Family Getaway: Aurora Adventure {part 1}, Cymplified!

This was my last hurrah for the summer of 2014. I went to Baler in Aurora with my hubby and the kids, together with hubby’s side of the family tree. A bus was rented and we were on our way on a 5-hour trip to the eastern part of Central Luzon.

Before arriving at the place where we’ll be staying, we stopped by a park where one of the biggest Balete trees of the country was located. It’s called Balete Park. The kids got to see a 600-year-old tree! There were people climbing the tree when we arrived. There were some who bravely ventured into the space under the tree where the roots formed a cave with gnarly walls and a knotty ceiling, I imagined. My children and I just stayed outside, walked around the tree and took photos.

There were vendors off the path of the sidewalk surrounding the tree. That’s well and good since the children were a bit hungry.

balete tree

so high!

the kids with the tree

Costa Pacifica

Upon arriving at Costa Pacifica, we had lunch while they prepared our rooms. There were around 40 of us, so I guess the one who’s taking all our orders was a bit baffled and the food came out late, the glasses of fruit shake have already been consumed.

it’s summer!

nautical theme

the hungry surfer

Costa Pacifica seems like an open resort, where the buildings that house the rooms melded into local restaurants and there were tricycles passing through. One had to ride the shuttle past a few residences to get to Costa Pacifica’s clubhouse. That’s where a surprise dinner was held. The food served buffet-style was situated in the middle as most of the walls were made of glass and sliding doors.

The room that was assigned to us was located on the second floor of the building across the main lobby. It had a queen size bed and a balcony where we hanged our wet clothes. The floor’s not as sparkly clean as I had hoped, but as a resort with a beachfront, I suppose that’s normal. There’s a shower, no bathtub; counter with a sink; there’s a watercloset with bidet.

We were given welcome bottled water and suman. The suman was delicious so we ordered some to take home.

The morning sun shone on the only available table at the dining area one breakfast time. One of the staff at the Beach House was considerate enough to set up a table for five right outside the open doors so that my children could be sheltered from the glare while having eggs, pancakes and milk, etc.

lounging by the pool

the suites

lazing on hammocks

outdoor pool

beach scene

by the sign

kayaks

poolside

to the beach

There were surfing lessons being offered by Costa Pacifica. One could also ride a jet ski, kayak or ATV or all! Oh, but not me! With three little ones, all we did were take long dips in the kiddie pool and play with sand on the beach. It was late in the afternoon when we decided to drop by the beach; the waves were already quite strong. A quick dip in the Pacific Ocean was all.

For the second day, we were to take a tour on vans. That’s where the more exciting adventure was.

Other summer adventures we had were when we went to

Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar and

Pico de Loro