NPC VILLAGE and WESTNUK Beach Resort

NPC Hotel and Village Resort is owned and operated by NAPOCOR along with Westnuk Beach Resort. The Village is composed of 20 non-residential and 128 residential buildings which include the 49 rms Hotel, Conference & Training Center buildings and chapel. It has various recreational facilities such as Olympic-size pool, Bowling Center, Billiard & Table Tennis room, Golf Riding Range, Lawn Tennis Courts, Basketball & Volleyball Courts, Baseball Field & Firing Range among others.

I never heard of this place before, i saw this on google map and thought that it's a village. Good thing, we know someone who knew someone who previously work with the now non-operational Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, so we finally we made a reservation. From what i gathered, this is a housing facilities at the time when the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant is still at works for the employees and staff. Some staff are still residing in some houses. I do not know if this is a non profit-organization or they operate just to sustain in keeping the place and staff because even if they accept guest, there is no extensive marketing of the place. The houses are big and comfy but needed renovation, some houses are abandoned and needed total restoration but nevertheless, a prefer this place if i am going to bataan with friends and families.

There 4-bedroom houses cost P3,500 and 2-bedroom cost 2,800. There is a CR/Shower room which is adjoining two rooms. Rooms have 2 queen beds, aircon and cabinets. The house has a lawn, garage, dirty kitchen, sliding glass door to a veranda and a spacious living/dining room. You can rent a gas range for P500.00 or you can bring one if you prefer. I would love to have a TV - please NPC provide some TV :-). The recreational facilities is a 10-15 minutes walk from the guard house. If your going to use the facilities, be sure to inform the guard when you enter, it can be tiring if your going back and forth at the guardhouse or ask a contact person and number who can assist you during your stay. This place is old so it can be eerie at night.

The accommodations includes an entrance to Westnuk Beach Resort, it is inside the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant which is 20 minute ride from NPC Village Resort. Secure a gate pass at NPC before you head to Westnuk coz if you dont, an entrance fee there cost P130.00 each. We have a gate pass from our contact so we only paid a cottage fee of P130.00, i'm not quite sure if because we have a recommendation from an ex-employee but it does not hurt to ask so give it a try. The road to Westnuk is within a mountain range so it is quite steep, let's just say its curvalicious-if that's even a word. I am surely going back to this place, next time ill drop by the Pawikan Conservatory.

Living Room

Dining and Dirty Kicthen

Houses at NPC

Recreational Facilities

Olympic size pool

Road to Westnuk

BNPP is only open for viewing from mondays to fridays and need a reservation/appointment

Westnuk Beach Resort

NPC VILLAGE RESORT
WESTNUK BEACH RESORT

FUN BATANGAS PART 2: LEMERY BATANGAS

From our FUN BATANGAS PART 1, we head out to our next destination - A.Santos Paradise Resort in Lemery, Batangas. From Laurel to Lemery, via Agoncillo Road, its a 45 to an hour drive but since the road is under construction that time - well, it's more than an hour drive. At the end of Agoncillo Rd., turn right and the resort is only 500 meters from there. There are not many signage on the road, A.Santos is on the left side before the ice plant.

A.Santos Resort, in my opinion, is the best and affordable resort in that part of lemery beach. I reserved and deposited 50% for a Coco Lodge for P3,000 overnight, the room is basic with 2 queen beds, CR, an old aircon, a veranda and a cemented table and bench right in front of the rooms. There is a free entrance for 4 persons with the room and the rest should pay P70.00/each. They have two swimming pools and an access to the beach.The resort has a very maximize but organized space. The beach is not giving me any pleasure because its a bit crowded and the sand is dark, i never went swimming in that beach but i am looking forward to our island hopping and snorkeling in the morning.

Our Room

Not a good shot but this is the way to the pool 

The Beach

The Black Beach

The rooms and the cottages - near the beach

Ligpo Island - Snorkeling site and they also have accommodation. this is in the middle of the ocean, i can't sleep here.

This is the destination island which is part of Bauan Batangas, it's not white but the sand is a very light brown, a bit rocky but the water is clear and refreshing

This is a private resort where we pay P30.00 each for the use of their beach and shower room. No accommodations,  just for the owners.

Where we stop by to snorkel, this is also a diver's spot

We had a great time with the snorkeling and island hopping which will take 4 hours so start early, the ride alone will take 1.5 to 2 hours back and forth. The boat cost 1,800 for 10 persons. There are may boats you can rent but you can contact our boatman Kuya Michael (09394323667).

A. Santos Paradise Resort
Barangay Nonong Castro
Lemery, Batangas
http://www.asantosparadiseresort.com/

FUN BATANGAS PART 1:Amansinaya Mountain Resort

This is another deal we got from Metrodeal, a day tour at Amansinaya Mountain Resort with free Zipline, Mountain climbing , Mudslide and guided tour to Ambon-ambon Falls.So, with 7 of my friends,we set-off to Batangas.

We started at 5 in the morning and took C5 road-SLEX and then Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay Road. When you reached the Tagaytay Rotonda, go down the Talisay Road. You won't miss it, it will be flocked by men offering boat to Taal Lake and boy... they are persistent, they will even follow you down the Talisay Road with a motorcycle. The Talisay Road is quite steep with so many curves (well, just look at google map, it's quite accurate), so if your not a skilled driver or even if you are - be careful. After about 30 min, you will exit to Talisay-Tanauan Road (take time to see the Taal Lake up close and personal-i'd prefer an overlooking taal than up close but it's just me) then turn right. After 20 mins you'll reach the Laurel Municipal hall, there will be a sign of Amansinaya to the right and it will be easy from there on.

Patio Filipino

Finally, we're at Amansinaya at 9 in the morning, average travel time from manila is 3 hrs. First stop was the Pugadlawin, where the team building activities are. Next stop is the Patio Filipino where the reception, restaurant and a mini pool at the back overlooking the Ambon-Ambon Falls. The last was the Aqua Park where you can really swim. The distance from station to station is a good 10-15 mins walk so you'll need your car but they have a service which can get you from one place to another. We're late for the first trek to the falls so we opted to go for the 1pm sked. We took an early lunch, well according to their website a corkage fee will be charge, depending on the number of person, if you bring food inside. They don't really check the car, so we brought food inside and find a secluded place under a bamboo tree and guava tree to park the car and eat -yey! and trees there are blooming with fruits, so you know, fruits are healthy with a meal hehe (just don't get yourself be caught ok...)

Next stop.... zipline. The zipline is a short ride, going up the stairs takes longer than the slide to the zipline but if its unlimited - well, its definitely fine. I also tried the wall climbing, finished about two-thirds which is a good  15 feet. Haven't tried the mudslide, i think it's fun i just don't feel like doing it that day. We then spend a good time in the Aqua Park then headed back to Patio Filipino for the trek to the falls.

Pugadlawin - where the team building activities, zipline, wall climbing and mudslide are located

The trek was about 30-45 mins, you need to hop in their shuttle service which will take you to the starting point outside the resort. If Amansinaya really is making the trek one of their feature activities, i suggest that they put some budget in paving the road up until the bridge - that will save guest a good 15 minutes of walk time and a whole lot of dust (seriously, its like a sandstorm up there every time motorbikes passed by). And i know that Ambon-Ambon Falls is not a private property but i hope someone someday could manage to maintain and clean the road to the Falls- and maybe a cable or zipline from the resort to the falls? Hehe, just an idea. Because if you're walking for 45 minutes and crossing four rivers (don't worry, its a small river), then what you passed by are litter and people having videoke and drinking session - it's a bit discouraging. I think the Falls is worth it but will i make the trek again? Maybe not, i always want to try something new but i'm not really a fan of walking so that explains it.

The way to the Falls

THE FALLS: the falls is so high that the water at top drizzle like raindrops but the current below is so strong but you can have a water massage if your careful. The water is also refreshing.

There are many people when we are at the falls, most are from the residents of the area. It's best if you do the trek in the morning. We arrived back at the resort past 3:00 pm. We quickly change and head out since we have an accommodation at A.Santos in Lemery, Batangas. If you're not staying for the night at Amansinaya better head out while there is light coz you know, the road is not safe at night. This time we took the Agoncillo Road and we were off to our next destination.

Batangas: Chateau Royale

We got a chance to have a voucher in Cash Cash Pinoy with some family friends for a 2D/1N stay in Chateau Royale for 4 with set dinner and breakfast for only P2,999.00 - a deal, right? I arranged a van rental for 2,500/day exclusive of gasoline, toll fee and driver's meal- the driver can sleep in the van just provide him a place for hygiene purposes. You can contact Kuya Ronie at 09323678217.

When we arrived at the resort, there are so many people. Why? because the rooms are still being cleaned... that's what happened when the deal is a hit- sometimes customer service is a hard job. In fairness to them, they allowed late check-out.

The resort is huge, so much space and peaceful. The log cabins are far down but there is a jeepney which goes back and forth to pick and drop-off guest. I can say that we got a good deal for P2,999 - except for the food. The dinner is disappointing, if your not on a diet- please bring some food in your room or buy some in their resto which can be a bit pricey. The lettuce is organic, it's in their greenhouse - i don't know if organic lettuce should be a bit bitter (its bitter). The breakfast is an improvement from the dinner.

Here are some pictures:

The paintball warzone and billiards

Zipline P 150.00 / Rock Climbing P 100.00

Our Log Cabin

The Swimming Pool

The Resort

First Time in BORACAY

Finally, Lovey and I got the chance to go to Boracay last August 2011. We took Zest Air Manila to Kalibo promo fare, that's P2,400 round trip for two - we're on a budget. I heard so many negative reviews about Zest Air, but fortunately we didn't have any problems at all. It's a long trip from Kalibo - next time ill book for Caticlan- you have to take a van for 1 1/2 hours from Kalibo Airport to Caticlan Jetty Port cost P200.00/head. Then ride a boat to the island for P30 and P100 for terminal and environmental fee.. i think, but when you go home the fee would just be P 25.00/head.

Since we are on a budget, i've look for a very affordable accommodation and found B and B Resort Boracay. It's located along the main road, corner of the street in front of Crown Regency, 3-min walk to the white beach, its pretty at the center of everything if you don't mind a little walk. Rates for low season is P600/night for the fan rooms and P1000 for the aircon rooms. The rooms are pretty basic but i love the place, there's a what you call provincial atmosphere to it, from our side of the cottage its peaceful coz there is a side near the main road so you might here vehicles passing by.

Besides from strolling the beach (the beach is worth the trip specially during low season - no rains just wind), buying pasalubong and waiting for the sunset (which is beautiful at around 5 to 6 pm), we went to Mt. Luho where you can see all of the land of boracay which is a pretty spectacular site. We took a tricycle from our resort for P150 one way, we are accompanied by my friend and her hubby so we are four. You can let the tricycle wait for you so that's P300 round trip - we'll its pretty far. But on the way back we just walk on the more short route to station 1 - but goodness that's seems far also, my feet hurts but i am not really use to too much walking. At Mt. Luho you'll pay  a fee of P60/head, there's a mini zoo and the view at the top is worth it, it's very beautiful.

We did'nt get to try other activities but next time we'll try it. Yeah, there will be a next time. It's my first time to ride a plane and i love it. Our plane to Kalibo is kind of small so it's noisy and our flight is evening so i can't see anything but our flight to Manila is in the morning and the plane was better. When we landed on the domestic airport - i'm like "more,more". When you're up there  and you look at the clouds and islands, there's a feeling of bliss and being blessed, this is mother nature and this is we're we live in, this is what God gave us. And when the plane went into the clouds, i'm quite hoping that Harry Potter might pop in a broomstick haha.

That's my Boracay trip and i love it, i hope to come back soon. Thanks to ms bless and staff of B and B Resort.

B & B Resort: bnbboracay@hotmail.com 09283245448