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Reunion at Laiya, Batangas

Tonette was home for a one-month vacation so we thought of having our block reunion at Laiya Batangas. Laiya is about 140+km from Manila. It is located on the southeastern tip of the province of Batangas. It is known for its white beaches, good snorkeling and fishing.

Photo c/o Johann

We stayed at Sigayan Bay Beach Resort as suggested by Lissy. We haven't been there so we had no idea what to expect. Sigayan for me is quite nice since it is a family resort equipped with kitchen equipment and faciities in every cottage like gas stove, sink, refrigerator, water dispenser among others. The cottage that we reserved was quite small so we upgraded to a bigger one and since we did not bring anything to cook, we opted to dine out. The resto in Sigayan would take you around 30 minutes or so before you can eat so make sure you order beforehand. The staff were nice as they also arrange boat ride to explore Laiya cove.

Photo c/o Johann

We went snorkling, visited a cove, and tried food in other resorts like Kabayan and Punta Miguel. Compared to other places like Anawagin, Guimaras, Pagudpud, etc., Laiya offers simple shoreline but is a good alternative to Puerto Galera and other Batangas beaches due to its proximity.

Photo c/o Johann

After staying overnight in Laiya, the group decided to have merienda in Tagaytay before calling it a night, bringing good memories from our college years up to now. Looking forward to our next year's reunion.

FOOTNOTE:

- Going to Laiya - http://www.waypoints.ph/detail_gen.html?wpt=laiya

- Information on Sigayan Beach Resort - http://www.sigayanbayresort.com/

Potipot Island: Calmness of Water and Island Combined

For our team outing, we decided to hit the beach and one of the places in mind was Potipot Island. It is located in in Uacon, Candelaria, Zambales more than a kilometer from the mainland. Potipot Island is like an oblong-shaped island that is surrounded by fine white sands and calm clear water. Added to that is the vegetation in the area that shades you from the heat of the sun. 

As there are no resorts on the island, we stayed at Marj's friend rest house in Masinloc, Zambales were we cooked our own food. You may rent motor boats for Uacon for P 500 round trip and rent nipa hut cottages in the island for P 500 also. But should you want to stay overnight near the the island, you may book in the nearest resort such as Dawal and Isla Verde. 

The island is well maintained as there are designated trash cans and area for cooking. There is also a 50-peso entrance fee on the island. 

We rented a van going to Zambales so for those who want to commute, I posted the direction from waypoint.ph (http://www.waypoints.ph/detail_gen.html?wpt=potpot): 

How to get there

Uacon is about 46km north of Iba, the capital of Zambales. From Manila, take the North Expressway and exit at San Fernando. From San Fernando, head southwestward all the way toward Olongapo City. Right before the city boundary of Olongapo, there is a bypass way via the Subic Base Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) which you may want to take to avoid passing through the city. Take this bypass road through SBMA and exit at its Kalaklan gate then head northwestward to Subic town, Castillejos, Sn Marcelino, up to the T-junction near San Narciso.

At the T-junction near San Narciso, turn right and head north through the towns of San Narciso, San Felipe, Cabangan, Botolan, up to Iba. From Iba, head for Masinloc then towards Candelaria. Do not enter Candelaria town proper. Instead, head straight, and continue along the National Road while keeping an eye for the signs that lead to Dawal Beach Resort in Uacon. Head for Dawal Beach resort.

Coto, Zambales: Catching Fresh Water and Air in Coto Mountain Resort

On our second day team outing in Zambales, we decided to visit Coto Kidz Pool Mountain Resort right inside Coto mining site in Coto, Masinloc, Zambales. I must say, the rough road was so rough! nakakabaog for it took us almost one hour to reach the resort. But the scenery treated us with irony for there are lush greens and picture perfect views and yet you will also see the environmental impact of mining in the area. It was worth the trip when we reached the resort for it seemed you're in a enchanted place with fresh water flowing down the stream as well as water falls that soothes your stress with the sound of its flowing water. 

One can stay overnight and rent an airconditioned cottage for P 1,500. For day trippers, one may rent a cottage right beside the river for P 500. Don't miss the balsa to cross the other side of the river to treat you with more sights and cross the hanging bridge going back. 

Again, we rented a van going there so for those who want to commute, I got direction from Yahoo Answers: 

Coto Mines 

It is known as the nation’s biggest deposit of refractory ore in the world. It is 27 kms of well paved and winding gravel road from barangay baloganon to the camp site and commuted through a transportation concessionaire plying the route coto-baloganon at government controlled fare. 

baloganon is about 3 kms from the main national highway. victory liner has buses on that route from manila (about 5 hrs bus ride). From baloganon, it's more than an hour before you reach the kidz swimming pools (coto mines) right at the foot of the forest. It's in the town called masinloc (2 hrs from olongapo).