La Bella Boutique Hotel Tagaytay

Several times La Bella Boutique had served as my refuge at times I needed to detox from week straight audits, traveling from point A to point X,Y,Z and to seclude myself in a place with negligible decibels measured. Situated westward from the corner of Tagaytay - Mendez and Tagaytay - Nasugbu road that guarantees cool and relaxing environment. La Bella Boutique gives Santorini vibes - it's buildings and rooms painted and ornamented in blues and whites, and with landscaped of pine trees and every greens documented in botany  textbook. 

It offers 5 types of room - studio room, studio deluxe, studio deluxe twin, family suite and studio room. Amenities - new air conditioning units, complimentary breakfast (plated - bangsilog, tapsilog, longsilog, etc.), designated smoking area, elevator (key card operated that adds security), Jacuzzi / hot tub (separate charge - Php 1,000.00), Library, outdoor swimming pool (which didn't brave enough to try because of coldness), Spa, enough parking space and even celebrated Sunday mass (when I stayed last holy week). 

There are 4 restaurant on site, El Cocinero - Spanish (quite pricey), Hirasei -Japanese (I had not tried) , Organico - Asian (they serve complimentary breakfast)  and Bodhi Mind & Body Shop (for waffles and tea). Last time, we drove to twin lakes for take outs and grocery and totally quarantined myself our room. 

Instagram spots at La Bella Boutique: 

How to get there: 

Area information - 2.5 kms away from Mendez Junction via Tagaytay-Nasugbo Highway. From Tagaytay rotunda, it's about 8.5 kms, and 4.5 kms from Tagaytay Skyranch. 

From Manila, you may take any of the Batangas buses. Get off at "unang kanto" Neogan and take tricycle going to La Bella. If you take Tagaytay buses or UV express, transfer to a jeepney going to Alfonso or Nasugbu from the Tagaytay Terminal and get off at "unang kanto" neogan. 

 

    

Pink Island - Sta.Cruz Island, Zamboanga City

Recently, National Geographic published 21 Best Beaches in the world and Pink Beach, the Sta. Cruz island made the cut. Located in Zamboanga City, I had traveled by air, land and water. Travel by air - from Manila or any other destinations (In Philippines) take local flight to Zamboanga City; then by land - take tricycle to Paseo del Mar Port, then take motorized boat going to Sta. Cruz Island. It will take 1.5 hours from airport to Sta. Cruz island that includes cueing and safety orientation. 

For preservation purposes, number of visitors are regulated, thus advance coordination is required with local government of Zamboanga. I arrived at port on Sunday at 7:30am, and was assigned a group number for safety, rules and regulations orientation which takes 15 - 30 minutes which I find informative and comedic on way it was delivered. Informative - pink sand was result from all the crushed red organ pipe coral that washes ashore; and that it takes year to regenerate this pink sand; and that contrary to safety concerns a military headquarter is stationed on the island to patrol and ensure the safety of every visitors. 

On rules and regulations - no smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages on the island, drunk visitors are strictly prohibited to travel, visitors are allowed to bring food and stuff but ensure proper disposal of garbage, no load music and/or partying and taking sand as souvenir is a big offense. Military personnel are given task to monitor and implement rules, and Php1,000.00 penalty is imposed for every violation. For sand souvenirs, if your will be caught at port, you need to rent your own motorized boat and personally return collected sand with Php 5,000 penalty. Also, maximum of 15 passenger is allowed per boat, and wearing of life jacket is a must. 

Afar, it was typical turquoise, blue, green and white color spectrum of an island, the promised pink sand is only visible on certain portion of shore, when sand is washed off and up close, yet, it was never a disappointment. The island gives enigmatic vibes - no traces of commercialization, invisible eyes of military personnel securing the island, the calmness and seclusion from limited visitors. Basic needs are available - comfort room, faucet and sink for washing, grilling / cooking station and villa (with table, chairs and roof) if you decides to take siesta, local vendors of squid, fish and crabs (free cooking) at reasonable prices, it was squeaky clean, and  Picturesque indeed - Instagram worthy, My day approve and vlogger material winner. 

The downside - (1) there is a sandbar 10 minutes away from the island with diverse sea shells, but only allows visitors 10 minutes stay for picture taking. (2) Island the shore is clothed with white-pink refined sand but on water its more corals than sand, thus, aqua shoes is recommended, (3) I also notice uneven shallow-deep portion, so extra precaution specially if you don't know how to swim; and lastly, (4) no overnight staying, you need to get back at port by 2pm and unlucky for us, wee need to leave after lunch at time of visit due to approaching thunder storm.