Day Trip at Aquaria Calatagan

It's not just our annual family vacation but also a  tradition  that we simply  cannot break.  Since the start of  summer kicked  in,  we already planned to spend at least three nights in Bolinao or  hit  north beaches. With my too many conditions,   Batangas or  Subic  were the only  options left  on their list.  I probably have the last say because  even if I sent links which they may consider, they just let me decide where to spend our summer trip.  They eventually  agreed in Batangas  and  settled to  Aquaria which is just a three-hour travel from Manila.  I've been to Calatagan many years ago when we  conducted an ocular visit to few of  A-Resorts in Batangas for team building venue and company outing.  I am quite familiar with the road  but after almost 17 years I really couldn't remember anything about the place.

We enjoyed the  long  road trip  as it is very scenic and greenery.  We stopped by at a fruit stand and  bought mangoes and jackfruit before proceeding to Calatagan.

I guess I should stop a wordy intro to the beach resort. My photos will just speak as I tour you around inside Aquaria. 

 

Upon checking in, we registered in the reception area and the staff  put us a tag  that serves  as our pass around the resort.

Photo opportunity  under the heat of the sun. Imagine how hot the place is at the peak of summer. We came here in the last few days of May when the rainy season almost started to come in.

Okay, this is my recycled outfit from our last summer's Dive and Trek. :)

Entrance fee at the resort is P400 for adult and P200 for child. You don't need to book a reservation. Playa Calatagan residential owners have special rate. Please check it out in their website.

Which SPF to choose?  Kind of confuse?!   Don't forget to bring SPF lotion to protect your skin.

Getting ready  for selfie. 

We rented a large cabana for P1500 and picnic table and chair for P200. We just squeezed  the food in this  table which is only   good for 4 pax.   Jack fruit became the star of the table as  our  neighboring tent campers  gave us  an odd  look like telling  us why we have such food on the beach.

 

Okay, this is the real food.  What's perfect for beach outing?  Grilled pork marinated overnight. 

 

My daughter and I walked along the stretch of  shoreline.  And ooh, I love the smell of the sea.  We planned to do some water activities late afternoon when the sun was  not too harsh  for our skin.  Unfortunately, when the sun went down,  the water subsided too.  I suggest that you do water activities  in the morning when the water is still in the high tide state. 

Nevertheless, they enjoyed the pool and the giant slide.

Are these hermit crabs?   There are many of these in the shore. 

The obligatory jump shot!

The groupie.

and the shadow selfie!

I didn't realize that we've been here  16 years ago when it's not yet developed. Only then I  figured out  after seeing the rock formations and when the low tide in the afternoon revealed.  Yes, somewhere here.  We've been here before.   How nostalgic.

Let me segue a bit on the road on our way back home. The two motorists  somehow gave us an unusual view.   I hope they still focus on the road and not on the thrill  of being together.

 We were caught  by the traffic  in the middle of the trip.

 We stopped  by to give way to Santacruzan  happening during the  month of  May. 


We  left  Calatagan  at 5:30pm  and arrived home past 9.

We didn't just take home jack fruit and mangoes but sweet pineapple as well.

Summer Fun and Adventure at Sandbox, Alviera

At  31°C,  with  humidity of  46%,  there is no doubt that summer is  officially here.   At the  media launch of  Sandbox at  Porac, Pampanga last Saturday, April 5, 2014,  I felt that the weather forecast was not accurate.  It could be more than that  because  I could feel the sun in my skin. It was extremely hot and the  sky was so clear.

For  adrenaline junkies and those looking for adventurous activities, this kind of weather doesn't make any contribution to stop  them from heart pumping and thrilling rides.

For family activity, the place is also perfect for  kids  because they have a themed  playground with picnic areas, mini golf and camping sites.

Sandbox  features an array of exciting attractions  such as  Giant Swing, Aerial Walk, Adventure Tower that features, Free Fall, Rappel Wall and Wall Climbing,  Roller Coaster Zipline,  ATV,  and more  that visitors will surely enjoy and  have a memorable experience this summer as they will officially open to public on April 12, 2014.

My two daughters as they were getting ready to do rappelling and wall climbing.

It's the CLIMB!  The siblings that climb together stay together. :)

Adventure Tower,  with 15 meters of wall climbing fun, rappelling and free fall.

Wall Climb

Rappel Wall

The Giant Swing that will take your breath away.  Get ready to scream now.. 

Giant Swing

There you go.. my two daughters as they tried the giant swing while they embraced the summer sun.
  
The Giant Swing is the tallest swing in the Philippines with 10-meters high.

Doing the Aerial Walk

The Aerial Walk is a high rope adventure with the added challenge of being in an obstacle course.

Sandbox also offers ATV AND mini-ATV rides.

ATV and UTV Rides at the Sandbox

Sandbox's UTV and ATV Rides

On April 12, 2014,  a concert featuring Bamboo Manalac  will be held in the open field  as the park will be officially opened to public.  They will  also  feature kite-flying and kite making workshops, health and wellness program this summer. 


Sandbox is a perfect place for family picnics,  team building sessions, sports and active life enthusiasts, outdoor hobbyists and outings with friends. 

The Sandbox is open from Tuesdays to Saturdays, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

 For booking guidelines, visit the Alviera at  http://www.alviera.ph/ and http://www.facebook.com/AlvieraPH.


 How to get there.