It's more fun in Bataan!

It was my niece's birthday the other day so I decided to treat her to an out of town trip together with her daughter, her niece and my sister-in-law.  We went to Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bagac, Bataan.  I've been to Las Casas last year with my friends but we didn't have enough time to really had a thorough tour of the place because we arrived late afternoon.

Anyway, we left our place early in the morning (3AM) and it was a smooth trip since there was no traffic and we didn't get lost along the way. We arrived in Bataan as early as 6am and we decided to drop by at Mt. Samat Shrine in Pilar, Bataan.  It was too early for the opening of the Shrine which is at 8am so we just ate our packed breakfast (rice and adobo) outside the gate.  

I've been to this place in 1997 and it's good to be back after 18 years!  I was not able to go up to the top of the cross during my first visit because the elevator was out of order during that time. At 8am, we were allowed to enter the gate after paying the entrance fee of P30 per head.  The way up to the cross is quite challenging both for the not-so-expert driver like me and for the car.  You have to navigate a narrow, winding and very steep road.  I was a bit nervous but I was able to  make it.  The view at the top was amazingly breathtaking!

After almost an hour, we left Mt Samat and drove onto Bagac.  We arrived at Las Casas a bit late for the 0930 schedule for the tour so we decided to join the 1030 tour instead.  While waiting for our time for the tour, we went to the pool area to take some pictures.  I was not able to see the pool during my first visit.  I must admit, it was a sight to behold!  The pool was designed like a "Batis" or stream and it really looked like it.  With the soaring heat, it was so refreshing to just sit on the side of the pool under the shade of trees.  At 1030, our tour started and unlike my first visit, I was able to see the inside of the old houses this time.  

After the tour, we ate our lunch and off we go to our next destination - Morong.  We had no particular place booked in  advance because we wanted to see the place first before deciding to stay.  We dropped by at Waterfront Beach Resort in Nagbalayong Morong to inquire.  The place was okay and so the accommodation but we decided to look for another place and told the staff at Waterfront that we'll just come back if we cannot find any good place to stay.  Along the way, we saw several resorts' posters so we decided to check and after passing several resorts, we found Pamarta Bali. The resort charged a bit higher compared to other resorts we passed by but it's worth it.  I love its infinity pool! It was turquoise blue. We were given a room with a pool view on the side and sea view on the other side.  We were so lucky we were the only guests during that time so we had the place all for ourselves!  After unloading our things, I immediately went to the pool and enjoyed swimming.  After a few minutes of swimming in the pool, I tried the sea.  The sand is not white but light grey.  The water was calm but it was a bit rough the next morning because of the storm "Ineng".  Our trip to Bataan was short but we enjoyed every minute of it!