It took me a while to post this since we had more than a thousand photos from our five-day trip, I had to scroll through more than a hundred and twenty pages to back read and me, unfortunately, got sick for two days. I got food poisoning from vegetable rolls (lumpiang toge) we bought from a street vendor. I was nauseous and vomited more than I have ever done in my entire life in the span of two days, accompanied by frequent trips to the toilet. It was exhausting, as even alcohol nor crazy roller coaster rides can’t manage to make me puke.

Anyway, for summer last year, we went to Zambales (Anawangin Cove, Nagsasa Cove and Capones Island). This year, mom wanted to have a Cebu-Bohol trip. Dad chanced upon a Cebu Pacific airlines promo, however, it was for a one-way flight from Laoag to Manila. Haha! Mom researched, made our itinerary, did the necessary reservations and pre-booking. She decided on going to Sta. Ana, Cagayan first before proceeding to Laoag. It’s like going through Luzon, all the way from Cavite. Haha! We were informed that it was a 16-hour bus ride from the GV Florida Bus Terminal (which is located along Lacson Ave., perpendicular to Espana Blvd.) to Cagayan a week before we planned to leave. I prepared myself mentally for the 16-hour bus ride, as I might go crazy! GV Florida Buses has daily trips to Sta. Ana, Cagayan. The first bus leaves by 12:30 PM and the last (and only other trip) leaves at 3 PM. Mom bought tickets for the 3 PM trip during Palm Sunday that coincided with April Fool’s Day.

I’m a notorious sleeper on any kind of transportation. Even C is amazed at the fact that I can sleep in any vehicle. I guess it’s a useful skill since my travel time to and from the university is around two hours. I also went to a high school which is an hour away from home. Sufficient to say, I slept most of the time. The times I did wake up, I find looking outside scary. It was super foggy, and the road had so many curves that I can’t help becoming paranoid that the bus might be driven straight to a cliff. Thankfully, it was not. So kudos to the amazing bus drivers! For some reason, the 16-hour bus ride was reduced to only 14 hours. We arrived at  Sta. Ana by 5 AM. We rode a tricycle, which does not even look like a typical tricycle as it can accommodate a lot of passengers. Unfortunately, though, we were a little cheated with the tricycle fare. We were advised that it only costs Php 15 per person and that the driver will bring us to the gate of the resort. But the driver did not only drop us far from the resort, he also managed to increase his fare. Come on, man.

Look at this cute guard dog, Scooby Doo! He’s a Labrador Retriever and I got to play with him while we were waiting. He’s too adorable. I’ll take you guys on a virtual tour of Cagayan Holiday & Leisure Resort. It used to be exclusive to Chinese citizens, but now it’s open to the public. You can still see traces of that, though, as most of the guests and resort managers are Chinese and their convenience store is full of Chinese products. We actually had a bit of problem with the reservation, though. Mom made the reservation a month prior to the date of our check-in and she was told by Jernalin (the receptionist) that the villa will cost Php 5000. Hence, mom was confused when she found out she had to pay more for the villa. Oh well. To somehow alleviate my mom from her annoyance, Jernalin gave us casino credits. Mom still thinks the rate is cheap for their facilities and the extremely attentive staff, but she just didn’t like that the price agreed upon was lower during their phone conversation. I love the fact that you could ask to use the golf cart anytime you want. There was a guard stationed near our villa, and all you had to do is ask him to request one for you.

Our home for two days and a night. We stayed in a 2-bedroom villa, complete with a living room, a master bedroom, two bathrooms, and another bedroom with twin beds. I personally love the shower in the common bathroom! My love for a nice shower stems from the fact that the shower in my own bathroom does not work. Haha! But seriously, though, there are showers that makes me want to spend more time taking a bath.. and this shower is one of those! It makes up for the fact that the toilet does not have a bidet present. I was in dire need of the bidet when we were here due to a stroke of bad luck that my cycle decided to start while I was on vacation. Seriously, my body is annoying. Tan and I shared the other bedroom, with two single beds in it. I liked sharing the room with Tan since we watched the same shows on the television and we both loved to turn the air-conditioning to the lowest temperature it could achieve. Haha!

We had our lunch outside because the menu at the resort’s restaurant was too limited and too pricey. It just wasn’t worth it.

After lunch, we decided to hit the swimming pool! It kind of feels Bali inspired, is it not? 🙂

Both of the siblings enjoyed the pool as they were the only people utilizing it.

..and all I got to do is dip my feet in it.

Even the parents went for a swim!

My sister is growing up to become a real pretty teenager. That’s also a dress of mine that she is wearing. This girl has been getting things from my closet!

 

Sun City Spa. Mom and I wanted to avail of foot spa, but they were closed until 2 PM. We planned to go back once it opens, but we forgot to do so. Haha!

Sun City Gym

On our way to the beach! I wanted to take photos with those seats, but a girl was already sitting in it. Haha!

I don’t even remember what I was laughing about. Haha!

My signature pose. Haha!

I just could not capture that sunset. It was beyond mesmerizing when those last rays of the sun hit us while our toes were on the sand.

So there, that’s it for our first day! After dinner, Dad went to the casino to use the credits, and he was lucky! No details on that, though. *wink*