Michi Photostory

Nowadays, you cannot just book and go because there are so many things to consider and it is kinda stressful so even I wanted to travel, nawawalan na ko ng gana especially when we experienced a canceled booking. Sayang ang non-refundable reservation. Moving on, just this month, my husband wanted to travel on his birthday, I suggested a farm in Laguna but there was no overnight trip. Fortunately, he found Gina’s Garden and Farm.

There was no available room on his birthday so extended birthday celebration na lang. He booked the Orchid Room PHP6,000 and paid the 50% downpayment. You can book via AirBnb or Facebook page. The owner sent us a list of information about what to expect, what to bring, and Guest Certification that we need to present at the checkpoint (2 checkpoints). 

Fast forward to our trip, we left the house around 7AM, fetched our in-laws, and off we went to Gina’s Garden and Farm which is located in Real, Quezon. Travel time is 3 to 4 hours and we traveled via Marcos Highway and it was our first road trip there so we’re kinda surprised. I’ve been to Baguio and Sagada pero feeling ko mas maganda ang scenery dito. My brother-in-law said, parang broccoli ang mga puno. Hehehe! 

After we passed the two checkpoints, we started looking for a restaurant because there is no restaurant at the AirBnb. We had early lunch at Riders’ Rest Stop and after eating we immediately went to Gina’s Garden. Check-in time is 2PM but we’re lucky because our room is already available so we were able to check-in at 12NN. 

Here is the Orchid Room, we love our room because we have 180 degrees mountain view, a private bathroom, kitchen, inflatable pool, one double bed, and one bunk bed which is more than enough for 5 persons. 

For the kitchen, there are gas stove, cookware, and utensils that you can use but we brought our own. Since there is no fridge, we did not bring a lot of food and I made sure that our food are easy to cook and prepare. If you don’t want to cook, you can buy food at the restaurants which are just several minutes away or you can also order food for delivery at Hungry Tummy. There is a menu and contact number at the farm. 

After several minutes, the owner tour us around the garden and informed us on what to do and where to go. We are aware that there are assigned areas for each guest but we have no idea na you have to reserve din pala so we settled na lang kung ano available but you are free to visit those areas if it is available, alis ka na lang kapag dumating na yung nakareserve. #socialdistancing

There are children's books, board games, archery, and dart equipment that you can use for free. I’ve seen some games inside our room too like Jenga at cards. You can have a bonfire or watch a movie too.

Pinlac Falls is one of the falls that you can visit which is located in Infanta, Quezon. It is more or less 15 minutes away from the AirBnB and going there is not difficult. PHP30 is the entrance fee. What nice about these falls, there is no long walking or trekking from the parking lot. 

We plan to take a dip at the inflatable pool after our waterfalls trip but we’re shocked when we opened the cover na wala pala tubig yung pool. Toinks. We saw the staff drained the water and we thought, lalagyan na rin nila ulit pero hindi pala. So make sure to check the pool kung may water kasi ang tagal din magpuno e. 

Anyway, we just prepared for the next meal, for dinner we’re going to grill. Our mini version of samgyeopsal. The staff prepared our grilling place and we brought our food, cookware, and utensils to the garden. For dinner, we had Meltique beef, mushroom, and salad. 

We planned to have bonfire pero we felt tired na so we canceled it na lang so we can rest early.

For breakfast, we had Vigan Longganisa, fried rice, scrambled egg, bread, and coffee. Actually, we have leftover food pa that we can eat for our lunch but we decided to eat lunch outside na lang so we can pack our things na after breakfast. 

At 8:30AM, we started our morning trekking and duck feeding. I thought it is just an easy trek kasi nagpunta nga kami ng falls and  madaling lakaran lang. But I was wrong, yung 15 minutes trekking feels like forever. Useful talaga yung tungkod namin. I was exhausted after the trekking and my legs are in pain for two days. Grabe talaga, ito yung nagagawa ng stuck sa bahay, hindi na ko sanay maglakad at lalo na magtrek. Ako lang naman ang ganito, wala naman problem yung iba ko kasama. Hehehe!

And of course, after our trekking we finally used the inflatable pool, nakakarefresh ang malamig na tubig. Laking tulong sa sakit ng katawan ko. 

We only booked for an overnight trip, mas okay sana kung 3 days and 2 nights but we’re thankful for this trip because, after more than a year of no travel trips, we finally had a chance. It was indeed a breath of fresh air. I consider this a memorable trip because even there is no electricity, no wifi and no mobile signal we had a great time. I love this nature tripping. Sometimes you have to disconnect in order to connect with what truly matters.

1. The accommodation is powered by a generator from 6PM to 5:30AM. So don’t forget your power bank. 

2. The weather is much colder than Tagaytay which is true kasi wala kami electricity during the day pero hindi kami nainitan. 

3. Water is natural spring water from the mountain. 

4. Cellular or wifi signals are weak. 

5. Bring your own towels and toiletries. 

6. Bring your own drinking water, cooked or uncooked food, and dishwashing soap and sponge. 

7. The place is near the mountain so expect some insects, don’t forget to bring some insect repellent lotion. 

Check-out time is 12NN but we left early so we can eat lunch at KM 90 Eco Park and Restaurant.

Km102 New little Baguio,

Sitio Kamagong, Real, Quezon

Read: Taytay Falls in Santa Maria, Laguna  

Moving on, just this month, we had a chance to visit another falls in the Philippines and so far this is the 7th waterfalls that I have visited in the country. We had a quick getaway at Gina’s Garden and Farm in Real Quezon and the owner suggested visiting Pinlac Falls. Actually, there are other falls that you can visit, you can see those falls on your way to Pinlac Falls but we chose Pinlac since this is a tourist spot in Infanta Quezon.

Read: Amazing Waterfalls in the Philippines 

The Falls is more or less 15 minutes drive from Gina’s Garden and Farm and you won’t miss the place because there is a sign of Pinlac Falls where you will turn right. There is a parking lot and I was glad that no longer walking or trekking just to reach the waterfalls. We paid PHP30 for the entrance fee. 

You can bring your own food because there are tables and chairs where you can stay. There is also a sari-sari store where you can buy foods or drinks. Unfortunately, there is no vacant space where I could stay so I just sat near the falls while waiting for my husband, son, and brother-in-law. The owner said na may limit lang daw ng number of guests per day so we’re lucky na nakapasok pa kami. 

The last waterfall that I’ve visited is Gullfoss in Iceland so when I saw Pinlac falls, naliitan ako. But to be honest I still felt happy to see the waterfalls, ito yung isa sa epekto ng pandemic. You will learn to appreciate even the small things. I was so glad because, after more than a year of being stuck at home, we had the privilege to have this nature trip. 

Though we did not stay long, I think 30 minutes lang kami nagstay. Nanginginig na kasi sa lamig mga kasama ko, lumubog din ako for few minutes para naman hindi sayang entrance fee ko. Hehehe! I am not sure if there is a comfort room because I did not bother to check. Since malapit lang naman yung accommodation namin, doon na kami naligo pagbalik. 

4. Mt Pico de Loro Waterfalls - this is also one of the activities of our organization. We’re supposed to climb Mt. Pico de Loro but we were not able to push through because when we’re having lunch at the waterfalls, rain began to pour, biglang taas ang tubig at nagmadali kami makaalis. It better to be safe than sorry. But my ex-boyfriend now husband was able to reach the summit during their trip. It is located in Maragondon, Cavite. 

5. Katibawasan Falls -  it is the first falls that I’ve visited in Mindanao. It is situated in Mambajao, Camiguin. It is 250 feet high and the tallest waterfalls that I’ve visited so far. Sa sobrang taas niya, putol ang kuha ko lagi. We did not swim here because we’re on our way to Cagayan de Oro.


6. Taytay Falls -  it is located in Majayjay, Laguna which is also known as Majayjay Falls or Imelda Falls. We did not stay long during our trip because the place was crowded and my son couldn't take the cold water.

7. Pinlac Falls - when we stayed at Gina’s Garden and Farm, one of the nearest tourist spots is Pinlac Falls which located in Infanta, Quezon. It was more or less 15 minutes drive from the garden so we paid a visit. The entrance fee is PHP30, there are tables and chairs where you can stay at. There are falls for kids and adults.

Klook.com

I was surprised that there are so many people who visit the place such as foreigners, students, couples, and family. The staffs are all nice and friendly. There are welcome drinks for all the guests so you will not get bored while waiting for your turn at the reception area. We only avail day tour package which is P1250 per pax. After paying you will receive a stub that you will use inside including your buffet lunch at the Labasin Waterfalls Restaurant. Just proceed to the entrance to start your tour. Klook.com