New Year at Island Cove

This is my long overdue post about our vacay to Island Cove last Dec. 2008.
We (me and my then-just-friend-now-boyfriend) availed of the Romantic Escape Package (P4,500 for an overnight stay*) at Island Cove in Cavite. Going there was easy. We rode a bus going to Baclaran (from EDSA), got off at Coastal mall then boarded one of the minibuses parked alongside the mall and voila!

To go to the reception, we had to walk over a rickety bridge where you can see tons of garbage dumped on the water. This is not a good start but well I don't suppose they'll make us swim in that water so we just ignored it. The receptionist was very accomodating. We were supposed to check in at 2pm but we got there an hour early.
After a little bit of rest, we headed to Animal Island. There's nothing much to see, there's some ostriches, wild pig, ostriches, birds, ostriches (so there were a lot of ostriches), tigers, peacocks and a butterfly garden (with no butterflies). After taking pictures of the more interesting animals, we headed to the crocodile sanctuary. Boy, there were a lot of crocodiles and they were separated according to age. It soon got pretty boring and there were no action so we soon headed out.

Honey at Animal Island

We didn't avail of the 15-min horse drawn carriage ride and the souvenir photo (it was supposed to be taken with the crocodiles but we're already out and too tired to go back). We boarded the electric tram and went to have dinner at the Fishing Village. We wanted to have a go at fishing but nobody was there to ask so we just went ahead and ordered some food.

Fooling around in front of the camera while waiting for food.

After dinner we went upstairs (Patron) to get our free cocktail (Weng-weng) before calling it a day.

Cocktails, anyone?

First thing the following morning, we went to Oceania Water Park (we went there to swim, after all). The pool was huge with tall slides.

Oceania Water Park

After swimming, we went to grab some breakfast (buffet at Sangley Point) but first we dropped by the giant chess on the way.

Prepare to fire!

Me at the giant chess

Breakfast sweets

After breakfast, we headed to Island Spa to avail of the free massage included in the package. We took a shower first (we haven't taken one after our dip in the pool) then we were ushered to the foot massage area for some foot scrub and then to our rooms for the massage (hilot). Massage was so-so, ambiance was great.

Me at the spa

After the massage, there was barely enough time to pack our things. Overall, it was great but it was also kind on "bitin". Overnight was not enough for the package itself, let alone if we throw in a few hours of just hanging out. Oh well, next time we'll just have to add another night then. Juice here signing out.

Happy!

*Romantic Escape Package includes room accommodation, breakfast for two, scented candles, cocktails drinks for two, entrance to the Animal Island, 15-minute ride in a horse drawn carriage, entrance to Oceania Water Park, use of hotel pool and jacuzzi, body massage for two at Island Spa, romantic gift, souvenir photo, complimentary bottled water, unlimited internet access to any of their wifi zones and use of electric tram.