Philippines: Tips in Visiting Anvaya Cove in Morong, Bataan

ANVAYA COVE BEACH AND NATURE CLUB

(Updated on February 15, 2020)

Anvaya Cove is a highly exclusive beach resort operated by the Ayala Group located in Morong, Bataan.  It occupies over 470 hectares of developed leisure community consisting of a nice beach resort, golf course, hotel-like accommodation, condo units and private residential areas. 

Directions to Anvaya Cove

From Manila (Balintawak), it will take you approximately 3 hours drive to Anvaya Cove using NLEX and SLEX and passing through Clark International Airport and the Subic Free Port.  Anvaya is 25 km (40 minutes drive) from Subic navigating through the winding roads of Morong, Bataan. Just as you exit Subic, there are enough road signages that will lead you to Anvaya Cove.

Entry to Anvaya Cove

Anvaya Cove is strictly for members and their guests.  Regular members can enter anytime and use all the facilities of the resort but they need to do advance reservation for their accommodation. Non-members need to be accompanied or endorsed by a member to avail of its facilities, including the lodging facilities.  The use of facilities during weekends and holidays are strictly for members and guests in their company. 

Entrance to the Beach and Nature Club

Day trips are allowed inside the resort provided that guests are appropriately endorsed by a member. Gate fees apply (600 per person of which half is consumable). Except for the golf facilities, day trip travelers can use the beach, pools and restaurants inside the resort.  One will need a golf club member to be able to play golf and use its driving range and club house. Day trip guests may want to arrive in the morning so that you can maximize your use of the Beach Club facilities. 

No cash payments are allowed in facilities inside the resort. Each member and guests are asked to register upon entering the resort and a charged card is issued. Members and guests need to present this charge card each time they use the facilities --- restaurants, spa, pool, etc. Payment of total charges is made upon check-out or upon leaving the resort. Major credit cards are accepted. 

Accommodation

Anvaya Cove Casitas are scattered along the premises of the resort (and are classified in 4 groups --- the Anvaya Suites, Lagoon Terrace, Garden Terrace and the Garden Room) and prices vary from 5,500 pesos ($100)  for lean season to a high of 8,500 pesos ($165) during peak season for a double room. Rates per room are inclusive of buffet breakfast for two.  Most casitas can accommodate four persons as there are pull-out beds. However, additional charges will be made on the third or fourth occupant in the room.  Children stay free of charge.  Check-in time is 2pm and check-out at 12:00 noon.

 

Casitas like this abound inside the resort

Rooms are spacious and bath rooms are clean and fitted with rain showers.  Each room comes with complete amenities and fresh linens. Amenities include, among others, big flat TV, DVD player, mini ref, room safe, umbrella, free coffee and tea.  Bar items, including alcoholic drinks are available in each room on consumption basis. Wifi in casitas is provided but tends to be weak and unreliable. Room telephones will connect you to the reception and housekeeping staff.

Rooms are big enough to accommodate four persons

There are privately-owned condo units and houses for rent at the Tower Complex located within the resort but are quite a distance to the main beach area (Beach and Nature Club). 

Facilities at the Beach and Nature Club

1.       Beach front  – where you can swim, play water games, banana ride, kayak, beach volley ball, etc.

2.       Swimming and infinity pools –  open from 6am to 10 pm daily. There are several connected pools with standard depth of 4 feet except for the children’s pool. Proper attire and  proper decorum are required in all pools. 

3.       Jacuzzi pools – available for everyone available within the pool area.

4.       Lockers and towels are available at the shower room upon presentation of your guest card. Shower rooms are provided separately for men and women. Shampoo and body wash gels are provided. There are cloth spinners in the shower room area to help dry your wet clothes.

5.       Restaurants –

a.       Bamboo Garden Café and Veranda – open from 6am to midnight daily. Restaurant is proximate to the pools and SPA area.  Restaurant serves breakfast and all day dining at reasonable prices. For example, a big halo-halo (good for two) cost 175 pesos. Restaurant also serves buffet for breakfast  and lunch.

b.       Pawikan Beach and Bar Grill – open from 10am to 10 pm daily. Located right at the beach which serves grilled food items (including seafood) for snack, lunch and dinner. Lanai of the pavilion (second floor) – place for private gatherings or parties of 40 persons with billiard and dart game facilities

c.       Tower Bar – located beside the pools

d.       Sunset Bar – located at the beach front 

e.   Tap-In Bar & Café - located at the area where you find the gym and covered courts.  This restaurant is quiet and serves Italian and Mediterranean cuisine.

6.       Pool side and Beach tables – which you can get on first-come-first serve basis.  You can order your food and drinks from the service staff.

7.       VEDA SPA – open from 10am until 7pm on Monday to Thursday and 10pm on Friday-Saturday. 8am to 7pm on Sundays. You need to make advance reservation. SPA offers massage, SPA treatment and body treatments. SPA therapists are courteous and well-trained. Inside the SPA,  facilities are separate for men and women and both have lounge areas with sauna and shower rooms. Each guest is given a massage room which has a private shower and massage bed. The SPA also offers service in the beachside massage huts. Menu of SPA services including prices are available with the SPA receptionist.

8.       Game room  – open 8am to 7pm daily. Offers electronic and computer games.

9.       The Library Lounge – opens 8am to 7pm daily. It offer daily newspapers and many reading materials, books and magazines. Computers with internet access are also available. Free hot coffee is available all day.

10.   Convenience and souvenir shop – opens 8am to 7pm daily and up to 10pm on Friday-Sunday/ Holidays.

11.   Chapel - services are listed daily in the lobby.

12.   Private meeting rooms – available upon advance request

Facilities at the Sport Complex – located between the Beach and Nature Club and the Golf and Sports Club

1.       Indoor and open play courts -  for basketball, volleyball and badminton. Use of the open court is free-of-charge  from 6am to 5pm. There is rental fee per hour from 6pm to 9pm.

2.       Gym and Fitness Club – opens from 6am to 9pm daily.  Gym has complete workout facilities.  A fee of 500 pesos per day is charged to non-members for use of the gym and its facilities.

3.       Group Session Room  - located inside the Fitness Gym. Open from 6am to 9pm daily.  Rooms are for workouts in dance, yoga, pilates and Zumba. There is a Sunday morning Zumba classes.  Members can use the room free-of-charge.

4.       Tap In Bar and Café – open from 6am to 9pm daily. This is a Mediterranean-inspired food outlet beside the pool and the gym.  Restaurant serves risottos and pastas also.

5.       Splash pool and deck for children and adults – open from 6am to 10pm daily.

6.       Private locker and shower rooms

Daily resort events and activities

Listing regular and special events/ activities and staff assistance are available at the main lobby. You can do your reservations on your preferred activities through the staff assistants who will provide you the details of each event or activity.

1.       Daily activities – include frisbee match, beach football and volleyball, billiard, darts, arts and craft, afternoon trek, basketball, tennis, parlor games for kids  and others

2.       Library and Game lounge – where you can ready daily newspapers, browse through the internet, play board and internet games, table tennis

3.       Nature Camp – adult and kiddie ziplines, wall climbing, repelling,  trekking, bird watching and walk, mountain bike, bonfire, fitness and nature trail and others

4.       Kiddie Village – open 8am to 7pm daily. This is a gated area for Children’s pool and children’s indoor and outdoor play zones.

5.       Waterfront – use of speed boat, banana boat, windsurfing, sailing, water skiing, kayak, snorkeling, sailing, fishing, beach hike, and others

Moving around the resort

Moving around the resort and movements to and between casitas are through the electric carts (golf carts) from the reception.  Use of these carts is free but may be driven only by authorized resort staff. You need to call the reception for any cart service.

Parking and drivers quarters

There is ample parking space (guarded)  provided in the area proximate to the reception. Apart from this main parking area, there are some parking areas near the casitas.  You should ask the reception on the parking area nearest the casita given you. 

There are waiting and sleeping quarters for drivers for a minimal fee  of 800 pesos per day, inclusive of breakfast. Unfortunately, drivers and body guards are not permitted inside the Beach Club.

Night drive to Subic – Because of distance, winding roads and limited street lights, travel to Subic from the resort during evenings is not recommended especially during bad weather. 

Travel tips for Anvaya Cove

1.       Ensure you have confirmed reservations for entry or stay in Anvaya. To avoid delays, make a printout of your reservation and present the same to the security personnel at the main gate upon entry. You also need to given the plate number of your vehicle to the gate in advance. 

2.       If not a member, make sure your visit has been properly endorsed by a member. Keep a contact telephone number of the member in case there is need for resort personnel to verify issues about your visit.

3.       Outside food and drinks are not allowed inside the Beach Club. However, members and their guests are allowed to bring their own bottles of wine for consumption in the restaurants. Corkage is 300 pesos per bottle. 

4.       Come with proper swimming attire if you plan to use the pool.

5.       Bring your pocket or mobile wifi for use in the Beach Club.

6.       Make advance reservation for SPA services. You can call them a day before your arrival.

7.       Pets are not allowed inside the resort.

Philippines: Tips and Shopping Guide to DIVISORIA in Manila

Divisoria remains to be the best place in Manila  to shop for bulk items like clothing, bags, shoes, toys and thousand household items at affordable prices. Divisoria, also referred to as “Divi”,  is known for its retail and wholesale stores and tiangge-style bazaars and street markets.

How to go to Divisoria – Because Divisoria is highly congested, still the best way to go to Divisoria is get the taxi or other public transportation like the jeepney or LRT. In case you decide to drive your car, make sure you make yourself familiar with the right directions noting that some streets may be temporarily closed due to local events or road repairs in the area. Allow yourself enough time to weather the traffic specially if you go there late in the day or during holidays or weekends. To my mind, the best and shortest way to Divisoria is to take C.M. Recto Avenue and just drive straight ahead until you reach the Tutuban Center Mall which is a landmark in Divisoria.

Parking is always a problem in Divisoria.  It is best to use the multi-level paid parking at the Tayuman Center Mall. Parking fees are reasonable with the first two hours at 40 pesos and additional 10 pesos every additional hour thereafter.  There may be other parking facilities in the area but unless you go there early enough, parking is always difficult.

Where to shop – There are several Malls within Divisoria proximate to each other where you can shop. Among them are:

1.       168 Mall – This multi-level  mall to my mind offers the better selection of clothing and fashion items at very reasonable prices.  It has a fast food area on the third floor with good selection of food stalls – Chariya’s Thai Kitchen, Chopsticks and Spoons, Fruito King, Jollibee, etc.  To our surprise, there is also a stall for Eng Bee Tin where you can buy your freshly baked hopia, tikoy and other goodies. 

2.       Divisoria Mall – Good place to buy your electrical needs,  gift items, toys, among others.  Mall has three floors with a fast food area on the third floor.  Fast food area is huge but may be very crowded. Food stalls include Jollibee, Chow King, Mang Inasal, Kamayan, Kowloon, Mister Donut, Potato Corner and many others.

3.       Tutuban Center Mall – This is an old but newly renovated mall which has two sections connected to each other --- the Main Mall Center and the Prime Block Mall. The latter offers good selection of clothing, shoes, bags,  electronic and hardware products, toys, among others. It has fashion and bridal stores at the third floor which sells wide-variety of gowns and formal wears.  This mall section has no fast food area (it has only McDonalds at the second floor) but many of its restaurants are located in the Main Mall Center which includes famous eateries like the  Max  Fried Chicken Restaurant, Jollibee and Savory Chicken.

4.       Meisic Mall (999 Mall) – still for me to discover. This mall has Puregold Supermarket on its basement.

5.       D8 Mall – Go to this mall to shop for clothing and housewares

6.       Lucky Chinatown Mall – This mall is where you’ll find high-end stores.

Travel and Shopping tips

1.       Divisoria is always crowded and therefore it is advisable that you go in the morning and take extra care of yourself and your belongings. Wear something casual and comfortable shoes and avoid using jewelries and expensive wears.  I go there without wearing an expensive watch and necklace and several of my lady friends leave their nice handbags at home. Use sling bags instead. Be careful of snatchers and pickpockets. Be careful also when you use your expensive cell phones as there are incidents of cellphones being grabbed.

2.       Shopping in street markets outside the Malls is always hot and humid.  Moving in between the Malls will require you to walk which will take longer than expected because of heavy crowd, street stalls and chaotic traffic. Always be mindful of your safety.

3.       Avoid buying fake or adulterated cosmetics and drugs.  Be watchful of food items you buy which might contain harmful ingredients.

4.       You can haggle with sellers specially if you are buying in bulk. Best to first compare prices of things you want to buy.

5.       Bring cash as credit cards are not accepted in the street market and many stores in the Malls. There are ATM machines in banks and in all the Malls.  Avoid using ATM machines in very crowded areas. Remember to adhere to the practical security tips in using ATMs.

6.       Bring large enough bags for you the goods you purchase. Those bags with zipper or closures are preferred.  If you forget to bring one, you can easily buy your bags from many shops in the area. If you expect yourself to buy a lot and do not wish to break your back because of heavy load, bringing you grocery trolley may be practical.  Trollies of various sizes and colors can be purchased in many stores there starting at about 350 pesos.

7.       Eating your snack or meals is not a problem because there are lots of restaurants around. It is recommended however that you consider going to the fast food facilities located in the Malls for fast service, good selection of food and reasonable pricing. Again, consider taking your snack and meals early to avoid the crowd and long lines.

8.       Clean toilets are available in the Malls. If toilets are crowded, consider using the toilets located in restaurants. Toilets are expected to have running water but always bring your own toilet paper or hand sanitizer.

9.       Don’t hesitate to ask for directions from police and security personnel in the area. If you don’t find them, it is best to ask directions from any responsible store owner or personnel. If still in doubt, validate the direction given by asking from another person.  Most Filipinos can understand and speak English.

(November 2017)

Philippines: First Class (De Luxe) Bus from Cubao to Baguio City and back

Travel time from Cubao, Quezon City to Baguio City will now take only four to five hours if you take the non-stop First Class (aka De Luxe) bus of VICTORY LINER from Cubao.

Why take this bus?

• Free use of the First class air-conditioned waiting lounge at the terminal (Cubao) with flat TV and free coffee
• Shorter travel time as it is non-stop and uses the NLEX, SCTEX and TPLEX
• cleaner, wider, more legroom and reclining seats
• Bus stewardess on board
• video/ movie screening 
• Free wifi for the duration of your travel
• Most seats are equipped with electrical outlets to charge your devices if needed
• free snacks (biscuit or cupcake, chocolate candy and mineral water)
• There is a small comfort room/ toilet inside the bus which you can use anytime. Toilet with provided with running water and toilet paper 

Cubao VL Schedule to Baguio  - 12:15 am, 10:15 am, 12:20 pm, 2:15 pm, 8:15 pm, 11:15 pm

Baguio VL Schedule to Cubao  - 12:10 am, 2:10 am, 9:10am, 10:10 am, 1:10pm, 10:10 pm

Fare Schedule - One-way fare per person is Php750 (regular standard aircon bus is Php 455). Senior discount rate is given at Php 600. Unfortunately, there is no student discounts.

Bus Terminal Address and Telephone Numbers:

1. Cubao Terminal: 638 EDSA Cubao, Quezon City.  Tels (02) 727-4688, (02) 410-8986, (02) 727-4534; Cellphone 09985915054. (Note: take Denver Street parallel to EDSA to go to and from the VL Station because loading and unloading of passengers through EDSA is not allowed)
2. Baguio Terminal:  Governor Pack Road, Baguio City; Tels (074) 442-5708, (074) 442-5708, (074) 619-0000; Mobile 09985915100

Baguio Terminal Ticketing Counters

Souvenir shops and eateries at the VL waiting area in Baguio

Hotel at the VL Terminal in Baguio
There is a Microtel Hotel adjacent to the Baguio VL Terminal. Hotel number is (074) 619 3333. Hotel is strategically located and is a walking distance to SM Baguio.

Practical Travel Tips

1. It is best to purchase your bus tickets in advance. Tickets are not sold on-line. One has to purchase his/her ticket directly at the VL Station in Cubao. 
2. Round-trip tickets cannot be purchased from Cubao.  Return tickets must be purchased from Baguio upon your arrival (Note: if you have relatives or friends in Baguio, ask them to purchase your return ticket ahead)
3. There are solo seat available if you are traveling alone. Ask the ticketing officer for these seats.
4. Don't forget to bring your jacket or sweater as it tends to be very cold inside the bus.
5. The bus provides token snack and a bottle of mineral each to passengers.  You might want to bring additional snack or food items with you as the trip is non-stop. There are several variety stores, including Mister Donut, at terminal in Cubao.
6. There are accredited porters at the terminal in Cubao who can help you with your luggage.  Upon arrival, ask a porter at the terminal entrance to bring you to the First Class Lounge and indicate to him the departure time of your bus.  Ask the same porter to return and  take you to the bus once your designated  bus arrives. Porter will assist you in checking-in your luggage with the bus conductor (Baguio issues claim stubs).  Once completed, you can give a good tip to the porter (Php 50 to 100 is reasonable depending on your load). (Note: always take note of the number of the porter appearing in his shirt; if none, don't hesitate to ask for his name).
7. Upon arrival at the VL Terninal in Baguio, you can take a metered taxi lined-up just outside the main entrance of the terminal.  Most taxi in Baguio are SUV type so there should be no problem is you gave some bulky loads.  (Note: make sure the taxi driver uses the meter)
8. At the Baguio VL Terminal:
1. There are very few porters to help you with your luggage.
2. There is no first class waiting lounge.  However, you can go to the second floor (where you find the ticketing counters).  The public waiting area there is huge. You can take the elevator if you have a load. 
3. There are a number of souvenir shops and eateries in this waiting area. You may want to purchase you snack for your travel from here. 
4. There is free wifi in the area but quite slow.
5. There are toilets at each floor of this terminal. I suggest you use the one at the second floor as it tends to be cleaner and less crowded.  You may also want to walk to Microtel for cleaner toilets.  The walkway to the hotel from the waiting area is covered.
9. Other options - In the event that there are no available seats for you to Baguio and back, you might wish to check on the JOY BUS (operated by Genesis Bus Company)  which operates similarly like the VL De Luxe buses  (my friends tell me that buses of this company are newer and better and rates are the same). 

Thailand: Visit to the Grand Palace - "Some practical tips"

Some tips on your visit to this Palace of complex buildings  with intricate architecture:

1.       Have greater appreciation on what you expect to see. Read up before going. There is a free tour guide brochure  available at the ticket entrance but usually, it may be too late to do your reading if already there.

2.       As Palace is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Thailand, expect this place to be very crowded with both local and foreign tourists. Come early to avoid the crowd and the heat.  Palace is open from 8:30am to 3:30 pm every day.

3.       The whole of the Palace is picturesque. Make sure you bring your camera and is fully charged.

4.       Come in proper attire (shoulders and knees must be covered). You will save time in lining up to borrow a sarong or polo shirt with a deposit of Baht 200 ($8).  There are also long lines when you return to get your deposit.

5.       As you will be moving around under the sun, bring your hat or umbrella plus drinking water.

6.       You will pay Baht 500 (approx. $15) per person as entrance free (Thais enter free). Better to bring cash but credit cards are accepted. This fee entitles you to access other facilities within the Grand Palace.  Use them if you have enough time.

7.       Be careful with your children and keep them on sight; beware of pickpockets

8.       Recommended duration of visit: 2-3 hours

9.       Be careful for over-charging and scams caused by taxi and tuk-tuk drivers

10.   Parking is whole area is a problem.  If you are driving you can use paid parking at Navy Club and take a short tuk-tuk ride to the Grand Palace.

(July 2016)

China: Visit to Nanjing Confucius Temple - "A great place to visit in Nanjing, China"

Perhaps the main tourist attraction in Nanjing City.  The place is better seen in the evening when colored lights reflect on the river.  This is a good place to visit and stroll where you will find lots of shops, restaurants and sights.  Don't forget to visit the Confucian Culture Center located within the Temple with tickets of only RMB 30 (US$4) per person.  Also there is an adjacent small park which is worth visiting too.  Allow two or three hours to visit this place and don't forget to bring your camera. (November 2016)

Thailand: Or Tor Ko (Otoko) Market, Bangkok - "The best fresh food market in Bangkok"

I always like going to this market because I believe this is the best fresh food market in Bangkok (Otoko is ranked the 4th best fresh marked in the world by a famous travel guide). It is said that all fresh food from Thailand is distributed through this market from vegetables, fresh and dried fruits, fresh meat and seafood to cooked Thai food and some regional products from Thailand. 

Where to find Otoko

Otoko Market is located very proximate to the famous Chatuchak weekend market of Bangkok. Get the BTS up the end-line Mo Chit BTS station.  From there, you can take a tuk-tuk to Otoko Market or take a 15-minute walk passing through the Chatuchak weekend market.  From Sukhumvit, the Center of Bangkok, BTS ride to Mo Chit Station is approximately 20-25 minutes only. 

What to expect

Market is a must see. It is amazingly clean and it will be a pleasant experience to walk around. The Market is open from 6am to 8pm each day. Paid parking is available.

Market offers nicely presented fresh fruits, vegetables, meats and seafood. Dried fruits and Thai confectionary/ sweets are also available. There is a section of cooked Thai food stalls with a small area with tables where you can eat and dine. The food stalls can cook fried oyster pancakes, pad thai and various soups for you as you order. There is also a dry good section that sells shirt and dresses normally coming from nearby provinces of Thailand.

Compared to other fresh markets in Bangkok or Thailand, Otoko prices are slightly higher but certainly worth the difference in terms of quality. 

Practical Tips

1. To avoid the crowd, especially if you are driving, go early.
2. There are abundant taxi just outside Otoko.  As in many places in Bangkok frequented by tourists, taxi drivers will also ask you for a flat rate and will disregard the use of meters.  Make sure you negotiate if this happens.
3. If you have time, try hopping into Chatuchak Weekend Market with is just a few minutes walk from Otoko.  This market is only open on weekends. However, JJMall, which is adjacent to Chatuchak is open 7 days a week (10am to 8pm)  and it has good eateries and restaurants in it.

Philippines: Prado Farm in Lubao, Pampanga - "A quiet place to relax"

Prado Farm is located in Lubao, Pampanga just two hours drive from Manila. The farm resort is quiet and relaxing enough with its gardens, architecture, art exhibits, infinity swimming pools, farm house,  free carabao rides and bicycles. There is a nice souvenir shop and kiosk at the main entrance of the farm where you find the resort’s registration desk.  You can tour the whole farm anytime on your own or by joining the free scheduled daily tour. Staff are very friendly and helpful. Visitors need to make a short walk inside the farm to their rooms (of course, there is  concierge service for your luggage and other things).

Rooms

Rooms are clean and air conditioned with basic hotel facilities but one should know that rooms come without television, refrigerator and room safety vault.  Room rates start from 3,500 pesos(approximately US$70)  per night for a double occupancy with breakfast. 

Dining

Food and drinks from outside are not allowed inside the Farm. There is a nook just bedside the hotel lobby that offers flowing free coffee and tea all day.  Many visitors come for a day trip but those staying overnight can enjoy the nice breakfast that is available in the main dining room located just beside the hotel. Breakfast is good and we like their native dishes like crispy danggit (local fish), spiced pork and chicken adobo, beef tapa and with array of organic fruits and vegetables. 

Visitors can also opt for their delicious buffet dinner of organic dishes (served from 7pm) at 450 pesos (approximately US$9) per head.  There is a standard corkage of 300 pesos for each wine bottle brought in. All is well except for the drivers’ quarter (costing 450 pesos per night) that can stand lots of improvement. 

Farm/Resort  Facilities include hotel rooms, dining rooms and restaurant, infinity pool, conference and meeting rooms, air-conditioned common lounge area in a private room where you can rest and take a nap, farm house, tree house,  snack and coffee bars, among others. There is free use of bicycles within the Farm. There is also free WIFI but it needs improvements. 

Free Tour of the Farm/ Resort - two ways:

• Guided Tour in English (11am and 3pm) - give advance notice to the hotel desk; walking tour is approximately 1 hour
Carabao Tour (11:30am to 12:30am; 2:30-3:30pm) - first-come-first-serve basis; tour is approximately 20 minutes; give advance notice to the hotel desk; carabao cart can take 4-6 persons; small gratuity to the carabao trainer will always be appreciated

Practical Tips

1. Our driver complained that the common room for drivers is small, without AC and the toilet and shower are not working well. Check with the Front Desk if this has improved when you do your booking.

2. When booking your stay, also inquire if there are meetings or seminars on the days of your visit. It is best to avoid those crowds if you want a quiet and relaxing stay. 

3. You may want to consider also trying local dishes for lunch in a nearby restaurant outside the Farm. Try APAG Marangle - A Kapangpangan Restaurant, which is 15-minutes drive from the Farm.  You can ask the concierge for direction.