MGG Resort in Pangantucan Bukidnon

MGG Resort is a spring resort located at Lumagwas Pangantucan Bukidnon.  I've heard about it from my officemate and got curious on it for too long.  Good thing I had the opportunity  to experience  its ice cold water during my two days work leave this August.

Currently,  the entrance fee for the said resort is Php50.00 for adult, Php 20.00 for kids and Php 40.00 for Senior or PWD.  Their cottages would range from Php 350.00 to Php 1000.00 and their tables from Php 200.00 to Php 300.00.

They have 4 swimming pools for kids and adult... 

a function area...

a large khoi pond...

and more.

If you want to know more about this place,  I suggest you visit this resort since it is just a two hour travel from Cagayan de Oro City.

Davao Crocodile Park and Zoo

On our second day in Davao City we were able to check Davao Crocodile Park and Zoo which is located in Riverfront Diversion Road, Ma-a.  The place is accessible to taxi but if you have your own vehicle you can use a navigation app which will show you the shortest way to get there.

Davao Crocodile park and zoo is a home not only for crocodiles but also to various animals such as snake, khoi, tiger, rabbit, ostrich and more.  The entrance fee for the said place is P350.00 for individuals age 13 and above while P250.00 for  individual age from 2-12 years old.

  

     

Park Schedule

The park is open from 8 am to 6pm Monday to Thursday and 8 am to 7pm Friday to Sunday.

Show Schedule

There is also a wildlife show wherein you are able to have a close encounter with some animals.  But sad to say we were late when we arrived at the park so for those who would like to watch here is their schedules:

DAILY SHOW: 10:00 am – Bird Show and Friendly Animal Encounter

Monday

4:00    –    Crocodile Frenzy/Crocodile Feeding (yearling Stage Crocodiles)
4:15    –    Animal Petting

Wednesday

4:00    –     Crocodile Frenzy  (Yearling and juvenile stage crocodiles)
4:10    –     Pangil’s Feeding (The biggest Crocodile in the Park)
4:15    –     Animal petting

Friday, Saturday & Sunday

4:00    –     Raptor Bird Show / Educational Show
4:20    –     Pangil Encounter/Giant Crocodile Encounter
4:25    –     Crocodile Frenzy (yearling stage crocodiles)
4:35    –     Crocodile Dancing
4:40    –     Tightrope Walking

5:00    –     Animal Petting

There are also other activities that you can enjoy such as feeding and taking pictures with some animals, shopping at their souvenir shop and more!

Well, for bookings you may contact these numbers 09228569791 or 082 221 7749.

Cafe sa Bukid

Have you ever heard about a cafe in the mountain? Well, pictures and videos about a certain two-storey bamboo cafe have been circulating the net and most people are curious about the so called "Cafe sa Bukid".  Luckily,  Nyl and I were given a chance to check the place when we were on our way to Davao City.  The famous cafe is located at Kibangay, Lantapan Bukidnon -fronting Xavier de Kibangay High School. 

The first  thing that captured my attention was the small strawberry  plantation  beside the cafe.  I was  really excited to check if they were already ripe but unfortunately I only saw one ripe strawberry. 

There is also a store on the opposite side wherein you could buy some root crops and some vegetables. 

Strawberry Garden beside the Cafe. 

Foot wears are not allowed inside the cafe, so we have to leave them on the provided rack .  Upon entering, there is a counter on the left where  local products such as jam, honey and bamboo straw are being sold.

On the right side is a bamboo staircase that leads to the second floor.

The cold winds and breathtaking view is what we really enjoy and miss about the place.  For a short period of time we were able to relax from our busy city life. 

A cup of hot sikwate

By the way,  the cafe is open from 7 in the morning til 7 in the evening, Monday to Sunday. And offers delicious meals and drinks to guest.

Airbnb : A Useful App for Traveling

AIRBNB was introduced to me by Nyl last year when I was looking for a place to stay  for our company's engineer.  It was very useful during that time since most of the nearby hotels were fully booked due to a convention.  

So what is AIRBNB?

AIRBNB is an online marketplace where in you allow people to rent your place or a spare room during a period of time.  People can also host an activity through Airbnb, allowing tourist to experience their hobbies or skills. 

How can you make a booking?

Through Airbnb App which can be downloaded on play store or book through their site.  

But you have to register first before you could proceed on your bookings. 

Once the registration process has been completed, you can then start searching  for a place to stay by typing the location on the textbox. 

Check their calendars for the availability of the place or contact the host online. 

If you have already made a choice  and the host have already confirmed the availabilty of the place, you can then book the space and process your payments.

Most host will give you other  instructions after the confirmation of the booking such as where they left the key or other house rules. 

The good thing  about Airbnb is that most host have cheaper rate compare to hotels.  Also, there are space which allows you to cook your meal instead of eating outside or have your food delivered.

Passport Renewal

What you need to do and to bring...

First, you have to set an Appointment through DFA website.  Children aged 7 years old and below, pregnant woman, solo parent and persons with disabilities don't need to go through this step and may avail the priority lane.

Second, bring the  necessary documents needed for your renewal of passport.  For me,  aside from renewing my passport I also took this chance to change my civil status from single to married.  So aside from preparing a copy of my passport (1st and last page) , a copy of my 2 valid IDs and a duly accomplished application form which I printed on a A4 size bondpaper, I also secure a NSO copy of my marriage certificate.  Well here is a link of all the requirements needed and also be reminded to bring all original documents.  Click here.


On the day of your appointment, go to DFA Regional Consular Office located at third floor Centrio Mall cor Corrales and Recto St Cagayan de Oro City.

Give your duly accomplished application form to the guard and wait for your name to be called at the processing area.  Here they will evaluate your documents or requirements.

Processing

After submitting your requirements, wait for your name to be called at the Cashier.  Well, applicants are given two options regarding the processing of their passport.  If you wish to get your passport within 15 working days, you have to pay the amount of Php 1,200.00 and Php 950.00 for 25 working days.

Cashier

After paying, your next and last step will be at the encoding area.  Here your information, picture, signature specimen and biometric are registered into the system.

Encoding

Releasing

For those who have inquiry regarding passport applications here is their local office number: (088)8576565 / (088) 8578572.


For complaints, inquiries, etc, you could email them at: passportassist.asec@gmail.com or ask-passport@oca.dfa.gov.ph

Monte Richi

After an hour travel from Cagayan de Oro City, we finally reached Monte Richi beach Resort located at Danao, Jasaan Misamis Oriental.  

The parking space of the place wasn't spacious enough for Nini's vehicle so we decided to park it along the road.  By the way,  I'm not referring to the vehicle shown above. "P

The place requires an entrance fee of Php80.00 for adults and Php50.00 for kids.  They also offer cottages that ranges from Php250.00 to Php1,000.00, depending on your needs.

Guest could also try their pool there but I haven't seen any life guards along the side of it, so guest with kids should be responsible with their little ones.

If you are into photography, the place has a nice scenery of the sunset.

Well, if I were to rate the place from 1 to 5, where 5 is the highest: I'll give it a 2. 

Lima Park Hotel: Malvar, Batangas - Mahogany Market and Sky Ranch :Tagaytay Trip

Destination #1.  Lima Park Hotel, Malvar Batangas
It was already 10:50 in the morning when we left Darymel's place and went to Jam terminal.  There we took a bus bound to Malvar Batangas, where Lima Park Hotel is located.  Our fare for that trip was just Php116.00 each.

Lima Park Hotel is located in one of Philippines' world class industrial zones in Batangas.  Well, if you are new in the place like us,  just informed the bus conductor to drop you off  at Lima Park in Malvar.  The entrance gate of  Lima is located before the Lipa City welcome arc in Pres. JP Laurel Highway. 

From the gate, a van picked us up and brought us to the Hotel.

comfortable double beds

The bathtub.

Free Hand and Body lotion.

Free Dental Kits.

Our Towels.

Free coffee and bottled water.

Our welcome drinks.

Horizontal Pool.

Horizontal Pool.

Dip in the pool

Free Biking around the place.

Nyl and Darymel

Mesay and I

The team.

The little playground...for kids?

kids...at heart :p

The Bar.

A part of the dining area.

Air Conditioned Dining Area - free breakfast ;)

Breakfast is served.

To be honest, there are areas in the hotel that are still under renovations.  In terms of landscape, I think they need a gardener to take care of their plants in order to add more green on the place. But the hotel is clean and relaxing, and there are free wi-fi on every rooms.  

What I loved most about this place were their staffs.  They were warm, nice and accommodating.  For us, they are one of the factors that made Lima Park Hotel as one of the great place to stay in Batangas.

Destination #2. Mahogany Market to Sky Ranch,  Tagaytay
On our second day we decided to proceed to Tagaytay City.  

How to get to Tagaytay from Malvar, Batangas?
It was really a long travel from Malvar Batangas  to Tagaytay. First, we ride on a jeepney bound to Robinson Mall from the entrance gate of Lima to Balibago Van Terminal , the fare there was Php13.00 each.  From there we took a van bound to Balibago market, our  fare for the van was Php80.00 each.  And from Balibago market we took a jeepney ride bound to Balibago Jeepney Terminal in Tagaytay that cost us Php40.00 each.
 

Flowers for sale seen along the road in Tagaytay

Upon arriving at Balibago Jeepney Station in Tagaytay City, we then proceed to Mahogany Market. 

Mahogany Market is one of the tourist destination in Tagaytay City wherein local and foreign tourists can dine in and have a taste of their delicious bulalo, sizzling sisig and other exotic meals.  

Sizzling sisig at Mahogany Market

Bulalo at Mahogany Market

Free banana at Amy's Eatery

After filling our stomach with those delicious meals, we then decided to check the 5 hectares leisure park in Tagaytay - the Sky Ranch.  We rode a jeepney across Mahogany Market wherein we paid Php8.00 each for our fare.

SkyRanch Ticket Price

For the entrance fee, we paid Php50.00 each.

Fogs everywhere makes Taal Lake non visible to us

Sky Eye

The team

Because the place was covered with fogs, we weren't able to take a view of Taal Lake. 

Horseback Riding

What I don't like about the place was that there was only one ticketing booth for all the rides which means a very long line.  Aside from this, there was only one comfort-room for each gender, and one cubicle inside it. I think the administration forgot that this was an amusement park and that they should expect a volume of people everyday.

I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who has these sentiments.  Anyway, after a few minutes strolling around the place and taking some pictures we decided to go back home.  But before we took a bus home we drop by at Rowena's Cafe and bought some delicacies for our families in Cagayan de Oro City.  

There, we had a chance to take a look at Taal Lake.  

A View of Taal lake... no more fogs to cover the place

We then took a bus bound to Pasay since there was no available one going to Cubao.   And road a taxi from Cubao to Darylmel's place.