A long trip to Aquaria Beach Resort at Playa Calatagan Batangas (Part1)

Last Sunday, my family went to the Aquaria Beach Resort at Playa Calatagan Batangas.

 photo via: Aquaria FB page

It was supposed to be a fun family bonding day, kaso madaming mga nangyari na tumaas ang stress level ko (mga 8 out of 10 hehehe). 

RESERVATION AND CONFIRMATION: 

I have received a complimentary pass from Landco Pacific (the developer of Aquaria) last year when I was invited to attend their Playa Laiya event.  The complimentary pass consists of all day pass for 4, a free use of Cabana and a Locker room.

I was trying to get a hold of the contact person on the Complimentary pass, but unfortunately she is not replying to all my texts, so akala ko baka nagbago ng cellphone number.  I then contacted the number indicated at their FB page.

It was a number for their Sales Department so they told me to contact the reception area instead.  The person at the reception area then told me to send them a copy of my complimentary pass via email, but unfortunately the email address that they gave me always bounced back to me.  I told them about it and they didn’t replied na.

Last Saturday, I called the reception but no one was picking up the phone.  Then I called the Sales Department and told them if they will admit us if we go there directly.  He then contacted the people in-charge at Aquaria and I received the confirmation around 8PM last Saturday.

Lesson Learned: Don’t Text or Email, if it’s urgent, CALL!!!!

PREPARATION:

My son and I came home from a Therapy session from Manila last Saturday and we arrived home around 9PM kasi sobrang traffic sa Coastal Road. When I arrived at the house, I immediately texted my mom if she still wants to come with us at Batangas.  She said she is available and she will just cook some rice so that we will just have to buy some ulam at Aquaria (isn’t she a practical mom?).  Then I went online to check for a map and direction tips on how to go to Calatagan, Batangas.  We will be commuting kasi.

Most of the directions online are pointing to Sta.Rosa exit or Southwoods exit via Tagaytay Road. I have read that there is a bus at Alabang going to Calatagan and there is a van at Pasay.  Since we will pick up Nanay at Alabang, we decided to choose the Alabang route.

At 4am, I packed up all our things and we went out of the house at 5:30am.  We arrived at Alabang at exactly 6am.

Lesson Learned:  If you are not sure about the direction online ask the people you know that are staying at your destination. They will tell you exactly what and where to ride.

TRAVEL:   

When we were at Starmall Alabang, I saw a bus with a Lipa Batangas signage that is already ready to go.  Since gusto ko makarating agad, I rode the bus immediately and asked the conductor if they will pass Calatagan, sabi nya “sa may sakayan po sa Terminal ang sakayan pa Calatagan”.

Ang hindi ko alam yung Terminal pala na yun, e sobrang layo. 

When we were at SM Lipa, my mom kept on asking the conductor if the terminal is near na.  A co-passenger asked where we were heading, so sabi ko sa Calatagan po.  Then na-praning na ko kasi he asked why did we rode that particular bus? sabi nya “lalo kayong napalayo, dapat nag Carmona exit kayo pa Tagaytay” (sabi na nga ba!). 

Me: sabi po ng Konductor sa Terminal may sakayan.  

Pasahero: (Batangueno) Alay kalayo ng terminal, dadaan pa kayo sa ilang bayan.  Bumaba na kayo di yan sa crossing at sumakay kayo pa Lemery.  Pagdating sa Lemery may sakayan don pa-Calatagan.

Me: ganun ho ba? Manong konductor pakibaba na lang kami ng Crossing

At the crossing, I was glad that there is already a jeep waiting for us going to Lemery.  Travel time from crossing to Lemery is 1 hour

When we arrived at Lemery, we were told to ride a jeep going to Balayan.  Bad trip akala ko may direcho ng pa-Calatagan wala pala. Buti na lang laban ni Pacquaio at Bradley walang traffic.  Travel time from Lemery to Balayan is 1.5 hours.

Ito na… when we arrived at Balayan, there was a jeep waiting at the terminal but unfortunately they need to fill up all the vacant seats before the driver decides to leave.

I was talking to some passengers:

Me: Malayo pa po ba Calatagan dito? 

Passengers: ay oo malayo pa mga 1hour pa (e 11am na nun).  E san ba kayo galing? 

Me: sa Alabang po….

(then inulit na nila na mali ang dinaanan namin at napalayo kami lalo)

Nanay: ano? naku anong oras na tayo makakarating don.  Umuwi na lang kaya tayo.

(lalo uminit ulo ko)

Passengers: Tapos  sa Calatagan may last trip don mga alas kwatro ata o alas singko… di kayo pwede magtagal sa pupuntahan nyo kasi wala na kayo sasakyan pauwi. Buti kung may matutuluyan kayo.

Naku takot na takot na ko nung sinabi nila ‘to. Parang pagod na nga kami sa byahe tapos di pa kami didiretso.  T

Me: Sige pakitawag po yung driver at babayaran ko na lang bakanteng upuan, para makaalis na tayo (buti na lang 6 na lang kulang)

Travel time from Balayan to Calatagan is 1 hour

Finally, we were at Calatagan.  It looks like a small town with a small population.  There is a van terminal from Pasay and bus from Coastal Mall.  If only I chose to went to Pasay and rode there going to Calatagan then maybe we have arrived earlier at Aquaria with less stress.

From Calatagan we rode a tricycle going to Aquaria.  Travel time is around 15 minutes

It took us 6 hours from Alabang to Aquaria. I spent around 1,ooo php for our fare (including the vacant seats that I have paid).

I am glad that my husband and son didn’t whine just like my mom did.  My husband told me that it is quite an adventure and the important thing is that we are all together.  My son on the other hand enjoyed the view and the wind.  He just complained when everybody is talking tagalog and he can’t understand it.  Sabi nya “Please do not speak Tag-Alog”.

If not with the complains of my nanay saying like “kasi sana ganto”, “next time kasi”, “hay naku” I think the travel time will not affect me much also.

Lesson Learned: Do not bring old people if you are commuting (don’t get me wrong here).  I want her to enjoy the beach or the place but if you are commuting, it is hard for them to go up and down from one vehicle to another which I understand.  At mainipin sila sobra.  If they are ready for an adventure then it’s okay but if not wag na lang isama.

Photos from the passage of Aquaria:

—- next post Short Summer Getaway at Aquaria Beach Resort