Driving to Tondol

My family set out another journey last September. We are heading to Manaog to have my Kuya's car blessed. We drove at around 2am and reach the Church at around 5:30 am. It was dark and a lot of vehicles are lining up to have their car blessed. I'm disappointed because the blessing was like 30 seconds. It wasn't sincere or holy in anyway. A splash of Holy water then mumbling a prayer and off to the next vehicle. It's not what it used to be very disappointing. Then we had breakfast and drove to Tondol. It was spontaneous so I didn't make a research and so did my Kuya. We got to the beach at around 11am .

Breakfast

The beach is nice. White sand, only a few people were swimming. I fell in love with the place. The only problem is they asked around and there are no comfort rooms, that would be okay but there are no restaurants. We didn't bring any food with us so it was disappointing. I recently searched places and found a lot of home stays in the area.

Tondol Beach

Is that Potipot?

So we went ahead, my brother wanted to go back to Dasol, Slim and I haven't been there but we have a little time and driving to Dasol would take another 3 hours so we decided to try a resort along Eguia that they saw before when they went to Dasol.

The resort is Fiesta Grande, this is just a day trip and we are tired so we got a room for a few hours. They gave it to us for 1750, we checked in at 1pm and will check out at 6pm. 1750 FOR 5 HOURS? Our drivers need to sleep so we got a room. We ate lunch at the resort and the kids swam on the pool. The pool is a bit dirty. After resting a bit Slim and I went to the beach.

Our room

The beach is clean and the water is warm. The sand is also fine, not white but because its fine walking barefoot is doable..

Upon checking out in Fiesta Grande we were disappointed. We found out that they charged us twice for the food. We ordered one serving and they decided to charge us per head. That's fine if it's Hotel like but it was just ordinary and the serving is not that big too. I mean the place is okay and we know how much the food cost. That means dinner will not be at the resort. This trip is a bit of a disappointment because we didn't stayed in Tondol and the overcharging. But since we were together it's okay. We know that not all trips will be enjoyable just like life there are ups and downs.

We had dinner at Wimpy's Burger Subic.

We'll probably go back to Tondol once we have made a research. Tondol looks untouched, perfect if you're looking for a white beach near Manila.

ESTIMATED EXPENSE:

GAS 1800 RT
TOLL 1500
HOTEL 1750
FOOD 2500

TOTAL  9300 (5 PEOPLE)

****UPDATE 11/10/15****

Upon research here are places you can stay in Tondol

I got this from Tondol White Beach FB Page

Back to Pagudpud, Day 3 and 4 long drive series to Casa Consuelo

(This is long overdue. Sorry again for slacking off)

Good Evening!

It was a really long drive from Cagayan and my patience are running thin from my disappointment that even our dinner didn't made me feel better.

Dinner time.

Sweet Spot

I hated everyone but that is just me being me. (yup)

We went to Casa Consuelo right away as this was the target resort of my brother. We fell in love the last time we checked this. But with limited budget and they were not happy with our haggling, we stayed on a small Home stay in Blue Lagoon after staying for 3 days in Kapuluan Vista.


Casa Consuelo's room is enough for all of us. It has 5 beds with TV, we need it for our baby and what I like about it is the bathroom has soap, towels, shampoo and toothpaste. It's like you are on a hotel plus home experience! After dinner sleep was difficult so I gave Slim a good massage because I know how tired he is and he will be driving again tomorrow. And that I was so disappointed I couldn't sleep so better make use of my insomnia.

I woke up at 6am and everyone is out walking along the beach. I feel better now. I just need some Vitamin SEA.

Dos Hermanos

The beach front in Casa Consuelo is rocky but the view is amazing! In front is Dos Hermanos, two identical mountains that were said to be brothers who are very close together. It was also low tide so we were able to walk along the shore to witness sunrise and all those rock formations on our feet. We had to retreat when we saw a sea snake we have kids with us so better be safe than sorry.

I'm walking on sunrise... woahhh... 

My favorite shot. I can't believe my phone did this.

Exploring Casa

CASA, View from the beach

Mountains, sea, corals. So lovely.

The sand is white on this part.

Breakfast is good. Casa Consuelo's chef is really a good cook or my Ilocano roots is probably kicking in.

American Breakfast (How Ilocano is this?)

Bagnet

We prepared and went to Blue Lagoon. The beach is unexpectedly uninviting at this time of the year. The beach is dirty maybe because its summer? Its nothing compared to the beautiful beach we experienced last November. The kids still enjoyed swimming and had to get out of the water because we saw jelly fishes again.

Favorite Nap spot in Casa Consuelo

Nap Spot

Blue lagoon

Our lunch is satisfying but took awhile when the service last year was not like this. We had lunch in small huts in front of Hannah's. After lunch we drove back and like what we did last November they rode at the side of the car. After preparing we headed home. Slim and I with my mother in law went ahead because we have work the next day.

Waiting for Lunch

HAngry!!! But happy.

Lunch

Stress RELIEVER!

Sun burnt!

Thank you for Lunch

#casaconsuelo #model #littleBIGsister

Wall of Appreciation

Allah, stapling our thank you notes it wasn't here last November 

Bye Ilocos

Ligaya Inception?!

Stopover for pasalubong

Packing up

I definitely recommend Casa Consuelo, the price is average but the place is really first class. Compare to our last visit they accommodate guests better. They take care of the beach front too. It was clean and very relaxing. I miss Kapuluan but this is such a great stay that I'm torn between the two resorts. It's like Kapuluan Vista is hotel-like plus a homey-surf type-zen experience feeling. Casa Consuelo is hotel-like plus homey-classy provincial-grandparents feel. Kapuluan would probably attract young travellers and Casa Consulo is more of a family vacation. I love the two resorts! I probably need to go back!



***I lost all my receipts for this day so I don't know the exact price. I will still look for it. Estimated budget is 2000 for Casa Consuelo,
2500 for food.
2000 for GAS
700 for toll (I lost all but I will update this post soon.) All for three people. ****

Sweet breakfast buffet at Sweet Inspirations

The fambam went on another road trip to Dasol. Slim and I couldn't come because we can't file a leave at work. So we decided this is an 'us' time. Us time starts with a hearty breakfast.

That busog smile

Love is sweet the second time around so we are going back to Sweet Inspirations. Slim and I dined here when my teammates had breakfast after work.

Team brekky
(I was wearing his sweater!! =p)

Birthday Cake

Breakfast chat

We looove the place, it has a few food choices compared to Something Fishy but I think it's better because the crowd is few and buffet includes drinks.

But first

let me take a

SELFIE

It was Sunday, I thought the place will be packed after mass but there are still empty tables. Their breakfast buffet is from 6am - 10am. I really like the decorations. It looks like a hotel inside. The lighting is a bit dark when breakfast should be sunny. They are also popular with the Mongolian Buffet my teammates had tried it and were satisfied. It's something we'll try some other time.

The buffet table is small but they refill the dishes before it runs out. They give you water and coffee at your table too. What I like about Sweet Inspirations is their Champorado and they serve fruits and steamed vegetables. Fruits is a must for buffets because it adds fiber to your diet and an excuse that although you are eating too much it's still balanced. (haha)

Fruits first

Is it vday yet?

My first plate after eating fruits.
Dried fish, egg, coffee and steamed vegetables.

Champorado and Lugaw

Dried fish

Bibingka and Puto Bumbong 

Christmas in May

Adobo

230 with drinks

Nice  corner

Dessert Station - not included with the buffet

I have yet to try the desserts. I've tried Chocolate Mousse when my team was here and I didn't enjoy it that much because my tummy is full but I like it. Have I told you that my favorite dish from their buffet is Champorado? It was so creamy I really enjoyed it. We also like the Calamansi Juice because of the squeezed Calamansi. It was refreshing and I think it aided my digestion because after a drink I can have another plate.

Is the price okay? Yes!!!

Will I go back? Definitely!!! This is now our favourite breakfast place.


Breakdown of Expenses

230 x 2 = 460