Sta. Elena Fun Farm

I really wish I had known of this place earlier. But anyway, this post will be an offshoot of our Balik Bukid trip last weekend.

The Fun Farm is located inside the Sta. Elena Properties in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. This was where the Balik Bukid Country Fair was held and I will now post something about what you can expect when you visit:

 

obstacle course/maze made of bamboo and a truck... and yes, all that space

 

rope setups like these to challenge kids on their balance and grip

 

the sandbox area is housed and kids can freely (and safely)  play in the swing, play with the sand or hang from all those ropes

 

these little girls did a lot of climbing there :)

 

and the sandbox house is really great for avoiding the midday heat

 

tire swings by the duck pond

 

lots of inspirational banners like this one

 

duck pond and fishing area

 

toddlers can get into trouble following the ducks around, haha, for they might end up going in the pond too

 

the opportunity to fish, and have someone thread in the worm bait through the hook :D (you have to throw back the fish caught though)

 

for the brave... a rope bridge across the manmade lake where people go boating

 

farm animals like pigs, cows, horses, sheep, etc

 

animal feeding areas for rabbits and guinea pigs

 

horses you can ride on

 

and a leisurely carabao cart ride

 

don't you love this wash area?

 

and there's a turkey coop too (I didn't get to visit the Pigeon House)

 

part of the adult obstacle course area

 

and yes, the kiddos can really wash all the sand, sweat and grime away before you end your visit

There is a bike trail and you can bring your own bike. You can also freely bring in your own food because they encourage picnics and communion with nature. Each guest has to pay P300 though and need to  make an appointment to make sure the place isn't reserved for an event on the day of the planned outing.

The place is really well-maintained and clean (as nature goes) but expect bugs (mosquitoes, ants and other insects) so feel free to let your child enjoy the fresh air, the sound of birds (and their own laughter) and the freedom to move.

You can course inquiries and reservations through the following:
Holy Carabao - holycarabao@gmail.com
0918 8886588/0920 9131349

Sta. Elena - contact@staelena.com
02 886 8686/Mobile 0920 949 8260

Fun Farm Bookings - wilma.villoso@gmail.com

Outdoor Fun in Guimaras by Camp Alfredo

As I was researching things to do in Guimaras, I came across Camp Alfredo. A family-, nature- adventure destination,  Camp Alfredo turned out to be near (on the way to) our resort (Raymen Beach Resort) so it should definitely be part of the inland tour if you're staying there too. You also only spend around 30 minutes to an hour there, depending on how fast you can go through the hanging bridges, so it's easy to squeeze in on your way to the resort or back to the wharf.

Their rates include zipline, hanging bridge and rapelling and they were a stickler for safety. I was a mountaineer once so I have a pretty good idea of really cautious men who have respect for... well, in this case, heights.

you register at that building down there

then trek back up for this 330-meter zipline

we had few pictures here because we were busy keeping our balance

Current charges are:

PhP 425 1 zip ride
PhP 625 2 zip rides
PhP 825 unlimited zip ride

+ PhP 200 high rope obstacle course/hanging bridge

For those wanting to stay there (say, team building purposes), you may contact BingBing at 09192768259 or 09172505816 for rates and reservations. You may also e-mail them at CampAlfredoGuimaras@gmail.com

Per Camp Alfredos Facebook page, their current facilities include:

- 330 meter zip line
- high rope obstacle course (vine walk, mciro log burma log, burma bridge)
... - hanging bridge
- restaurant and bar
- camping grounds
- cabins
- rapelling
- "mini" zip line
- tree house
- uphill and downhill trail
 

Future amenities will include the following:

- infinity pool (this was already being excavated when we were there)
- prayer deck at the highest point of the camp
- stations of the cross
- airsoft ground
- football area
 
 

It's Leisure Fun at Garin Farm

Garin Farm Inland Resort is a haven of activities in San Joaquin, Iloilo. Supposedly, it's only in its soft opening but given the amount of visitors, we heard that they won't have a Grand Opening for it anymore and just operate as usual.

Garin Farm offers three distinct activities: Leisure, Agriculture and Pilgrimage. Now, let me talk about some of the leisure activities there.

the gate, you pay jeepneys an extra P10/each if you want them to bring you there because it's really out of the way

choose your activity: fish in this 5,000 sq. m. lagoon, go riding a boat or a kayak or ride a horse on the islet near it; pedal boat rent is P60/2 pax; kayak is P90 and rubber boat is P120/4 pax... all for 30 minutes

horseback riding costs P60 for two rounds

300-meter zipline costs P250 (sitting) and P350 (superman)

rent an ATV (P200 for 30 minutes) or Golf Cart (P60)

watch doves/pigeons being fed at noon just outside the pavillion

dine in a naturally-ventilated restaurant (the entire restaurant has screens for walls so you enjoy the breeze fromt this hilltop location as well as view of the farm)

  

 weirdly enough, it was their veggie dishes that we didn't like, we loved the pansit, chicken and fish dishes we ordered :)

buy pasalubong at the store outside the pavillion

stay in their well-apportioned rooms

They also offer swimming on a pool just below the rooms for P80/person. I imagine that the resort can also be biker's dream so locals might want to call ahead and seek permission from the resort to go biking there. I also think the resort might want to rent out bikes since guests might want to bike to the cross instead.  Maybe an area for bike racks can be added where you rent out ATVs and Gold Carts near the pavillion.

For more information, check out their website: www.garinfarm.com or contact them at:

Phone Numbers:

(+63) 033 314 75 55

(+63) 916 667 6851

Email:

info@garinfarm.combookings@garinfarm.com

Pilgrimage at Garin Farm

The pilgrimage being offered at Garin Farm Inland Resort is 456 steps of wonderful scenery (one with nature) and devotion inspired by the stops going up, scupltured scenes of key events in the Bible. At the top is the 101 foot Divine Mercy Cross.

From their webiste:

"Carefully crafted by local artists for almost a decade, each scene realistically depicts the important events in the Holy Bible, allowing the guest to experience and reflect on the supremacy of the Almighty... As you gaze upon the cross and the lovely backdrop, you will surely be humbled by, yet proud of, the graces from the Higher Power regardless your faith or religion."

I couldn't have put it any better. One cannot miss how small we are, and how great the force is working on the universe, as you climb up. And it's not really a tough climb because the rise of the steps are low... it could prove hot though.

You wouldn't see the stops tucked wonderfully behind those trees. There are also some resting benches and chairs along the way up.

I am taken already by this low beam that serves as the entrance that reminded us of humility as the key to eternity, and required us to duck (bow) so we can enter

The reflection starts with the Garden of Eden, followed by Noah's Ark (with animals and an ark!) and the Ten Commandments

Jesus' entry into Jerusalem

my favorite scenery... crucifixion and death (I tell you, you will want to pray)

the cross at the top

the view from the top

I actually have pictures of each scene but I don't want to spoil it for people. It is really such a lovely place. People who cannot climb the stairs can hire golf carts from the pavillion (P60) and drive to the Cross (and the cart path is again hidden from view, even from those climbing up...) but they'd miss the sculptures.

It's also really windy here but people are well-advised to put on sunscreen. For those going up without water bottles, have no fear, a mini store selling water and some other drinks can be found at the top. Yeah, considerate entrepreneurship for you.

I noticed there were lamp posts going up so I am assuming you can still go up there at night, and someday, I'd like to do just that. Be at the top at sunset and just really marvel at God's creations, inspired by the love the artists gave into their work, and the great inspiration that went into Garin Farm.

For more information, check out their website: www.garinfarm.com or contact them at:

Phone Numbers:

(+63) 033 314 75 55

(+63) 916 667 6851

Email:

info@garinfarm.combookings@garinfarm.com

Be a Child Again at Terra 28th Park

There is a new park at the 28th street at the Fort and it's definitely something adult and child alike has to check out.

Areas at Terra 28th Park were designated for different kinds of play, some of which were popular games from childhoods of yesteryears. Think piko (hopscotch) and patintero. They even provided an area for luksong-baka (rough translation: jump over a cow). There is green grass everywhere (water pumps must be keeping all this greenery fresh day in and out) offering padding for children falling on their knees.

And fall they would (happily, I might add) as they run around the area that simply screams freedom and bliss.

Areas that aren't green with grass have some sort of padding, so again, kids are welcome to keep falling down (or rolling around) because the playground is protected enough.








swings, seesaw, monkey bars and slides were designed on ribbon sculptures in this area :)


let's play hopscotch


or patintero


enjoy the musical steps (not yet musical when we were there, but it still offered exercise for the tots)

Terra 28th Park is well-lit at night, so you can even avoid the heat of the sun altogether. And if it rains, a huge Active Fun is just across the park. I think it would even make for a great venue for photoshoots.

If you also walk a block or so away to Bonifacio High Street, you can get to the rest at the new fountain there while enjoying a muffin or two.

============

* click here if you want to see my kids enjoying their time at Terra 28th Park

Manila Ocean Park

Manila Ocean Park has changed in a lot of ways and remained the same somehow since we last went there. The Oceanarium is basically the same (but I think the mermaid show is no more). I couldn't really tell if there were more fishes (but some aquariums seemed to have bigger ones) but there were definitely more attractions, like the Jellies Dancing Sea Fairies, Marine Life Show (sea lions), Aquanaut Voyage (P1k/head), Swimming and Musical Fountain Show (which happens at 6:30 PM these days). And of course, Hotel H2O is already operational.

Here are some sights you can expect to see:










I personally don't think I'd ever try their Aquanaut thingie for the simple reason that I don't want strangers to be oggling me and taking pics of me as if I was some fish specimen



the jellyfishes, though surreal in their form and movement, were still generally small for my taste. I'd have loved big jellyfishes really.


because it's been raining a lot lately, Marine Life shows may be cancelled (ticket holders can just return). For slight drizzles though, they do provide guests with disposable raincoats

We availed the Marine Life Encounter package for P500/each to cover the Oceanarium, Jellies and Marine Life Show. For other packages, you can check out Manila Ocean Park's website. The Marine Life Show (11:00 AM, 2:00 PM and 4:30 PM slots) and Musical Fountain Show (6:30 PM) are held in the same area... where the swimming pool also is (so yes, the swimming area is small and from what we were told, not open anytime). Guests at the hotel can go swimming for free, however.

They did include a "don't pollute our waters" aspect in the Marine Life Show, where the sea lions would pretend to be sad because a guest threw a water bottle in the pool. Then a sea lion would retrieve the trash. Nice :)

All in all, it was still a fun thing to do with kids. Plus, there are just so many shops there now and more dining options than ever.