Birthday Party-ing in Batangas

Sol invited us, her friends from college, to visit her hometown in Rosario, Batangas for the pool party. Because its summer and we're all raring to go somewhere sunny and beachy, we packed our bags and took the bus to Batangas.

Chelle and Joy in the bus

The trip to Lipa has always been a quick one because of the Star Tollway system. What took our time was the transportation from Lipa to Sol's place in Rosario. When we reached Lipa City, we have to take a long jeepney ride to the Rosario town proper. The passengers watched us while we alight the jeep, probably because we look like tourists--and who goes to Batangas as a tourist anyway?

Joy and Chesca in the jeep

Though I was born and spent my adolescence in Batangas, I'm not very familiar with the Rosario side of my home province. We've been pretty much dependent on local's instructions. By the time we reached Rosario, we were exhausted. But that's not the end yet.

We still need to ride a tricycle to Sol's home. And since there are four of us, the two have to take the seat behind the driver! The unlucky ones turned out to me Joy and I--so much for wearing white shorts! A drizzle poured on us while we rode the trike and Chesca quipped when the ordeal was over that despite the changing weathers, we're still on the small road where trees grow in abundance around us. It felt like a lifetime already!

The highlight was when we got lost in the middle of the woods! Luckily, neighbors know each other in the provinces and a few descriptions led us to our destination: Sol's house. Apparently we were to share the birthday girl with her friends from FEU, where she's currently taking up Law.

After the introductions and a hearty rice-based merienda, we were off to Tans Ville Garden Resort. In Batangas, resorts and bed and breakfasts were common since the province is literally near the sea. In my hometown in the northeastern side of Batangas, the beach was a few walks away from the main highway, where my abuelo's house stood.

The celebration was reminiscent of the reunions I had with high school friends years back, when we spend the weekend in a small resort. The nights are filled with videoke, cold bottles of beer, and endless finger food. There's also the night swim. (In my hometown, we do bonfires by the beach side and exchange relationship stories.)

The following day, Rachelle and I took another dip while the rest watched us. She taught me how to do the mermaid swim (we dream of becoming mermaids) and before we got off the water, two hours later, I can already cross the pool without losing breath. (I don't know how to swim, btw.)

Chelle, by the pool, after breakfast

Before we leave for Manila, we took some snapshots:

Little fisherman boy by the reception area

This all happened while we were waiting for the van that will take us to Rosario town, where we'll get a van to Manila. Here's a photo from the entrance of the resort:

Left to right: Chesca, Joy, Chelle

And its counterpoint version:

This one's better. :)

We kinda enjoyed it so we ditched our bags by the reception area and went back inside to take this picture by the well:

Sol saw the bedlam and joined us:

But of course it didn't end there, Chelle even had this quirky funny pose:

And Chesca's phone camera, though running low on battery, managed to get a complete picture of us.

After a lot of shots, we returned to the reception area and waited. It didn't stop me from taking photos, though.

Chesca, by the reception desk

Chelle and a surprised Joy

Chesca made kulit because she wants a thin photo of her so I had to climb on a chair to take this not-so-successful attempt:

But my favorite photo of all still remained this one:

Well, what else can I say? We conquered Rosario, Batangas! Take that!