo, soap, gel, cotton buds, tissue, blower, slippers and lockers so you won't have to worry if in case you just stop by the spa.

Ace water spa also has a restaurant where you can eat after a relaxing massage, they offer a free soup after the 4 hrs massage. Cameras are not allowed inside so I just shoot the one I see from the resto.

One session at Ace Water Spa costs 550 pesos for adults and 250 pesos for kids below 4 feet. It's an all weather establishment coz all the pools are indoors so you don't have to worry about the sun burn and rain. It's a nice place to relax and thanks to my officemates who recommended this place to us.

Ace Water Spa is located at 399 Del Monte Ave. (near cor. Banawe St.), SFDM, Quezon City. Contact numbers are 3678040-41 and 3678061. They are open at 6am til 11pm daily.

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