Beach resorts, they are not normally to be found at the top of my 'to do' list when on holidays. That is the reason that I have, until now, avoided going to locations like Boracay. I guess it is the desire to be around locals more than tourists.
However, the family are completely different and have long expressed a desire to experience a resort somewhere in the Philippines.
I was able to keep deferring such until our 2018/2019 Xmas and new years trip, when an exploration trip to Naga was agreed upon, as long as a few days could be spent at a resort along the way.
I was desperate to return to Bicol, so all was agreed to and we headed south from Manila soon after a rather intensive New Years Eve celebration.
Being new to Batangas, and stupidly avoiding any sort of research, we found ourselves lost in Batangas, eventually making our way over to Mabini, where we mistakenly thought there were a lot of the resorts of the type we were looking for.
While we did find lots of resorts, but they were primarily diving orientated.
We asked around and, quite fortunately as it turned out, were directed to an old beach resort at 'Anilao Port'.
I absolutely loved this little port town, which will be covered in a future blog entry.
Anyway.....
We were significantly buggared (Aussie for tired) from a day on the road.
Well, our driver would have been, we mostly sat in the back of the Bongo Van and waited to arrive :-)
Well, our driver would have been, we mostly sat in the back of the Bongo Van and waited to arrive :-)
So we stayed at the 'Aguila Beach Resort'.
This resort has seen better days, it was actually up for sale during our visit, but the town of Anilao is the sort of place I dream of visiting.
Permission to stay for one night was granted by the 'Minister of War and Finance' (Aussie for the wife/asawa), and much use was made of it.
However, the next day we were to move on in search of the type of resort that you finally postcards (remember postcards?)
However, the next day we were to move on in search of the type of resort that you finally postcards (remember postcards?)
With thanks to Mr Google, and his* maps service, we eventually managed to find our way through the chaotic streets of Batangas, to reach the famous (or so I am told) beach location of Laiya in San Juan.
We had heard that the 'Sabangan Beach Resort' was one of the better priced resorts in the area. Quite scary to think what the others may charge.
By now, we just wanted to stay somewhere a few days, so Sabangan it was.
(Above) Standard Cabin.
The best part of the 'Sabangan Beach Resort' was the buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner. A constantly changing, all you can eat, buffet, featuring many types of foods.
This is a great way to make up a lot of that cost of staying in the resort. :-)
This is a great way to make up a lot of that cost of staying in the resort. :-)
(Above) The neighbouring resort is the 'Blue Coral'. Despite not making inquiries, it would be reasonably to assume that people there were paying a significant more.
Being the kuripot people we are, we snuck up in the place for a free look at how the 'other half' live.
Being the kuripot people we are, we snuck up in the place for a free look at how the 'other half' live.
Breakfast with Team Bongo!
Once you negotiate the ever present sellers of unwanted, and often not allowed in Australia, souvenirs, you can avail yourself of boat rides across the bay, or circular jet ski rides.
I chose to stay on the safety of land, endure the sellers and get busy with the camera.
Of a night, it is quite wonderful to watch the locals fishing on the beach. I took a video of this, but have misplaced it.
Of a night, it is quite wonderful to watch the locals fishing on the beach. I took a video of this, but have misplaced it.
Tin Tin watching the last sunset before we head to Bicol the next day.
Had been a bad night on the road to Layia.
Earlier we had past the result of a taxi colliding with a trike load of people. Soon after it was this truck that had, somehow, managed to career off the road.
Earlier we had past the result of a taxi colliding with a trike load of people. Soon after it was this truck that had, somehow, managed to career off the road.
Please, when travelling in the Philippines, always take extra care when on the roads.
Video of Sabangan Beach Resort
Semi-Retired Foamer Video
Team Bongo's chariot of choice.
Other Blog Postings
* I don't know if it is Mr or Mrs Google. If you are offended, please be sure to post on Twitter about you level of offendedness.
