Tamaraw Beach Resort Puerto Galera – A Review

Finally, my long awaited getaway to Puerto Galera pushed through! Thanks to the long weekend break this Halloween season, we were able to set foot at the Tamaraw Beach Resort in Puerto Galera. I thought it was better to stay at Tamaraw Beach rather than White Beach because the latter is known to be a party place and where most people go to. On the other hand, Tamaraw Beach is not so crowded, and the ambiance is just perfect if you want to have a real, quiet relaxation time.

Here are a few things on what I can say about Tamaraw Beach Resort in Puerto Galera:

Location: Tamaraw Beach is easily accessible from Batangas Pier. You can actually buy a ticket to ride a boat that docks directly at Tamaraw Beach Resort.  A more popular alternative is to book a ferry ride going to White Beach then, ride the Tamaraw Beach shuttle (to be arranged with the resort) that will take about 5 – 10 minutes travel time.  In our case, we took a chance and booked tickets that I thought would go directly to Tamaraw Beach (P 300 one-way). But actually, the ferry docked in White Beach first to drop off most of the passengers, and then, there were only 3 of us left who were headed to Tamaraw Beach. Generally speaking, it was a hassle-free ride.

Accommodation: Tamaraw Beach Resort seemed to be expanding because when we arrived, there are construction works on-going. They have this new and modern building which has kitchen facilities for cooking. In our case, we booked the native cottages, which can accommodate up to 3 persons. The bathroom was neat, nothing extravagant, but I liked the hot and cold shower. There were cable tv and air condition. The only problem is that these native cottages are made up of nipa and plywood so, it gets quite hot even with the air conditioner is on, especially at noon time. 

Facilities: Tamaraw Beach Resort has the necessary facilities that you need while you're on vacation.  They have a restaurant and bar from where you can order food. If you just want to chill at the beach, they have available cabanas. If you have children with you, the resort has a playground as well. Everything you typically need is here. In case you need to access your email, wi-fi is only available in the restaurant. Better than no wi-fi at all, right? Please take note that there are power supply interruptions from time to time, which we actually experienced when the cable signal was cut-off. Water sports activities are also available upon request. Overall, the resort facilities cater to almost all age group, whether you're with friends, family, kids, and loved ones. 

Food: Tamaraw Beach resort has a restaurant located on the 2nd floor. Tables are set outside the veranda, so you get to have a magnificent view of the beach. The food was very typical, it can fill your stomach but lacks a particular taste to say that it was"delicious." If you decide to eat here, food costs are around Php 150 – 300 excluding the beverages which cost around Php 30 – 100. Serving time takes about 20 minutes before food is served. You'll need to be patient if you're desperately hungry. The menu was very typical and comparable to that of “lutong bahay,” which was mostly Pinoy dishes. Tamaraw Beach resort has a restaurant located in the 2nd floor. Tables are set outside the veranda so you get to have a magnificent view of the beach. The food was very typical, it can fill your stomach but lacks a certain “zing” for you to say that it was a delicious meal. Meal costs for breakfast, lunch and dinner is around Php 150 – 300 excluding the beverages which cost around Php 30 – 100. You have to wait for 20 minutes or so for the food serving time. It was quite slow if you are desperately hungry. The menu was very typical and comparable to that of “lutong bahay”. Food type was mostly Filipino and American dishes. 

If you're looking for a place to spend some quiet time over the weekend, Tamaraw Beach Resort is definitely the place to be.  It's peaceful and relaxing with the perfect ambiance. This is also probably some of the reasons why foreigners flock to the resort.  If you want to have a taste of the beach party, you can quickly hop on a tricycle just right outside the hotel and go to White Beach. In our next stay, we might actually try a 3D/2N itinerary.

Nevertheless, it was one enjoyable break from the busy work week. Looking forward to our next visit!

How Creative People Think

A funny sharing just before Dr. Sternberg formally started talking about his theory on Successful Intelligence...

There was once a man, who was so tired of his job and wanted to give up because of pressure at work and most of all, because he did not like his boss. So, what he did was call up  a headhunter as he was ready to apply for other opportunities waiting for him. This guy will undoubtedly get a high-paying job because of his outstanding credentials. But, instead of pushing through with his initial idea, he contacted the headhunter and gave his boss' application with the contact details and everything. Of course, the boss will be hired at any company given his good credentials as well. And so, after some time the headhunter finally found an excellent job for the boss, contacted the boss and eventually, the company offered him a better-paying job. Of course, the boss automatically took the offer!

Ending of the story: the boss finally resigned from his current job and the man was promoted to the boss' position.

This was how Dr. Sternberg exemplified his point about people thinking creatively; and successful people think creatively. The man in the story, definitely, is one of the most creative people on earth! :)

Top 3 Lessons of Being a New Traveler

In 2006, my first out of town trip was like a "first-day-high" moment. There were a lot of firsts like packing up my stuff, commuting to the airport, online booking, the plane ride and touring around Puerto Princesa (definitely a late bloomer!).

I considered these first-time-experiences like a subject in school: Planning-Travelling 101. So, I made a list of my top 3 lessons on how to travel with a low budget:

#1 Book tickets when there's promo fare or seat sale

Airlines have become so competitive in offering promo fares. For domestic flights, you can choose either of these two:
Cebu Pacific Air 
Philippine Airlines

Make sure that you are always updated about promos so you can schedule your "break-cation" and save up for your trip.

#2 Look for budget hotels, inns or pension houses

As a budget-conscious and new traveler, I did not consider staying in a 5-star hotel. What I essentially need is a comfortable place to stay in, a reasonable price, and most of all, CLEAN BATHROOM. Hotels usually give discounts for early bookings. The key is to do research, plan early to be able to reserve a nice and budget-friendly hotel.

#3 Travel light

Traveling is also about learning the art of packing light. Since, I've only been within the Philippines, light clothing materials are enough.  You don't really need to pack an entire closet that's why it's also important to visualize your outfit for the entire trip. After all, you wouldn't want to pay for excess baggage, right? 

For newbie travelers like me, I hope you learned a thing or two from my tips. It is definitely possible to have "break-cations" for whatever is your "wallet size".