Rustic Summer at Oldwoods by the Sea Eco-Resort

It was a vacation with friends however things come up and I ended having to travel alone. The original plan was a trip to Bolinao but the resort near Patar is expensive for a solo traveler and a cheaper resort was not responding to my call or emails.

While browsing for places to visit in Bolinao, I came across to a rustic looking resort. The name of the resort is Oldwoods by the Sea. I immediately sent an email and after a day I received information about their room rates. Unfortunately, the rooms that is good for two persons area already occupied so I opted for a two bedroom room. The price is just the same for a single bedroom.

For several days, I kept on bugging the owner of the place to get information on how to reach their place. The resort is owned by retired doctor Elizabeth Navarro and her husband Ex-Mayor Marcelo Navarro. It was supposed to be a retirement home for them but now the place also welcomes tourists. Dra. Beth was just so nice and accommodating in answering all my queries.

I reached the resort after 8-hour of travelling from Manila to Bani. It was very hot that day and the refreshing ambiance of the resort has helped relieved the blaze of the sun. The place is filled with trees and flowers.

Dra. Beth greeted my arrival and immediately offered me some refreshments before bringing me to my room. She also gave me a short tour of the place.

I was in total awe when she showed me my room. The room was beautiful! The bed and even the bathroom are made of heavy wood material. The room has Sports theme so the decorations and even the books on my side table are about sports. Most especially, I have my own terrace with a hammock where I can see the sea. 

The resort has a swimming pool and Jacuzzi. The public beach is accessible from their resort but you have to walk going down the beach. I tried to venture the public beach unfortunately when I was already near the beach I heard dogs barking and saw one dog approaching me. I was supposed to take a shot of the sunset but instead decided to go back than to risk being bitten by the dogs. They have a private beach which is very long trek but they will be glad to assist you getting there by using their vehicle.

Part of my accommodation in the resort is three set of meal – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. I just have to add P1,200 to have the meals. While having a sumptuous dinner, Dra. Beth informed that they will have a bonfire and invited me to join. Other guests were also invited. I joined them in the bonfire where we also roast some corns. There were no stars that evening but the lanterns from their trees gave a very charming ambiance.

I woke up early to take my morning walk and enjoy the place. You can hear the birds and the rustling of the trees while walking. 

During breakfast, I was informed by Dra. Beth that the other guests will be going to the beach and asked me if I want to join. Of course, I said yes! So after breakfast, I immediately prepared my things and just a few minutes I received a call informing me that we are ready to go to the beach.

The beach is a private property of the family. It has shallow waters but we were informed that it suddenly become deep on the area where the waves break. Although shallow, fishes are very evident and can easily be seen. We took our time basking on the water and enjoying the warmth of the sun.

It was with a big heart for me to leave the place. The owners of the resort are very nice and friendly and I never felt that I was alone even if I’m travelling solo. Dra. Beth gave me hug as I ride their car to take me to the terminal going home.

First Solo Travel: Going to Bani, Pangasinan

Part of my bucket list is to travel solo. After hearing this, my friends are all surprised and I felt that they want to discourage me of my plan. Travelling solo is not something new nowadays but it is also not that common. Why would anyone travel alone? That was the first question I had when I decided to go alone on a trip. It’s just like one day I daydream of going in different places on my own. I imagined the things I will do by myself and meeting people. And that was it!

It was supposed to be a vacation with officemates in Bolinao but because of different priorities the plan did not push through and each one set a plan on their own. However, I don’t want to be a loser staying at home doing nothing on a long vacation so I saw it as an opportunity to travel alone. 

Since the original plan was Bolinao, I started looking for a resort in Bolinao. I was looking for a cheap resort which is just near the beach and the Bolinao Lighthouse. Unfortunately, the resorts at Patar beach are expensive and the only affordable resort that I was able to find does not answer my call or emails.

While still searching for details of Bolinao, I saw a picture of a rustic but beautiful resort. The name of the resort is Oldwoods by the Sea. The resort is not located in Bolinao but in Bani, Pangasinan. It is the town before Bolinao. Since, it seems near I decided to book a reservation on the hotel.

It was a holiday and bus stations are full of people. I was at lost when I arrived at the bus station. I was already calling the resort to check with them if I can move my reservation when a bus going to Bolinao arrived. The line for the bus was so long and I know it will take me hours before I can ride a bus if I follow the line. I immediately went to the front of the bus and watch as the guard and a conductor ensure that no one will sneak in the bus. All seats in the bus were taken and those who insist to ride the bus will have to stand during the travel. I asked politely to the conductor to allow me ride the bus since I don’t have any companion. The conductor let me in and I went straight near the middle and positioned myself for a long standing ride. The conductor tapped my shoulder and said that he has a seat at the back and will let me sit beside him. He will tell the men sitting at the back that I’m his companion. The conductor was not the one on duty on that Bolinao bus and was riding the bus to get home in Tarlac. Luckily, I was able to have a comfortable seat going to Pangasinan.

It was a long travel, one which I enjoyed. The nice bus conductor went down to Camiling, Tarlac and I was on my own again. I reached Pangasinan, past noon and I arrived at Alaminos station around 2PM. I still have a half hour travel going to Bani. When I reached Bani, I mistakenly went down on the town plaza. I asked a girl who is at their store on how I can get to Oldwoods Sea Resort. My luck has not run out yet because she is very familiar with the place. She told me that it is still far from their place. She told me to go to Brgy. Tiep and from there I can hire a tricycle going to the resort. I went to the waiting shed and after 10 minutes of waiting an ordinary bus going to Alaminos arrived.

I went down to Brgy. Tiep and went to a nearby sari-sari store to buy an instant coffee. My head is already aching due to heat and I know that I need a refreshing bath and hot coffee after. Once I bought the coffee, I approached a guy and asked where I can ride a tricycle going to the resort. Good thing that the owner of the place was an ex-Mayor so everyone knows the place. After making arrangements with the tricycle driver it is another 30 to 45 minutes travel going to the resort. It is another wonderful moment to savor the countryside.

I arrived at the resort at almost 4PM. Although my day was almost consumed by my travel, it is worth it.

Nike Manila Women Run 2015

 For the first time Manila was included on Nike Women Run series. For the previous year, we only had the We Run series however last yearManila was not included. So it was a big hype to all women runner enthusiast to have the Nike Women Run series in Manila. 20 cities all over the world is part of the run and 20,000 women are expected to run. The run started in March 8 in Nagoya and willclose in San Francisco.

Last night, Filinvest was filled with women in orange shirt. From teenagers to mothers, all women flocked to Festival Mall which is the assembly place of the event. A dome was also built just outside the Festival Mall for the event. The parking space was used to distriibute the Finisher shirt, baggage counter and lounge area. Marshalls are all over the place assisting runners and showing directions.

The rain did not stopped the women to proceed at the starting line. Fireworks signaled the start of the race. 

It was bit hard to run at first because of the large number of runners. I haven’t reached 1 kilometer and I already saw runners walking and panting. I started wondering if all those who participated in the run joined to really run or just join because of the hype of the event.

There is already a hydrating station after 2 kilometers. Even though it rained, the air is still humid making it harder to run. Another challenge is that thereare area where there is water on the ground. After some kilometers, I also saw runners being treated by paramedics some are needed to be brought out of the race.  Then there are runners who would stopped by at the middle of the road so that the photogaphers would take a picture of them.

The track is very challenging. There are several uphill and downhill, areas that have puddle of waterand stones on the ground, and dark streets. What I like about the race is that there are streets where you can smell the flowers. I just don’t know the name of the tree where the fragrant smell is coming from. It somehow relaxes me while I run. There are also tarpaulin along the track with inspirational message from runners.

Spectators cheered the runners as we approached the finish line. We settled for a few minutes in the baggage area after we had claimed our shirts and belongings. We also took the opportnity to have some photos.