R & R at Basseri de Lipa

I was fortunate enough to join a workshop slash short weekend getaway last March 29-30 (Saturday to Sunday). It was at Baserri de Lipa in Batangas. Baserri is actually a Spanish word "cesario vasco" or a kind of stone-built housebarn farmhouse. No wonder the place was called Baserri de Lipa because it was indeed like a farmhouse or vacation house. The location was surrounded by coconut trees and mountain view. There were swimming pools, a chapel, and a restaurant. It can be an excellent place for holding celebrations such as a wedding, birthday party, family reunion, or just a weekend getaway.

For our group, we were around 20 persons and accommodated in one big house with a private pool. The house had a charming ambiance designed with wooden and native furniture. The two-story house we stayed in had three rooms. One room on the ground floor and two rooms on the second floor. I was assigned to the master's bedroom which can fit like 10 to 15 persons with one big bathroom and a veranda.

Meanwhile, the restaurant was generally clean and orderly. It's actually ideal if you want to hold an indoor party for a small group. The other part of the restaurant had a sort of gazebo or open space for larger groups.  Food serving was per plate enough for one person with a small appetite; and overall quality would be a little over the average. Good thing there was water dispenser although you can order sodas in can separately. There were variants of ice cream too. But, expect to pay a little over the regular prize. A drink would cost 50pesos (double the usual price) probably to compensate for the cost of transporting goods since the place is very private and a bit far from the city proper.

My overall rating of the place would be 3.5 out of 5. I recommend this for family and friends who would like to spend some quiet retreat. But, I hope they add more amenities or sports area and probably some more cabanas to hang out aside from the house itself. Price is quite competitive, check out their published rates. Baserri de Lipa is a good alternative if you want to spend some quality time and if you don't feel like hitting the beach.

Review of Online Purchase at lazada.com.ph

I had tried purchasing several products online back when there was a social media site Multiply. Last Thursday, just out of curiosity, I ordered a Cherry Mobile 7-inch tablet from Lazada.com.ph. This is in replacement for an old android tablet that my mom broke a few months back. She's more familiar with using the tablet rather than the computer as it was her source of entertainment (being a retiree and stay at home).

What I liked most about Lazada.com.ph: 

1. Prices were fair enough to say that items were discounted.

2. Lazada has many payment options.

3. Hassle-free transaction

4. Free delivery charge for items Php 1000 and above.

I chose to pay via Cash-on-Delivery because I got rid of my credit card already and I did not have time to do bank deposit transaction. So, I filled-up the information at Lazada website, and it was as easy as counting 1-2-3.

The following day, Friday around 10am I received an SMS from the courier verifying my address. I was amazed that it took less than 24 hours for my order to be processed and delivered right at my doorstep. Since it was my mom who received my package, I had to leave an authorization letter, valid ID and the confirmation email sent by Lazada. 

When I came home Friday afternoon, the package was sealed in a bubble wrap via 2go courier. The item was safely secured, and it's working correctly. It was really a hassle-free transaction.

Kudos to Lazada.com.ph! Hoping to find more great items from your online shop. 

Photo Credit

Picnic at Nuvali: A First for 2014

I consider this as my first blog after a long time of not writing blog entries. It's the first day of the year 2014, and I am just so proud to share a new experience. Well, Nuvali is a budding eco-business hub here in the South. For first time visitors, Nuvali can be a really cool place for hanging out, dining, a venue for events and other family activities like PICNIC! But for someone like me who passes by the area every single day, it could just be another ordinary place where I can drop by and do my personal errands.

However, on the 1st day of the new year, I finally experienced sharing a hearty lunch under the shade of the trees along Nuvali. It was a fantastic start of the year matched with the great, breezy weather. So, after hearing the Holy Mass, "somebody" suggested that we drive to Nuvali and go on an impromptu picnic. We drove to the nearest Jollibee branch and bought chicken meals. Mr. Somebody had fruit salad and fruits from their house, but it will not be enough for two starving creatures (it seemed that he had it in mind already). So, we drove off and found a spot where we can eat and lie down lazily.

View of Nuvali

I was expecting that Nuvali will be full of visitors as it is always the situation especially during holidays and weekends. Indeed, the place was flocked with families carrying loads of food. Some even had tents for the kids! I wish we could be as prepared as them since we only had taken out food from Jollibee. Hehehe :)

Nevertheless, it was a fun, relaxing, carefree experience. A good kickoff for the year 2014.

Happy New Year!