for valentine's day 2010, junjun and i spent it by availing the package offered by island cove in cavite.
we ate a box of the chocolate, browsed thru some television programs, then had a nap.
after the nap, at around 6pm, we proceeded to the island spa, where we will be having our massage. it was a nice whole body massage which lasted for about an hour. at the end of the massage, we were given hot tea (with hint of ginger) to further relax us.
we then went back to our hotel room, where we changed our clothes and got ready for the dinner. it was served at the resort's sangley point restaurant. for the package, they had 2 set meals which you could choose from. this comes with a glass of red or white wine for each of you.
first came the seafood chowder. this was very tasty. the soup was creamy and at the same time, you can identify each of the bits of the seafood present in the soup. the soup was accompanied with pieces of garlic bread.
next came the main course. junjun had tuna belly, while i had the lamb with mint jelly. both of the dishes were flavorful and cooked just right. my lamb was very tender, and one could taste the rosemary that was used to flavor the meat.
for dessert, we had strawberry shortcake a la mode, which was a perfect ending to our dinner.
our stay also entitled us to use the pool for free, but we decided to just stay in the room the next day until we checked out.
Junjun and I spent our first valentine as hubby and wife at Balay Indang. It was a wonderful retreat from the noise and hustle of the city.
Balay Indang (The Red Ginger Farm) is located in Indang, along the road that one passes by from Indang to Mendez. The big number "88" at its massive gate is the sign that you have found the place. We first stumbled upon this place when we were searching for a wedding venue. Unfortunately, we decided to hold our wedding in Manila, but we resolved that we would go back to spend a day or two at this place.
On our first day, we arrived at the place at around 6pm. Ms. Sonia welcomed us and we went to the main house (Balay). After which, a staff went with us to guide us to our room and give us the key. We stayed at the Rebekah room of the Yakal house.
The room was very spacious and cozy. It had big windows which you can open for more ventilation. There are also incandescent lamps which add to the rustic feel of the room. There was a "mini sala" which had a small sofa, banig carpet and lots of pillows. Also in this area were various magazines and books that you can read.
The bed was big enough for two persons, and there was another "sofa bed" which could also be used if you had a child with you. It also had enough pillows, and blankets which I really like.
I adored the bathroom, which had separate areas for the toilet bowl, the lavatory and the bath area. The flooring of the bath area was covered in pebbles and terra cotta tiles which you can step on while taking a bath. Toiletries and towels were also provided with the room.
After checking out the room and taking lots of pictures, Junjun and I lounged at the sala area and read some magazines. At around 7pm, someone knocked at our door and informed us that dinner was ready to be served. We then proceeded to the main house, where dinner was setup at the porch area.
For our dinner, this is what we had: salad (lettuce, pine nuts, corn kernels, peaches, carrots, cucumber, singkamas) with caesar dressing; onion soup; rice with grated carrots; shrimp with broccoli, mushroom and asparagus; embutido; parmesan crusted baked fish; baby back ribs; graham balls; chocolate fondue (apple, banana, pineapple and marshmallow); iced tea.
After dinner, we walked around the property, lounged at the main pavilion, and took some pictures. We then retired to our room.
We woke up at around 7am the next morning. Again, we went around the property and inside the main house, taking pictures in the process. We were notified for breakfast at around 8am.
Breakfast consisted of: french toast with bananas and chocolate spread; garlic fried rice; chicken adobo; fried danggit; tortang talong; salted egg ensalada; pickled cucumber; ripe mangoes and hot native chocolate.
When we had our fill, we visited the different pavilions, stayed in the hammocks, and took a lot of pictures again. We also did the barefoot walk. It was a path that had different sized rocks and pebbles covering it, so that when one walks at it barefoot, the feet are stimulated and massaged.
Again, at around 10am, we were served the morning snack. We had some kind of crispy halo-halo. It consisted of bananas, jackfruit, beans, and kaong inside a wrapper, and fried like lumpia. Sesame seeds covered the outside. It was paired with cola. I liked the way the sesame seeds gave a nutty flavor to the snack.
We stayed in the main pavilion near the swimming pool reading magazines, until we were told that lunch was ready. For our lunch feast we were served: salad (lettuce, hard boiled eggs, pine nuts, corn kernels, peaches, carrots, cucumber, singkamas) with ranch or vinaigrette dressing; smoked fish tomato based pasta, shrimp kebab in mango-lime dressing; tortang cabbage; stuffed chicken; beef wasabi; curry rice; sweetened saba with jackfruit; dalandan juice.
Junjun liked the shrimp kebabs while I liked the beef wasabi. It was a unique dish – you can taste the kick of the wasabi in each of the beef cubes, but it is not overpowering or too hot for me to handle. The pasta was also good since it was light and flavorful.
After lunch, we rested for a while, and then we decided to hit the pool. We changed into our swimwear and went to the pool area. Even though the sun was shining, the pool's water was cold. We stayed in the pool for less than an hour, the decided to call it quits when I started shivering.
We started packing for home, and at around 4pm, we ate our last meal at Balay Indang, which was a snack of pancit sotanghon, toasted bread and cola. After we finished packing, we settled our bill, and went on our journey home.
Our package in Balay Indang costs Php 2,400.00/person. This includes overnight accommodation in a non-aircon room, 3 main meals and 2 snacks. You are also free to do any of the activities in the place like use of the swimming pool and billiards table. There was also an additional service charge of 3%, which I think was ok given the service that they have provided. Ms. Sonia and the rest of the staff were very helpful and accommodating. Day trips are also available, for the rates, you may inquire with the owner.
Overall, our stay in Balay Indang was very pleasant (not to mention, tummy-filling). Except for the squeaky doors, I did not have any problems with them (Junjun was thinking of bringing oil or WD-40 the next time we will go to there). I hope that service will not change, but definitely that can improve more. Looking forward to the next time that we will go back there.