Team Purrfection, Unite!
Nasugbu, Batangas
CALABARZON, Philippines
10-11 July 2016
-----------------------------------
After 9 freaking months, I'M HOOOOOOME. <3
Yes, 9 months of sun, heat and orange-coloured dust. XD
I went home last October 2015 for two weeks, and realized that 14 days won't just cut it, especially since the Philippines has around 7,107 islands!
Dubai Metro Manila
And it's sooooooo... very... greeeeeeeen.
CLUB PUNTA FUEGO
First and foremost, they do not accept walk-ins; so before you go there, make sure that you've already booked. You can do it online via Agoda.com, set a date, and you're good to go. Take note, however, that rooms are subject to availability and they often get fully booked, so do it in advance. Like... months before your planned trip.
Once you have booked though, print your confirmation; sit-back, relax and wait for the date.
Going There...
We went there by car and we used Waze for navigation just to be on the safe side. The road is pretty much straight-forward, with bits of congestion here and there. Still, it will only take you around 2 hours, depending on how fast you drive and how frequently you do stop-overs for toilet breaks or food.
The Driver and 1/2 of my navigator;
the other is seated comfortably behind us, taking this pic.
Once you reach this tunnel, drive a few 20 minutes more and you'll find yourself by the gates of Club Punta Fuego:
courtesy of Google Maps :)
Exit: Kaybiang Tunnel, Ternate-Nasugbu
Slow down because this is a Military Check-point area. When we went there, there is a sort-of gathering of motorcyclists too but they aren't really zooming in and out of the area in herds. Just one motorcyclist at a time. I don't know why, and didn't bother asking (haha). Also, there are other people taking pictures around the area, so you won't be alone if you'd like to do this too. Snap away, but be wary about incoming vehicles.
Courtesy of Google Maps
You'll pass by a long and winding stretch of smooth road, but take heed of sign boards. There is this big chance that you'll miss it if you don't.
Travel Tip: when embarking on a road-trip, I always consult Google Maps to familiarize myself with how the road would look like. I also make it a habit to spot landmarks that will aid me along the way, just so I'll know that I am on the right track. It also would help if you have a back-up GPS. When in the Philippines, Waze is very useful. It only failed me once, but that was the internet connection's fault. Haha.
Around 5 minutes more, and you'll reach the gates of Club Punta Fuego.
Print your reservation from Agoda and be ready to present it to the guards, along with one valid ID. You'll have to leave your ID with them, and receive a pass in return. After which, drive for about 2 to 3 minutes to the Main Club reception and park your vehicle. You now have the option to bring all your stuff to the lobby and check-in, or check-in first before you lug your stuff in-- you can ask the staff to carry all those for you, if you wish.
Since I booked for a sea and sunset view, we were given a room in Casita number 5, I think. I have nothing against the room because it was clean and nice and all that, but the "sea and sunset view" thing... well... it's kind of obscured by foliages and such. Plus, the balcony was untidy. I'll forgive them for that, however, because it was raining then; and it's kind of hard to maintain things especially when a storm was expected to come. But I still don't like the fact that the room they gave me didn't give an excellent view of the sea-- never mind the sunset, because it WAS raining. But still. 😂
This room-- well, my vacation, in general-- is actually a breather; having lived as an expat in Dubai for the past months-- where I barely get any kind of privacy because of the dorm-type living arrangement. Believe me, if I had a choice, I'd move out; but "company policy" states that I can't do it so I'm kind of stuck with that kind of arrangement. *sigh*
WHAT TO DO...
Eat... swim... sleep. Ponder on the great scheme of things. Repeat. There's not much to do, really; unless, of course, you want to try the club's amenities.
The tennis and squash court, for one, is open for guest use. You'll just have to book at the reception and pay additional fees (you can rent equipment there as well if you don't have any). They also have a mini theatre, where a movie is shown at specific times-- again, ask the reception for information. On a sunny day, you can engage in water sports recreation: water skiing, banana boating (for groups), jet ski, snorkeling, wake boarding, kayaking, scuba diving... yup, you name it, they have it. Just ask the reception for more information.
Otherwise, you can visit their official website. Just click here. :)
As for my friends and I, at that time, we wanted it to be as relaxing and stress-free as possible. So we bummed around. Swam by the beach and pool; ate, slept, shared stories and burned cigarettes. We haven't done it for quite a while, and it's a nice time to catch up with each other given our busy individual lives.
My original plan was to go solo, but I figured that I don't exactly want to be alone then so I dragged them along. Haha.
Oh, and one more thing: if you want to get a massage then you should try their Ylang-ylang Spa. Rates for non-members start at around 900 PHP for an hour (members will have it cheaper by a hundred to two hundred bucks or something). It's kind of expensive, especially if you think about Banahaw Heals Spa where a massage will only cost you around 200 pesos for an hour, but I had a pleasant experience so I'm going to recommend it here. Haha. I have to apologize for forgetting the name of my masseuse though. XD
We only stayed there overnight, but the trip was worth all the relaxing bit. :)
TERRAZAS DE PUNTA FUEGO
And, since you're already within the vicinity, you can also choose to visit Terrazas de Punta Fuego. As a guest in the Main Club, entrance to Terrazas is already free. Just mention your room number, present your ID, and you're good to go.
Unlike in Club Punta Fuego, Terrazas can only offer day tour for guests. Not sure how much, but I seem to recall reading a blog that a day pass will cost you around 500 PHP? Or maybe less than a thousand PHP, plus you'll have to rent a cabana and a locker for your stuff. Lockers will cost you 50 PHP each-- you can share, but it doesn't have room for much. So yeah. Better check-in at the main club and visit Terrazas. That way, you'll be shooting two birds with one stone.
Tip: reserve your beach swimming for Terrazas, instead of Club Punta Fuego. Both are developed, but I have reservations with Club's beach because it's more... uh, rocky.
Don't miss this sign. :)
Travel Tip: when embarking on a road-trip, I always consult Google Maps to familiarize myself with how the road would look like. I also make it a habit to spot landmarks that will aid me along the way, just so I'll know that I am on the right track. It also would help if you have a back-up GPS. When in the Philippines, Waze is very useful. It only failed me once, but that was the internet connection's fault. Haha.
Around 5 minutes more, and you'll reach the gates of Club Punta Fuego.
Main Gate: Guards will be there so prepare your printed reservation.
Print your reservation from Agoda and be ready to present it to the guards, along with one valid ID. You'll have to leave your ID with them, and receive a pass in return. After which, drive for about 2 to 3 minutes to the Main Club reception and park your vehicle. You now have the option to bring all your stuff to the lobby and check-in, or check-in first before you lug your stuff in-- you can ask the staff to carry all those for you, if you wish.
View from the Reception
The Famous Infinity Pool: Sorry for the unflattering image.
We are no pro-photographers. Haha.
One of the many casitas in Club Punta Fuego
Since I booked for a sea and sunset view, we were given a room in Casita number 5, I think. I have nothing against the room because it was clean and nice and all that, but the "sea and sunset view" thing... well... it's kind of obscured by foliages and such. Plus, the balcony was untidy. I'll forgive them for that, however, because it was raining then; and it's kind of hard to maintain things especially when a storm was expected to come. But I still don't like the fact that the room they gave me didn't give an excellent view of the sea-- never mind the sunset, because it WAS raining. But still. 😂
The Room. :)
This room-- well, my vacation, in general-- is actually a breather; having lived as an expat in Dubai for the past months-- where I barely get any kind of privacy because of the dorm-type living arrangement. Believe me, if I had a choice, I'd move out; but "company policy" states that I can't do it so I'm kind of stuck with that kind of arrangement. *sigh*
WHAT TO DO...
Eat... swim... sleep. Ponder on the great scheme of things. Repeat. There's not much to do, really; unless, of course, you want to try the club's amenities.
The tennis and squash court, for one, is open for guest use. You'll just have to book at the reception and pay additional fees (you can rent equipment there as well if you don't have any). They also have a mini theatre, where a movie is shown at specific times-- again, ask the reception for information. On a sunny day, you can engage in water sports recreation: water skiing, banana boating (for groups), jet ski, snorkeling, wake boarding, kayaking, scuba diving... yup, you name it, they have it. Just ask the reception for more information.
Otherwise, you can visit their official website. Just click here. :)
As for my friends and I, at that time, we wanted it to be as relaxing and stress-free as possible. So we bummed around. Swam by the beach and pool; ate, slept, shared stories and burned cigarettes. We haven't done it for quite a while, and it's a nice time to catch up with each other given our busy individual lives.
My original plan was to go solo, but I figured that I don't exactly want to be alone then so I dragged them along. Haha.
Oh, and one more thing: if you want to get a massage then you should try their Ylang-ylang Spa. Rates for non-members start at around 900 PHP for an hour (members will have it cheaper by a hundred to two hundred bucks or something). It's kind of expensive, especially if you think about Banahaw Heals Spa where a massage will only cost you around 200 pesos for an hour, but I had a pleasant experience so I'm going to recommend it here. Haha. I have to apologize for forgetting the name of my masseuse though. XD
We only stayed there overnight, but the trip was worth all the relaxing bit. :)
TERRAZAS DE PUNTA FUEGO
And, since you're already within the vicinity, you can also choose to visit Terrazas de Punta Fuego. As a guest in the Main Club, entrance to Terrazas is already free. Just mention your room number, present your ID, and you're good to go.
Unlike in Club Punta Fuego, Terrazas can only offer day tour for guests. Not sure how much, but I seem to recall reading a blog that a day pass will cost you around 500 PHP? Or maybe less than a thousand PHP, plus you'll have to rent a cabana and a locker for your stuff. Lockers will cost you 50 PHP each-- you can share, but it doesn't have room for much. So yeah. Better check-in at the main club and visit Terrazas. That way, you'll be shooting two birds with one stone.
Tip: reserve your beach swimming for Terrazas, instead of Club Punta Fuego. Both are developed, but I have reservations with Club's beach because it's more... uh, rocky.
Beach at Terrazas de Punta Fuego
That covers the first leg of my vacation-- and we are only getting started! :)
This is the life... 😎
Up Next on Vacation 2016 Series: Bohol-Cebu Trip!
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