The Philippines: CEBU's Rainforest Park

Rainforest Park Cebu "is the first of its kind in Cebu of a well-thought unique concept that encloses an inspired mix of entertainment, adventure, recreation, leisure, educational, dining and unwinding for the entire family".

For lack of parks and family outing venues in Cebu City, the opening of Rainforest Park last Aug. 12, 2011, was a welcome development.  Located in Ayala Access Road, Panagdaet, Mabolo, the place is very accessible.  See location map here.  The place is open to the public from 9am to 11pm, Monday to Sunday; so we didn't need to pay anything to get inside the park, it admits everyone and anyone.

To try the rope obstacles at Jungle Adventures, is another story.  Entrance fee is at Php250 per person for an hour, or there's a barkada package for 6, at Php1,250.

Looking forward to the long weekend at the end of August AND catching a promo voucher on the internet for group booking, was a bonus!  Entrance fee to Jungle Adventures at Php625 for 6persons?  What a treat! 

So off we went to Rainforest Adventure Park with my son's  friends.  The Jungle Adventures is fit for kids aged 8 up.  There are 9 rope-obstacles kids can enjoy.

Climb up the Cargo Net (1/9) to the zipline platform.

Zip through Zig-Zag, a mini zipline to the Burma bridge platform...not so challenging especially for kids who have tried longer outdoor ziplines.  But for younger ones, this is a hit!

Walk on Burma Bridge (3/9), kind of easy to walk on as the ropes provide secure passage on a V-formation.

Walk on the Earthquake Bridge (4/9), a "bridge" made of wood held by ropes, hanging one by one on mid-air.  Once you're mid-way, there's no turning back!

Brave girls do it, too!  Tests kid's balance, agility and strategy!

After the earthquake bridge, try another knee-wobbling adventure with the Deep Bucket Bridge (5/9), a U-formed rope bridge.  This is more shaky than the Burma bridge (v-form).

Wall Climbing (6/9) - A friend's brave little daughter climbed up an artificial wall with artificial rocks.

My son made it halfway on the Wall Climb the first time...

... and made it to the top on his second try!  Going down is a breeze, as he only had to rappel down the wall.   (Wall Climbing and Jacob's Ladder)

Climb up again, this time on a pipe ladder called Jacob's Ladder (7/9) to get to the Catwalk Bridge...

....and walk across a Catwalk Bridge (8/9), a slim metal bridge, to the next platform ...

From the catwalk, swing, or rather walk on the Vines Bridge (9/9), to test balance and knee strength!

The obstacles take only around 45 minutes to accomplish.  The entrance fee, regularly priced at P250 per person, lets you spend an hour inside the adventure zone.  But that one hour was enough to make our kids sweat plenty and have minor muscle pains.

My son and one friend completed all the obstacles.  Some of the kids in our group skipped some obstacles, from fright, exhaustion or being still too little in physique. 

What to wear:  long sleeved shirts to protect arms from sunburn, long pants to protect the legs from cuts or bruises, rubber shoes or comfortable footwear with socks, and sunscreen for the face.  Bring towel and extra shirts, one to change into after the adventure and one after all the running the children are going to do inside the park.

And don't forget to bring and let the kids drink lots of fluids!

It was time well spent with friends, conquer fears, test physical strength and simply ENJOY!

To borrow my son's words, "It was awesome".

So, what's in the park for adults?

The Philippines: Cebu's Rainforest Park (what's for adults?)

Rainforest Park Cebu "is the first of its kind in Cebu of a well-thought unique concept that encloses an inspired mix of entertainment, adventure, recreation, leisure, educational, dining and unwinding for the entire family".

Rainforest Park Cebu is in Ayala Access Road, Panagdaet, Mabolo; here's the location map of Cebu's Rainforest Park, as copied from the park's official website:

The park is open from 9am to 11pm, Monday to Sunday, for everyone who wants to take a stroll or look around the place.  But the Jungle Adventures (rope obstacles) has an entrance fee of Php250 per person or a barkada package for 6 persons at Php1,250.00.

The website says the park has the Oceanarium Restaurant, Jungle Adventures, Amazon Aviary & Tarzan House, Oasis Spa and Salon and the Zoofari Cafe.

Of these, only the Jungle Adventures is fully operational.  This is understandable, as the park is less than three weeks old, at the time of our visit.  So I'd like to suggest to the park management to disclose this in their website, as it is misleading.  Also, the gallery in the website show pictures that are not from the park...that's too bad.  But the adventures are really worth your money, and the fun and memories your children get from the experience!  

Around the Jungle Adventures area, there are picnic tables and chairs where the parents and guardians can sit down and watch over the kids while they do rope obstacles.  But the number of tables/chairs are not enough...if the park management can just add some chairs, even without the tables, that would be a big improvement.

The Oceanarium Restaurant is only a restaurant for now, no acquariums yet. The gift shop is still wanting of novelty items which can really push one to part with cash.

The Amazon Aviary & Tarzan House is still not open but you can already hear recorded birds' tweets and chirps all over the park... quite misleading, too.

When we went there, Oasis Spa and Salon was used for a seminar or meeting?  Need I say more?

Zoofari Cafe was already open but they only serve cakes and coffee blends.  We were expecting there'd be sandwiches, especially after the kids did the adventures were really hungry, but were told sandwiches will be available next week.

There are refreshments around though, Hawaiian shave ice cream, water, cold drinks and ice cream.

We'll see if there will be improvements weeks or months from now.  I'm expecting the place to be a lot improved, as Christmas is just around the corner, and it really is a one-of-a-kind concept here in Cebu!

The Philippines: CEBU's Movenpick Resort & Spa Cebu (formerly Hilton Cebu)

Movenpick Resort & Spa Cebu is "a tropical captivating escape in Cebu."

We visited this resort when this was still distinctly pink Hilton Cebu.  Acquired by Movenpick Hotels & Resorts in 2011, the resort has changed management and will soon change colors but most of the facilities remain the same.

Let's take a look...

Known distinctively for its pink color, the resort is pink from floor to ceiling, with staff wearing pink uniforms, pink jeepney as service vehicles, pink, pink, pink everywhere...

This is the resort's rotunda, in between the two buildings where the rooms are. 

Manny O's Wine and Tapas illuminates the marina at night.  Located at the tip, it provides privacy and exclusivity to its guests.  There are four other restaurants in the resort:  Seas Restaurant (serves seafoods!), Vanilla Beach Cafe, Pink Lobby Lounge & Bar and the Sapphire Pool Bar.

This is the resort accommodation's living room.  The room we occupied, had a living room with an LCD TV, kitchen with refrigerator and oven, bedroom with a comfy king-size bed and another TV, bathroom with tub.

Making a Santa Claus face out of soap suds...hmmmm...more like reindeer face.  What does it look to you?

The resort has pools, fitness center, and a spa.  They offer water sports, like banana boat, jetski, tube rides, parasailing, etc.  Guests can even snorkel within the marina without going so far out to the sea.  Fishes abound within the marine sanctuary, especially as children and adults feed the fish.  Diving within the house reef is also available while the more adventurous divers can arrange for a diving escapade away from the resort.

The resort gardens are a beautiful spot for photo ops, even if just among friends.  Our photographer friends say, it's not the view but the moment captured in the photos that matter.  You won't see these beautiful girl-friends in Movenpick, though...*wink*

A photographer friend posed by the resort's mini-falls.

This is taken at the resort garden that has palm trees, green grass, lounges and umbrellas.

This is taken at the walkway from the garden to the main resort.

Visit Movenpick.

The Philippines: CEBU's Crimson Beach Resort & Spa

"Crimson Beach Resort and Spa welcomes you to a world beyond your wildest dreams..."

The newest built resort and spa in Cebu was opened in 2010.  And it does not disappoint.  It gives one a sense of peace and tranquility with its 3-in-1 infinity pool and gardens.

This very simple sight met us at the entrance of the resort.

Going inside, we entered an expanse overlooking a very pleasant view...

... 3-in-1 infinity pool, going down two flights to an adult, toddlers' and childrens' pools. 

Wow!  Looking out there, I marveled at the sea and sky which seemed to meet.  It was beautiful!

This is the Lobby, where the centerpiece is a "sungkaan", a native game played with small shells.

From the beach, this is the view of the main resort, where the deluxe rooms are.  The garden rooms and villas are located all over the place, separate from the main resort.  The villas have their own plunge pools...perfect for people who can't get enough of the water.... and romantic, too!

Our accommodation was a garden deluxe room, 44sqm, with its own veranda, huge king bed, LCD TV, and surprise...a toilet and bath with its own LCD TV in front of the tub! My son had a great time, luxuriating in soap suds in the tub and watching his favorite cartoon shows, at the same time! 

This is the view of the beach from the Azure open bar.  Imagine the bar at night, you having a cold drink, staring out to the starry or even a moonlit night, enjoying the breeze, listening to the sound of the waves and soft music ... ohh...bliss!

One of the resort's kid's and kids-at-hearts' activities is the fish feeding.  What's different in this fish feeding is you really have to walk around 200meters out to sea on a floating dock, where the fish are and feed them.  If you're not afraid, you can dip your feet at sea and have a fish spa! Ha ha..

Another kids' recreation facility is the playhouse where the colorful and educational materials available for toddlers and small children keep their attention for a long period of time, thus parents get some time for themselves. 

Day and night view of the fish spouts around the swimming pools.

Night view of the pool from the main resort...peaceful and calming...

Another angle of the pool at night

View of the main resort from the pools

There are many other recreational activities, like water sports facilities, fitness center, and badminton courts for the adventurous and fitness buff.

And of course, there's Aum Spa, where guests can spend a relaxing hour or two under the hands of expert therapists, a perfect way to end your day.  Well, this one, we weren't able to try since the spa was not yet opened when we went there...maybe some time in the very near future, that is, if I can afford it (gulp!).  And if I do that, I will surely tell you about it!

The resort also accepts guests for day use at a rate that includes buffet lunch and use of the resort's facilities.  The weekday rates provide value for money.  Try it.

"When you've been treated like royalty, the experience will linger long after your stay."  I say "Aye", Crimson Beach Resort & Spa lives up to their name, the color of royalty.

The Philippines: Matahum nga CEBU (Beautiful Cebu)

Cebu's artists, local vocal and proud, recorded a new song titled Matahum nga Cebu...it means Beautiful Cebu! Proud to be Cebuano!

The Philippines: CEBU's Imperial Palace Waterpark Resort & Spa

"Beyond the usual, beyond the ordinary, beyond your imagination..." 

- Imperial Palace Waterpark Resort & Spa

This is the site that meets guests at the lobby.  After checking in, you may enjoy your welcome drinks in your room or at the lobby lounge.

The Lobby

The lobby lounge

Outside, the resort's waterpark and themed pools await the kids and kids at heart..

Garden pool with a swim-up pool bar in the isle at the middle.

The toddler pool with slides and ater from everywhere

Captain Hook's pool complee with a priate ship and slides

The adventure zone area with a view of the giant slides, for the adventure seekers

Captain Hook's pirate ship up close

Day and night view of the Amazon River Pool, a flowing river pool where you can ride around on inflatables

There is also a wave pool and a beach pool.  Lounge cabanas and umbrellas are all over the place for shade and easy relaxation.

Cabana lounge and lounge chairs

Accommodation in the resort are deluxe rooms, suite rooms, and of course, the villa rooms that are perfect for couples and honeymooners with a private pool and jacuzzi.  The deluxe and suite rooms are in the main hotel while the villa rooms flank the waterpark.

Villa rooms

Truly, imperial living in the queen city of the South!

The Philippines: CEBU's Plantation Bay Resort & Spa

"Whether you're looking for romance, relaxation, or family fun, Plantation Bay has something for you." - Plantation Bay Resort & Spa

The accommodations in the resort surround the lagoon and swimming areas.  The villas and rooms have great views anywhere.

There are four themed restaurants:  Fiji serves the best tempura, Kilimanjaro Kafe provides dining by the pool, Palermo Cafe Bar serves coffee and pasta, and Savannah Grill boasts of the best burgers in the place.

The beauty of this gazebo and lagoon meets the visitor when he is led to his accommodation

The picturesque resort provides the perfect view for a photoshoot, whether solo shots feeling liek a supermodel, whether with your barkada, with special someone for a wedding or a pre-nuptial, one need only to engage his creative mind to come up with that perfect shot!

Perfect place for photoshoots: barkada, wedding, pre-nuptials, family...

We were really pleased with this accommodation.  We went to the resort as a group of seven families, complete with kids in tow, and we were booked in this part of the resort.  Twas a very pleasant surprise as we practically had the pool to ourselves and we can just peep at the kids swimming from our rooms. Impressive!

If your accommodation is in any of the Piazza Palermo rooms, it would seem like you have your own private pool

Another view of the lagoon

Sunset from the resort's lobby

Night view: serene and peaceful

For a relaxing and therapeutic end to your day, the Mogambo Springs Spa inside the resort will do the trick for you.  Massages and treatments await your tired aching body.  There is also a beauty salon next to the spa.

Mogambo Springs: The Spa at Plantation Bay

For the active you, there's a gameroom, gym, lots of aqua sports options, firing range and more.  Our kids had a blast swimming, wall climbing, playground, cycling, even riding a horse-drawn carriage (calesa).

Kids just wanna have fun!

Calesa: Horse-drawn carriage

See you at the Plantation Bay!