Our First Time in Solenad (Nuvali)

We had lots of time to kill after leaving Casa San Pablo last Holy Tuesday. So after that super satisfying lunch at Sulyap Gallery Cafe, we decided to head on to Sta. Rosa, a place we've never explored as a family. 

I read about Solenad in Nuvali before we left Manila and wanted to see what this place was all about. 

Did I also have all those outlet stores in mind when I included Sta. Rosa in our itinerary? You be the judge hee hee!

What to do in Solenad 1 (Nuvali)? 

Feed the (2 million) Koi fish. I'm kidding about the 2 million count. I don't know how many there are but there seemed to be toooooo many. Can you pot the one with its mouth wide open on the right side of the photo. I thought it was weird of me, but it gave me goosebumps staring at all of them while they were being fed. It's like they wanted to speak directly to me ... "Me! Me! I want food!".

Anissa, who normally doesn't like doing the things her little sister does (for obvious reasons), was intrigued. Sabine spent all of P200 on fish food. One bag costs only P15! 

Just look at them ... open mouths and all. Eeeeewwwww! Hahaha!!!

What else can you do? 

Go on a boat ride for P30/head if you're a party of 6 or more. If less than 6 (like we were), you can pay P180 to have to boat exclusively to yourselves. We look so prepared in this photo ... for a less than 10 minute boat ride around the area hahaha. Good Lord, even Sabine was disappointed that the ride was so short! Oh well, at least we tried it. Funny lang kasi it was all over even before we could start to enjoy it. Next time we know better. I'd rather spend the P180 on ... 

Not that this order of Black Gulaman and Sago costs P180. I'm sure you know what I mean. I absolutely enjoyed this at Conti's, where we oldies hung out while Sabine and Anissa were outside, because it was just TOO HOT that day. I needed air-conditioning because I was going nuts in the heat. 

This was the day's lifesaver, promise! Argh, this post is making me crave for it. 

And yes, after we left Nuvali, we made a quick stop at Paseo Sta Rosa to check out the outlet stores. We spent the most time at the Nike store because Anissa was looking for stuff she could use in summer dance training. We went home with a couple of really good finds! She was happy and so was Mommy's wallet hee hee hee.

Would we go back? We didn't have time to explore Solenad 2, which is where all the shops are. Solenad 1 houses all the dining places plus the boat ride and fish feeding activities. So yes, I think this place is worth another drive soon. But maybe on a weekday? 

Family Time : Casa San Pablo

Way before summer began, we knew we were going to stay put in Manila for the first time in ages. Just one of the many changes we have to deal with now that Daddy has gone ahead. It's all good now. I was dreading the start of Holy Week because I knew it would bring back so much painful memories of Daddy still being around and planning our annual family trip to our 2nd home in the North. But I prayed hard to be able to face, embrace and overcome the emptiness. 

I still wanted us to do something as a family though, so I searched and searched for places to go without having to get on a plane or drive too far. After seeing so many options, I ended up choosing CASA SAN PABLO in San Pablo City, Laguna. Everything I saw and read about it told me that this was the place I should decide for us to go to. 

We wanted to be away just for a night, and at the beginning of the Holy Week, so that we don't go head to head with the many others who are planning to take out of town trips. We all know what this is like, having gone out of town every year on Holy Week for more than a decade now. This time, we all just wanted a change of pace and to do something different from what we've gotten so used to. 

After exchanging email messages and texts with someone from there named Angelica (whom I didn't get to meet), we found ourselves in Casa San Pablo on the morning of March 25, Holy Monday, at around 10am. The drive was uneventful, as expected, and we were happy to know that we practically had the entire place to ourselves. Only one other room was taken, by a really quiet and young couple. 

Angelica, based on my headcount, assigned Rooms 1 and 2 for us. 

Room 1 went to N and myself, because there's only one bed in it --- a queen sized one with a stiff mattress. Win! We both don't like soft fluffy mattresses because they're not good for our ageing backs hihihi! Note that Room 1 had a small veranda up front. 

Here's what our toilet and bath looked like in Room 1

Nothing like a 5-star hotel's toilet and bath but it had its own distinct character which I loved. Best of all, it was clean and complete.

Room 2 was so much bigger than ours. There was the main bed which was also queen-sized, 2 single beds nearby (this photo), plus 3 more. 

The 3rd bed in Room 2 was this, tucked away in its own enclosable area. We actually turned this into the luggage/baggage depot haha. 

The 5th and 6th beds were on the 2nd floor of Room 2, where the loft was. Just follow Sabine!

So yes, Room 2 had a total of 6 beds. Too big for us, actually, but we were happy with all that space.

Each room had its own conversation pieces. Room 1 had this ... 

It's an oil painting by artist, E.J. Cabangon, entitled Hanging by the Moment. The stuffed rabbit belongs to his 5-year old daughter. She and the rabbit are inseparable. The story behind this painting is just so touching. I'll share it in a separate entry. :) 

This wall is what gave Room 2 character ... 

It's a collection of Hot Wheels toy cars. I failed to get the history behind this though. But even my girly girls found the idea cool. 

You're probably asking by this time, what the rates are like. You'd be totally surprised if I tell you that we didn't spend too much and that the rates already included all meals (except snacks). You can shoot me an email message at nonstopbabble@yahoo.com if you want me to let you in on the friendly numbers for these rooms (and the 16 others they have). 

Meantime, speaking of meals! This was probably one of the biggest highlights of our super short stay in Casa San Pablo. The meals were such a treat for all of us! Please stay tuned because my next entry will be about all the glorious food we were served!

Casa San Pablo is located in San Pablo City, Laguna

Visit their website at www.casasanpablo.com to know more

P.S. This is also worth mentioning. When our booking was confirmed, Angelica sent me an email message containing not just our confirmation letter (which we had to present upon entering the premises), but also several attachments which included a map from Manila, places to see around the area and how to get to each of them. Really so efficient!