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.***

You can book thru their website (which link you can see below this post)
Here are the Room Rates & Day Tour Rates:


Policies:


Website:
http://coritosgarden.com/

Antipolo: The Hidden Hanging Retreat

It’s my 25^th Birthday and I have decided to have a quick getaway with my close friends Kate & Tina. We decided to have my celebration in Antipolo’s hidden treasure, Luljetta’s Hanging Gardens. My friend has been aching to go to that place for months now for a girl bonding and since I wasn’t able to plan my getaway that much we decided to embark on our Antipolo journey.

We rode a UV express from Park Square, Makati to Antipolo Church, from there we took a trike going to Luljetta’s but most trike drivers know the place as Loreland, Luljetta’s inside Loreland Farm & Resort. You would go to the main road and take a left turn at the hospital, just a few bumps is the resort it’s self already.

We availed of the 3 bed room which entitles you to a unlimited use of the resort’s facilities for the rest of your stay. The hanging garden is a separate facility from the resort, but we still availed it and decided to avail the hanging garden’s package after our check out for the room, thus 1 night and 1 whole day was spent by us there hehehe. J

Here are the rooms rates for Loreland Resort.

The resort had 5 pools, and 2 had slides in it. We started swimming at around 8pm and ended 3am. We rested and woke up around 8am for another set of swim mode. The resort has lifeguards when the pools are open. They have a clean time which is 5-7pm where the pools are closed for cleaning.

(Unfortunately I wasn't able to get pics of the pools posted coz my cam & iPod broke down so yeah deads RIP, but thanks to the waranty again. I got my iPod replaced & my camera fixed. Deym! I really need a waterproof one fast!)

We ate our free breakfast & rested for a while. 

Inside they have their own restaurant, but you can have food delivered or brought with you if you wished to.

I got the Daing Meal comes with free coffee

 

After fixing our things & swimming more, we checked in Luljetta’s Hanging Gardens & leaved our things to again swim. They have a locker room where each guest have their own key. The locker was big enough to fit my day bag backpack. But sometimes due to numerous visitors, they tend to ask if you wish to have your bags in one locker if you are together. Besides adding another locker room, maybe they could have a couples room, so that couples who would like to share lockers won't be going to the other part of the room to get their bag from their other half. It's quite disturbing for others actually.

The locker room, where you can leave your bags, change & take a shower.

 Then after feeling the heat of the sun at around 12nn, we decided to eat lunch & head out to the hanging gardens for our relaxation time. 

Lunch is served!

I think we really did a good decision with the time, it was afternoon and by the time we were enjoying the pools in the hanging garden it was already sunset. We were able to view the beautiful sunset of Antipolo overlooking the Metro. It was really a beautiful sight.

The Sight at their reception area & dining area

We had two bracelets, 1 for Loreland another for Luljetta's.

Heading to the locker rooms to get changed

Tada! All tied up in our robes. :)

The massage pool

The Fish Spa

At first it was an awkward experience but after 15 minutes we got used to it

Another cafe in the middle of their pool areas, just when you get hungry

After our relaxation time in the pools, we had a refreshing shower & packed our things, just before we went home we ate our free welcome meal, Suman & juice. It was quite a refreshing treat.

The free snacks. Suman & Buko Pandan Juice

Though it was stressful to commute to and fro this hidden paradise we told ourselves that next time we would come back for another recharging moment. It really is quite a recharging retreat away from the hustle & bustle of the city.

I recommend this hidden paradise for a very quick & relaxing break from the city. It's truly a charm & calming site!