To get past this towering gate, please pay 10 bucks
What's inside that we have to pay for entrance?
Oh, "Cory yellow ribbon" becomes a lantern. (Posting date happens to also be the date of PNoy's inauguration as 15th president.)
After roasting ourselves over the weekend under the Boracay sun, we extended our anniversary celebration in Kalibo where we explored an interesting place, Sampaguita Gardens. On our way from Boracay to this place, hubby just mentioned that we will get a massage somewhere. So I wondered why we have to pay entrance at the gate.
Let's check out what's inside!
Nature!
Green is in!
Segregate!
This is cool! Literally.
Cooling down
As we entered its premises, I found out that it is some sort of a theme park ideal for touring kids, only, it carries an assortment of themes. It has a humid coffee shop with an out-of-order air conditioning system. But I love the biscocho they sell there, more milky than buttery and oily.
Disneyland of Kalibo
Mickey and Minnie, not really!
Walking up its long driveway, I discovered a giant "playhouse" which I think was inspired by Disneyland. Theme ideas seemed to be patterned from places where the owner had been to. Souvenir items are sold inside, including items with the wedding and Christmas themes. The second floor houses the Christmas exhibit where you have to pay an entrance to see it. The wedding dolls were timely to remind us of our own wedding four years ago.
Happy Anniversary!
The estate also accommodates a not-quite-maintained swimming pool, a "hotel building," which reminded me of an elementary school building, and a garden where some replicas of tourist spots across the globe are stationed. But the place I am interested to explore would have been a building with huge wooden double doors carved with mandala design. I think a sort of mandala maze might have been housed inside. Only, it was locked and the only thing that greeted us there was a CCTV camera.
Open up, we will pay for entrance
Every breath you take, I'll be watching you...
Let me in!
Nancy Drew's Adventure Into The Mystery of the Locked Door
So, we were all sweat (as it was in mid-afternoon in the summer) when we landed in very humid and windy Bangkok, err, I mean, when we entered their Thai-themed spa. Air conditioning might have been on vacation leave and in its place was a brawny industrial fan. One funny thing was that we had our massage Swedish-Shiatsu style while a gold-plated Thai buddha patiently waited outside with his palms together. But still, the massage was really good. A telltale sign was that hubby snored. The facilities were impressive, quite old and not well-maintained. Or let's just say that they were not used often.
Fishy-fishy!
El Nino phenomenon
How deer the dare! Oh, deer!
Horse back-breaking ride
Merry, but doesn't go 'Round!
We heard that this place was not doing quite well, explaining its sad state. Well, if only the owner would invest in the customer service training for the staff and market it to Boracay holidaymakers. We're curious how they operate in December when one of their favorite themes comes into season.
Penchant for all things Christmas
Christmas all year long!
Parking area
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