OUR AWESOME PLANET

Kawayan Cove Photography Class

Here is an official invitation to Bloggers who would like to learn photography skills with an excellent subject like Bamboo Beach! Please let me know if you would like to join this photo class by texting me +63917-LOVEOAP (5683627). It is sponsored by Kawayan Cove so it is FREE to join but you need to be a blogger or photographer to join this activity.

Text and Photos by Anton Diaz. Copyright 2008.

The Blooming of Playa Calatagan

Garden Cabana View of the Playa Calatagan River Pool

Unfortunately, the best beaches in Nasugbu and Calatagan areas are private beaches. In the case of Playa Calatagan, there will be a public beach area and a private pool/ clubhouse area for lot owners. There is no membership fee in this residential resort (which is a new concept) but you need to be a lot owner to use the facilities. Some time in the future, there will be commercial establishments for the public crowd and I can't wait to share this with you.

Aidan's Bonakid Pose.

For now, the pool area is for private lot owner's use and their dependents. Just to give you a flavor of how much it would cost to enjoy a day trip in Playa Calatagan:

Pool Usage Fee:
Lot Owner & Dependents (P100/ Adult, P50/ Child).
Guests (P200/adult, P100/ child)

Towel & Shower Fee Rental (P70)
Whole Body Massage (P350/ 1hour)

Cabana Usage Fee:

Week days:
Pool Cabanas (Small | Medium | Large) -- We love the pool cabanas, it is like having your private jacuzzi in the cabana.
9am-1:00pm (P200 | P300 | P400)
1:00pm-6:00pm (P200 | P300 | P400)
9am - 6:00pm (P400 | P600 | P800)

Garden Cabanas (Medium) -- We love the 2nd floor garden cabanas because of the privacy it offers.
9am-1:00pm (P300 )
1:00pm-6:00pm (P300)
9am - 6:00pm (P600)

Weekends/ Holidays:
Pool Cabanas (Small | Medium | Large)
9am-1:00pm (P300 | P500 | P700)
1:00pm-6:00pm (P300 | P500 | P700)
9am - 6:00pm (P600 | P1,000 | P1,400)

Garden Cabanas (Medium)
9am-1:00pm (P500 )
1:00pm-6:00pm (P500)
9am - 6:00pm (P1000)

Golden Calatagan Sunset at Playa Calatagan

Beach Club Complex is open from:
9am-6pm on Tuesday to Friday
9am-7pm on Saturday to Sunday.

Charley's Food Trip Group [The Best of Charley's #3]

The Charley's Food Trip Group!

Charley Leviste- Antonio

Chef Popit De Leon

The Grand Tour of Charley's [The Best of Charley's #2]

One of the highlights of Charley's place is this row of Mahogany trees. It was simply magnificent to walk along this path.

This friendly white horse greets you when you arrive. Very friendly and they are not shy to have their photographs taken.

Let me tour you around Charley's place....

A Charley's Weekend Food Trip cum Foodie EB [Best of Charley's Series 1]

Finally, I can say that Charley's is one of the best places for group food trips! It is unique because of its Equestrian farm setting -- think beautiful horses as an ambiance, cool Batangas winds, and good food by no other than Mr. Popit De Leon (P800/head). I can't believe that we are in Lipa, Batangas and we have to thank Charley Leviste- Antonio's family for opening up their gorgeous Lipa farm / house on weekends to the public. I have so much things to say about Charleys so this will be a trilogy series on the best of Charley's.

First, I was pleasantly surprised that Poch, who initiated this Food Trip to Charley's, was able to confirm 16 participants to this food trip. Not even the controversy surrounding the Levistes of Lipa can stop us from going last Saturday. It was a mix group of the who's who of McCann Erickson (great people) and my most admired foodie bloggers (I'm also a fan of foodie bloggers). I was so excited because I'm able to meet Joey of 80Breakfasts, Christine of Ramblings from a Gypsy Soul, Wysgal of Rants and Raves, Mila - the watergirl, Tessa, Mrs. Carlos Celdran, Socky of Tennis and Conversation, and Eileen, the OrangePixieGirl -- all in one event. This is like a marketman's EB but I like this setup better because it is more a personal EB of sorts and more time to get to know one another.

Even with this group of 16, it was hard to get to know each of them since I had to balance my passion for photography and talking to each one of them. I wished that there is a part 2 and more! Some readers ask how to get invited to these events, well I don't know... Sometimes, it just happens -- like this one. We were also limited by the maximum allowable at Charley's which is 20, so we can't invite as much people to this food trip. This is like a friendster gathering where you invite a friend and later on you find out that he is a friend of a friend. Somehow, we are all connected at one point and the 6 degrees of separation holds true.

Back to Charley's... Overall, We had a great time! Nothing can beat great company, perfect unique ambiance and good food by a Les Roche trained Chef anytime of the day. We were glad that we cancelled our Bohol/ Dumaguete trip and we were able to join this food trip to Charley's. As for the food, everybody agrees that the Fresh tomato soup and the Crepe Suzette cooked in front of you with the aroma embracing the entire room are the hands down killer food. The Mahi-Mahi was a disaster (sorry to say this) but it was supposed to be seared but mine felt raw and mushy. The Batangas Beef Stewed in Rosemary and Wine with Rice Pilaf was yummy because of the sauce and the magic spell of the rosemary. You'll find yourself asking, can we have an extra white rice?

Popit told me that when he cooks in Charley's, he is obliged to use the organic Herbs from Charley's garden. This is the secret in most of the food -- the fresh tomatoes, the basil in the soul, the rosemary in the beef stew, and the lemon grass in the Ice Tea. In the end, Charley also sells them and my wife bought fresh Basil leaves for P20/ bunch . The next day, I'm enjoying pesto pasta prepared by my wife -- super delish!

Thanks to Popit and Charley's for the Wonderful Time!!

Related Posts:
Bloggers On A Road Trip by Tennis and Conversation - Know the story on how this food trip was organized.
Lunch at Charley's by ramblings from a gypsy soul - Check out Christine's love for the horses!
Saturday's Lunch @ Charley's , Lipa, Batangas - Wysgal's account on last Saturday's awesome lunch.

[Kawayan Cove #2] Kawayan Cove Mystery Revealed

"Kawayan Cove is the exclusive residential enclave on the verdant slopes that surround the fabled beach. It is designed as an exquisite, understated blend of nature and man-made wonders.... The name Bamboo Beach has an almost mythic ring to it. Many people have heard stories about it, but only a few have ever set foot on its natural white sands. " -- Head Home to Kawayan Cove Brochure.

Rache @ the Meditation Point.

Have you ever wondered if all the things they say in the marketing brochures are true? This was my motivation for really checking out what is the mystery behind Kawayan Cove.

There is no doubt that Bamboo beach is the best beach in the Nasugbu area and for generations it was owned by the original family. I'm glad they decided to share the beach via the Kawayan Cove residential resort. The 650 meter wide Bamboo beach is 80% private and 20% public area that can only be accessed via boat and through this resort. It is a fabled beach because for years, this was the secret white beach in Nasugbu and kudos to the family for maintaining the beach so well.

The other beautiful asset of Kawayan Cove, is the Meditation Point. This is more than 4,000 square meters of serene garden sanctuary with a breathtaking view of the sea. It is ideal for reflection and prayer. There is a literally giant rosary in the middle of the garden. Meditation point is becoming popular as a wedding destination for some couples who would have sponsored access to Kawayan Cove.

Ironically, the main clubhouse is not yet completed which is suppose to be the first facility to be completed. There are only 10 houses to date so it is quite peaceful and ideal for escaping the Manila jungle. Allegedly, they are very picky on buyers since they want to keep the place serene and peaceful by avoiding controversial personalities. A typical lot would costs P5 million pesos up with a starting lot size of 500 sq meters per lot.

So what's the catch? Nothing. Kawayan Cove delivers up to its promise as stated in its marketing brochures. It is definitely a serene, secluded and secured beach escape which could be interpreted as boring if you like the night life or looking for some cool happenings in this resort.

Aidan will give you a glimpse of Kawayan Cove. Tara na!

Related Posts:
[Kawayan Cove #1] Bamboo Beach @ Kawayan Cove
[ Playa Calatagan #1] a Beach Discovery in Calatagan, Batangas
[ Playa Calatagan #3] Stay a week or stay a lifetime @ Playa Calatagan!
Playa Calatagan- First Signs of Life's a Beach

[Kawayan Cove #1] Bamboo Beach @ Kawayan Cove

So far this is the best beach I've seen in the Nasugbu Area. Very clean and well maintained. I'm starting to use the beach evaluation guide provided by Allen Staley of Laiya Cocogrove on the primary considerations for Swimming beaches. I'll start off this Kawayan series with a beach evaluation guide of the Bamboo Beach @ Kawayan Cove.

Beach: Bamboo Beach
Location: Kawayan Cove, Nasugbu, Batangas
Rating: 3 Stars!

Sand quality and color: Consistently Beige
Water quality: Very Clear and Clean Water. You can see your feet clearly
Pollutants: obviously clean and looks like a big swimming pool.
Gradient: perfectly gradual slope
Waves: calm and small waves action
Currents: No noticeable currents near the shoreline
Underwater obstructions: Mostly sand, and some rocks near the edges
Marine life: Plenty of fishes that you can feed. Oh and by the way, we feed them squids. I'm not sure why but that was what they gave us to feed them.
Other hazards: Fishes that might nibble your hand because of food. Also, if you are not fond of fishes, be warned! It was said that they were trained since fishes tend to avoid or swim away but this one follows you around, swimming in circles. It is like they are protecting you from being harmed.

(my additional considerations)
Sunset: The sun directly sets in front of the beach!
Winds: Kinda hot and less winds passing through the beach area.
Availability of Good Food: awesome Filipino Food.

Kainan sa Dalampasigan!

A Warm Welcome to Kainan sa Dalampasigan!

Doesn't this remind you of a scene in The Lord of The Rings?... These hanging vines are enough to set the tone for a lunch/dinner in a middle of a rustic garden. The nearest beach places in Manila are the ones in Nasugbu or Calatagan Batangas. I like going to these parts of Batangas, because it passes by Tagaytay. So almost, always, Tagaytay is the setting for Breakfast on the way to Batangas and for Dinner on the way back home. I've always been on a look out for a good lunch place within the Nasugbu area. The ones that gives you a give provincial feel/ welcome, with a nice ambiance, good food with a good value for money. I'm glad we found Kainan sa Dalampasigan right in the heart of Nasugbu Town.

I would recommend this place as a good stop on your way to Punta Fuego or the Calatagan Beaches. The places serves home cooked food with Tangingue steak as the main attraction. The ambiance is quite nice and they took time to invest on the ambiance to compete with the beach resorts to attract the beach goers for a lunch or even merienda affair. I must admit this place has been in existence for a long time now, but they just renovated recently so during my first visit -- I was happy to find this garden place. Of course, this wouldn't compare with Sonja's garden or Antonio's but you can say that this is more of a provincial version of a garden leaning towards a rustic feel to its ambiance.

I was just excited to see the hanging vines and I took a picture above to remind me of the opening welcome scene when you arrive at this place.

Philippines, Restaurants