Starting Summer at Caliraya

Lagos by the lake

Stop number 2 is at Lagos del Sol Resort in Cavinti, Laguna ( Caliraya Lake ). We were there last weekend (3days, 2nights so we won't be "bitin" this time). Going there was a lot more challenging. We went to LRT-Buendia to board a bus going to Sta. Cruz, Laguna (Greenstar Express). It was a long ride to say the least (Sta. Cruz was a good 2 hrs away from Calamba, I think). Then we went to the terminal to ride a jeep going to Lumot (that's another 1.5hrs wait for the jeep to get full aside from the 30min+ travel again to Lake Caliraya ). So we should have brought our own transpo instead, but both of us (me and my boo) barely knew how to drive so we pretty much have no choice but to brave the waters (or the heat as the case may be).

Blue Skies

We arrived at the resort all sweaty and sticky from the long ride. We were promptly given a room at the far end of the resort. The place was eerily quiet and empty. We saw a couple of families staying there with us (both of which we didn’t see again until the last day of the weekend). We pretty much stayed at the room on the 1st day. We rested our weary souls and ordered some room service (grilled tilapia and plain rice). But first things first, there’s no signal for sun cellular there so were pretty much incommunicado while we’re at the resort which to our dismay only emphasized our isolation from the world – a fact which both of us don’t find appealing. Needless to say, we called it an early night.

Hanging Out at the Recep

Lonely Tree

(view from our room)

Lagos at dusk

We woke up early next morning to the sound of the rain outside. Swimming early in the morning is out (yes, we can swim thru the rain but we’re pretty much up a mountain and the breeze was a little cold especially in the morning so we decided to skip it). Breakfast was tocino, daing na bangus (milkfish), scrambled egg, garlic rice, coffee and pineapple slices. Serving was good enough for 4.

Breakfast in bed

By noon, we were really bored out of our mind so we decided to brave the outside and do a little bit of sightseeing just to pass the time (we went to see Paete church and had lunch at Exotik Restaurant). It turned out to be a good decision since we enjoyed our mini DIY tour. We returned to the resort with raised spirits. We wanted to swim but alas! It rained again. Nevertheless, we weren’t as bummed as before about that since we already had our fun outside so it’s all good.

Clear Skies

Tricycle Ride

For dinner we were to choose from their menu, 1 soup, 1 vegetable dish, dessert and 2 main courses. We picked mushroom soup, pinakbet, buco sherbet, grilled tilapia and Lagos chicken (fried chicken dipped in ketchup – sounds ordinary? it is.) This was supposed to be our lunch since the package includes breakfast and lunch or dinner. We were also served our welcome drinks (sago’t gulaman).

Under the shade

Looking Up

On our last day, well, you guessed it; there was rain again in the morning. And since it was our last day at the resort and we went there to cool down from the heat of Manila, we went ahead for a swim anyway after breakfast of tocino, pork and chicken adobo, scrambled egg, garlic rice, coffee and a couple of bananas. We had the pool to ourselves.

Inviting waters

The pool wasn’t quite cleaned up – maybe because there were only a few of us staying at the resort at the time and cleaning it up regularly would be a bother. It wasn’t that bad anyway. This is when we saw the other families staying here as well – all of them doing water sports which we cannot afford because they’re frightfully expensive. Oh, what a relief! We were starting to think that this is an abandoned resort or something. Anyway, pretty soon it was time to pack our things. We requested for a late checkout (‘til 2 pm) which they accommodated easily enough (probably since there’s nobody to occupy to rooms at any rate). We ordered lunch. Same choices, we picked chopsuey, grilled liempo and crispy chicken (which we packed for baon) this time. And then it’s time to go.

All packed up!

By the fountain

Stairway to heaven

Under the trees

Feel the breeze

Right where we started

Hitchiking by the highway (waiting for a ride)

Overall, it wasn’t the best weekend and we were pretty much disappointed the whole time (only redeeming quality was the hospitality of the people and the food – huge servings and the best grilled tilapia). Caliraya Lake is romantic. The resort looked nice, landscape was awesome, and has lots of amenities. However, I can’t help but think that the place is a has-been already. It must have been wonderful once but now there’s the air of neglect surrounding the resort. From the big restaurant with no people dining in it, the fitness room with the equipment forming cobwebs here and there, the closed gift shop, closed pool bar, not operating Jacuzzi – one can’t help but wonder at the waste of it all. This place could have been great and with just a few marketing strategies could be revived. We truly hope that whoever owns the resort would come around and do something about the place and not save the beauty that is Caliraya Lake . IJM here signing out.

Watchtower