It's more fun at Fun Farm!

Because of the 2015 APEC summit here in Manila, there is a long school holiday from November 17-20. Days before, I was already thinking of places to go and activities to do for the family.

My son had been to Fun farm before as part of their school field trip.  So I decided to send a text message to Fun Farm if they can accommodate our group of 8, since I will bring the kids' cousins with us.  They replied that my preferred dates, Nov 18 or 19 were already fully-booked!  I guess other parents were prudently planning way ahead of me.  So it was November 17 for us.

Since November 17 was the arrival of most APEC leaders, we were caught in heavy traffic at C5 upto Market Market going to SLEX.  We left The Shoe Capital of the Phils at 6:00am and arrived at Fun Farm Sta Elena, Laguna by 9am.  Not bad.

Let the FUN begin!

 Entrance fee is at P300 per head .  I don't have children below 2 years old anymore.  Boohoo.

We were greeted by the friendly manager Ms. Wilma.  I learned that the place is owned by Rustans Group.  I am glad that they are limiting the numbers of visitors maybe to preserve the tranquility of the farm and for the welfare of animals, which is why you need to make reservations first.

 Kids head off to the first thing they saw: the teepee play area where they played and explored.   It was situated near the entrance on a big well-trimmed lawn.  Here they run freely like kids should.

 Sprawled in the same big lawn, you will find a vintage truck, tractor, golf cart, playground, the sand house and other obstacle / team-building activities.

 Don't you just love to have something like this in your backyard?

 Next we went to the mini fishing pond, where the kids actually get to try fishing using a bamboo stick with worms as bait.  The friendly staff helped hook the worms.  

 Only my niece and our helper caught fish (tiny fish) which were safely returned back to the pond.

After fishing, we went to the horse back riding and carabao cart riding area.  My excited AS went first.

Then "Chocnut" the carabao came by.  My SC who is so fascinated with animals was a little hesitant seeing all these up-close and in real life.  He was still a baby when we first brought him to Avilon zoo.  He nervously agreed to ride Chocnut.  

Our carabao cart ride

Everyone took turns riding horses.  The white one is called Daniella while the dark brown is Glamour.  I learned that Glamour used to be a polo club horse but was injured.  Maybe that explains her aggressiveness.  

Little SC was again hesitant to ride a horse.  He initially didn't want to.  But along came this little pony (I forgot his name) who charmed his way to convincing SC to ride him.

This was SC's stiff smile in the beginning.  After riding around, he felt more relaxed and happily posed for this picture.

Next we head on to the zipline area.  See video below:

After several repeats on the zipline, the kids finally decided to move on to the animal feeding area.

Here they were greeted by hungry but adorable guinea pigs and rabbits.  There were also generous amount of carrot sticks available for the kids to feed the animals.

 The cute guinea pigs fighting over one piece of carrot stick.

 There are wash areas where the kids can wash hands after feeding and petting the animals.

.  More animals.

Finally it was lunch time.  We head back to the Pavillion where we left our snacks and lunch we brought on the way to Fun farm.  You must bring your own food but there are water and other drinks for sale.  It was so convenient that we can leave our bags (clothes and food) inside the Pavillion while exploring the farm.  

Cool signage idea in the restrooms: hens and roosters!

Washroom has cold water, soap and alcohol.

 Inside the pavilion where you can eat lunch picnic-style.  It was surprisingly cool and airy even at mid-day.

Fun Farm is aptly called because, well, it really is FUN!  I am glad we were able to bond and make memories with the kids, enjoy the beauty of God's creation, experience farm activities and really PLAY without electronics.

Praise the Lord for this experience.

To Fun Farm:  Take SLEX , exit at Cabuyao.  Then turn right after toll gate.
About 500 meters you will see Sta. Elena Village gate.  Enter and ask guard for directions going to Fun Farm.

For reservations, call or text : 09209131349

Cebu Trip - Bojo River in Aloguinsan

Hitting two birds with one stone, our recent trip to Cebu was not only to attend my cousin-in-law's wedding but an opportunity for our family to have a vacation as well.  One of the highlights of our trip was the Bojo River Aloguinsan tour.

A shuttle came to pick us up at 6:30 am.  We were still able to have our hotel buffet breakfast at 6am.  It took us about two hours to reach the town of Aloguinsan from our hotel in Cebu City where Bojo river is located.   

Everyone was excited for the river cruise.  We had to hike through the trail surrounded by lush greenery to reach the reception/ dock.  It was a hot summer day and even with a toddler in tow, I didn't really mind, because walking through the path itself (which is actually almost the riverbank) is already a sight to behold.  There are many different kinds of plants all around, and you can also see the calm river lined with mangroves.  Nature lovers will surely enjoy this place.  At the end of the trail was the reception area / dock where we were welcomed by locals singing and dancing to Visayan songs.

 Refreshing coconuts as welcome drinks for the tired trekkers.

The river is lined with different kinds of mangroves where the fish would lay eggs.  Mangroves also provide the oxygen for the marine creatures.  Our tour guide, Jumilyn Manigos, a fisherman's daughter and president of the Bojo Aloguinsan Ecotourism Association (BAETAS), said that we were the only group booked for the tour that day.  They are really doing a good job in preserving the natural eco-system of the river by not allowing tourists to flock the area all at the same time.    

She gave us more information about the place, then a diver gave us instructions on snorkelling. At the end of the river is an inlet where the river meets the sea.  That is where snorkelling would begin.

                                                               We rode a hand paddled boat or a "baroto" so as not to disturb the waters and surroundings with noise.  (A big thumbs-up for me!)

       

 Another local guide, Bella, rode with us together with two bankeros.  She was remarkably knowledgeable about the whole thing; the river, it's history, plants, mangroves, marine creatures, etc, she's amazing!         

                                                                                                                  

The bubbles in the water are oxygen released by the mangroves

                                           

Water here is brackish water- a mixture of fresh water and seawater

                                                                                                                                                              

Finally we reach the breath-taking view of the Tañon Strait.  You cannot help but revel in God's majesty.  How wonderful His creation!  

“You are the Lord, you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and you preserve all of them; and the host of heaven worships you."        Nehemiah 9:11

 My water baby AS can't wait to jump!  It was his first time to snorkel.

But my SC seemed to think otherwise. =)

 So we (SC and I) just stayed in the boat while the rest went out farther to the sea to snorkel.  They were with a group of divers assisting them who came as part of the tour package so no need to worry.  I suggest to those who will try snorkelling to bring a waterproof camera.

 When we returned back to the reception area, everyone was famished.  A buffet lunch was waiting for us.  Because I had to give my kids a bath, I came in late for pictures.

Steamed rice, humba, grilled bangus, tinolang manok, ginataang puso ng saging, lakatan and pink lemonade

 After our hearty meal, we had to leave this beautiful place and go to our next destination - the Farm House.  This time SC was fast asleep in my arms so the only thing I enjoyed was the food.

camote

Pan Bisaya

Salbaro

I really enjoyed eating with one hand (lol) the pan bisaya and salbaro (coconut bread) dipped in hot chocolate while relaxing in the "farmhouse".

AS feeding the pigs

He caught a fish! 

It was truly a memorable and enjoyable experience for everyone.  The next time you're in Cebu, try  Aloguinsan's Bojo River Eco-cultural tour  and visit the Farmhouse too. =)