Ahhh... Calatagan. You always find a way to creep into my yearly getaways. This year, I got to experience Calatagan once again through Aquaria Beach Resort.


One of the friends found a promo deal online cutting the entrance rate to almost half so we went for it.

Reception

The friend coordinating with the staff

Us, while waiting to be admitted

The resort is impressive! There were a lot of pools to choose from.

Pools

Pools, everywhere.

One for them kids

All were clean. And the condition of the pools are excellent. No broken tiles or whatever.

There is access to the beach, of course.



If you're familiar with beaches in Calatagan, then you know you aren't suppose to expect a lot :) Their beach is cleaner than the others though. No seaweeds in sight.
Their restaurant is located by the beachfront so it felt really good to just eat, talk with the friends, and just relax while enjoying the view.

or update your social media accounts

The food BTW, is way better than I expected. Usually, in my experience, resort restaurants always offered overpriced food that would fill a belly of a kitten. Not Aquaria. Their food is reasonably priced. The portion is enough for a human being. And it even tastes good!

Our binalot makes us happy!

Mais con hielo for dessert

Pancit bihon for meryenda

Here's their menu

The cottage is not exactly a cottage at all. It looks more a like a lounge.

It was very open too

There are yellow cushions in the bench and there is a small cabinet that you could put your things in while you're away. There is no lock but considering how there was an abundant supply of security guards all around, it was no big deal. Also, the cottages were by the poolside so you don't have to walk so far to enjoy swimming right away.

But what impressed me the most about Aquaria are the toilets and shower rooms.

Upon entering

Feast your eyes on the beauty that is Aquaria's bath house

My photos don't do it justice. Their bathhouse is very spacey and very clean! I never would have thought that I'd be able to experience a resort's shower room as beautiful as this. The cubicles are spacey too and I didn't have to figure out where to put or hang my stuff because they have the small benches in it to put your things on!

Yes, it is a big deal for me. Or for anyone who had to deal with crappy shower rooms for years

One thing that bothered me though is the fact that you can't stay overnight considering how far this resort is. The three hours of travelling to the resort would be worth it if we could spend more time in it. We got there around 11:30am and had to leave by 6pm. 6pm is too just too early of a time to leave in my standards.

The verdict

Good: Resort is beautiful. Bathhouse is excellent. Restaurant is very good.
Bad: Location is not so good considering you can't stay overnight.

Will I go back? Yes. When the heavens decide to bestow upon me a private vehicle. Or when one of my friends finally buy one. :))

How to get there w/o private vehicle:

1. From Pala-pala, ride a van to Calatagan (php130/pax). The ride took us three hours! It should have been two but our driver seemed to be taking his own sweet time. My bladder almost died. He also dropped us by the municipal office (i think?) which baffled us because last year, our driver dropped us at the public market. If you got down at the municipal office, you'll have to ride a tricycle to the public market (php12/pax).
2. From public market, ride a tricyle to Aquaria or Playa, Calatagan (php150/trike). You'll arrive after 15 minutes.

How to get back 

Talk with your van and tricycle driver about arrangements. My getting-home from Calatagan always varied from trip to trip.

The first climb for the year! It feels good to be able to hike again after so long. I wish I could say I did good but 15 minutes into the climb I wanted to puke and my lower abdomen paralyzed me.  Ugh.  Although, after resting for a bit, I was able to recover from the hellish pain and continue.



We started our hike around 7:30 am and arrived at Rockies around 9:30 am. I thought that was pretty good but our guide said otherwise. He said it usually takes an hour and a half. Well, maybe if my organs weren't trying to kill me, we would've arrived earlier.

Our guide in orange

Our guide noticed how bad I was doing so he cut me a walking stick from the branches. I felt bad for the trees but I did a little better with the walking stick. Also, I feel like Gandalf and I wanted to yell "you shall not pass" at anyone we'd meet by the path but there was no one. :))

The view from one of the rest stops

EDSA ain't the only place with traffic jams

Finally!!

The friend and I had brunch at the Rockies and enjoyed a candy bar I bought from a recent travel to the US

We didn't stay too long this time because, besides the number of people, the wind was insanely strong! Not the kind that makes you want to stay and chat.



We also wanted to go before the large group so that our descent won't be slowed down.

Down we go!

We arrived around 12nn. We rested for a bit then took a bath. 

The water was freezing. Brrrr

Bye puppies!

1. Ride Bus to Tambo Exit at South Station, Alabang (php94.00/pax)
2. Get down at Tambo Exit. Ride jeep to Lemery. Tell driver to drop you off at Cuenca. (Php22.00/pax). Once you arrive, you can opt to buy food or water at the cafeterias or convenience stores around. 
3. Ride tricycle (Php40.00/trike)
4. The tricycle will stop by the registration booth. Write your names at the log book, pay the registration fee (20php/pax), and leave a valid ID. Due to the victor incident, taking a guide with you is now mandatory. A guide costs php400 for a group of four. Each additional head will cost php50. If you have a large group, you may be required to take more than 1 guide with you.
5. Before starting the hike, you can take a bathroom break for Php5-Php10.