Canyon Cove Trip 2018

The first time that we went to Canyon Cove was in 2014 when I was still pregnant with Jeron. Johan barely remembers that since he was just 3 years old then. Canyon Cove is the only Batangas resort that we've been to and we really liked the facilities and the huge rooms. So, I convinced my husband that we go back to Canyon Cove to celebrate both our birthdays.

I checked Metrodeal first to see if they have a deal for Canyon Cove. They do have but check-in days are only during Wednesdays. So, I searched online to look for voucher sellers and I stumbled upon Canyon Cove Vouchers on Facebook. I am very careful on buying anything online because of the many scammers that are lurking but upon checking this page's ratings and feedback from previous guests, I was convinced that they are legit. I messaged the page admin, inquired about their vouchers, sent payment and waited for them to send me the actual voucher. The voucher arrived 2 days after I sent my payment. The page admins were very courteous and they answered all my queries as soon as they can. On the day of our trip, they even sent me a message wishing us a safe trip and a great vacation. Talk about great customer service!

Initially, we planned on having lunch in Kainan sa Dalampsigan. I've heard great reviews about the ambiance and the food. But, when we got there, an event was being held so we had no choice but to dine somewhere else. Unfortunately, we did not find another restaurant as we were driving towards the resort so we decided to just eat at the resort's restaurant after we were checked in.

Our voucher states that check-in time is at 3 pm. We arrived at 2 pm and was immediately assigned a room. However, I noticed that those who brought Metrodeal vouchers were made to wait. I'm not sure if it has anything to do with the voucher that I bought or they have a different process for Metrodeal purchased ones.

We were assigned a room at the Lower Level. It would have been okay since it was closer to the pool and the beach, but we had an issue with the window shutters which were not closing all the way through. We were not comfortable with the idea that people passing by will see us sleeping or lounging in our room. So, I asked the front desk for a different room to which they obliged and were very apologetic with our first room assignment. Two thumbs up for acknowledging your client's needs and acting on it.

We were transferred to a room on the 4th floor. It was very far from the beach and other amenities but with a view like this, I am not complaining!

When we were settled in our new room, we immediately went down to have our very late lunch. We ordered Garlic Rice, Bulalo Steak, Daing na Bangus, a glass of Iced Tea and one bottle of San Mig Light. Our bill amounted to around 1200 pesos.

While the husband is enjoying his bottle of beer, I took the kids to the playground. It was so humid that day but these kids didn't mind that at all. They had the playground to themselves and were just too happy to even take notice of the sun.

When they got tired, we went back to get hubby and we all walked up to our hotel room to change. The kids were so excited to get to the beach!

I brought beach toys and bubbles for the boys and they were having so much fun in the beach until it was starting to get dark already and we had to move to the pool. Johan was ecstatic as he loved to swim now while Jeron wanted to stay at beach. We don't have much photos at the pool as I went in to swim with my boys. 

When they got tired of swimming we dried up and went back to our room to bathe and change into dry clothes. We rested for a bit then went down again to have dinner. I remember the first time that we went there, there was only one barbecue kiosk that was selling, well, barbecues. Now, there are three more food kiosks - a buko juice stand, bibingka kiosk and another one selling an assortment of snacks. The boys didn't want rice so we ordered crispy chicken pops for them to share, I ordered some sort of misua and hubby ordered bibingkas.

We put the kids to sleep as soon as we went back to our room while the hubby and I stayed awake and watched a bit of TV. I finally dozed off around 12 midnight and was awake at 4 am. I didn't even have to wait for my alarm to go off. It was a good thing because I remembered that I wanted to do a time lapse video of the sunrise. That's one off my bucket list! 

When Johan woke up, I told him to change into his swim clothes and we went down to take photos. Hubby and Jeron followed soon enough so we can all spend more time taking photos, swimming and staying at the beach before we check out. 

It was a very wonderful trip with my boys. Husband and I were very anxious prior to this trip because our boys can get pretty rowdy and we didn't know if we'd survive this trip but we did and we all had fun! Canyon Cove is still our favorite resort in Batangas and we will definitely plan another trip soon!

For vouchers, I highly recommend Ise and Ida. They are selling vouchers for Canyon Cove in Nasugbu, Canyon Woods - The Peak Hotel in Tagaytay and Canyon de Boracay in Station 2 Boracay Island. Please tell them you heard about them from me. Here are their contact details:

Facebook Page: Canyon Cove Vouchers

Email: ida.mabel@yahoo.com

Mobile: 0906 257 6479

Also, if it's not too much to ask, would you please like our photo on their page (link below) because we are joining their annual contest to win a free stay in any of the Canyon resort of our choice!

Like our photo here: Photo entry of Tabora Family

Focus: My 2018 Word of the Year

I've read the book The Secret, applied the Law of Attraction, did vision boards and everything proved effective to me in that past. Before 2017 ended, there was a discussion within our group about everybody's theme or word for the year. 

I never really did this before so deciding on my word for 2018 was difficult. I wanted a lot of things to materialize in my life - love, happiness, financial stability, more time with family. Since, I have a lot to stuff that I needed to concentrate on, I decided that my word for 2018 would be Focus.

For my family

I want me and the husband to make more memories this year. It doesn't matter if we go somewhere near or on a road trip or a plane ride away - I just want me, the husband and the kids to try new experiences. I want my husband to explore more, to go outside of his comfort zone and try out new things with the kids and myself.

Johan's schoolwork is getting complicated as he moves up one level. I never realized First Grade is going to be a hard year for both of us - 3 Filipino subjects, difficult Math lessons, memorization requirement for each subject. Lots of school projects kept me up late at night preparing for his materials, making reviewers every quarter in preparation for his exams takes up a lot of my time, even my break times at work are spent doing Johan's reviewers and projects. I need to find more ways on how to teach him, make learning easier for him. 

Jeron's development is something I've been guilty of lately. Unlike when I gave birth to Johan where I stayed home until Johan turned two, where I've been there to feed him and teach him the basics; with Jeron, I am either busy at work or busy with Johan's schoolwork. Jeron was exposed to gadgets way earlier than he is supposed to and now we are seeing the negative effects of it. I need to make more time with Jeron, to talk to him more and to hone his motor skills.

For my career

I like the industry I am in but the needs of the kids are increasing by the day and they need me more and more at home. I need to pray and focus on what I really wanted, what direction I want to be headed. Working from home is one option that we have been discussing for a while now and maybe 2018 is the year that I have to finally give it a go.

For myself

I've been giving too much of myself - to the husband, to the kids. There are more than a few times that I feel drained. I've noticed that the longing to spend time alone is getting stronger, I even thought of going to the beach alone for my birthday. I should be taking care of myself more so I can give more. I promise to pursue my passions - learn to bake, calligraphy, paint - take more pictures, open myself up to new experiences, to save, make myself happy and most importantly, to not rely my happiness on other people. 

Here's to hoping we all achieve what we are aiming for this 2018!

Food Review: Catering Trio PH

This is not a sponsored post. 

Last Christmas, my side of the family decided to go on our first ever family staycation. We were able to purchase a voucher from Deal Grocer for an overnight stay at Exchange Regency Residence Hotel in Ortigas. The unit that we booked was a two bedroom suite that came with a kitchenette with electric stove. We can actually cook inside our unit but we chose to have food delivered instead so we can all relax and just enjoy our Christmas Eve.

Weeks prior to Christmas, we already decided that we will be ordering from CCME. My sister even called their hotline to verify if they have delivery schedules for December 24th to which they confirmed. But, a week before Christmas we found out that CCME was fully booked already! We were in panic because we feared that all other food delivery suppliers will be booked by then.

My cousin recommended Catering Trio PH. She sent me their menu and we immediately called their hotline. As expected, they were fully booked for Christmas Eve but still asked for our order just in case they could squeeze us in. And they did!

They said they will be delivering our order at six o'clock in the evening but a call from the hotel's front desk came at four thirty in the afternoon informing us that Catering Trio has arrived. Talk about coming ahead of schedule!

We were impressed when the guys arrived at our room with our food. Our order came inside an insulated bag which contained a thermal food cabinet to keep our food warm. The guys from Catering Trio were very respectful and were smiling the entire time, so that is a huge plus!

We ordered the following from their menu:  Yangchow Fried Rice, Roast Beef with Mashed Potato, Garlic Chicken, Lumpiang Hubad and Baked Lasagna. We ordered 2 trays of each dish since we were expecting some of our relatives to join us for Noche Buena.

Our Noche Buena spread

Yangchow Fried Rice

Roast Beef

Garlic Chicken

Lumpiang Hubad

Baked Lasagna

They said each tray is good for 7-10 people, but it is either we are not big eaters or Catering Trio has really large servings. I say that because there were a lot of us who shared their food that Christmas Eve and we still have whole trays left of each dish the following day.

Two thumbs up for all that we ordered! Every single dish is so good but if I were to choose only one, I would recommend you get the Baked Lasagna - cooked to perfection indeed!

Catering Trio PH, you delivered food and service way beyond our expectations. You satisfied our taste buds with your delicious food, filled our tummies with your generous servings and made our Christmas 2017 even more special. We will DEFINITELY order from you again!

For inquiries and reservations, please reach Catering Trio PH thru the following:

Facebook: Catering Trio PH

Landline: (02) 632-1211

Mobile: 0956-6481152