Samantha Nature Farm Morong Bataan: Refreshing Accomodation with Natural Spring Water Pool and Jacuzzi

Looking back, there were many blessing that I have failed to appreciate and have taken for grandted in my life.  One of those are our regular out-of-town wellness retreats such as this wonderful staycation in Samantha Nature Farm in Morong Bataan. 

In my previous work, whenever we feel overwhelmed physically, emotionally or mentally, my officemates would organize a wellness retreat to restore us back to full health. 

With full support of our superiors, we would find a potential place to rent and vote over which one to select.

Although we've seen photos of Samantha Nature Farm during our screening process, we were still awed upon arrival.

It was a whopping 5-hectares of land that was filled with greeneries.  

It even had a bird house.  

Natural Spring Water Pool 

Because my workmates are very considerate with my prevailing health condition (with sudden outburst of eczema), they always suggest places with beaches and natural springs so I can recuperate my skin condition.

My skin can't stand the harshness of chlorine so I really appreciate that Samantha Nature Farm offers a well-maintained natural spring water pool.

Natural Spring Water Jacuzzi

It also has a Natural Spring Water Jacuzzi which is even lit at night.

Aside from having a spacious dining area and kitchen near the pool, 

it can also accomodate up to 14 guests with its 4 bedrooms and 4 bath rooms.  I stayed in this room for 4 with 2 bunker beds.  The other rooms have queen-sized beds.

It has a spacious indoor and outdoor area.  During the day, we had cooked some barbecued meals by the grassy area by the pool.  By night time, we continued to devour our cooked food, cold drinks as we sang our hearts out.  We are so happy that they had a videooke machine available for rent.  

At the back, you can soak in the natural spring.  

I enjoyed a peaceful moment here, listening to the gentle flow of spring water and taking in the refreshing air. 

There's also a fish pond for those who are fond of fishing. 

Overall, we had a memorable time at Samantha Nature Farm in Morong Bataan.  The staffs are also courteous and happy to be of service.  You can conveniently book via airbnb here.

Samantha Nature Farm in Morong Bataan
Hotel Address	Gov. J.J. Linao National Road, Sitio Palayan Bayan, Brgy. Nagbalayong Morong, Bataan,  Philippines
Contact	maila@starlasercorp.com	Reservation Required	Yes
Payment Options	Cash	Public Transport	N/A
Room Types	Room Amenities		Price
4 Bed Rooms	• Good for 14 persons • Multiple Queen Beds • Multiple Bunker Beds • Hot/cold water shower • 24 hrs. cable TV / In-house movie channels • Air-conditioned • Free Wifi • Ref. • Barbecue grill • Kitche with cookwares • Toiletries (without towel)		15,000 php
General Amenities	•Natural Spring Water Pool  •Natural Spring Water Jacuzzi	Parking	Yes
Travel Tripsters Hotel Review Rating		Samantha Nature Farm in Morong Bataan Map
Location	★★★
Room Comfort	★★★
Cleanliness	★★★
Service	★★★★
Price	★★★★★

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Bahong Rose Garden: Rose Capital of the Philippines (La Trinidad Benguet)

I've been to Baguio City numerous times and yet, there's are still places around the Benguet area where I still have not visited and one of those it the Bahong Rose Garden or Flower Farm.

Barangay Bahong is found north east of the very popular tourist destination La Trinidad Strawberry Farm.   It is around 4 kilometers away from La Trinidad Municipal Hall.  From the main road, we followed the sign leading to a narrower road.  The steep and muddy road that offered a beautiful valley-side scenery led us to the small town of Barangay Bahong which comprises of 5 sitios: Sadag, Central Bahong, Anoding, Ma-e and Tomay.

But, turns out Bahong Rose Garden or Flower Farm is empty when we visited.  I can only think of 2 reasons why that would be so.  First, is because it is more challenging to reach by commute.  It is not even found on Google Maps. And second, we went there on a late afternoon in May.  While, the peak of the flower season is from November to March.  This is where 80% of the flowers from Manila are from.  So I can only imagine thousands of flowers blooming here during the flower season.

The caretaker was so nice to tour us around.  I think the land mass is so big but we were only shown a few areas where there are flowers.  At first, we couldn't spot any roses.

But as we went further, we look at what we saw.  Roses are usually red but here they come in various hues. 

I rarely see yellow roses...

and white ones.

I found the pink ones lovely too. 

But, it wasn't just the roses that made me and my companions smile. 

It was the first time in my life that I have seen flower fields.  It's so beautiful!  My friends and I couldn't help play around in the field.

Of course, we took a lot of photographs of ourselves being surrounded by the flowers.

Some of them have already bloomed.

While some of the buds are yet to bloom.

Overall, we Travel Tripsters enjoyed the fun brought by the natural beauty of nature at Bahong Rose Garden.

Tip: As of 2016, there is now an ordinance requiring tourists to register at the Barangay Bahong Tourism Office to pay for an environmental fee of 20 php/head (local) and 50 php/head (foreigner) and tour guide fee (for a maximum of 10 persons) of  200 php/ tour guide (local) and 300 php/tour guide (foreigner).
 

Bahong Rose Garden or Bahong Flower Farm
Address	Barangay Bahong La Trinidad Benguet
Budget Per Person	20-50 php/head + guide fee 200-300 per tour guide (maximum of 10 persons)	Bahong Rose Garden Map
Payment Options	Cash
Operating Hours	Monday to Sunday: (even holidays) 7 am-3pm
Reservation Required	No
Contact	(63947) 821-4555

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Paradizoo: My Suggested Things to Do (Mendez Cavite Upper Tagaytay)

Ever since I was young, I've had an innate enthusiasm for animals as well as plants so I just have to visit every zoo I come across and Paradizoo in Mendez Cavite (Upper Tagaytay) is no exception.  Here my suggested things to do at Paradizoo.

1. Get Up Close with the Farm Animals at Animal Farm

Mini Horse or Pony (30 php)

Ride the Rodeo

Regular Horse (50 php)

A great activity for kids up to 3 kilos is to ride the Mini Horse or Pony especially for those who haven't rode a horse before.  While, adults can ride the Regular Horse.

Share the Love Birds

Be very cautious and watch your step when you are inside Love Birds Aviary.  Grab some feeds, open your palm and have them peck gently on your hands.  It's a great experience to have love birds of various colors flocking at the palm of your hand.  

Feed the Goats

Goat Feeding (30 php)

For 30 php, you can bottle feed the baby goats.  I didn't get to try this nor did I see the baby goats though. =(

Observe Animals Up Close

Camel

Rabbits

Sheep

Carabao

Ostrich

There are also wild boar and many more feathered animals which you can check out.

Assorted Eggs

Chicken

 2.  Roam Around the Eclectic Garden

Ecclectic Garden

With a mix of vegetable and flower plantations, there are lots to see in the Ecclectic Garden. 

Kangkong Plantation

Bonfire

 There's also a bonfire spot surrounded with Lavender plants.

3. Be Acquainted with Bees at the Honey Bee Farm

Honey Bee Farm

At the Honey Bee Farm, you can observe the busy bees at work.  I got to learn that during cold days, the bees consume their gathered honey.  But, during hot days, they make honey and cover them in wax.  They also sell the honey produce from the coffee plant and other souvenirs.  According to the staff, it is sweet with a mild sour taste.  He recommends the Honey made from Sampaloc nectar to be better tasting.

5. Appreciate Beauty at the Butterfly Garden 

Butterfly

 Ask for assistance and have you're photos taken with a Butterfly. 

6.  Enhance Your Botanical Knowledge at the Flower Farm

Flower Garden

Sunflower

See lots of bloomed flowers and learn about them at the Flower Garden.
 

Marigold

Mayana

I found the names and informational boards to be very helpful.

Poinsenttia

Impatience

Mickey Mouse

If you've never seen a Mickey Mouse plant before, here it is.
 

Chess Board

There's also a nice Chess Board and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs display there for pictorial purposes. 

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

7. Know How Vegetables are grown at the Vegetable Farm and Hydroponics Farm

Vegetable Farm

Hydroponics Farm

They have lettuce and assorted root crop patches.

Potato Spud Box

There are also Potato Spud Box which are quite new to me. 

8. Munch at their Eating Establishments

Paradizoo Cafe

Head over to the Paradizoo Cafe the for food.

For functions and group dining, they have the Wedding Garden and Orchid Pavillion.

9. Take Home a Souvenir

There are also souveneir , pet and plant stores if you want to take something home.

10. Pray for the Departed Animals at the Perpetual Park Pet Cemetery

Travel Tripsters Verdict
We Travel Tripsters recommend that you visit Paradizoo.  There are lots of things to do at Paradizoo for a very reasonable entrance fee. 

Paradizoo
Address	Emilio Aguinaldo Highway, Tagaytay, Cavite, Philippines
Budget Per Person	100-500	Paradizoo Map
Payment Options	Cash
Operating Hours	Monday to Sunday (even holidays)
Reservation Required	No
Contact	Facebook Fan Page | Website

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