Hidden Haven in the Land of Corn and Rice

About two weekends ago, I decided to spend my Saturday and Sunday in Our Garden Spa and Cafe Vida at Minerva Farm in Santiago City. Tucked somewhere just outside the town proper, I spent the entire afternoon just relaxing and feeling pampered. The services the spa offers can even compete with the ones offered in Manila. I called early Saturday morning to set my appointment, as I'd be traveling from Ilagan down to Santiago (which is about 75 km, 1 1/2 hr car trip). Had a bit of car trouble (i.e. flat tire no thanks to scary neighbors) that morning, which is why I had to move my appointment from the morning to mid-afternoon.

From the main highway, I had to turn right at a small road (landmark: sign of Wilmer Resort) and drive a bit. Passed by a small residential road, with houses on my right and rice fields on the left :)

I got the body scrub + body massage package (which cost me only Php 800!). With a bit more time before dinner, I also had my nails done ;) Whattabout 75 bucks for a pedicure! Aah, the benefits of living in the province. As a Manilena, it's so refreshing to not spend so much on these types of luxuries.

After the spa, I had dinner at Cafe Vida which is also at Minerva Farm. It's actually right across Our Garden Spa. Food's good, not spectacular, but good enough considering I'd been living off fruits, crackers, and bread for the past few weeks. I had pasta with meatballs for dinner. The meatballs were quite good.

Unusually rainy that day, so I decided to spend the evening holed up in the room I got (also in the farm). Luckily, they accommodated my request that I spend the night without a prior reservation (at least 3 days before). Told them that I didn't want to drive all the way back to Ilagan in the middle of the night, and I planned on leaving early the next morning for church. Thank you Minerva Farm! :)

For more information, check the Facebook Page of Minerva Farm. Its exact location is at Purok 7 Sinsayon, Santiago City, Isabela. You can call this number to get more details (078) 622-4927.

holy weekend (day 1)

Not holy holy.... Can't think of a blog entry title that could describe how the weekend has been for me. I'm spending my last night in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan Province in my hotel room--enjoying the AC, cable TV, and free wifi! I decided to just spend the entire weekend not in Isabela because I really wanted to just get away and explore. I was supposed to spend just one night here, but opted to extend it for one more night so that I could rest before driving back.

As much as I love road trips and old churches, it would be more fun to have friends or family with me. Alas, I need to get used to going solo on my trips for the next few months. I am hoping that the group trip I've signed up for going to Sta. Ana Cagayan Province will push through.

Anyway, I do hope you enjoy these pictures I've taken during my stay here in Cagayan this weekend :) I'm sharing the Friday pictures first--taken at the San Pablo Church in Isabela, and Calvary Hills/Iguig Church in Iguig, Cagayan Province.

San Pablo Church, San Pablo, Isabela Province - the oldest church in the province! It was built in 1646 during the Spanish colonial period.

Here we go again with my bell tower obsession, hehe...

View from Calvary Hills, Iguig, Cagayan Province

Iguig Church, Iguig, Cagayan Province

The Calvary Hills are known for the life-sized statue depictions of the 14 Stations of the Cross. These are located on 4 hectares of rolling hills (according to the Iguig website hehe). Can I just say the pictures do not do justice to how amazing and beautiful this place is.

View of the Iguig Church from afar. Spectacular!

** So here's what I noticed...whenever I research online about where to go and what to do in different provinces, I rarely see articles with directions. I will try my best to remember how I went to each place I visited, hehe...

San Pablo Church: Take the left side of the juntion on the national highway (Maharlika HIghway) coming from Isabela going to Tuguegarao. The landmark is the carabao statue with the San Pablo sign (duh, hehe). Once you've entered that road, just go straight and you'll see the San Pablo Church on the left side of the road.

Calvary Hills: Take the national highway (Maharlika Highway) going to Tuguegarao City. You should be able to pass by the Provincial Capitol, DOST, NSO, and BFAR (these are the ones I remember). Once you reach Rizal Ave (landmark is the Flying V Gas station on the left), turn right on that road and just go straight. You'll see the arch of Iguig and just follow the road. You'll pass by stalls selling pottery. Still go straight and you'll see a sign on the left side of the road indicating Calvary Hills. Calvary Hills is about 17 kilometers from Tuguegarao City.

hello from the Philippines' rice bowl!

Not sure if that's the exact title, but yeah hello from Isabela--the Philippines' largest rice-producing province! :) I'll be based here for a year for work. We have a really big project, and (still) work's going to take up most of my time but what the heck I'll be able to go on more adventures! ;) I haven't been able to go out and explore much, though. Been here for 3 1/2 weeks already but it's been raining a lot. My car's not here yet so I've been taking the public transport. Yay because everything's cheaper in Isabela--from transport cost to food to rent. Thing is, the day ends sooooooooooo early here! I mean, you don't see a lot of people out on the street as early as 7 p.m. I have discovered three coffee shops I can hang out in, heehee. The nearest one is about a 2-min. tricycle ride from the house I'm renting which is in the old centro of Ilagan. The farthest one is about 8.2 km away, haha! I'd love to share more about my stay here, but I can't because there isn't much to say hehehe. Well, I was able to visit a few old churches. Hired a trike to take me around like a local turista.

the world's largest butaka (a local type of chair. apparently you'll find one in every household here, haha!)

St. Rose de Lima Church, built in 1726, is found in Gamu, Isabela

there are A LOT of cows here..

I'll try to post more pictures as soon as I'm able to go out and really explore the province. I am going back to Manila next week because of course I'll be spending the holidays with my family and friends. I'll be back in Isabela by January and will basically be based here for almost a year 0_0 Crossing my fingers about my trip to Singapore this January to visit my girlfriends Esther and Tin :)