First Summer Getaway 2012 - The Sierra Madre Hotel & Resort

I first saw a photo of a friend and her fiance in the Sierra Madre Hotel & Resort via facebook (Check out the resort in Facebook here)  late 2011 and ever since I planned to be there, if not for an overnight camping, at least a day tour.

I was able to make the trip yesterday (March 4, 2012) with my brother, his gf, and my bestfriend.  From our home in the Manila University Belt district (check out University Belt condominium projects we have, check out MAP) we took the LRT Purple line from Legarda Station to Santolan Station (fare: 15 pesos, Estimated travel time: 35mins)

From Santolan Station, we took a jeep bound for Cogeo. We paid 17 pesos each for the trip and asked to be dropped at the Cogeo Market (estimated travel time: 30mins).  From the Cogeo Market, we walked towards the Sampaloc-Tanay Jeep terminal (thank you Street vendors and Mr Traffic Enforcer for showing us the way).  Fare: 28 pesos each regardless of distance. Now I am not so sure why the rate is like this. The resort is at Km 56 along the Sampaloc-Tanay Highway.  Estimated travel time: 45 minutes.  We waited for the jeep to be full before going, so adding our 45 minutes waiting time, we finally get to the location almost an hour late.

Total travel time: 2 hours and 58 minutes.
We enjoyed the view going there. There are lots of bikers in the area enjoying the cool and fresh air. We were having second thoughts on swimming on this cool summer air.

Entrance to the Resort is 100 pesos. Just add 50 to use the pool.  Total entrance fee: 150 pesos per person
(Check out the Sierra Madre Hotel and Resort rate at their facebook page click here)

We first stayed at the deck to check out the sights.



We saw the awesome and majestic view of the Sierra Madre Mountain Ranges while the cool March wind blows (note: It is March already. It is summer. It is cool up there)

Here is how the mountains look like.



We looked down below the deck and saw one of the 2 pools in the area.



Aside from that pool, there is a Spring Valley Pool 300 meters below. We tried hiking down but there are more people there than on this round pool. The reason: it is much warmer in the lower pool and there is a kiddie pool there. This pool at the picture is deep (maybe from 8-10ft). There are shallow parts on the side near the stairs. Not advisable for non-swimmers like me. I stayed most of the time on the shallow parts.



Me checking out the sights before taking a plunge.

After we checked out the Spring Valley pool and get tired hiking up to the round pool, we changed into our swimwear and took a plunge.



While enjoying the pool, I noticed their hanging bridge which was shown in their webpage.  I urged the group to explore the area - in our swimming attire - much to the surprise of the bikers and other people who are sightseeing.  No cares. We enjoyed taking photos of the area and exploring the resort in our swimwear.





This is a garden near the gazebo. It is not a part of the pool, it is upland.











At the hanging bridge






At the back you can see the rooms.



There is a viewing deck which is covered by trees.  Lovers could stay there and enjoy the summer breeze (love the rhyme)



At the viewing deck. Speaking of lovers, we saw a pair enjoying the exclusivity of this place too.

The resort has this Greek Garden where we took pictures.



The Venuses. =D

After exploring, we went back to the pool and enjoyed the cold water. and the cold breeze too.



After showering and preparing to leave, we took pictures of us with the awesome Sierra Madre view as our background.



It was an awesome stay at the Sierra Madre resort. Time is slow in this place. We were able to enjoy the place in a short while but it seems as if we've been here a long time.

Tips:

When going here via commute follow the route I mentioned above.
Jeepneys going back to Cogeo is up to 6pm only so get out of here early. Jeepneys have 30 minutes interval between trips so it is better to get on the jeep as soon as you get one.

If via private vehicle, just follow Marcos Highway from Katipunan, go straigh ahead passing by the Masinag Crossing. There is an overpass at the Cogeo Market, pass through it, go straigh ahead. You will be passing by Antipolo, Paenaan, Baras, and then you get to enjoy the sights of Tanay.  There are signages of the Sierra Madre Resort along the way.

It is cold up there.  It is already summer and it is still cold there. If you are looking for warmer pools, go to Laguna for their hot springs.

They don't have hot shower for the shower rooms near the pool. So bear with it. =D I read in their brochures that there is hot shower in the rooms, but not the shower room near the pool.


We were able to ride a jeep just when we got out of the resort. My brother needed to ride "sabit" at the door of the jeep while we waited for other passengers to get off.  Along the way there are people waiting for a ride. We're blessed to be able to get a ride as soon as we got out of the resort. Fare from the resort to Cogeo Market 53 pesos per person (see, i am still puzzled up to now why the fare is like that.  But I think this is the proper fare given the distance. The fare from Sampaloc-Tanay to Cogeo is 61 pesos per person) .  Travel time: 20 minutes

From Cogeo Market, we took a jeep bound for Cubao and asked to be dropped off at LRT-Katipunan Station ; Fare: 20 pesos per person. Travel time: 15 minutes

From Katipunan Station, we took the train bound for Legarda Station: fare: 14 pesos each. Travel time: 15 minutes

We were home before sundown. We were able to attend the 6 pm mass we intended for the repose of my father's soul.

So there, we had a blast at the Sierra Madre Hotel and Resort.  Next time I plan to visit Boso-Boso Resort in Antipolo City.

Total cost for 4 persons:

Legarda to Santolan via LRT Purple Line : 15 x 4 = 60
Santolan to Cogeo via Jeep: 17 x 4 = 68
Cogeo to The resort via jeep: 28 x 4 = 112
Resort entrance and pool use: 150 x4 = 600
Resort to Cogeo via jeep: 53 x 4 = 212
Cogeo to Katipunan LRT Station via jeep: 20 x 4 = 80
Katipunan LRT station to Legarda Station: 14 x 4 = 56

TOTAL for the group: 1,188
Per person: 297

(Food, drinks and ice cream we bought in the area not included)

Excited for more affordable yet awesome trips near Metro Manila.  It's more fun in Tanay this year.

Los Banos Laguna _ Flat Rocks

I was very eager to go to the UPLB Fair last Friday, Feb. 17.  However, since I have friends who would like to come over to UPLB on the 19th, I decided to make arrangements to be there on the 18th, the last day of the fair, meet a builder, then enjoy the last day of the Feb fair 2012.



The view from SM Calamba. I first decided to stay here while waiting to meet with the builder.



SM Calamba is within Calamba City in the province of Laguna. See there is a ricefield beside the parking area.



Tierra Sueno Townhouses in Calamba. I visited this place in order to check out this project in Laguna.

After visiting Tierra Sueno, it's time for me to go to UPLB for the fair. I did not take photos then.

In the morning, this is how UPLB looks like after the fair.





There was a kid's football clinic on the field that Sunday (02-19-2012).  There is also a Kindergarten's activity that day.

The highlight of the day is when Jollibee crews asked to use a part of the building I stayed in to dress a mascot. We agreed and took him in our place to have a picture with him.




In the afternoon of that Sunday, my ELBI brothers and sis asked me to join them to take a short hike in the Flat Rocks, a place near the UP College of Forestry, somewhere in the Mt Makiling. It will take 15 minutes of hike over muddy slopes (it rained the night before) and big rocks at the falls. On the way there we saw some big trees (i forgot what they were called).





See how near the Flat Rocks is. only 374meters from the signage.



I wasn't able to get a photo at the trail but here is how the rocks look like at the Flat Rocks





My brod was pointing to a way in between rocks where we can climb up. Below him is a pool of water and a mini fall.


downstream




upstream






Climbed up to a big rock to take a picture





One of my friends made this pose. too bad it's blurry. but look at how big the rock is.



And a refreshing pose on the falls. With earrings on.

I had a great time there enjoying the exclusivity of the place.  We started back to UPLB campus and reached it before night.



Here is how it looked when we get back on campus.

I had to leave for Manila that evening. It rained that night. It was awesome. I was able to visit Flat Rocks in good weather and leave for Manila just when the rain started.

Awesome ELBI trip this year.

Why I like buying Figlia Shoes

I am not easy to please when it comes to shoes.  If given the task of finding myself my own shoes, I will be going through lots of brands, lots of pairs, will try most. Most of the time, I go out of the store frustrated at not finding the right one for my demanding feet.

Someone once said that I demand lots from things I own that they wear out easily.  I told him that things deteriorate, they wear out, and if I bought something that can rise up to my demands, then I will be loyal to that brand.

When it comes to shoes, Figlia definitely rise above the challenge.

I have been known to use rubber shoes because they are durable and can handle my feet pressures of going to places. I walk lots and fast and I need shoes that are comfy and durable.  Most of my girly girl shoes of the past have either too high heels (I can only tolerate 1-2 inches) and easily wear out.  In malls, I am used to finding shoes that have heels higher than I can comfortably tolerate, wear out easily, or are too heavy.

Here are the things I like about Figlia Shoes.

1. Style
I like Figlia's funky yet professional style.  Whenever I visit the shoe store at SM, I check out Figlia shoes and it is like the shoes are dressed up.

Take a look at my brown shoes bought early 2011



Imagine shoes having belts.  Sexy.

Before this, the first pair I bought from Figlia is a silver pair which I call my bling bling shoes.  Since that is my only pair, the demands of my feet wore it out 6months after purchase.  This one was purchased early 2011 with another pair and a pair of rubber shoes which I bring to work (I work as a real estate broker and sometimes work requires me to go to construction sites) --> Looking for properties in Manila and nearby Locations? Check us out (click) Manilasunrealty blogger and on Facebook


2.  Comfort

Just like any other shoes, initially my brown shoes gave me foot blisters.  However, i found ultra comfort with my cream heels (see below)



This pair is airy, gave me NO blisters at all, and the height of the heels is just right.  I am not fond of wearing shoes with heels but the stable heel design, coupled with the comfort, makes me feel good whenever I wear this one.  I have used this only on 3 occasions and I love wearing it everytime.

3.  Price
Tip for shoes investor, Figlia shoes designs are good at any season, at least for me and I am not a shoe fashionista, and to get the best price possible, wait for the shoes to stay on the rack for at least 6 months and see the price go down.

I once bought a Figlia pair (my first) late 2010 at 1,000+.  It was really nice looking, really durable, but I saw the same pair by middle of 2011 and the price was less 25%.

I bought the shoes in the pictures together in early to middle of 2011. Each cost around 300 - 400 pesos.  I bought them together for around 800 pesos.  I think these are the last of the stock in SM so they lowered the price or maybe Figlia is replenishing their inventory so the old stocks need to go out fast. Nonetheless, I bought these 2 pairs at bargain price and they are my best shoes.

4.  Shoes picture on the box makes organizing easy.

I used to buy shoes put in a box which I never tend to organize properly since I have to open and reopen the box to check out which shoes are in it. Figlia packaging solved my problem.

See how their boxes look like:



See.  Each box has the picture of the shoes in it. Easy to get the shoes I need specially when pressed for time.

5.  Spare for worn out heels.

I just changed my worn out heels today with the heels provided by Figlia.

Here is my worn out heel take out of the brown shoes



I replaced it by taking out the worn out heel using a screw driver. Then put the new on in its place.



The cream shoes do not need heels replacement but I am showing you the shoe and the replacements provided by Figlia




If there is one con though, I find Figlia heels to be sometimes heavy. Specially their flats.  However, overall, I think Figlia deserves 4 and a half stars out of 5.