Wild Orchid Beach Resort

After our tremendous horrified experience at Cliff Royale, please see full story here; elders we were with already decided to go home. But most of us opt and insisted to continue our vacation.

From police station, we packed our things and scouted for a better resort. Just one block away, we found Wild Orchid Beach Resort. When we got there, first thing we asked was their security, hehe.

Hotel Facade, Photos by Maruth Morales

As we entered the reception area, we actually felt better and safe.  It was way different from the resort where we from. They even gave us discount on our room rates.

Lobby Area, Photo by Maruth Morales

Reception Area, Photo by Maruth Morales

We took three de luxe rooms at the third floor. The room's spacious and comfortable.

De Luxe Room, Photo by Maruth Morales

The pool's very huge that their entire guest can swim at all same time.

L-shape pool, Photo by Maruth Morales

They have restaurant and bar near the pool area, unfortunately none of was able to take photo of this area. But you will see this in their website.

The gray colored beach is 3 minutes away from the hotel. Since, it's too far and a bit crowded that time, we went there once just for the kids to enjoy the sand. But the rest of our stay, we enjoyed the pool.

Anyway, our overall overnight stay here was enormously fun. We totally enjoyed and almost forgot what happened the day prior to that. If given a chance, we will be back.

Wild Orchid Beach Resort
Baloy Long Beach, Barrio Barretto,
Olongapo City, Zambales Philippines
+63 (02) 5713240
+63 9087339902
+63 9235914816
Email: wildorchidmanila@gmail.com
yahoo messenger: wildorchid_manila
skype: wildorchid_manila
Wild Orchid Beach Resort Website

How to get there? Click here

BEWARE OF THIS RESORT_ CLIFF ROYALE AT SUBIC, OLONGAPO

BEWARE OF THIS RESORT, THIEVES INSIDE. Let me share our story.

A week prior to our scheduled family outing, we googled and search for a decent resort where the entire family can rest and enjoy well. We were deceived by their website. Seems like a pretty place online but in reality, looks like bunch of crap! Resort to Avoid _ Cliff Royale at Subic (click here to see their website)



Pool rule that says, "swim at your own risk", meaning they do not have a lifeguard which is included in minimum standard set by the Department of Tourism



Ewww! Urinal at common CR near pool area

Broken stairs

Another eww! Garbages!

Pavilion

Who would like to swing on this?

Grilling area

The family went there May 12, 2011, except for me and my husband; we still have work that day. After our shifts we headed straight to Victory Liner to catch the last trip to Olongapo.

It was 2:30 am when we arrived at city's town proper, and then we called our family on phone to inform them that we were already in the area. They fetch us at Olongapo City Hall. At 3:00 am, we arrived at the resort. My father opened and closed the gate by himself for us to get in.  The place was dark and we walked up hill for 5 minutes before we got into our rooms. There's no special about their rooms, just an ordinary four cornered wall with four beds weirdly arranged. Anyways, after dropping our things, my husband and I washed up and laid our backs. There was no 5 minutes when my tita knocked in, shockingly explaining that there was a thief entered their room and got some items such as watch, cellphone and bag. My lola actually saw him, at first she thought it was my father, then she realized that dad already fell asleep. She shouted, "magnanakaw" which made him rushed outside.

He took a Tag Heuer Monaco watch, ouch!

Outside we saw gardening tools, it was not there when we passed by few minutes ago. The door seemed like was not forced to open.

 Door of room where my lola and dad is

Stairs where the gardening tools found

At the same time, my sister immediately dialed and tried to call the stolen cellphone. It was still ringing and we can hear it from our room. After several trials of calling and hoping that somebody will answer, the line got cut already.

We were hysterically shouting and looking for some help. Unfortunately seems like nobody was hearing us. We rushed down to get help from the people outside the resort; a good tricycle driver was able to get us the police.

The police did investigation; they were telling us that there was strong evidence of inside job. The gardening tools are owned by the resort and were kept on their hard-to-find storage area. And they are the only ones to have duplicate keys of our rooms. And to our surprise, we found out that the resort don't have a security guard. There are multiple entry points in the resort, so the bad guys can really get inside to do their things.

Two suspects were detained, the gardener and the care taker, who hands all of the resort keys. Police men assured us that they'll do their investigation.

Despite of what happened, we do not want to continue ruining our vacation. We scouted for better and safer resort. We found The Wild Orchid, a hotel resort also within the same baranggay. They have security guards, CCTVs for guests' safety.

Later that afternoon, we called the police station and followed up where they were already in their investigation. Heck, they already released the detainees. As per the police man that I spoke with, the resort showed them the waiver we signed prior to our checked in. The waiver says, "Resort will not be held liable for any of lost items". I asked the police man if he knows the difference between lost and stolen. Lost was my negligence and stolen was took from me without my permission. I asked him his name but he didn't reply. He passed the phone to another police man and again I explained myself why I was calling. Unfortunately he said that he do not know anything because it was not endorsed to him by the policemen who were on duty when the incident happened. Gosh, can't he read, it was written on their blotter report.

We rushed down again to the police station, seemed like there was no investigation happened when we left that morning. We asked for copy of the report and they said it will take them 30 minutes to do our request. We told them that we just pass by the following day to pick up the copy.

The next day when we passed by, the report was not yet done. Arggh!!! Yes, we waited for 30 minutes. Tsk… tsk…

Today, we met with the owners. We explained and told them everything that happened. They told us that it is a fact that there are bad guys around us, some are caught and some are not. Meaning, she can’t do anything for us except for continuous self investigation, which we doubt that there will be a positive result and a free accommodation stay on their super-not-too-safe resort.

Please help us to scatter this warning to your love ones. We do not want same things will happen to those who just wanted to escape the city and have a little fun and yet ended up scared and anxious.

Next time, we will make sure of the places will be spending in and should be duly accredited by the Department of Tourism.

If you have experienced the same thing or can help us to get proper justice, please feel free to pm me.

Thanks!

Kapuluan Vista

We came here past 4pm already of April 16, 2011. They immediately gave us our welcome drinks, coupon for complimentary breakfast and our room key.

We stayed at dormitory already since other type of rooms are fully booked. Though it has no aircon, its was fine with us, as long as we are both secured. For a cheap price of Php 650.00, the room's not bad actually.

The resort was perfect for us because it's not crowded. Since it's just a small resort, it's very private and relaxing too. Total rooms they have are only 10, one pool and a restaurant.

Most of its visitors are foreigners from different countries. We also noticed that most of them are into surfing. Though we know nothing about surfing, but we enjoyed watching them riding the perfect crest of waves.

resort @ night

Funny story:
Since we only stayed at the dormitory room, we need to get outside to be able to get to common bathroom.
The morning of our stay here in that resort, Tracy went outside to brush her teeth and do her other morning chores. She entered the bathroom happily and singing. The place was supposedly for ladies only. To her surprise when she opened the cubicle, a black American was seating on his throne. She run outside and went back to her bed. Haha.

Contact them:
Phone : 63 (920) 952-2528 or 63 (920) 928-5273
Email : kapuluan_vista_resort@yahoo.com
Website : Kapuluan Vista Resort
Address: Sitio Baniaran, Barangay Balaoi
Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte
Philippines 2919

DAY 3 Ilocandia Tour

We woke up early and headed straight to Kapuluan Vista's restaurant to have breakfast. We had toasted bread and Vigan longanisa. It was already past 9:00 am when we checked out and left the resort.

We asked the receptionist to get us tricycle that will bring us to highway. After few minutes the tricycle arrived. At the highway, we were able to board a bus toward Baguio. We told the bus conductor to drop us in Batac ( see city's official website Batac City ). Women beside us initiated conversation, she gave us tips on where else to go. She also reminded the conductor to drop us when we got near Batac crossing. Then we took another tricycle to Paoay Church.

Paoay Church
We were mesmerize by its huge buttresses made up of large coral stone. Its walls are also made up of same materials with 1.67 m. No wonder it was able to survive numerous typhoons and earth quakes.

paoay church facade

Then we took tricycle again back to Batac crossing. We rode another bus to Vigan. We passed by Bantay church before we entered Vigan boarder line.

Bantay Church
It is also known as St. Augustine Parish Church. It's lone bell tower located on top of a hill, I wonder why it's quite far from the church.

lonely bell tower

Another tricycle ride brought us to Vigan town proper. To our hunger, we ate at the first food chain we saw, Mcdonalds. Amazing how this international fastfood chain was able to adapt local architecture.

After eating, we were able to see the following:

St. Paul's Cathedral

Plaza Salcedo

quirino's monument

Plaza Burgos

Calle Crisologo
Some calls this place as Mestizo District, I thought that the ancestral houses was built by the Spanish. I found out I was wrong, it was Chinese who built these houses. They used mixed of Spanish, Chinese and Asian style of architecture.
As of today, structures are no longer habitable so local made it as a tourist destination and where visitors can buy their souvenirs

kalesa

something you can take home

me!

While looking for the bus station, an old lady was standing next a door. She was shouting that everyone are invited to get inside and see the place. We were struck by her and went inside, we realize it was the Crisologo Museum.

Crisologo Museum
Crisologos are very well known politicians not just in Vigan but in Ilocos. The museum was used to be residence of former Congressman Floro Crisologo and his family. He was the man behind the Social Security System, thanks to him.

dining room

name

Expenses:
From Kapuluan Vista Resort to Highway - Php 60.00
Highway to Batac crossing                      - Php 75.00 / pax
Batac to Paoay Church                           - Php 80.00 (too much!)
Paoay Chuch back to Batac Crossing     -  Php 60.00
Batac Crossing to Bantay Church           - Php xx.xx (sorry I forgot)
Bantay church donation                          - Php 20.00
Bantay church to Vigan                          - Php 30.00
Crisologo Museum donation                   - Php 20.00
Vigan to Cubao                                      - Php 520.00

Day 2 Ilocandia Tour

DAY 2 Ilocadia Tour

After taking 10 1/2 bus ride from Cubao ( Partas Bus Liner), we arrived at Laoag at 6:30 am of April 16, 2011. We asked a tricycle driver to take us where we can board mini buses to Pagudpud. He dropped us in a terminal that looks like a automobile workshop, weird! We waited until 8am before the mini bus left.

We told the conductor to drop us by in Burgos, the last town of Ilocos Norte. When we already saw the Cape Bajeador Lighthouse, we begged to the conductor to look for a tricycle that will take us on said location. On step of the hill where the lighthouse is, the bus driver stop and ask a tricycle driver if he can take us to the historical structure. Good God, yes he can. He is Kuya Rodel, a tricycle driver, tour guide and a porter (he always offer to bring our baggages, nice!). Here is his number, +639208075935. He can take you to must see places in the area.

Cape Bajeador Lighthouse

Also known as Burgos Lighthouse. According to the care take, as of today, it is the oldest functioning lighthouse in the Philippines. It also have the highest vantage point compared to other lighthouses. Click here if you wanted to learn more about Cape Bajeador Lighthouse.

Cape Bojeador a.k.a. Burgos lighthouse

Kapurpurawan Rocks

Few minutes farther than Lighthouse and still in town of Burgos, you will find the Kapurpurawan rock formation. As per Kuya Rodel, during typhoons and rainy season, nobody can get there because its too dangerous. Thank God, the sun is high when we came.

White rock formation

Along the way to Kapurpurawan Rock Formation

Bangui Windmills

Do you know that the windmill supplies 40% of power in entire Ilocos Norte? Cool! These huge electric fan look-a-likes are fascinating. There are souvenir shops along the beach, so we bought something that we could bring home, windmill miniature refrigeration magnet. Bangui Windmill Info.

We asked Kuya Rodel to take us in any restaurant/ fast food nearby, we were already starving to death. He took us to Polaris, Saud Beach. Which sounds good because we were craving for any grilled sea food that time. Unfortunately and unexpectedly, it is not listed on their menu. Too bad, wish that they will realize it is necessary for a beach restaurant to have those kinds of food.

Polaris Beach House
Me-Ann Santos (reservation) – 0919.307.8803
Steve Santos (reservation) – 0920.239.6138
Polaris Landline (guest inquiry) 077-676.0198

email: smspolarisbeach@yahoo.com.ph

After our quick lunch, we started our Ilocos Sur afternoon tour:

Kabigan Falls

There we met Kuya Ernesto Jr., our tour guide. We walked 30 minutes before we got to the falls itself. There are few banana que and buko juice vendors along the way, so we stop for 5 minutes to refresh.

According to Kuya Ernesto, the falls is actually 85 ft high and basin is just 4ft deep. Anyone can take a deep into the clear water, but has to be extra careful of sharp rocks.

Clearwaters of Kabigan Falls

Patapat Viaduct

Kuya Rodel told us that the original road that connects Laoag and Cagayan Valley was not Patapat Viaduct. The old road laid at middle of the mountain. Prior to former President Marcos' end of regime, he made sure that the the Ilocanos will conveniently travel from Ilocos to Cagayan Valley.

Patapat Viaduct

Paraiso ni Anton

Not much to see but fresh flowing water. Some believe that the water can miraculously heal. So, they take sip and fetch water to take home.

Then, we already asked Kuya Rodel to take us to Kupuluan Vista Resort, where we made our reservation. The said resort is located inside the Blue lagoon or Maira-ira Beach. Please see our resort review here, Kapuluan Vista Resort

Expenses:
Bus from Cubao to Laoag Terminal                   - Php    773 / pax
Tricyle from Laoag terminal to mini bus terminal - Php     50
Laoag to Burgos                                               - Php     50 / pax
Manong Rodel tricycle tour                               - Php 1200
Saud Beach entrance                                        - Php     20 / pax
Kuya Ernesto's guide fee                                   - Php   100
Kabigan Fall entrance fee                                  - Php     10 / pax
Blue Lagoon entrance                                       - Php      10 / pax
Kapuluan Accommodation                                  - Php     650 / pax

Ilocandia, Back to the Past (Itinerary)

DAY 01:

20:00H - ETD Partas Bus Liner
  
               PARTAS BUS LINER
               816 Aurora Boulevard corner P. Bernardo St., Cubao 1109 Quezon City
               Telephone Number: (02) 727-8278 (PARTAS8)

DAY 02: Here are link to detailed Day 2 Tour

06:30H - ETA Laoag
06:45H - Hailed tricyle to Mini Bus Terminal
08:00H - ETD to Burgos, Ilocos Norte
09:30H - Started AM Tour (Bojeador Lighthouse, Kapurpurawan Rock Formation and Bangui Windmill)

Cape Bojeador, also known as Burgos Light House

Bangui Windmill

Kapurpurawan Rock Formation

11:30H - Lunch at Polaris Resort

             Here's a link to there website:   Polaris, Pagudpud



Patapat Viaduct



Kabigan Waterfalls

Blue Lagoon

 13:00H - Start of PM tour ( Kabigan Falls, Patapat Viaduct, Paraiso ni Anton and Blue Lagoon)

 16:30H - Check in at Kapuluan Vista Resort and Rest. Here's a link to our review to Kapuluan Vista Resort

Kapuluan Vista Resort

              
               Kapuluan Vista Resort
               Sitio Baniaran, Barangay Balaoi
               Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte
               Philippines 2919
               63 (920) 952-2528 or 63 (920) 928-5273
               Kapuluan Vista Resort

19:00H - Dinner
20:00H - Swimming
21:00H - Sleep

DAY 3: Here's a link to detailed Day 3 Tour

06:30H - Woke up and wash up
07:00H - Breakfast
08:30H - Check out
08:45H - Tricycle back to highway
09:00H - To bus to Batac crossing
10:30H - Tricyle to Paoay to see Paoay Church
11:15H - Tricycle back to Batac crossing
11:30H - Bus to Bantay to chech Bantay Bell tower

Bantay Bell Tower

01:00H - Tricycle to Vigan Town proper
02:00H - Lunch at Mcdonalds Vigan

03:00H - Roamed around Calle Crisologo



Calle Crisologo

04:30H - Entered Crisologo Museum



Dining Room of Crisologo Ancestral House



05:00H - ETD Vigan

DAY 4:

02:30H - ETA Cubao

Panagbenga Festival 2011

After our learning about this passes during festivals, we made an effort to seek and to have that kind of privilege. (Want to know why? 16th Hot Air Balloon Festival). We emailed to Panagbenga Secretariat (organizer of Panagbenga Festival), requested them issue at least one for us and fortunately, it was granted.

We didn't made any reservations ahead, so it was really an adventure. No bus tickets, no hotel bookings.

After Tracy's work, around 5:00pm, February 25, 2011, she went straight to Victory Liner's terminal station to buy tickets. She didn't expect the volume of people who will come up to Baguio City to witness the event. Posted on the cashier's windows, "NO MORE AVAILABLE TICKETS TO BAGUIO". On her desire to really see the parade, she fell in line for FOUR hours at the chance passenger's row. Luckily, she was able get seats. But unfortunately, since Harold wanted to be in the terminal quickly, he forgot a very important thing, jackets! Hahaha.

By the way, here's a link to Victory Liner's website and they are already accepting booking online, Victory Liner Website.

On our way to Baguio, as usual, we slept. At 2:00am, February 26, 2011 we were already in Baguio. Since, we do not have our jackets with us, we stayed inside Victory Liner's terminal.

Victory Liner's Interior

Victory Liner Exterior

By 4:00am, we decided to drop by the Secretariat office to claim the pass. Then, we walked, though we didn't know where we were headed. Until we saw a sign, Jollibee! We had breakfast for a while.

After then, we walked again until we reach corner of Harrison Road and Abad Santos Drive. We stationed in front of the Chinese school, where dancers usually stop and dance.



Young Igorot



Beautiful Smile

We met some other tourist there and they gave us tips on where to take good photos of the dancers. Though it was already late, but we can still do it next year.

After the parade, we went to O'mai Khan, a restaurant known for Mongolian traditional dishes. Our lunch was great, sumptuously served hot.

We tried to get in to SM Baguio to check out what's the difference to our malls in Manila. But due to amount of people, our feet  headed us directly to the terminal. Getting ticket way back to Cubao was so much easier than to Baguio.

16 Hot Air Balloon Festival

February 13, 2011. It was the 16th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Festival, but it was our first time.

Honestly, we do not know how to get to Clark Pampanga, good thing we were able to read a blog regarding Discover Asia Travel and Tours (Discover Asia Travel and Tours Website). It cost us Php800.00/head for the van service from Makati to Clark and back, plus the ticket. However, three days prior to the day it self, we received text message from the travel agency, that we were the only couple who booked for the service. They gave options:
1. Back out - NO!
2. Join other groups, which aside from Hot Air, they also have side trip to Subic. It will cost us additional Php500/head if we choose this option. - still, NO!

We didn't chose any of their option, instead we made a deal. They gave us refund of Php300/head for opting out on way back.

It was already 3:00 am when the van left Makati. All the way there, we slept. At 5:00am, we arrive at Clark. Tons of people were there to witness the event. So, we had a hard time finding a good spot and nice vantage point.

We were able to stand near the barricade though, but we realize there were some who were able to get in. We didn't knew that there this pass that you can get for a certain cost. If we only knew about, we must have been there, near those balloons. arggghh!

Anyway, by 6:00am, they started firing up. And there they went, up in the sky.

Fire Up

Giant Balloons

After the balloons rose up, we decided to do a quick roam around the area and went home. How do we got back? We took a free shuttle to Marquee Mall, eat at Reyes Barbeque then took a bus back to Cubao. Haha, that was easy.

Next year, we will surely comeback with the pass!

Hundred Islands Adventure

This is to share our overnight stay to Pangasinan just to see the HUNDRED ISLAND:

Day 1 (Jan. 8, 2011)

00:00h - ETD Cubao Station Victory Liner
              Here's a link to Victory Liner's website, schedule and fares Victory Liner         
05:20h - ETA Alaminos station
05:25h - Took tricycle to Maxime by The Sea Lodge and Restaurant, Barangay Lucap.
              Though we made reservation days ahead, unfortunately our room was occupied. The only available room cost bit higher than what we booked, we said no. Since we are planning do Island hopping that same day, we asked them to just keep our things instead. They were nice enough to understand where we are coming from.
06:00h - Breakfast and dawn watching. We had tocino and longganisa (must try).

View of Dawn from Maxime's Alfresco Resrataurant

   08:00h - Island Hopping , Motorboat rate coat Php800.00
                 There a lot of Island to choose from:
                      
                         Governor's Island - the highest vantage point of Hundred Island and where PBB house is.


View from Highest peak of Governor's Island



                         Quezon Island - White sand beach for swimming
                         Children Island - Low tide beach, perfect for whom else? To children
                         Turtle Island - Turtle shape island

                      

                        We were a bit disappointed with the place. There are garbages and moss    scattered everywhere. If all visitor will care and maintain the area, it could have been better.

12:00h - Packed lunch
15:00h - Back to resort
15:15h - Check in and rest
19:00h - Dinner, We had sinigang na hipon (yummy!)

DAY 2 (Jan. 9, 201)

08:00h - Breakfast, Pancake and Fried Bangus
10:00h - Packed up
11:00h - Tricycle ride back to Alaminos town proper
11:15h - ETD Alaminos
17:00h - ETA Manila

HOW TO GET THERE?
Take a bus to Alaminos via Victory Liner. From Alaminos terminal, hail tricycle to Hundred Island, Brgy. Lucap (tricycle cost Php 50.00).

WHERE TO STAY:
Maxime by the Sea Lodge and Restaurant
Brgy. Lucap, Alaminos Pangasinan
Maxine by the Sea
(075) 5512537