Violet Voyager: Cintai: The love that is never BALI-wala

Okay the title might sound corny, just bear with me okay?

Me & My CF (Christian Friends) ates & baby sis thought of having a very quick getaway last October and it was also my "birthday trip" for this year.

We were able to search for a place that was very near the metro & yet a cheap getaway. We found a lunch buffet deal at Cintai, Cortito's Garden in Lipa, Batangas. It's an Instagram heaven I tell you!

That Mandatory Shot in that door! Similar to a pic I had in my Taman Mini Trip 5 yrs ago

I told you it was IG worthy! And yes a friend from Indonesia even thought we were in Bali! :P

If you read my previous blogs about Indonesia I guess I mentioned there that they pronounce "C" followed by a vowel as "Ch". So you pronounce Cintai as “Chin-tai” which means LOVE, another word is Cinta. But what's the use of Love if there's no I (get it? nah? okay I'm a bit corny/lovesick here bear with me again please)

According to their website, the Garden started out as an ordinary private family rest house that the family visited every weekend. In 2005 however, their mother Corito was diagnosed with a terminal disease. To help her recuperate from treatment, the family often brought her to the garden because the place made her relax and temporarily forget her sickness. Two years later, Corito finally succumbed to her illness. Her husband together with his 4 children, decided to focus all their efforts into making the garden a paradise since she loved the place so much. They wanted the beautiful memories they shared there to live on thus the creation of Cintai… love for their mother and love for his wife.

The place offers 2 pavilions that cater to special events such as weddings, debuts, birthdays or corporate parties. The Garden also has 18 villas, each uniquely designed, available for rent. Guests can enjoy the use of 4 swimming pools of different sizes during their stay. There is also a special playground for children too. Lastly, Cintai is a beautiful sanctuary to unique animals such as alpacas, spotted deer, mini horses, peacocks and a whole lot more.

Abadi Restaurant

One of the Villa Accommodations

Spa Area

A Picnic Place

One of their function rooms

One of the animals in the place; They actually make noises when there's people in sight

Just the October Babies chillin' in the swing :)

My Little Dalaga Sissy

It's also easy for those without cars since you can take a bus to Lipa & ride a jeep to Caltex Gas Station and ride a jeep or take a trike to the place. But, warning know where to ride the bus & that there is no available immediate taxi stands in the area so it's either jeepney or trike. We chose the latter.

So how to get there:
1. Take a bus to Lipa, Batangas (this is where we had a problem, their website says LRT BUENDIA not MRT BUENDIA, but most busses are bound to pier. So I suggest take a bus at Jam Liner or Batangas Express in Gil Puyat instead. So if you're using LRT GIL PUYAT is the station for MRT go down at MRT AYALA & take a bus at Ayala Ave.) Or if you're from the north, you can ride a bus at Cubao, or a southie like me can ride a bus from Alabang. This costs around PhP 120-132, depending on where you'll be coming from.

2. From SM Lipa or the grand terminal take a jeep to Caltrex Malabanan, from there take a jeep or trike to Corito's Garden, no worries because most drivers are familar with the place.

*** From their gate there would be a couple of minutes walk to the main reception area.***