Revisiting Las Casas de Acuzar 2019

One place, I hands down recommend to Balikbayan friends and relatives is a trip to Las Casas de Acuzar in Bataan.  We have been visiting this resort since 2013 and I still feel excited everytime we come visit.

Touring the different houses and imagining how it must have been in the old days kept me engaged.

See my old posts of Las Casas:

• Las Casas from 2013
• The 2017 Las Casas

Much has changed and the resort has expanded with plenty on new houses and buildings being built, one thing though has remained constant the beautiful Bataan sunset backdrop and warm and cheery staff of Las Casas.

For this visit, my Aunt Rhonda and my mother joined us. We stayed overnight at the one of Las Casas beachfront rooms.  

Warning picture heavy post! 
We have taken so many beautiful pictures in Las Casas,  it was near impossible to edit and decide which ones should make it to my blog (Note: None of these pictures were filtered or edited).

Pictures from the Heritage Tour

With our tour guide Ms. Maricris...

Plaza Escolta ~ you can buy souvenirs from the stores at the ground floor.

Highly recommended is their special Cashew Butter and freshly baked pastries.

The resort's batis inspired pool is amazing.

Unfortunately it was too cold for swimming.  

Bataan sunset skyline is simply gorgeous ~

The resort is beautifully well lit at night!  It had a leisurely stroll from La Bella Teodora where we had dinner back to our hotel room.  I highly endorse dinner at the La Bella Teodora ~ very good food with live acoustic entertainment at night.

Morning pictures before leaving for Manila

Travel back in time ~ 

Visit Las Casas!

For inquiries check our Las Casas webpage ~ Las Casas Filipinas

Martessem Resort

Martessem is a Bed and Breakfast Resort located in the mountain ridges of Sierra Madre. The resort boasts a magnificent sea of clouds view at sunrise.  I have seen pictures online from friends who have been there and I just got to see for myself. 

Martessem is located in Tanay and is about an hour and half drive from our place, so we woke up early to catch the famed sunrise view.

The drive at such a wee-hour is not for the faint of heart.

It was a really scary drive, the highway leading to the Tanay via Marcos Hi-way is not well lighted (actually the only light I see, while my husband drive is the one coming from our car's headlights). It was like a scene from the "Hiwaga sa Balete Drive movie" waiting for a white lady to pop-out any moment.

We reached the resort at 5:45am, about 15minutes wait time for the resort's 6am opening. Security though was nice to let us inside the resort early.

Imagine the cool mountain breeze "Tagaytay-Baguio like weather"~ heavenly right?

The resort is undeniably beautiful and view from the resort's deck quite impressive.  Unfortunately the weather was not as cooperative as expected, it was cloudy and the sun shied during our visit.  Alas, light rain also threatened what should have been "the sight to behold".

That did not dampen our spirit ~

Note: We had our breakfast here, but it was nothing special. 

The view though very well compensated for what ever is lacking.

The view that we missed ---

(taken from the Martessem facebook page)

I think this view will just have to be re-scheduled on another day.  Maybe next time our visit will be with overnight stay at the resort (to avoid another scary ride).

TIP: It was good we came early as we got to have the place all to ourselves.  Hoards of guests started to arrive at around 7am.  

For questions and inquiries, visit the resort's facebook page: Martessem Resort

Family Field Trip at Corregidor Island

The Island of Corregidor has been in my bucket list like forever...  
We have been meaning to visit, but never had the time to do so, until recently when balikbayan relatives came home to Manila for a visit.

I quickly added a Corregidor day tour in their itinerary.  Booking was fast and easy, done on-line via Sun Cruise website ~ CorregidorPhilippines.Com  

I think, at the moment Sun Cruise is the only travel agency running tours of the island.

As of writing, they offer 3, day tour packages:

• Bike Package - P2500

• Tram Tour - weekdays - P3358/ weekends - P3629 

• Adventure/Team Building - P3500

Corregidor is located in the mouth of Manila Bay. The island served as a fortress and harbor defense of the capital city of Manila.



The Itinerary was organized and perfectly timed to ensure, no 2 trams (group) were at the same attraction at the time.  Visitors got to experience and appreciate each attraction better.
The historic tour runs for about four (4) hours and includes stops at the following sites:

1. Corregidor Lighthouse - the highest point in the island. 
2. Malinta Tunnel - entrance is extra for the light and sound show. The show however was unimpressive.  I think they can do a lot to improve it.  Live actors re-enacting events would be so wonderful.  
3. Battery Geary
4. Pacific War Memorial
5. MacArthur Statue
6. Filipino Heroes Memorial
7. Japanese Garden of Peace 
   

We booked the Tram Tour Package. The package is inclusive of RT Manila - Corregidor ferry transfers, buffet lunch, historic tram tour and loot bag (bottled water and foldable fan).

NOTE:  To make the most of your trip to Corregidor, I have outlined below TIPS.  Make sure to read them. 

Welcome to Corregidor 

World War II took a toll on the island leaving behind building in ruins. 

The package is inclusive of RT Manila - Corregidor ferry transfers, buffet lunch, historic tram tour and loot bag (bottled water and foldable fan).

Breath taking view from the island.  I think sunset would be an awesome sight from here ~ enough reason to book a night at the Corregidor Inn.

Waiting at the Sun Cruise office/boarding station with my cool blogger cousin Shane of Bloom, blossom and grow.

Boarding the ferry ~ on time!

Onboard the Sun Cruise ferry (clean and air-conditioned).

My lovely Aunt Rhonda with the coast guards...

My son enjoying the view. 

The trams and tour guides were already waiting for us at the dock, when we arrived some 1 1/2 hours later.    We felt like real tourist welcomed with ice cold drinks and warm smiles :P

Our guide is well versed of the attractions we have visited.  He was also amusing. It was a very good tour and highly recommended.    



Sharing here pictures from our tour:

Our Lighthouse shot

Pictures at the Pacific War Memorial Museum

A salute to General MacArthur

Inside the Malinta Tunnel

This used to be the Corregidor Theater ~ according to our tour guide the last film shown here is Gone with the Winds.

View of the Ruins

The Mile-long barracks as our background.

This is said to be the longest military barracks.

 

My parents at the Battery Geary.

Lunch was a simple buffet spread, 2-3 viands with salad, soup, fruits and one round of ice tea.

Souvenir shopping ~ price is the same across the island. 

TIPS: 

1. Sun Cruise regularly joins Travel Expositions, you are sure to get promo rates from there.  
2. If you have senior citizens (SC) travelling with you, call the Sun Cruise office for direct booking.  I was able to get SC rates for my parents.
3. Come early and don't miss your trip. Our boarding time was at 8:30am, but we were already at the Sun Cruise office as early at 7:00am.
4. Dress lightly, bring an extra shirt, a cap and a portable fan (you'll thank me for it). Weather is humid even on a cool February weather. 
5. Wear comfortable shoes and keep yourself hydrated.   
6. Have FUN!

For Reservations and Inquiries visit Sun Cruise Website

Corregidor Philippines

Tel. (632) 354-7005

(632) 628-9751

Email: reservations@suncruises.com.ph