Urban Stay-cations: A Manila Ocean Park Weekend

I promised myself I’d save the week-long beach trips with my loved one for the actual “honeymoon” to make it more ‘special’. That’s not to say I wouldn’t say no to a long weekend spent at a nice accommodation away from our hometown for a little vacation.

So how do you combine the “getting away from it all” vibe of out-of-town vacations, without actually going out of town? It takes a bit of creativity to get around this one, plus a general knowledge of the local hot-spots, useful promos and what-not. With a bit of research and a couple months worth of savings, my boyfriend and I were able to plan for our first Urban Stay-cation - our version of a out-of-town trip without having to go beyond the borders of Metro Manila.

The objective? Have a fun weekend away from our usual comfort zones, without the hassle of going to remote areas, maybe take part in some fun, new activities and get that vacation vibe going.

The limits: Metro Manila only, and never beyond

The time-limit? Three days - enough to get that much-needed R&R without getting a massive vacation hang-over.

Our first stay-cation was planned for our 4th Anniversary celebration. We chose Hotel H2O, right at the heart of the famous Manila Ocean Park in Manila. We have always wanted to check out the ocean-themed attractions at Manila Ocean Park, and figured a weekend stay at an on-site accommodation was the best way to go since it will allow us to try out the activities at our own leisurely pace.

Left: entrance to the Manila Ocean Park; Right: it's iconic logo, where dozens of families and visitors have their photo taken. Is that a whale shark in the logo? Because there definitely wasn't one inside...

The CWC Challenge

Most resorts offer the same basic features and services - a pool, a beach, some pretty cabanas and restaurants, and the promise of days in the sun, sand and sea. A few have some specialties, like dive sites and surf spots and,  most recently, a shot at wakeboarding.

My friends and I decided to try out Camsur Watersports Complex, a large resort devoted mostly to wakeboarding, in Naga City, Camarines Sur. 

Get ready to ramp it up (or faceplant, whichever..)

The (Intro) Dive Experience - Part I

Being a self-confessed beach-bunny/water-baby, I always jump at the chance to be at sea. From swimming, snorkeling, surfing - you name it, I've done it. One thing I have never tried, though, was scuba diving. 

I've been curious of scuba diving ever since my cousin kept putting "scuba diver" in the "What is your ambition" portion of my slum book. I've tried a bit of snorkeling as a child and found it immensely fascinating and enjoyable - there were dozens of colorful fishes and forests of seaweed to explore under the water! Granted, I never went deeper than 3 feet, but it was something I appreciated all the same.

My chance at diving came when a dear friend, who was a seasoned diver herself, offered us a chance to try an Intro Dive, a sort-of basic lesson and 'first taste' of what it's like to go scuba diving, via Scuba One. 

A quiet repose at Lawiswis Kawayan Garden Resort

I was never much of a 'garden resort' person, me being a beach bunny and all. Too much land, I'd think. Why settle for a cottage in a secluded garden, if you can get a cottage by the wide open beach?

An overnight stay with some colleagues for our annual teambuilding seminar changed my mind somewhat, thanks to a charming garden resort in Bulacan. 

Lawiswis Kawayan Garden Resort (named after the rustling sound bamboos make in the wind - funnily enough I don't remember seeing any bamboos around) was tucked inside one of Bulacan's suburban areas, about an hour or two away from Makati City.