summer trip

How many times have I attempted to resume blogging?  When I checked on my dashboard, I saw three posts in my “draftbox” waiting to be finished.  Sometimes I am so caught up in my everyday routine, I tend to forget documenting the moment.  I’ll let you in on a secret, those three posts will never be published.

But just before this entry ends up as another draft, I’m posting our recent trip this weekend.  Daddy, who is now a corporate slave, no longer owns his time. My used to be out of town-smouldered month long vacation is limited to locally declared holidays as Daddy works from Monday to Saturday.  When last Saturday (April 9 is Bataan Day) was declared a holiday, we knew we had to take this chance.  While Daddy was working his ass off, I was busy looking for places to go to.  It’s a NO for Potipot because we only have a few days to spare, NO to Pundaquit/Anawangin because I predict that many people will flock the area.

I googled Laiya, San Juan, Batangas but I think the resort owners there have forgotten that PRICE do matter.  We decided to find something new along Zambales instead.  Subic seemed to be a better choice since travel time is not that long, and it’s been quite a while we last spent time there.  When Jaims got home, he did his share of research and came up with this itinerary.

Dungaree Beach in Subic
Sheavens in Olongapo for lodging

We left Pasig at 8am with that itinerary in mind.  Sofi spent the entire trip sleeping at the back of the car.  We arrived at Subic at around 10.30am and went around first for our grocery needs.  So we dropped by Puregold DutyFree in SBMA.  Ah, the chocolates were quite enticing! At 11.30 we were already looking for Dungaree Beach.  It is located at San Bernardo Road, along with All Hands Resort.

Since it was almost lunch time, we asked Dungaree if lunch is being served in the area but they said NO.  So we decided to eat at the nearest diner we can reach.  Rali’s Grill and Bar.

I love how this resto is very much open.  One can have a good view of the beach and have that dining by the bay feeling.  The cheapest complete meal in their menu is the All-Filipino Breakfast at P160.00.  We decided to get two of this, one has the longganisa while the other is the tocino-egg combi.  It’s funny that they served two sunny side-up eggs in a single meal.

After filling our tummies, we went straight to Dungaree Beach only to find out that it changed its name to Sands of Triboa (under new management). Entrance is P150.00 per head for 4 years old and above. Fee for three years old and below is waived.   Nipa Hut costs 1,500.00.  For a family of three, the price is quite expensive but based on our research they offer monobloc tables and chair, I asked for it and they said they have it for P500.00.  You’re free to relocate your monoblocs in a shaded place, and that’s what we did.  You can view All Hands and Sands of Triboa from the top (parking area), and the beach looks the same.  All Hands is bigger, thus one should expect a bigger bulk of visitors.  Nipa Hut costs the same for both.  BUT if you prefer water activities, All Hands has something to offer.  I settled for Sands of Triboa since I only wanted to swim in a not so crowded beach.  It’s not Anawangin white, so don’t expect much.  The sand is white on top and black underneath.  It’s quite rocky but nonetheless enjoyable as it is not as wavy as any regular beach.  The water is clear and serene in most parts of our stay.

Second part of the itinerary was finding a place to stay in Olongapo.  The requirements include cheap price, nearby beach and a pool.   We left Sands of Triboa before five but had to go a longer route because Kalkalan Bridge was still close to all types of vehicle.  When we got to Sheaven, the place was already full.  We scouted for other places to stay along Barrio Barreto, but all those with pool were already full.  We didn’t bother inquiring in Wild Orchids because I knew it wouldn’t pass the first requirement — Cheap Price.

We were bent on going home already, as the beach stay was already enough for us but we decided to go back to Subic to find some place to stay.  We ended going back to Tiara Hotel, and for the third time, it didn’t fail us in finding a room.  Rooms for triple sharing now cost P1,800.00.  Sofi forgot about the place already, and she didn’t even remember that the hotel has a pool in it.  She wanted to stay longer in Sands of Triboa but since we still need to look for a place to sleep, we left early.  Good thing the room has a bath tub which Sofi can soaked into.  I know it’s not ideal to do this but we ate at KFC, Subic.  It’s the only way Sofi will eat rice.  Each one of us had a one-piece chicken meal, and Sofi almost finished her rice.

When we woke up, Daddy showed Sofi the pool from the viewing deck, and she was all giddy again.  She was telling me to get our swimsuits so we can swim already but I told her we need to eat rice.  She was forcing us to just eat “chicharon” (that’s how she calls junk foods) instead of rice.  We went down the hotel and walked to the nearest foodmart. We found Sleepless Mart, just near our place and decided to eat noodles and bread.

We dipped in the pool for three hours while daddy do some last minute checkup of Barney-boo.  Sofi has really grown big.  She used to stay in the pool steps while I swim but now she walks in the pool bravely.  She can even climb the the pool from the 2’6″ side.  She even walked in the 3’6″ without feeling scared.

Based on the pics below, would you say she didn’t enjoy?