A secret hideaway in Cavite
CITY dwellers tend to ignore or underestimate travel destinations that are so near Manila. I, for one, have this impression that I have to board a ship or a plane in order to savor nature in all its grandeur and splendor. Views of caves, white-sand beaches, the deep blue sea framed over azure skies and imposing mountains glimmering above the horizon are the elements of my ideal getaway.
It was by a stroke of luck or simply serendipitous discovery that I found myself one weekend in the rugged coastline of Ternate, Cavite for a taste of paradise in Caylabne Bay Resort. Setting foot in its pristine surroundings, I immediately fell in love with its breathtaking natural scenery that boasted of secluded coves, a white sand beach (so rare in these parts!) looking out into the South China Sea and more! We find out later that people keep coming back to Caylabne for the privacy and relaxation it provides. First-timers like me, on the other hand, treat it as a jewel waiting to be unraveled. A day is simply not enough to indulge in the myriad of activities to be enjoyed here.
It helps that Caylabne Bay is a mere 90-minute drive from Manila. The mystery of Caylabne is slowly unveiled as one goes past the concreted highway into the adjoining forest that is one of the last remaining watersheds of Cavite province. The road leading to the resort borders the Mt. Palay-Palay Mataas na Gulod National Park which is preserved and protected by the government due to its ecological importance.
The loveliest view in Caylabne is also one that greets visitors upon arriving. This is Café Buenavista which has a commanding view of the sea, the cove and the most beautiful sunset south of Manila. One can also see here such historic places as Corregidor and Fort Drum, a concrete structure built by the US forces on El Fraile Island to protect Manila from invasion.
At the terrace of the café, we were welcomed by resident manager Ramon Topacio and his gracious staff who promptly greeted us with seashell leis and ice-cold drinks. Little did I know that this was just a glimpse of the incomparable service the officers and staff would accord us in our two-day stay.
Aside from the sights, food is one unforgettable component of any personâs stay in Caylabne. We saw that management really went the extra mile in ensuring that their guests and patrons savored only the best. Their executive chef, Joshua Canilang, had extensive experience with Shangri-La hotels which is part of the Kuok Group.
We had a native lunch at El Patio Restaurant which boasted of a Mediterranean-inspired seafront ambiance. My colleague, JR, couldnât have enough of their chicken binakol which is like tinola, only that itâs simmered in buko juice. On the other hand, I feasted on the tinapang tilapia and the chicken caldereta which was delectably seasoned with generous servings of cheese. We all agreed that the buffet at El Patio was not âoverflowingâ like other hotels but had the right combination of foods to make up a truly unforgettable meal.
Thankfully, we were joined at the table by Caylabneâs affable sales and marketing director Christine Ibarreta and Sara Akim, homeowner relations and sales officer of the neighboring Las Casas De Cala Buena Golf and Leisure Estate. Christine and Sara provided us good company as our group enjoyed our desserts and sipped steaming cups of coffee. We immediately set a date for merienda upon Christineâs recommendation that their pizza was a must-try. This is because the pizzas are baked the old-fashioned way in a wood-fired oven. As we sampled five pizza varieties and calzones that afternoon,we adjudged Caylabneâs pizza as comparable indeed to the authentic restos in Italia.
Dinner was again spent at El Patio. This time, we feasted on healthy servings of their poolside barbecue. There was a whole crowd of foreigners gorging on inihaw na tuna, assorted sushi, pasta and other specialties. What more, they were treated to a delightful presentation of the Philippinesâ native dance, the tinikling. We ended the day by dancing and singing the night away at the Marina Bar, so called because of its strategic location near the breakwater.
The next morning, we had the opportunity to walk around the beach and smell the breeze. We saw tourists having the time of their life jetskiing,kayaking,windsurfing, fishing, cruising around the bay and riding the âbanana boatâ which is similar to the one in Boracay. My friend Anna and I had fun riding the aquabike which we maneuvered through the waters like a bicycle. We capped it with a dip in the swimming pool which was also equipped with a water slide. It was truly glorious!
After all the action, it was time to rest and retreat to the privacy of our rooms. Caylabne has Spanish-Antillan structures made even more attractive with dainty courtyards and flower paths. There are a total of 113 rooms with all the amenities. We heard the suites even have jacuzzis! Guests who want pampering can have a soothing massage from any of the resortâs professionally-trained attendants. I was lucky enough to avail of the services of Mela who was on loan that day from Orient Day Spa. Her expert touch was just what I needed to drive away all the stresses and complete an enchanting vacation!
My verdict: Caylabne is worth coming back to over and over again. Whether oneâs celebrating a special occasion or is simply seeking a respite from the pressures of daily living, this is the place to go to when one wants a little bit of everything without having to travel far.
(For more information, log on to www.caylabne.com.ph)
It was by a stroke of luck or simply serendipitous discovery that I found myself one weekend in the rugged coastline of Ternate, Cavite for a taste of paradise in Caylabne Bay Resort. Setting foot in its pristine surroundings, I immediately fell in love with its breathtaking natural scenery that boasted of secluded coves, a white sand beach (so rare in these parts!) looking out into the South China Sea and more! We find out later that people keep coming back to Caylabne for the privacy and relaxation it provides. First-timers like me, on the other hand, treat it as a jewel waiting to be unraveled. A day is simply not enough to indulge in the myriad of activities to be enjoyed here.
It helps that Caylabne Bay is a mere 90-minute drive from Manila. The mystery of Caylabne is slowly unveiled as one goes past the concreted highway into the adjoining forest that is one of the last remaining watersheds of Cavite province. The road leading to the resort borders the Mt. Palay-Palay Mataas na Gulod National Park which is preserved and protected by the government due to its ecological importance.
The loveliest view in Caylabne is also one that greets visitors upon arriving. This is Café Buenavista which has a commanding view of the sea, the cove and the most beautiful sunset south of Manila. One can also see here such historic places as Corregidor and Fort Drum, a concrete structure built by the US forces on El Fraile Island to protect Manila from invasion.
At the terrace of the café, we were welcomed by resident manager Ramon Topacio and his gracious staff who promptly greeted us with seashell leis and ice-cold drinks. Little did I know that this was just a glimpse of the incomparable service the officers and staff would accord us in our two-day stay.
Aside from the sights, food is one unforgettable component of any personâs stay in Caylabne. We saw that management really went the extra mile in ensuring that their guests and patrons savored only the best. Their executive chef, Joshua Canilang, had extensive experience with Shangri-La hotels which is part of the Kuok Group.
We had a native lunch at El Patio Restaurant which boasted of a Mediterranean-inspired seafront ambiance. My colleague, JR, couldnât have enough of their chicken binakol which is like tinola, only that itâs simmered in buko juice. On the other hand, I feasted on the tinapang tilapia and the chicken caldereta which was delectably seasoned with generous servings of cheese. We all agreed that the buffet at El Patio was not âoverflowingâ like other hotels but had the right combination of foods to make up a truly unforgettable meal.
Thankfully, we were joined at the table by Caylabneâs affable sales and marketing director Christine Ibarreta and Sara Akim, homeowner relations and sales officer of the neighboring Las Casas De Cala Buena Golf and Leisure Estate. Christine and Sara provided us good company as our group enjoyed our desserts and sipped steaming cups of coffee. We immediately set a date for merienda upon Christineâs recommendation that their pizza was a must-try. This is because the pizzas are baked the old-fashioned way in a wood-fired oven. As we sampled five pizza varieties and calzones that afternoon,we adjudged Caylabneâs pizza as comparable indeed to the authentic restos in Italia.
Dinner was again spent at El Patio. This time, we feasted on healthy servings of their poolside barbecue. There was a whole crowd of foreigners gorging on inihaw na tuna, assorted sushi, pasta and other specialties. What more, they were treated to a delightful presentation of the Philippinesâ native dance, the tinikling. We ended the day by dancing and singing the night away at the Marina Bar, so called because of its strategic location near the breakwater.
The next morning, we had the opportunity to walk around the beach and smell the breeze. We saw tourists having the time of their life jetskiing,kayaking,windsurfing, fishing, cruising around the bay and riding the âbanana boatâ which is similar to the one in Boracay. My friend Anna and I had fun riding the aquabike which we maneuvered through the waters like a bicycle. We capped it with a dip in the swimming pool which was also equipped with a water slide. It was truly glorious!
After all the action, it was time to rest and retreat to the privacy of our rooms. Caylabne has Spanish-Antillan structures made even more attractive with dainty courtyards and flower paths. There are a total of 113 rooms with all the amenities. We heard the suites even have jacuzzis! Guests who want pampering can have a soothing massage from any of the resortâs professionally-trained attendants. I was lucky enough to avail of the services of Mela who was on loan that day from Orient Day Spa. Her expert touch was just what I needed to drive away all the stresses and complete an enchanting vacation!
My verdict: Caylabne is worth coming back to over and over again. Whether oneâs celebrating a special occasion or is simply seeking a respite from the pressures of daily living, this is the place to go to when one wants a little bit of everything without having to travel far.
(For more information, log on to www.caylabne.com.ph)
posted by ajay at 7:05 AM
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