Hour Philippines – Food | Travel | Lifestyle » Philippine Travel

Rejuvenating Weekend Getaway At The Farm, San Benito (Part 4 of 4)

Lord and Aksana — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 15:15:54 +0000

Peacock meets Zebra

Fishing for Tilapia at the Big Lagoon

The Farm at San Benito offers an array of activities during the day such as yoga, meditation, aerobics, trampoline dance, vegan cooking basics, coconut oil tour, floral arrangement and fishing to name a few so we had no difficulty at all to keep ourselves busy aside from lazing by the spa infinity pool and drinking some powerful anti-oxidantand omega 3 shakes.

The morning Hatha Yoga class was energizing and uplifting as it was not too advanced with ample recovery time. We then chose to participate in the Oil of Life Tour.

Oil of Life Tour

The Oil of Life Tour provides insights to the incredible qualities of coconuts and the numerous products produced within the Farm.

The Farm has over 3000 coconut trees, so make sure to watch your head as there are coconuts falling all over the place. How do you make coconut milk? After scraping the coconut meat from a matured coconut husk (at least 2 months old), it is then collected into a cheese cloth and placed into a manually operated coconut press. By turning the handle clockwise you will meet a manageable level of resistance as the coconut meat is compressed further to generate a flow of milk from the spout. If you intend to do this all day long, you better wear some gloves to prevent callouses from forming as it is a bit of hard labor.

For immediate gratification, I requested the kind worker to continue the press so that the milk could be cupped into the empty husk and tasted!

The freshly pressed coconut milk, was thick coconut milk as it was produced from the first press and it tasted heavy and creamy. Aside from the known health benefit such as lauric acid which helps boost the immune system, it is also an excellent source of calcium for those that are lactose intolerant as most Asians are.

Virgin coconut oil may be extracted from this coconut milk by fermenting for 24-48 hours. 1 Liter is sold at the farm for only PHP 850.00.

Other by-products of coconut milk are combining with chemicals to make soap, shampoo and scrub which are complimentary in the rest rooms and the spa but may also be purchased at their gift shop.

If you have never gone fishing before, this may be the perfect opportunity as they have two lagoons you can fish in and given an hour you are literally guaranteed to catch a few fishes in a barrel. Tilapia is the only inhabitant and you can expect sizes up to 10 centimeters.

We chose the big lagoon as it had a mini cabana on stilts and a few ducks and peacocks running about.

After a action packed morning of fishing, it was a good excuse to go back to the Spa and chill by the infinity pool where they offered a unique selection of health shakes.

The Real Teal – PHP 320.00++

This shake was out of this world and crammed with anti-oxidants including Blueberries, Klamath-Blue Green Algae, Goji Berries, Green Tea, Wheatgrass, Banana and Raw Cacao. If only we could drink this every day, it may be the closest thing to the fountain of youth, Goji berries and all!

Mega 3 – PHP 320.00++ Aptly named as it gives you a boost of Omega 3 fatty acids with an unusual combination of Nut Milk, Walnut Butter, Flax Seed Oil, Cinnamon and Honey.

Some other places that may be of interest:

Bali Lounge

The Bali Lounge is close to the amphitheater and is an excellent location to just sit down, meditate or read a book.

Secret Waterfall

If you are looking for some privacy and don’t require any service, you could also visit the secret waterfall within the maze behind the amphitheater.

If you are into photography, you may even want to even take your SLR and take some macro shots of the Farm:

How was your experience at the Farm?

The Farm at San Benito
119 Barangay Tipakan 4217 Lipa City, Batangas, Philippines
Manila Sales Office: Shop 11, G/F, The Peninsula Manila, Makati City
Manila Tel: (632) 8848073
Email: reservations@thefarm.com.ph / reservations.thefarm@gmail.com
Website: www.thefarm.com.ph

In our next post we bring you food for thought with a solution to The Monty Hall Problem. Please click here!

Remember life is way too short, don’t let it pass you by. Enjoy Hour Philippines!

Sincerely,

Lord and Aksana
HOURPHILIPPINES.COM
FOOD | TRAVEL | LIFESTYLE
All content is the sole property of HourPhilippines.com, any reproduction in whole or in part shall be subject to prosecution.

A Healthy Three Course Breakfast at the Farm (Part 3 of 4)

Lord and Aksana — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 10:17:18 +0000

Breakfast @ The Farm – Healthy Cereals with Nut Milk and Banana

What do you normally have for breakfast? The average Filipino has a cholesterol and sodium overload when they have a typical meal of longanisa (the Filipino pork sausage), garlic rice and a fried egg. While this dish may be greasingly satisfying, it makes perfect sense why the average lifespan of a Filipino is only 72 years as compared to a Japanese who has the longest lifespan of 82 years. We are what we eat and we probably had the healthiest breakfast in our entire lives at Alive! Vegan Restaurant at The Farm, San Benito. Join us for a visual tour of their 3 course breakfast with a tranquil view of Mt. Malarayat in the distance.

Alive! is open for breakfast at 6:00AM daily. Their breakfast menu changes daily based on the freshness of ingredients and only costs PHP 250.00 a la carte, it is otherwise complimentary for overnight guests at the Farm.

Seasonal Fruit Platter

To start we had a fruit platter of watermelon, pineapple, papaya and mango.

Tropical Fruit Salad with Home Made Yoghurt

You may also opt for a fruit salad with home made yoghurt which basically has a smaller serving of the fruit platter with a dollop of yoghurt.

Healthy Cereals with Nut Milk and Banana

This was a crunchy and flavorful combination of granola and muesli with sliced banana and a soaked dried prune to top it of. The coconut milk was a pleasant change to cow’s milk.

Vegetarian Arroz Caldo

It may be labeled as vegetarian arroz caldo, but it definitely tasted like a proper cold busting arroz caldo. Served warm and the assorted vegetables were only partially cooked so had a nice bite to them – perfect for a hangover if we were unfortunate enough to have one.

Banana Pancakes

Aksana was a fan of their banana pancakes because of her sweet tooth and as a health bonus didn’t contain any flour.

The Farm boasts of producing all their food on their premises and we are proud to say that there preparation and focus on a health conscious culinary experience is at a world class level. Definitely worth more trips in the future!

In our next post we participate in a morning Hatha yoga session and go fishing at The Farm and have some powerful anti-oxidant and omega-3 shakes like no other! Please click here!

Remember life is way too short, don’t let it pass you by. Enjoy Hour Philippines!

Sincerely,

Lord and Aksana
HOURPHILIPPINES.COM
FOOD | TRAVEL | LIFESTYLE
All content is the sole property of HourPhilippines.com, any reproduction in whole or in part shall be subject to prosecution.

Alive! Gourmet Vegan Restaurant at The Farm, San Benito (Part 2 of 4)

Lord and Aksana — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 11:52:31 +0000

Cauliflower Risotto with Truffle Mushroom Ragout and Polenta Pizza with Grilled Vegetables
– PHP 750.00++ Four Course Dinner

Alive! is a true Vegan Gourmet Experience at The Farm as they use special dehydrators instead of traditional methods of cooking to preserve the nutritional benefits of the food while maintaining the texture. Alive! is one of the first Vegan restaurants in Asia and no doubts about it this food will blow you away and make you crave for more of their healthy, flavorful and anti-aging concoctions. Join us for this culinary adventure!

Alive! is located across from the Farm’s Southpark Lagoon and has outdoor and indoor seating. We had a refreshing glass of buko juice after our afternoon power walk and the cold face towel was heaven sent.

Upon entering Alive! you will be greeted by gentle ambient lighting and tropical wood interiors within the simplistic barn like structure. It was recently renovated for an open kitchen setup to showcase their kitchen.

After a quick inspection, the kitchen looked surgically clean and what surprised us was the size as it had more floor area than the restaurant itself! For dinner we chose to be seated inside as there was also a live band for entertainment.

While the Alive! Menu was only two pages, it takes a bit of time to digest as you probably would recognize a few dishes but since it is prepared with a dehydrator and not completely cooked the end result will be something uniquely different for the palette. Take note that the menu changes daily aside from the a la cart items on the left hand side.

Tomato Cheese Stack with Wilted Herbs and Balsamic Glaze

What is a Vegan diet? It is a diet without any animal products including eggs and milk and there has been some scientific experiments which have proven that a planned vegan diet may result in lower blood pressure, reduced cholesterol as well as decreased probability for heart disease and colon cancer. We started with the tomato cheese stack which was part of the four course dinner. The cheese was not cheese processed from cow’s milk but was made from soy milk, vegetable oil and other additives. Surprisingly it had the texture and taste of an extremely mild Edam. The huge tomato slices and warmed arugula proved to be a perfect companion.

Home Made Herb Crackers with Tomatoes

A light complimentary appetizer that will leave you craving for more.

Shaved Celery and Apple Salad with Candied Walnuts and Orange Poppy Seeds Dressing

This salad was exhilarating with the sweet walnuts and crunchy celery and apple. A wonderful combination of vegetables, fruits and nuts that will make your taste buds come Alive!

Cauliflower Risotto with Truffle Mushroom Ragout and Polenta Pizza with Grilled Vegetables

The main course may sound like a mouthful but the portions are quite small and manageable. The cauliflower risotto was not as creamy as we expected it to be but the truffle mushroom ragout made up for it with its juiciness. The polenta pizza was something out of the ordinary considering how often people eat polenta in the Philippines. Polenta is now made from cornmeal but before during ancient roman times was made from various starches like millet or spelt. While it may have been considered peasant food in the past, there has been a resurgence and it has grown to become a gourmet food served in a lot of high end restaurants. It tasted like ground corn with a grainy texture to it. While it may have been called a pizza, it was more like a pancake with grilled vegetables as topping and it was delicious.

Pasta Carbonara – PHP 480.00++

We were curious about their pasta and decided to order their Carbonara. While a real carbonara has most of its flavor from the bacon bits and parmesan cheese, Alive’s Carbonara manages to yield similar flavors and creaminess without the animal products. How do they manage to do this? They use dried coconut and added soy sauce and other spices to make it taste like bacon and boy did it taste good without all the saturated fat! For the cream, the base is soy milk as well as the cheese substitute. This carbonara was a complete delight even though it was fake, it is so much healthier.

Layered Tiramisu

For dessert, we had their version of Tiramisu which was exeptional considering that it was put together without mascarpone cheese. The verdict after a Four Course Vegan dinner is that we felt completely satisfied and full even without the protein from meat. It was lighter and would probably have less cholesterol than an average meal and tasted wonderful. Aside from the obvious health benefits, we were quite impressed with the quality and freshness of the food as well as the expertise in creating the dishes. To complete our dinner experience, the servers were very courteous and knowledgeable about the food and preparation. If you are interested in learning the basics of preparing Vegan food, the Farm also offers culinary classes during the week.

Le Gentil D’ Alsace 2005
We chose to accompany the meal with a french wine produced from biodynamic agriculture which is a modern form of organic farming that retains the natural balance of all organisms within the ecosystem. It had a fruity hint of orange peels and a smoky finish.

Before retiring for the evening why not have a tribal dance around the bonfire?

We spotted a little friend on our way. Amazingly, The Farm boasts of producing all their food on their premises aside from escargot of course.

How was your experience at The Farm?

Tropical Fruit Salad with Home Made Yoghurt

In our next post we have the healthiest breakfast at Alive!. Please click here!

Remember life is way too short, don’t let it pass you by. Enjoy Hour Philippines!

Sincerely,

Lord and Aksana
HOURPHILIPPINES.COM
FOOD | TRAVEL | LIFESTYLE
All content is the sole property of HourPhilippines.com, any reproduction in whole or in part shall be subject to prosecution.

Rejuvenating Weekend Getaway At The Farm, San Benito (Part 1 of 4)

Lord and Aksana — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 01:48:12 +0000

Life at the Farm, San Benito

Only 84 Kilometers (1.5 hours – 2 hours) away from the hustle and bustle of Makati, lies a 48 hectare lush tropical spa retreat to rejuvenate and revitalize your senses known as the Farm at San Benito which has received 18 international awards. Opened in 2002 by Mr. Eckard Rempe, a German expatriate who has been working/living in the Philippines since 1968 and wanted to create an institution that would be part of a global revolution in healthcare and wellness. Thus was born the Farm out of a need for harmony and balance within one’s hectic, stressful and challenging lifestyle. This is our unforgettable journey at this unique weekend destination where were filled with balance, discovery and awakening. If you are looking to clear your mind, reduced stress and restore your youthful complexion and vitality, this may be the place for you.

Directions to the Farm from Makati:

1. Take South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) South towards Batangas (All the way until the end)
2. Continue on thew new SLEX connection to the STAR Tollway
3. Exit STAR Tollway at LIPA Exit
4. After exit turn RIGHT towards LIPA City
5. Proceed 1.5KM until Y Intersection with Robinsons mall on your left, remain in LEFT lane through intersection
6. Continue for 2.3 Km until SM Mall Rotunda, then take a RIGHT
7. Continue for 1.5 Km until taking a LEFT on Bonifacio Street
8. From this point onwards follow the green Farm signs for 8 KM until reaching the Farm

It was a leisurely drive with the directions provided by the Farm and upon reaching the gates, the guard will ask for your name to check on his guest list.

Upon entering the gated community it is only 500 meters to the outdoor parking lot. The entire drive from Makati was paved, so there is no need for a 4X4.

The reception / lobby area was a short distance from the parking area and took no more than 5 minutes to check in. We were also pleasantly greeted by the American General Manager Michael Di Lonardo and provided with a colored map of the resort.

The Farm MAP

There are 3 pools, 5 meditation salas, 2 clinics, spa, gym, amphitheater, jungle trail, lagoons, organic garden, a centuries old mango tree, and the multi-awarded Alive! Vegan Restaurant. We couldn’t wait to start using the map and exploring!

We booked a room at their Sulu Terrace and it resembled a two story bahay kubo nipa hut made of wood, cement and coconut.

The Sulu Terrace was enchanting and had an ornately designed door and lock that transported us to Middle-Earth where we were half expecting Gimli to pop out of.

Sulu Terrace – PHP 7,000++ Per Night (Single/Double Occupancy)

Within are two single beds and and a coffee table setup with rattan chairs.

This modern kubo was efficiently designed and comfortable.

The silent 2 horsepower split type air-conditioning unit cooled the room in minutes.

The toilet was clean, compact, and located on the ground level.

The complimentary fruit basket was a nice touch! :-0

We visited the Gym but only for one reason…

Their trampoline of JOY! This was a lot of fun and exhilarating and a good release of endorphins! If you are looking for a guided workout they also have personal trainers available for PHP 2,000+ per person/per hour. The gym is operational from 6:00AM – 9:00PM.

Salus Per Aquam (SPA)

The Farm’s award winning spa offers an extensive menu of signature treatments, European and Asian massages, body scrubs and beauty treatments. They use homemade products for each treatment which are 100% natural and organic including virgin coconut oil, fresh coconut milk, coffee, and cocoa.

The spa reception area is well ventilated with high ceilings and had ample space for guests while waiting for their appointments or to relax afterwards.

What makes the SPA even more luxurious is an infinity pool with a majestic view of Mount Malarayat. This grand panorama stands in stark contrast to the womb-like private massage pavilions, each located within their own gardens and water features.

SPA Amenities

Their therapists are highly trained and experienced to provide the best service imaginable. Rooms are built for couples.

We highly recommend the following SPA treatments as taken from their menu:

PURIFICATION TREATMENT PHP 3,600++/90 Minutes
Yin Yang Body Polish
The depletion of minerals from the soil is a major culprit of why the body process slows down. Minerals act as the spark to power the processes such as, metabolism (good for those with weight problems) and cell damage repair (anti –aging). Sea salt is a source that is high in minerals. In ancient healing traditions, salt solutions have been known to absorb “negative energy” (highly recommended for stressed-out individuals).

The Purification Treatment is applied to the body using special strokes to energetically balance the body. This is what we call the Yin Yang rhythmical movements: uniquely developed, perfected and can only be found at The Farm.

ROSE PETAL BODY WRAP PHP 4,900++/ 90 Minutes
Pollen is considered by nutritionists as an alkaline food and is the most complete food found in nature. Fresh rose petals are highly rejuvenating because they contain essential amino acids and vitamins A, B, C & E, as well as containing enzymes and powerful antioxidants. Wrapping you in the earth’s own goodness straight from the garden, the rose petal body wrap will hydrate and nourish your skin while smoothing fine lines.

You may also wish to walk around the immediate area where they have an orchidarium and the magic lagoon to enjoy a bit of nature.

Their magic lagoon was so serene, a great place to just breathe and meditate.

We joined their afternoon Yin / Yang Yoga Class located at the amphitheater which overlooks the magic lagoon and was the perfect place to relax our body and mind through different postures and breathing techniques.

Yin Yang Yoga and meditation is usually held in the afternoon from 3:00PM – 4:30PM. Hatha yoga is normally practiced in the west where “Ha” means sun and “Tha” means moon. The practice of yoga moves will calm the mind and relax the body with proper breathing, balance and stretching techniques. If you have never tried yoga, this would be an amazing opportunity. It is recommended that you do not eat 2 hours before the session. Yes that is peacock watching our soon to be downward facing dog in the background.

AFTERNOON HIGH TEA

Daily from 3:30PM – 5:00PM there is complimentary afternoon high tea at the meeting hall behind the reception and mini lagoon area. You can sip on fresh tea from the Farm’s organic herb garden and munch on healthy crackers and fresh fruits.

We were lucky enough to spot Nirvana the albino peacock before we proceeded for our power walk.

Power Walk by Elmo Bado

During the power walk you are guided by Mr. Elmo Bado through the Farm’s property and the local town behind it. There are a few inclines so make sure to wear comfortable walking shoes!

Two or three days is the perfect amount of time for complete relaxation at the Farm.

BUDGET– PHP 30,000/$US 700 – inclusive of gas, tolls, accommodations, treatments, food and drinks.

Shaved Celery and Apple Salad with Candied Walnuts and Orange Poppy Seeds Dressing

In our next post we continue this 3 part special on the Farm by having dinner at Alive!, the Farm’s own Vegan Gourment Restaurant that is known for slowing the aging process and has won the Bacarrat ASIASPA Award for SPA Cuisine of the Year. Please click here!

Remember life is way too short, don’t let it pass you by. Enjoy Hour Philippines!

Sincerely,

Lord and Aksana
HOURPHILIPPINES.COM
FOOD | TRAVEL | LIFESTYLE
All content is the sole property of HourPhilippines.com, any reproduction in whole or in part shall be subject to prosecution.

Subic Day 2 – Ocean Adventure (Part 6 of 6)

Lord and Aksana — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 12:45:22 +0000

Ever imagine swimming with dolphins? You’ve seen this on TV and now this is a possibility at Ocean Adventure in Subic so it may be time to check that box on your bucket list! It is approximate a 40 kilometer drive from the Subic waterfront. This translates to a leisurely 35 minute drive through virgin forest and smooth asphalted roads.

What kind of ticket do you need to buy? We recommend purchasing the Beach Encounter for PHP 2,800.00 per person as this includes the entrance fee of PHP 500.00. Bring your chosen swimming apparel and you are all set to go.

Make sure to call Ocean Adventure ahead of time to reserve the limited slots for the Beach Encounter with the dolphins and get the schedule for the Sea Lions and Dolphin shows amongst the other attractions!

Ocean Adventure
Park Hours:
9am to 6 pm everyday
Admission Prices :
Adult – Php 500.00
Children 12 years old and below – Php 420.00
Senior Citizen – Php 400.00

Telephone:
63-47-252-9000 (SUBIC)
63-2-706-3344 to 46 (MANILA)
Fax: 63-47-252-5883 (SUBIC), 63-2-7060808
Website: www.Oceanadventure.com.ph
E-Mail: info@oceanadventure.com.ph

Related Subic Posts:

Subic Itinerary (2 Days | 1 Night)
Subic Day 1 – RK Hotel (Part 1 of 6)
Subic Day 1 – Texas Joe’s House of Ribs (Part 2 of 6)
Subic Day 2 – Meat Plus (Part 3 of 6)
Subic Day 2 – Xtreme Xpresso Cafe (Part 4 of 6)
Subic Day 2 – Zoobic Safari (Part 5 of 6)
Subic Day 2 – Ocean Adventure (Part 6 of 6)

On our next post we demystify membership shopping and bring you the Top 10 Reasons to Shop @ S&R. Please click here!

Remember life is way too short, don’t let it pass you by. Enjoy Hour Philippines!

Sincerely,

Lord and Aksana
HOURPHILIPPINES.COM
FOOD | TRAVEL | LIFESTYLE
All content is the sole property of HourPhilippines.com, any reproduction in whole or in part shall be subject to prosecution.

Subic Day 2 – Zoobic Safari (Part 5 of 6)

Lord and Aksana — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 11:04:53 +0000

Bengal Tiger (Panthera Tigris Tigris)

When I first heard about the Zoobic Safari, I thought I would have the distinct pleasure and honor of hand feeding a tiger personally. After having seen it done just a few centimeters away, it did not seem as appealing as the original idea as it was bloody messy and without experience could have resulted in the loss of a finger or two. In any case if you are a fan of big cats and crocodiles, you should visit Zoobic for the tiger safari! It is only 29 kilometers from the Subic waterfront and a leisurely 30 minute drive through Subic’s winding virgin forest pass on smooth asphalted roads, thanks to the Americans. This post will share with you a detailed summary of the various park areas and the most useful admission ticket to get.

We highly recommend purchasing the VIP tickets for PHP 795.00 ($US 18.00) per person as this comes with being chauffeured with the special white Zoobic tram, feed for the tigers, crocodiles and birds as well as a bottled water, cold towel, and a picture with the bengal/siberian tiger cub. These are all essential to get the full Zoobic Safariexperience without the hassle of driving around and paying for additional items individually. Make sure to keep your receipt as this will be needed to be presented to the guide.

The adventure begins with a briefing of the main attractions of the park by your guide which takes approximately 20 minutes.

Half Bengal / Half Siberian Cub

Within this initial staging area are an adult white Siberian tiger, and a few Bengal/Siberian tiger cubs to be taken pictures with. We spent most of our time observing the huge Siberian tiger of which there are only 400 left remaining in the wild. Tigers have a lifespan of around 10 to 15 years in the wild, but greater than 20 years in captivity. Interestingly enough there are over 11,000 tigers kept as pets in the U.S. which is significantly larger than the global wild tiger population of 3,500.

The guided tour begins with the aviary where there are parrots and owls.

There is also a section to feed the birds which tickles, but there is nothing to be afraid of.

Bearcats are indigenous to Palawan and are endangered species, but the had around 15 lazing around in the afternoon sun. We were able to feed them some bananas for PHP 20.00! They are quite cute, but they do emit a pungent odor.

Soon after we are able to practice some archery with an authentic Aeta bow and arrows. The first shot was too weak, the second hit the board, and the third was almost a bullseye! This was fun!

Then our group arrived perfectly in time for the animal show, primarily composed of Tinikling dancing dogs and carpet flyers! We were hoping to touch an ostrich or ride a camel! The Tinikling dancing poodle was quite something extraordinary though!

Zooper Tram

The next stage of the tour was to get to the next area of the park, the Tiger Safari! As we had VIP tickets, this provided for a spot on the Zooper tram which are more spacious and comfortable than the regular trams and also cold towel and bottled water are provided. As an option, guests may also take their own cars instead of the tram to the other areas of the park.

The first stop on the Zooper Tram was the breeding cages of over 20 Bengal tigers. The stench of urine was unimaginable – this is where the cold towel is a necessity otherwise it would be unbearable. To see so many adult tigers kept in such claustrophobic conditions was a bit depressing especially since there was a whole area of the Safari behind it that was open, but we were informed that they do take their turns to roam. It would also be difficult to release all of them into one area due to their territorial nature as an individual tiger normally has a territory greater than 400 square kilometers.

It was a busy day at the park, so our group had to wait our turn to get into the customized safari jeeps which took around 15 minutes. There are souvenir shops and snacks as well as restrooms in the waiting area.

Now it was time to board the Zoobic Safari Jeeps, which were modified jeepneys that could sit 20 passengers. As we were part of the VIP tour we were able to sit in the jeepney that actually fed the tiger, this was awesome!

The feeder simply held out raw whole chicken to the Tiger and he was able to gnaw at it through the cage and it surprisingly went through. Now imagine an arm go through the cage. Each tiger is fed 7 Kilos of chicken a day. The feeder also through one chicken on top of the jeep and the tiger lunged on top and boy you could feel the jeep shake under the weight of this 200 Kilo magnificent beast when he landed to eat the chicken. What a cute little kitty!

The tiger safari took around 20 minutes and the containment area was around 3000 square meters with the 3 Jeeps driving around along variously elevated routes. We liked the fact that there was a watering hole for the tigers to cool off.

Philippine crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis)

We then took the Zooper Tram to the lair of the crocs. Say hello to the Philippine crocodile, endemic to the Philippines and critically endangered. How endangered? Well probably less than 100 running around in the wild.

The positive news is that they seem to be multiplying well in captivity as there are now over 50 crocodiles at the park. Zoobic is however sending all new eggs to Palawan to be hatched in the wild as they have reached maximum capacity.

Within the crocodile’s den you can also have your picture taken with a baby Philippine crocodile, the skin is quite smooth and cold. He was very huggable at this stage in life. Mouth has been taped shut to prevent any harm.

One of the thousands of U.S. munition bunkers spread around Subic is now used for storage for Zoobic. This was on the route towards the natural village of the Aetas, indigenous mountain tribes in the Philippines.

Ostriches and boars are left to wander around this area.

The last stage of the journey was the Aeta Trail.

It was kind enough of the Aetas to present to us a few of their tribal dances, we liked the monkey dance and the rain dance most! Thanks to our Zoobic guide who was very professional and knowledgeable and was able to answer all our childishly inane questions.

Reflecting on our experience, we were able to see, hear and breathe tiger, feed the birds, crocodiles and a bearcat, fire arrows from an authentic Aeta bow, be centimeters away from a tiger devouring a chicken, touch and kiss a baby Philippine crocodile and spending a minute hugging a half Siberian/half Bengal tiger cub named Cookie. This has made us feel one step closer to nature and have a deeper understanding of these cute furry and scaly animals, reptiles and birds as well as appreciate the local tribesmen. What more could anyone ask for?

How was your Zoobic adventure?

Zoobic Safari
VIP – PHP 795.00 Per Person
Lllanin Forest
Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Philippines
Telefax: (+6347) 252-2272
Website: www.Zoobic.com.ph

On our next post we complete our Subic trip by swimming with the dolphins at Ocean Adventure! Please click here!

Related Subic Posts:

Remember life is way too short, don’t let it pass you by. Enjoy Hour Philippines!

Sincerely,

Lord and Aksana
HOURPHILIPPINES.COM
FOOD | TRAVEL | LIFESTYLE
All content is the sole property of HourPhilippines.com, any reproduction in whole or in part shall be subject to prosecution.

Subic Day 1 – RK Hotel (Part 1 of 6)

Lord and Aksana — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 10:21:20 +0000

RK Hotel, Subic (Located Opposite Puregold Duty Free)

With the completion of the Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), Subic is increasingly becoming one of the most popular weekend getaways from Manila as it is only a one hour and forty minute drive away from Makati! That is our current record for this 150km drive, and averaging around 140km/h on the SCTEX stretch. This is definitely one of the best pieces of highway in the Philippines and there are a few amazing views. Subic is an ex-naval base and retains the infrastructure of the American forces that have left since September 16, 1991. The efficient road network makes it fun to cruise around. Beware of the cops as they are quite strict in enforcing traffic rules such as stopping completely at designated stop signs or intersections even if there are no cars around.

Subic has been converted into a duty free commercial zone with numerous hotels, restaurants, beaches, duty free shops, a zoo, jungle activities and an ocean park with dolphins and sea lions.

During this trip we decided to stay at the RK Hotel. With all the Korean development and investments coming to Subic, why not try a Korean backed hotel for a change?

Superior Room – PHP 2,100.00 Net ($US 40.00)

We booked a superior room and noticed that all the electronic appliances were Korean such as the silent Samsung split type airconditioning, Daewoo mini-fridge and LG LCD TV. Water was hot and the room was comfortable, mattress even had a mattress enhancer! This suited our needs for a comfortable room to sleep in as we were out exploring all day. For more luxurious hotels, check out Segara Suites or the Lighthouse Marina.

The facilities were as follows:

• Air-conditioned
• Hot & cold water
• Individual terrace
• IDD/NDD access
• Cable TV
• 27’ LCD TV
• Refrigerator
• Free Wi-Fi
• Laundry service

Rates from the RK Hotel website are as follows:

TYPE OF ROOM RACK RATES
Superior Room PHP 3,000.00 ($US 70.00)
Deluxe Room PHP 4,000.00 ($US 90.00)
Premier Room PHP 4,500.00 ($US 100.00)
Junior Suite Room PHP 5,000.00 ($US 125.00)
Business Class PHP 7,000.00 ($US 145.00)
Family Room PHP 7,500.00 ($US 155.00)

• All rates are inclusive of breakfast for two (2) persons, children 3 years and below are free.
• In excess of two (2) adults, additional charge for extra person at Php750.00
• Three (3) years old up to twelve (12) years old less 50% as extra person.
• Twelve (12) years old above is considered as adult.
• Check-in time is 2:00 pm
• Check-out time is 12:00 nn
• Rates are subject to change without prior notice

Breakfast was not particularly inspiring and service was practically non-existent, but the food itself was edible, how can you go wrong with bacon and eggs?

ROOM LEASING

One (1) year room lease
Price: Php 100,000.00 ($US 2200.00)
Two (2) years room lease
Price: Php 180,000.00 ($US 4000.00)
Three (3) years room lease
Price: Php 240,00.00 ($US 5800.00)

RK Hotel
SBIP Phase 1 Commercial Complex, Subic Bay Gateway Park
Rizal Highway, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Philippines 2222
Tel : +63 47 252 9996 to 9998

On our next post we could not resist a more sensational lunch at Texas Joe’s House of Ribs! Please click here!

Related Subic Posts:

Remember life is way too short, don’t let it pass you by. Enjoy Hour Philippines!

Sincerely,

Lord and Aksana
HOURPHILIPPINES.COM
FOOD | TRAVEL | LIFESTYLE
All content is the sole property of HourPhilippines.com, any reproduction in whole or in part shall be subject to prosecution.

Subic Itinerary (2 Days | 1 Night) – For the Adventure Foodie

Lord and Aksana — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 10:08:19 +0000

Subic Waterfront Beach

Experience the best of Subic with a weekend getaway from Manila: Start off with a bit of shopping around the various duty free stores such as Royal Subic, Puregold, and the outlet/factory stores of Mango, Nike, Addidas , etc. while dining at household establishments such as Meat Plus, A Tavola or even the newest Tex Mex restaurant Texas Joe’s House of Ribs.

Texas Joe’s Spare Ribs Large Order (5 Bones) – PHP 549.00 ($US 14.00)

Pay a visit to Ocean Adventure to swim with the dolphins, Zoobic for an exotic tiger safari, or Treetop Adventure for Jungle zip lines. A weekend is sufficient to enjoy Subic, but you may want to stay an extra night or two for other activities. Please find below our Subic Itinerary.

SUBIC ITINERARY DAY 1 – DEPARTURE FROM MANILA TO SUBIC – (150 Kilometers)

SCTEX Entrance
11:20 AM Depart from Makati to Subic via private car

Road Directions:

1. Take EDSA north to the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Past SM North Edsa and Trinoma
2. Continue north on the NLEX until exiting at the Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX)
3. Continue on the SCTEX towards Subic which is the last exit
4. Toll Fees
Manila/Balintawak – SLEX – Php 174.00
SLEX – Subic – PHP 112.00
Exit Slex – PHP 18.00

1:00 PM Arrive at Subic Freeport Zone, Olongapo (Our journey only took 1 hour 40 minutes from Makati to the SCTEX Subic exit with minimal traffic)
1:10 PM Check in at Hotel
2.00 PM Lunch at Texas Joe’s House of Ribs

3:00 PM Shopping at various Duty Free Shops and Factory/Outlet stores

7:00 PM Subic Fiesta Carnival (Only in December)
9:00 PM Dinner at A Tavola Italian Restaurant or Sakana Japanese Restaurant

Sagano Japanese Restaurant Age Dashi Tofu – PHP 120.00 ($US 3.00)

10:00 PM After dinner cocktails at Vasco’s, Magellan’s Landing
11:00 PM Retire back at hotel for a night cap.

SUBIC ITINERARY DAY 2 – Zoobic Safari | Ocean Adventure |Tree Top Adventure CHOOSE ONE ACTIVITY FOR THE DAY!

Zoobic Safari VIP Entrance – PHP 795.00 ($US 18.00) Per Person

8:30 AM Wake up Call
9:00 AM Complimentary Breakfast at Hotel

Mocchachino Grande - PHP 100.00 ($US 2.25) & Viennese Coffee – PHP 80.00 ($US 1.90) @ Xtremely Xpresso Cafe

9:30 AM Coffee at Xtremely Xpresso Cafe – Best little coffee shop in Subic

10:00 AM Shopping at Royal Subic Duty Free
12:00 PM Checkout from Hotel
12:20 PM Lunch at Meat Plus
1:00 PM Depart to Zoobic or Ocean Adventure or Tree Top Adventure
1:50 PM Arrival at Zoobic or Ocean Adventure or Tree Top Adventure
5:00 PM Depart back to Manila

Ocean Adventure Beach Encounter - PHP 2,800.00 ($US 65.00) Per Person

Two or three days is the perfect amount of time to have an outdoor adventure in Subic.

BUDGET– PHP 10,000/$US 220 – inclusive of gas, tolls, accommodations, food and drinks. Take note that Christmas and Easter are the super peak season and reservations are normally done a few months in advance.

How was your experience in Subic? Are there any other attractions that were of interest in this area or nearby? We would love to hear about them!

Subic Hotels to consider:

Segara Villas – Rooms starting from PHP 7,500.00 ($US 160.00)
The Lighthouse Marina – Rooms starting from PHP 7,500.00 ($US 160.00)
Hotel Venezia – Rooms starting from PHP 2,000.00 ($US 47.50)
RK Hotel – Rooms starting from PHP 2,100.00 ($US 50.00)
Boardwalk Inn – Rooms starting from PHP 1,750.00 ($US 40.00)
Bayfront Hotel – Rooms starting from PHP 2,750.00 ($US 65.00)
Casa Blanca - Rooms starting from PHP 1,600 ($US 37.50)
SeoRaBeol Grand Leisure Hotel - Rooms starting from PHP 2,500 ($US 60.00)

In our next post we share our experience in Subic starting with the RK Hotel in the heart of Subic, please click here!

Related Subic Posts:

Remember life is way too short, don’t let it pass you by. Enjoy Hour Philippines!

Sincerely,

Lord and Aksana
HOURPHILIPPINES.COM
FOOD | TRAVEL | LIFESTYLE
All content is the sole property of HourPhilippines.com, any reproduction in whole or in part shall be subject to prosecution.

Sofitel Philippine Plaza – The Lavish Spiral Buffet!

Lord and Aksana — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 10:07:48 +0000

Roasted Prime Rib @ Spiral – PHP 2442.00 Net Per Person ($US 60.00) Saturday Lunch Buffet. Best bring your Accor Advantage Card and a date so it will be 50% off!

What makes the Sofitel such an amazing hotel is that aside from the truly tropical resort experience, there is also gastronomic discoveries awaiting at their lobby restaurant Spiral .

Spiral undoubtedly offers one of the best buffets in the Philippines due to its unbelievable amount of open kitchens and dishes to choose from that it becomes imperative to save space for the good stuff! So stay away from the carbohydrates such as bread, pasta, pizza and rice as this is just an evil distraction to keep you satiated from the higher ticket items!

Being part of the grand lobby of the Sofitel brings a spaciously lavish dining experience with pool and Manila bay views. Space is extremely important in any buffet, as there is nothing more annoying than competing with the hungry mob to get first dibs at the scrumptious offerings that lay ahead. Even with a seating capacity of three hundred, there were no long lines of inconvenience during this visit.

Where to start? Why not at the cold appetizers section comprised of steamed and chilled slipper lobster, shrimp cocktail, mussels, and oysters! You could easily just spend your entire time in this section especially with an icy cold beer! Also the Japanese section is right next door so a few pieces of salmon and mackerel sashimi would be a nice add on. If you are willing to be more adventurous they also have octopus. Unfortunately no salmon roe!

Next, how about Hong Kong style dimsum from the Chinese kitchen such as shao long bao, steamed shrimp dumplings, vegetarian dumplings, radish cake, fried meat dumplings. We focused on a few pieces of the steamed shrimp dumplings as hot appetizers.

While you are at the Chinese section, may as well have a few slices of roasted Peking duck and Macau lechon. It is great that you can just ask the chef to cut directly from the breast or any preferred part of the duck. Holy cholesterol, but as this is a buffet there is no harm in a few sinful bites!

At the Indian kitchen, there is an ample array of tandoori and curries to revitalize the senses. Their lamb curry is worth a few scoops as it is so tender and flavorful with some mango chutney and coriander mint sidings and a crunchy papadam.

The Indian chef also personally informed us that they do not use any powdered stocks in their curries, just fresh vegetables and spices.

Roasted Prime Rib

At the carving station is a roasted prime rib and if you hover close enough you will be able to hear the crackling of the crispy exterior fat as it is perpetually blasted by the immensely powerful heat lamps. Add a few scoops of the red wine sauce, horse radish, and mustard before scurrying back to your table before the jus dries up!

There is also crispy ebi tempura and an assortment of cheeses and cold cuts but if you have a sweet tooth you may want to save half of the room for dessert as the selection is quite extensive. They have chocolate and white chocolate fondue, a variety of cakes (including tiramisu), mousses, pastries and crepes. What makes their sweet section unique is the ice cream teppanyaki where you get to choose various ice creams and toppings that they mash together on a cold teppanyaki table!

The Spiral buffet offers a full range of cusines from Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Filipino, Indian to Continental and all remarkably at a world class level. We will cover this buffet in more intricate detail on our next visit this weekend! What are your favorite dishes at Spiral?

Sofitel Philippine Plaza
CCP Complex Roxas Boulevard Pasay City
Tel: 551-5555
Website: www.sofitel.com

Accor Advantage Card
Tel: 832-6948

Related Sofitel Philippine Plaza Posts:

Sofitel Philippine Plaza – An Oasis Within the City
Sofitel Philippine Plaza – The Club Lounge
Sofitel Philippine Plaza – The Lavish Spiral Buffet

On our next post we indulge at one of the best Japanese restaurants in Manila and perform a Wagyu taste test at Inagiku located at the 2nd Floor of the Shangri-La Hotel, Makati. Join us for a Shogun’s Feast! Please click here!

Remember life is way too short, don’t let it pass you by. Enjoy Hour Philippines!

Sincerely,

Lord and Aksana
HOURPHILIPPINES.COM
FOOD | TRAVEL | LIFESTYLE
All content is the sole property of HourPhilippines.com, any reproduction in whole or in part shall be subject to prosecution.

Sofitel Philippine Plaza – The Club Lounge

Lord and Aksana — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 10:36:03 +0000

Sofitel Club Lounge

When you book a Sofitel Philippine Plaza luxury club room, you will have unlimited access to the Sofitel Club Lounge. Every 5 star hotel chain has a club lounge as it provides an exclusive venue to entertain guests and have intimate meetings so take advantage of it! Join us for their complimentary breakfast buffet.

We woke up a bit late and hence there was nobody – perfect! We had the whole place to ourselves!

While the buffet is simpler and more compact than their lobby restaurant Spiral, there is still quite a reasonable amount of tasty items from east to west.

There was an assortment of berries and muesli, excellent for its healthy anti-oxidant properties and the fresh blueberries were amazing!

We continued with grilled salmon, assorted sushi rolls, poached egg, cherry tomatoes and the japanese egg custard “chawan mushi” with ikura a.k.a. salmon roe = YUM! They also have a decent selection of bottled Dime juices such as tomato, apple and orange as well as Perrier sparkling water.

Up next was the assorted cheeses. They had a decent selection including french brie, camembert, livarot, edam, malagos blush, gruyere gorgonzola, and blue cheese. This was a delight with salted crackers, grapes, walnuts, toasted bread, and a cold bottle of tomato juice.

We also had a sampling of the cured meats such as salami pepperoni, mortadella, black forest ham, air dried beef, coppa and prosciutto as well as liver pate.

For dessert, we dug into a fresh honeycomb and it was exquisite! We never tried this before and the texture was like a fluffy cake which oozed out honey!

Aside from breakfast they also offer high tea at 3:00PM and afternoon cocktails from 5:00PM! Frequent business travellers are often upgraded to a club room for the additional benefits, but it is also quite useful for the weekend vacationer.

Sofitel Philippine Plaza
CCP Complex Roxas Boulevard Pasay City
Tel: 551-5555
Website: www.sofitel.com

Related Sofitel Philippine Plaza Posts:

Sofitel Philippine Plaza – An Oasis Within the City
Sofitel Philippine Plaza – The Club Lounge
Sofitel Philippine Plaza – The Lavish Spiral Buffet

Our next post will continue with an extravagant weekend brunch at Spiral, which we consider to be one of the best buffets in the Philippines! Please click here!

Remember life is way too short, don’t let it pass you by. Enjoy Hour Philippines!

Sincerely,

Lord and Aksana
HOURPHILIPPINES.COM
FOOD | TRAVEL | LIFESTYLE
All content is the sole property of HourPhilippines.com, any reproduction in whole or in part shall be subject to prosecution.