Short Family Vacation In The Philippines Idea #1: Overnight Stay At Canyon Cove

Australia's deadly bushfires, flood-hit Indonesia, Turkey earthquake, Philippines' Taal Volcano eruption, locust invasion in eastern Africa, Kashmir avalanche and Coronavirus outbreak. What else? I don't know. I guess, the perfect question would be, how much more misery can we take? Or, when will this end? Without a doubt, this new year, 2020, is seriously ill. You know, it's like tsunami of bad news, from many natural disasters, tragedies, death, regional conflicts to a new virus outbreak. Everyone is overwhelmed.

 View of Taal Volcano and its Lake from Tagaytay Picnic Grove.

Everyone is having nightmares. Few more days left before a new month starts, a new quarter. I'm hopeful that April would not fool us, that it would be better and happier.

Right now, if you'd like to cry out loud, go. If you'd like to scream, go! But remember, never ever forget to wipe your tears and turn over a new leaf. It's a normal feeling, that's okay.

In times like these, there's crisis and uncertainty, it is important that we have a strong faith in God, we pray a lot and we read uplifting books that will soothe our souls in dark times.

Like the pocket book "Our Daily Bread", I've been reading this since Day 1 of this year and it's really helping me to have PMA, you know what I mean? The Positive Mental Attitude.

Remember this,

"Can anyone of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?" - Matthew 6:27

And this,

"Do not be frightened" - 1 Peter 3:14

We got this, Super Folks! Moving on, question, what are you most looking forward in 2020? New house, car, wedding or partner? Me, like last year and two years ago, I'm looking forward to discovering new places in my country, the Philippines and cultures in Asia. In short, more travel adventures.

Lucky me, because it happened like right away. Super thanks to our aunt from the US who treated us when she and our cousins went back to the Philippines last year for a short vacation. Because of her, we successfully kicked off the new year with a splash again, at Canyon Cove beach.

Four months in the making, I had to organize almost everything, from buying vouchers, reserving our rooms on line, to filing vacation leave early. It wasn't easy, but it was worth the effort.

It was a short family vacation, we had our overnight stay at Canyon Cove Hotel and Spa, roughly one week after New Year's eve countdown. We used four vouchers which I bought the first two from a travel expo, worth PHP 3,500 each(roughly USD 70), good for four adults each. The other two were from MetroDeal app, worth PHP 2,999 each(roughly USD 59.98), quite cheaper, but the main difference was, these were good only for two adults and two children(below seven years old) each.

Our check-in time was 3 PM but because we super enjoyed the Tagaytay side trip, we arrived late. Our lunch at the Picnic Grove and the picturesque view of Taal Volcano and its Lake, the calmness before its eruption.

Monday afternoon, the reception of Canyon was busy as a bee. Unexpectedly, due to high volume and the hotel was almost fully booked, our four rooms were not on the same floor or area. That's okay though, we had no choice. Our rooms were all superior, they were all spacious and comfortable.

Important thing, if you're planning to go here, you have to prepare for the required security deposit upon check-in worth PHP 2,000 per room(roughly USD 40), for sure, other hotels have this kind of policy too. They accept either Cash or Credit Card and no worries, it will be refunded upon check-out.

Patungan Beach, we just discovered this beautiful place when we were on our way home, back to Manila.

Canyon Cove is located in Nasugbu, Batangas, aside from its well-maintained and stunning beachfront, your whole family will also love their nice swimming pool, night time fire dance by the beach and famous inflatable water park. If the weather permits, don't forget to witness the dramatic sunset too, it was the best part for me when we were there.

And this ends here, thank you so much again for reading my blog and see you on my next post. There, I'll be sharing my Leyte Trip with my relatives. 

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New Lasema Spa: My First Jjimjilbang Experience - Time To Relax!

"God, please make your world a better place for us." Few hours after Kobe Bryant's tragic loss, I posted this on my Facebook wall. I remember, it was January 27, 2020, Monday morning in the Philippines when I saw it on my News Feed. At first, I really thought it was fake, but no, it wasn't, it was a true horrible news. I don't watch NBA games religiously and yes, I like Klay Thompson, Stephen Curry, Kyle Kuzma and Jordan Clarkson but I still don't consider myself a die-hard basketball fan.

Another but, it doesn't mean I didn't get sad and deeply shocked. It's human nature and normal to feel bad about it. I agree with Mandy Moore, an American singer, songwriter and actress. Based on her Instagram post, "No words. Unfathomable and heartbreaking on every level. You don't have to know someone personally to recognize their contribution to the world and their long lasting legacy as an athlete and a human. Thank you, Kobe. Sending all the love and prayers to Vanessa Bryant, their children and the family/loved ones of those lost today."

Really no words, it's undescribable. Rest in Paradise Sir Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna and seven other passengers. My deepest sympathies go out also to their families, on this unexpected demise of their loved ones. May God give them peace that they seek.

Why God? Why oh why world? Why things are so uncertain nowadays? Well, I know this is difficult to figure out, so, I guess, I'm just gonna park my question for now and leave everything in our Creator's hands.

Let's just simply celebrate life every day. Like what Ellen DeGeneres said to her viewers, after news of Kobe's death. "Life is short, and it's fragile and we don't know how many birthdays we have. So just, you don't have to have a birthday to celebrate life. And if you haven't told someone you love them, do it now. Do it. Tell people you love them. Call your friends, text your friends, hug them, kiss them."

I was teary-eyed after watching that episode on her IG TV. Her monologue was heartbreaking, true and impactful.

Sorry Super Folks, if I feel this way. I wish I could go back to Lasema Spa. I'd like to relax, detoxify and remove my worries. Experience the "Jjimjilbang" again, eat spicy Korean noodles and my favorite "Tteokbokki", drink ginger juice with friends.

I really miss those. Oops! "Kimchi", I miss that too. It was more than a year ago when me and my two lovely girl friends went to this Korean bathhouse in Makati City, mainly to feel South Korea. To experience the Korean culture, without the need of visa and airline ticket.

Whether you're a Filipino or a foreigner staying in Metro Manila, you might wanna try this place because like me, you'll surely find tranquility. New Lasema Spa & Jjimjilbang is located at 8846 Sampaloc St., corner Estrella St., San Antonio Village, Makati City, 1203, Metro Manila.

In the Philippines, it's like, everybody loves South Korea, almost everything about it. Soju, K-pop, Samgyeopsal, Gangnam Style, Hangul, Bibimbap, what else? Korean dramas aka K-dramas like the trending on Twitter "Crash Landing On You". I guess that's what they call "The Korean Wave".

Not everyone can afford to visit this country, that's why people like us do the most practical way. We either go to Korean restaurant or spa like Lasema, and pretend we're in a K-drama setting.

It was Sunday afternoon when we arrived and paid PHP 980 each(roughly USD 19). That's good for 12 hours, we had access to Jjimjil, Wet Sauna and Gym. Prices vary, so much better to check their Facebook page first, for updates, but you can also review the menu at the reception. To make sure, just bring your credit card or extra cash.

Jjimjilbang is a sauna and spa concept from Korea, which is celebrities and K-Pop stars' favorite pastime, but honestly, I didn't know that fun fact when we were there. It was my first time and literally a fresh experience.

In addition, according to Wikipedia, it's a large, sex-segregated public bathhouse in South Korea, furnished with hot tubs, showers, Korean traditional kiln saunas and massage tables. Jimjil is derived from the words meaning "heating". In other areas of the building or on other floors there are unisex areas, usually with a snack bar, ondol-heated floor for lounging and sleeping, wide-screen TVs, exercise rooms, ice rooms, heated salt rooms, PC bang, noraebang, and sleeping quarters with bunk beds or sleeping mats. Many of the sleeping rooms have themes or elements to them.

The walls are decorated with woods, minerals, crystals, stones, and metals to make the ambient mood and smell more natural. The elements used have traditional Korean medicinal purposes in the rooms.

Most Jjimjilbangs are open 24 hours and are a popular weekend getaway for South Korean families. During the week, many hardworking South Korean men, whose families live out of the city for cost savings, stay in Jjimjilbangs overnight after working or drinking with co-workers late into the night.

Promise, you will sweat a lot but no doubt, it will be beneficial to your health. Just don't forget to bring extra clothes, it's a must! Discount? There are websites like MetroDeal where you can find new deals and buy Lasema vouchers. Based on their site, three different saunas await you.

Chungito: Balance your mind and energy and release all negative ions accumulated in your body.

Salt Charcoal: Reboot your metabolism with this sauna's carbon minerals such as iron, calcium and magnesium.

Oak and Clay: Accelerate your body's healing process especially if you have skin issues or asthma.

I'm so excited to go back and enjoy the Ice room! See you there. And this ends here. Thanks again for reading my blog. Coming up next? Travel, that's just a clue.

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