Camarin Guesthouse Resort & Eco-Park: Short Stop to Chase the Sunset (Cavinti Laguna)

Camarin Guesthouse Resort & Eco-Park is located along the shore of Caliraya Lake, 7 kilometers from the town of Lumban, Laguna.  It is one of the National Power Corporations (NPC)'s facilities. 

The total land area is about 7 hectare.  

A land mass intrusion to the lake in octopus shape with gradual slope.

There's a long bridge where you can view the sky and lake horizon.

On a clear day, the view is just okay.

But, it transforms into a more romantic setting with the orange hues of the sunset.

Aside from the bridge, the tall watch tower offers another wholesome view.

This dock is so scenic like that of Dawson's Creek or the local Tabing Ilog tv show.

You can also play around in the huts.

There's a wash area...

and dining area so you can hang out here.

There are indoor and outdoor activities.  It includes a swimming pool and wall-climbing.

The Pavilion, Executive Cottage, Twin-Cabanas, Conference & Seminars Halls are for rent.

At the back of the cottages is a view of the lake.

We enjoyed our merienda at the Conference Hall.  We met the manager which is the wife of a town's councilor.

Our stay was short but sweet.

Camarin Guesthouse Resort & Eco-Park
Address	Cavinti Laguna
Budget Per Person	600-2,000	Camarin Guesthouse Resort &  Eco-Park Map
Payment Options	Cash
Operating Hours	24/7
Reservation Required	Yes
Contact	(632) 922-8434    | (632) 924-5340

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Kalakal–Pandan Sambalilo Weaving and Handicraft Center (Cavinti Laguna)

Near the town of Cavinti Laguna, there's a covered basketball court where the Kalakal–Pandan Sambalilo Weaving and Handicraft Center is located.

The Kalakal Cavinti Atbp. Cooperative operates at the Kalakal–Pandan Sambalilo Weaving and Handicraft Center where its women pandan weaver members benefit from it as a source of income.

Roughly 5,000 pandan leaves are cleaned in a month.  The leaves are then dried and softened using the heavy ilohan made of a big tree trunk.  I tried to operate it myself as the women there made it look easy.  I used all my muscle power but couldn't move it.  LOL!

They are able to produce different variants of weaved products  from the dyed pandan strips such as bags, hats and mats.

People can just walk-in to buy their displayed finished products.  The sambalilos are so cheap!  We got the plain colored (35 php), colored (45 php) and multi colored (65 php) for us to bring home as pasalubong. 

Sometimes, there are no weavers in the area as some women tend to bring it home and weave as they watch tv or take care of their kids.  You can contact the Cavinti government for advance and bulk orders.

We Travel Tripsters learned a lot about pandan weaving.  It is a great stop when in Cavinti Laguna.

Kalakal–Pandan Sambalilo Weaving and Handicraft Center
Address	Covered Basketball Court Cavinti Laguna
Budget Per Person	35-5,000	Kalakal–Pandan Sambalilo Weaving  and Handicraft Center  Map
Payment Options	Cash
Operating Hours	Monday to Sunday: (even holidays)
Reservation Required	No (Encouraged)
Contact

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Bumbungan Eco-Park: Picnic Breakfast Before Cavinti Falls Trek (Brgy. Tibatib Cavinti Laguna)

Before our Cavinti Falls Trek, we stopped over at Bumbungan Eco-Park for breakfast.

The place is open for public. And, it has become a popular stopover for many as it is near the waterfalls and poblacion or town center of Cavinti.  The tourist center is also located here.

It is a  water spillway and wet bridge that was converted into a picnic grove.  Thus, it is great for any group activity.  And, some who opt to rest after a long trek can also use this as a venue.

The sound of the rushing and crashing water is very refreshing and invigorating.

Some even use the spillway for skim boarding and other activities.

So let's eat!

My friends and I had a great time here. =)  Cottage rental is 150 php.  But, you can just eat elsewhere if you want to save.

When looking for a resting or eating spot in Cavinti, we Travel Tripsters commend Bumbungan Eco-Park.

Bumbungan Eco-Park
Address	Brgy. Tibatib Cavinti Laguna
Budget Per Person	0-150 php	Bumbungan Eco-Park Map
Payment Options	N/A
Operating Hours	24/7
Reservation Required	No
Contact

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Art in Island Interactive Art Museum: Family Holiday at the Amazing 3D Illusion Arts (15th Ave Cubao Quezon City)

Since it's opening last December 2014, Art in Island photos taken my friends have flooded the social media. 

Good thing they are open during holidays so the family has taken that opportunity to drop by.  We came all the way from Manila so we're really glad that there was no traffic since it's a non-work and non-school day.

The location is easy to find using Google Maps or Waze.  There's a big signage and a huge parking space so you'll know you are in the right place.

They have year round promos which we only learned when we arrived there.  You can take advantage of them especially the Birthday Promo so you can have a free entrance before, on the day and after your birthday.

Just show your ID to avail of the student rate. 

There are art works even outside so it's free! ;)

Upon entry, we already played with the first thing we saw.

This is where we surrendered our tickets, keep the half part if you intend to use it for their Loyal Customers Promo so you can get 50% off!  My mom and siblings also bought their slippers at 150 php each.  I was fine with being barefoot.  (You have to deposit your shoes and you can also deposit some of your belonging if you wish)

All the arts in the museum are illusion arts.

The first part showcases the classic illusion arts and not interactive.  Most of them, I'm already familiar with. 

There are certain points where you should stand to make the illusion work.

There are artworks that are huge like this one.

Some involve stairs and ramps.

The space is well-utilized even the staircase.

Each room entrance has an art too.

There are so many arts so alot at least 2 hours for you to fully enjoy them.

There are clean restrooms and clogs you can borrow.

Here's a sample of one of my shots.  I could never succeed in dunking in real life but I did pretty well here right?  =)

Mona Lisa will bid you farewell.

There's a cafeteria on your way out. (Still a no shoe portion)

These are the photos and model of the Korean painters who made Art in Island possible in just 4 months.  Yep! The concept is Korean (from Jeju Island specifically).

Overall, we Travel Tripsters highly recommend Art in Island.   This should definitely be on your list to visit within the Metro Manila area.  Especially now the photography and social media sharing is a thing, a lot of people will surely appreciate this!

Art in Island
Address	175 15th Ave., Brgy. Socorro, Cubao, Quezon City,  Metro Manila, Philippines
Budget Per Person	Adult: 500 php Student/PWD/Senior Citizen: 400 php  Children Below 3Ft: FREE	Art in Island Map
Payment Options	Cash
Operating Hours	Tuesday to Sunday: (even holidays) 9:30am-9:30pm
Reservation Required	No
Contact	(632) 421-1356

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Cavinti Laguna Story: Trying Native Cavinti Dishes at Villa Oliveros Resort

Little do people know that they is a little town in Laguna called Cavinti which has a lot of places to visit. Thus, Mayor Oliveros invited us to stay at his private place "Villa Oliveros Resort" so we can enjoy Cavinti. 

Mayor Oliveros personally dropped by as a sign of hospitality.

We were treated like guests at his household.

My friend Clarissa Tubeo of footontheloose.blogspot.com with Mayor Oliveros.

We got to try Cavinti's native dishes like the Pinais which has grounded shrimp with young coconut.

The Tinuto is folded gabi leaves with ginger and fish (sapsap/tuyo/dilis) in coconut milk.

I would have enjoyed it if only the fish did not have a lot of small bones.

They also served as a Kalderetang Kambing which was delicious.

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