Mention the word “treasure” and you’ll probably think of pirates and jewels spilling out of a treasure chest. But treasure can mean all different kinds of things to different people and we’re here to tell you about some of the travel treasures of the glorious country of Thailand. Boasting silky sand beaches and clear blue waters, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d stepped off your flight and into utopia.
Krabi
The film “The Beach,” which starred heart-throb Leonardo DiCaprio, presented the kind of paradise that you can only ever dream of… or can you? The good news is that this paradise location does exist; and the even better news is that it’s in Thailand. The film was shot in the Phi Phi Islands, which are just off the mainland of the Krabi region. The beaches of Ao Nang make the destination a must-visit location, even if you just want to step on the soft, golden sand, take a few photos and return home telling your friends and family you’ve set foot on the same shores as the one and only Leo himself!
Phuket
The first thing you’ll notice about Phuket is that, for an island, it’s pretty vast in size, stretching for 49 sun-kissed kilometers! The island offers marvelous deep sea diving and beaches of the highest caliber, just right for sleeping off any excesses from the night before in the clubs of Patong Town. If you wish to explore the province of Phuket, you can take a plane to the island, and then make your way to the Big Buddha. Thailand has built this statue at quite some cost –the fact that the statue is made of Burmese alabaster has placed a few Thai bahts on the bill – but with little complaint from the citizens.
Khao Lak
In Khao Lak, which is situated in the south-west of Thailand and looks onto the Andaman Sea, it’s all about the beaches! This series of beaches lies about 70 kilometers north of gorgeous Phuket, and you can even organize a day trip out to Phuket, or vice versa. The location of the island allows you to also explore the national park of Khao Lak, where you’ll encounter 1,000 meter high hills, sea cliffs, even more beaches, estuaries, waterfalls and valleys. This park really is that beautiful, and you can also come across wildlife such as monkeys, drongos and, if you’re lucky (although you’d want to keep your distance, obviously!) Asiatic bears.
Thailand is a privileged country to enjoy such jewels as these, and it’s very little surprise that so many people come flocking to the country each year, either for a taste of the sun or to explore some of the national parks and cultural offerings. Whatever you come here to see or do, there’s nothing to prevent you from coming back if you don’t cram it all in the first time!
I woke up earlier than usual to meet my friends at the terminal. From there, we will take the bus bound for Sta.Cruz, Laguna and I almost didn’t make it. haha! This time, the group’s destination is Caliraya Spring’s Mountain Lake Resort. Check rates or book here.
When we arrived, the staff welcomed and assisted us inside the clubhouse. We settled down first, had some snacks that they prepared and proceeded to the pond for our first activity, feeding the ducks. Yes! You read it right, we can’t keep our giggles seeing how they run and bumped with each other just to get fed. Cute was the only word I can think of to describe how they run together while swaying their tails. Besides, how often do you experience feeding a group of ducks in your lifetime?
After that fun activity with the ducks, we were assisted back to the clubhouse for our lunch. The staff served us their specialties like the ones I showed below.
After that sumptuous feast. They showed us the hotel which is also located within the clubhouse to check their rooms, the spa and other amenities they offered to their guests and members.
Just when we thought we were going to stay in their hotel, the staff told us that we were going to Marina. It is the area where you can find the Amihan Villa
When we arrived, we couldn’t keep our excitement as we noticed the water-based obstacle course and zip line. At the back of my mind, this calls for a friendly competition.
The resort is located near the lake. Aside from the rooms in the clubhouse, they also have big nipa huts.. And that’s what we preferred. Two big nipa huts are comfortable enough to accommodate the eight of us overnight.
After settling down and some rest, we were called by the staff to try some of the activities they offered. First, we went to the dock and hopped on a motorized boat and strolled around the lake. There were islets with guesthouses which according to the staff was a private property and was already abandoned.
After sightseeing, we were supposed to do horseback riding but we went on fishing on the nearby pond instead. I can’t remember the last time I did this. My father and I used to do this in the lake in our town with our home-made fishing rod. Here, we were taught how to use a mechanical fishing rod. At first, I thought it’s easy but it wasn’t. The nylon string kept on dangling around the rod. Thanks to the staff who quickly assisted me to fix it and then taught me how to use it correctly. Sadly, I wasn’t able to catch even one, I thought maybe because of my location so I changed spots. I walked along the narrow stilts to go on the other side of the pond. Thirty minutes had passed and still I wasn’t able to catch a fish. I guess that all the fish there were trained to not bite or go near the bait. So I gave up. haha!
We went back to our nipa hut to rest and freshen up while others lounged beside the swimming pool and watched the beautiful sunset.
That night, they prepared a perfect set of dinner which included bulalo and hainanese chicken. Just right after that good dinner, we gathered outside for the bonfire party with cold beer. We had fun talking and sharing stories and banters. Just what a typical barkadas do. It drizzled so we transferred again to the covered area where we had our dinner. The night even got happier when we started singing as they also have videoke. I can’t recall how and what time we ended as I was so sleepy and tired.
The next morning, just when we thought the weekend was over, they toured us around the facilities/amenities inside the resort with a golf cart. We even had the chance to try that sport. Even if it was quick, we still had fun especially whenever we missed hitting the ball. haha!
You can also go biking, do it tandem or by threes. Like kids allowed by their parents to play, we took our time to pedal along the golf course.
Right after biking, we went back to the resort and tried the zip line. But the most exciting part was the water-obstacle course. Carla tried it first. Then we teamed up. The battle was between Chino and Kirk versus me and Marx. It looks easy when you are just watching the others but it’s quite tiring when you are already doing it. It was really fun and we enjoyed it very much especially when the battling teams were distracting each other just so they could win. But we never let them and still did our best. Unexpectedly, we won over the other team. haha!
The remaining time was spent in the swimming pool with a very nice view of the mountain lake. We had ice cream and beer, enjoyed every minute with laughter and never ending banters. Well, that’s how our barkada becomes more alive, guess that’s also the right “ingredient” that makes our friendship happier and stronger.
Caliraya Mountain Spring and Resort is a perfect place to spend your weekend with either your families or friends. It’s a few hour drive from Manila and offers various activities that you can all enjoy. Thank you also to all the friendly and helpful staff for laughing and riding with all of our craziness, for taking care of us and for exerting extra effort in providing our needs especially when we ran out of beer to drink. :p
Caliraya Springs Mountain Lake Resort
Address: East Talaongan, Cavinti, Laguna, Philippines
Contact Number: (02) 723-0781 | (0998) 555-8394
*We were invited by the management to experience what they offer to their guests. Some photos are from my friends, Juanderfulpinoy.com and Marxtermind.com
At this moment in time, Tenerife is an admired and approved destination among numerous travellers wanting to escape daily life in search of sun, sea, and sand. The biggest of the Canary Islands is also home to nearly half the region’s residents, but it wasn’t always this way.Tenerife was uninhabited until around 200BC when cave dwellers known as Guanches settled here. For over a millennium, these natives were isolated from the outside world until the Spanish arrived in the 15th century.
From then until the present day, Tenerife has been a part of Spain, which is heavily reflected in the island’s culture and cuisine. But what other facts are there about the island’s fascinating past?
1. The word “Tinerfe” refers to one of the original Guanche monarchs
Although the word “Tinerfe” closely resembles the island’s name and can be seen on various buildings and businesses, it is actually honouring one of the original Guanche monarchs.
Tinerfe had nine children and after his death, each one received a “menceyatos” or municipality on the island to rule over. While Tenerife now consists of 31 municipalities, they are divided up in much the same way.
2. It took two years for Spain to complete its conquest
Military leader Javier Alonso Luis Fernández de Lugo along with around 2,200 soldiers sailed to the shores of Tenerife at the end of 1493 to begin Spain’s conquest of the island. However, the last of the defending Guanches did not surrender until late December 1495.
In addition to fatal injuries suffered in battle, the Guanches also succumbed to various diseases that the Spanish brought over, as the natives had little natural immunity or resistance.
3. Tenerife survived a famous attack from the British
Even though Horatio Nelson was one of Great Britain’s finest military leaders, he failed to conquer the island in 1797. In fact, the Battle of Santa Cruz de Tenerife was where a musket ball hit him in his right arm, which later had to be amputated.
To commemorate this victory, Castle Negrillo close to the Parque Maritimo César Manrique hosts an annual re-enactment on 25th July. As you would expect, Nelson always loses.
4. Tenerife was a tourist destination before the 20th century
After a period of stability, Tenerife warmly welcomed visitors to its shores and by the 1890s it was a popular holiday destination. While visitors typically stayed around Santa Cruz and Puero de la Cruz, the whole island embraced the idea of tourism.
However, Tenerife soon entered yet another turbulent period and growth was hampered when the Spanish Civil War began in 1936. After General Francisco Franco was installed as leader of a dictatorship, several of his opponents in Tenerife fled to Cuba and Latin America.
