CieLJ Weekend: The Lost Horizon Resort

I've wanted to take LJ to Bohol before, but what pushed me more was the recent earthquake that damaged a lot of the old churches. The original plan was December, but since the province was still trying to recover then, I delayed the trip and waited for a promo. I chanced upon a good deal with Philippine Airlines and booked the trip right away, sakto for summer! *big grin*

This was supposed to be a no nonsense trip. Not really a backpacker type of vacation, but I've decided that our choices will be practical. I've narrowed my hotel search to at least include the following:

1. Price should not be more than Php 3,000 per night, even better if lower than Php 2,500. 

2. Beachfront location, alam nyo naman si LJ anak dagat

3. Breakfast is already included in the rate. Less stress on deciding where to eat. 

4. Lastly, with Wi-Fi, hehe! Yeah, we are high maintenance, like that. 

Some nice to have in my list that helped me decide to sway in favor of another

1. Trip Advisor reviews

2. Balcony? :) 
3. Can be booked through Agoda

We walked in to Lost Horizon, and it wasn't love at first sight. It's not the usual type of hotel that we are used to, and as mentioned in other reviews, there's a little bit of age in it. It did slowly grew on us. One  advantage of an older hotel is the room size, unlike the modern box rooms, the deluxe room that we got has a lot of floor space, even the bathroom is not cramped. The king size bed was very comfortable and it even had a duvet, not your usual resort style beddings that just gives you a flat sheet for a blanket. There are safes inside the room. We never really use hotel safes, but for Lost Horizon, I felt that we need to. There were no unfortunate incident that happened, but the door knobs were a bit difficult to lock. 

CieLJ Weekend: Taal Vista

Taal Vista located along the Tagaytay ridge, is such an iconic hotel. It’s definitely one of the most popular places to stay in Tagaytay. I’ve always wanted to try to book a room here but since its rates are at a premium, it’s not something that you can pick at a whim. 

We had a couple of good reasons to stay overnight in Tagaytay last February, and I was thinking this is perfect timing to book a room in Taal Vista. 

CieLJ Weekend: Club Punta Fuego

We wanted to go out of town, but since it’s too late in the game for me to book tickets, airfares were already crazy expensive and I had to settle for a place that will just be a drive away. 

My husband wanted to drive North, while I am more loyal to the South …of course I won, teehee!  

I narrowed my choices to three: 

Laiya resorts (just because there will be full board meals and I’m lazy like that)
Pico de Loro, and 
Club Punta Fuego

Pico de Loro got crossed out because …I honestly can’t remember, probably because of the reviews; 

Laiya got booted out since we will be going there 2 weeks later anyways, 

so that leaves us with Club Punta Fuego. Excellent Choice! 

I booked our rooms through Expedia, it was also available through Agoda, but at the time Expedia had the room type that I want, and it was cheaper by a couple of hundred. 

We didn’t really get lost; it’s a fairly decent drive. We took the Tagaytay route, on to Nasugbu Town Proper and it will be an easy drive from there. Slowly the houses will be replaced by landscapes, and the road will be a bit more uphill. Canyon Cove will be to your left, as well as Terrazas de Punta Fuego, just keep on going,  follow the signage for ‘Pico de Loro,’ to make it easier. Probably 10 minutes more up and down the hill, and keep your eyes peeled for that one small sign for Club Punta Fuego where you’ll need to turn left. A word of caution the road humps are high in that area, drive slowly. Just stay on the road and you will reach the gates of Club Punta Fuego, luxury and exclusivity begins! 

We parked in front of the main clubhouse and checked-in to our room. We booked a sunset suite, there are casitas also available and I think those are more popular because of the floor space, but they got me interested to the hotel like suites because of the ‘balcony.’ I’m such a sucker for that small space with a view. The sunset suite rocks!!

awesome view!

Life as a Comedy

We’ve dedicated a couple of weeks to complete the church requirements. Who knew that such paperwork could cause this much anxiety? I was prepared to go through constant worry because of LJ’s documents, but I felt blind sided by the troubles caused by mine. 

Thank God for friends who helped us get through the strain! 

We also celebrated LJ’s birthday week as he inches his way towards the big 3-0, I can’t wait!   

One

Get Cie’s Confirmation Certificate – check! 

Mother of Good Counsel Parish

Rainy morning in Pacita

Altar of the MGC
Daddy's trademark ceiling design =D

Proud daughter of one of the architects =D

Two

Attempt to get a copy of Cie’s Baptismal Certificate – Fail! 

Parish of Our Lady of the Abandoned/ Nuestra Señora delos Desamparados

OLA's Facade

Altar of OLA

Things didn't work out, so we decided to eat our sorrows away. 

Braved through the rains and went to YellowCab Eastwood

We got some good news that evening,

though not related to our papers, but it was something

that was truly an unexpected blessing

Three

Canonical Interview – check!

Mary the Queen Parish

paperwork! paperwork!

despite being nervous, we honestly enjoyed this

Four

Tummy Break - yahoo! 

Krispy Kreme

we felt we deserved a sweet treat... 

LJ partnered it with Pepsi Max for less sugar, LOL

Burgoo’s

we both loved our dinner that evening,

LJ had some pork chops,

I decided to go with the Cream Dory Milanese

it's true that during difficult times, 

the universe will always send something your way that will make you smile, 

make you appreciate the little things that you would otherwise ignore

there was this kid asking for money while we were riding the bus home

instead of the usual brown envelopes, 

she handed this...

we told the kid that it was a nice drawing, 

she offered to leave an envelope with us,

even picked out the nicest one

this is now in our vision board,
a reminder of simple kindness and generosity ",)

Five

Wedding Planning Mode – sows! 

Krispy Kreme

messy table, hard at work?

we stayed so long, we got the free donuts!

Six

Express Dinner – sa wakas! 

Goldilocks

just to make you understand the excitement,

LJ NEVER, EVER wants to eat here.

While I'm the ultimate fan of their dinuguan, 

so there, happiness! ",)

Seven

Movie Date – luv! 

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

Best seen with our fave movie snacks, 

Tater's popcorn and Slammer Burgers!

We enjoyed watching this movie, 

even though I've never read the book, 

I'm no history geek, and 

vampire movies scares the heck out of me.

Eight

LJ’s Kumpil Express – check!

thank you to the Ninong and Ninang. ",)

LJ’s Confirmation Certificate for Marriage purposes – Fail! 

Shrine of St Michael and the Archangels

we need to go back to add the annotation, 

we just need LJ's updated baptismal cert... 

haaay... church requirements...

to read more about getting your confirmation 

done in the Shrine of St Michael, click here

my cousin also got confirmed that day, 

they will get married this November, yey!

Nine

LJ’s Birthday Celeb – busog! 

Yakimix 

Ten

LJ’s Birthday Gift(s) – check! Dapat lang! 

with our bears as gift 'bearers' =p

ayaw daw nya laman nito, weh?! =D

guard asked if para sa bata,
tagal ko nakasagot ng...
'umm, pwe...de?'
pinoy henyo lang! =D

Eleven

Subic Bound – byahe tayo!

Olongapo/Subic Freeport

to read about our Byaheng Norte, click here

rest stops always excites me. Food!

Twelve

LJ’s Birthday Dinner – yum!

Fridays, Harbor Point

This almost didn't happen because of the bad weather that evening.

We were soaked to the bone, and the rain just didn't want to give any sign of giving up.

Buti na lang nagsawa, we were able to walk to Harbor Point before it closed.

The mall closes at 9pm, but some of the restaurants are open till 11pm. 

We had some Quesedilla, and Adobo.

Thirteen

Great Hotel Find – super check!

Mango Valley, Subic Freeport

You can read more about the rooms here, and in Trip Advisor

We passed by San Roque chapel inside Freeport.

It will be great for intimate destination weddings.

Fourteen 

Burger Craving – juicy!

Meat Plus Café, Subic Freeport

Meat Plus Burgers
two thick US Beef patties, with fries on the side

mashed potatoes
ordered additional carbs for the long day ahead

Fifteen

PX Goods Window shopping – isa syang grocery, LOL!

Freeport Exchange Duty Free Shop

sugar free juice mix for LJ to try

LJ wanted me to try Icee
hopefully they taste as good as he remembers them. 

Sixteen

LJ’s baptismal certificate – semi-fail!  

St Anthony de Padua

Nanay Lita was very nice and offered to send the docs via courier.

Seventeen

Homeboud – pagod! 

It was a weekend of pure chaos. We laughed, felt sad and cried 

(Well I did, LJ sort of umm, stared? LOL!)

but we eventually felt happy that it happened. 

This experience made us learn to draw strength from each other,

handle difficult situations with patience,

and most importantly, appreciate the simplest gesture of kindness.

It's a small reality check that you may not be the center of the universe for everyone, 

but at least you are the most important person to one. 

An affirmation that for every disappointment that happens, 

there will always be a blessing that follows...

something that can even be better. 

"Things happen for a reason," was our mantra for the week. 

With the help of friends, we think we can handle a tad more of this insanity. 

",)