Summer's sunniest

Summer is the time when days are hotter than the ordinary days. This is the perfect time that we engaged in physical activities like playing new sports or trying new hobbies that will let our time pass by. But undoubtedly, summer is the perfect time to travel.  A good time to see or  discover new places that will enrich our experience and let us have a stress-free environment  that all we can do is relax, relax and relax. Look for that ideal summer destination that awaits you this summer. It could be just the simple province of your relatives or a beautiful beach that you often see in the magazines. Have yourself enjoy those places this summer... After a tiring trip in Tagaytay for a first taste of Summer 2010, we made a stop to rest for a while in a mall. And while waiting for our travel companions, I captured this noticeable bright sunlight of summer sun gleaming from a mango tree that reminds me that its high time for summer!

Shades of Summer

You know that its perfect summer time when you feel the urge to use sunglasses or shades to cover your eyes from the hot rays of the sun and wave of warm air brought by the weather. Summer is the time of the year when the sun is so high that the heat wave we feel is double than what we normally experience in an ordinary day. Days are hotter in these times. This is the time that we also feel the urge to escape to a place where we just want to relax, rest and play. And beach is the number one place that comes to our mind when we think of a place to escape this summer. Don't you agree? As Summer 2011 starts, expect travelers and vacationers flock the beaches again as this heat of summer is the perfect time to savor it. This shot was taken last summer in Matabungkay, Lian, Batangas where my travel mates choose to swim in the pool where I choose to relax and found these "shades of summer" as a good memory to remember that wonderful summer.

More about my Summer 2010 here.

Looking out to summer...

Summer is definitely one of the best time of the year to create memories. And this wonderful view of Matabungkay Beach during my summer visit to Batangas just gives a glimpse of what wonderful memories that can unexpectedly happen. Peering out from the cabana terrace I have stayed, this summery view of Matabungkay Beach promises a memorable summer for everyone's delight.

Discover summer in Batangas

My second short summer hop lead me to Matabungkay, Lian, Batangas last March 27 to 28. It was my first time to visit Batangas. The quick summer escapade was made possible through an invitation of my friend to her beach wedding that will be held in a resort at Matabungkay, Batangas. I am with my friends in this trip who are part of my friend's wedding entourage. I was invited as a special guest but I find this opportunity to have a quick summer escapade again.

Horizon of the sky after sunset.

We leave Cavite on a shuttle at 2pm for a long road trip to Batangas. It was a 4 hour trip on the road. We had stops so I think 2 hours and 30 minutes is exact travel time from Cavite to Matabungkay. The trip is long. We passed Dasmarinas, Silang, Tagaytay then on to Batangas. There many scenic routes in Tagaytay to Batangas road. I saw Taal Volcano again. I saw mountains, sugar cane farms and the rural life in the southern provinces of the country. After that long trip we arrived at 6pm in Matabungkay Beach Resort and Hotel.

We were escorted by the resort staff to the beach front cabana reserved for us by my friend. I was suprised by the accommodation reserve for us. The cabana has terrace beach front facing the beach! I could not resist the last horizon of sunset in the beach at that time so I took a shot pic. We were happy as we felt special for the beautiful cabana reserve for us. We really felt the feeling of a "bakasyonista". Of course, we rest for a while after unpacking our clothes because of the long trip but after that we immediately stroll in the beach. It was dark already but the stretch of the gray-white beach is lit by the lamp posts that lines the beach.
Later we met my friend and her family. Then we had a dinner with them. We share stories of course, especially about the preparation of the wedding that will be held at the following day. Then we celebrate the last day of her single life at Wave Music Lounge of the resort that evening. It is the resorts' bar where you can drink and sing on the video karaoke available at the lounge. I try their Margarita that night.

A warm welcome from the resort.

Shadows and sands.

Beach stroll time.

The following day, me and my friends had an early morning stroll at the beach. It is constantly low tide in Matabungkay Beach so it is quite easy to swim around. I also noticed that the beach is teeming with marine life like brittle stars, sea grasses and starfishes that you can easily see in its low tide waters. A local offered us an island hopping trip plus a visit to a beach where we can swim for 400 pesos. We like to go but we had no time as the wedding preparation approaches. I suggested that we just stay and relax in one of the floating "balsa" or bamboo raft in the low tide sea.

The raft made of bamboo has a nipa hut style roof that covers us from the sun's heat. In the middle of the large raft it has a table and bench made of bamboo as well. I think it can accommodate at least fifteen (15) people. It is a good option take a lunch or snack there with your family or friends as it has a spectacular view of the sea, sky, hills, beach and green mountains of Matabungkay. Of course, we did not miss the chance to take photos inside the balsa. One of my friend, picked a starfish from the sea grasses. We were so delighted to this live marine animal and we took photos with the starfish too! Later we enjoy the beautiful views of the sea in balsa before plunging to the resort's large pool.

Balsa.

My Summer 2010 kicks-off!

Express your summer mood.

By noon, we rest for the beach wedding which will start at 5pm. But my friends who are bridesmaids for the entourage are preparing by 3pm. The motif color is red - whom my friends' favorite color. The motif flower is red rose which is in every table bouquet of the reception. The ceremony and reception area are lighted by tall fire torches embedded in the beach sand. Food is 5-spoon. I like the veggy salad appetizer, salmon main course along with calderetang Batangas and Cordon Bleu with a tasty sauce that I can't recall. It was a wonderful and emotional event. It is memorable. The wedding ended with cake serving with red wine while listening to bossa nova sounds played by the live band. The same evening we departed Matabungkay at 11 in the evening home bound to Cavite. I arrived 2am in my hometown.

The view in front of our beach-front cabana.

Matabungkay Beach.

A beautiful sunset during the beach wedding...

It was a another great summer trip. I had a relaxing weekend. On a next trip, I hope to visit other famous beaches in Batangas like Anilao, San Juan, Calatagan or Punta Fuego. But I am contented if I'll have an opportunity again to visit Matabungkay. I enjoy discovering Batangas as a summer destination. I'll definitely comeback to explore its other beaches.

Summer 2010 starts at Tagaytay

February is the usual start of summer for me. The heat is on, days are warm and the sun is scorching hot! Its a perfect signal to travel again. It is usually taking a dip on a beach or go someplace farther to feel the air of summer. But this time I had a different trip. First, it was short, then it is not the usual dipping on a beach and lastly it is just within my province - Cavite. My Summer 2010 started last week on a quick hop to the highlands of Tagaytay. It was whole day trip that coincide with my lola's 87th birthday. And with us to celebrate this occasion are my cousins, relatives and my brother.

We travel in the morning to enjoy a morning of view of Tagaytay along with its famous and its highly-prided scenery of Taal Lake and Volcano at Taal Vista Lodge viewdeck. We had a lunch at RSM Restaurant where we were serenaded by the staff plus it has a perfectly placed terrace deck to view Taal Lake.

Taal Vista Lodge.

The charm of Tagaytay.

Tagaytay is a premier tourist destianation in our province of Cavite. It boast numerous hotels and tourist amenities like restaurants, parks, cafes, scenic views and sports activities like zipline. Robinson Malls has just been recently built and SM Mall is soon on the rise. Tagaytay is a popular summer destination because it has mild and cool climate due to its high altitute. Its proximity to Manila makes it a easily acessible for a quick vacation from the metropolis. But the vantage point of Tagaytay is the pictureque view of Taal Lake and Volcano. The small volcano is located within the lake and sometimes its wide crater is filled with water that's why it is dubbed "a lake within a lake"

Family bonding time at RSM Restaurant.

What I like in Tagaytay is that many of its restaurants and cafes like Leslie's, Josephine, Startbucks and Yellow Cab had a spectacular cliff view where you can see the charming Taal lake and volcano. It lined like a strip of mushrooms on the side of cliff ridge where you will really had a beautiful view of Taal. The places espacially the restaurants are perfect for family bonding, sharing stories with friends and for a romantic date. Aside from overlooking view of Taal Volcano and lake, you can also do side trips to Palace in the Sky, Hiking to the volcano's crater or visit Tagaytay Zip Line and cable car for a whole new experience.

Taal Volcano and Taal Lake.

Summer's sunniest!

This is not my first time to visit Tagaytay but what makes me return to this place is definitely the charm of nature of Taal Lake view accompanied by its cool weather. My summer has just started. The days are warm and nights are cool. And Tagaytay is a good place to start. The air of summer evokes a relaxing mood. The heat is calling you to go to someplace away from the life you usually live everyday. I can't wait for the places I will be roaming to for the rest of this summer.