As much as the stoked traveler wanted to find a different beach
venue for his niece’s birthday, Camayan Beach Resort still remains to be the
best pick when choosing a beach resort near Pampanga. They have been to this
resort atleast three times last year and it hasn’t failed to deliver. This time
was no exception.
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| Cottages for day trippers |
The kids still enjoyed the clear waters and the clean sands.
The adults got some good rest and relaxation with the comfy accommodations while
the shade of the trees provided a good place to take in the ocean breeze; a fine
addition to the resorts relaxing ambiance.
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The following were what the stoked traveler considered in
choosing this resort again:
- Land travel is safe and possible from Pampanga (or even Manila and other nearby areas)
- Tried and tested quality accommodations and service
- Luxury at a reasonable cost
- Safety of the kids while roaming around the beach and during swimming
- Well mannered guests that will not ruin the general atmosphere of the vacation
Value for money is just about everyone’s concern in planning
a vacation. In Camayan Beach Resort, the standard room (superior) is only a few
steps away from the beach. It is actually beach front and these kind of rooms
are always the type that the stoked traveler and his family would stay in. It
can comfortably accommodate 5 adults (just request for an extra bed). The room
has two queen size beds and the extra bed is a folding mattress (which isn’t
very good but is OK). The main beds are really comfortable and would be perfect
if only they came in with more of those wonderful soft pillows.
The rate is still acceptable and since they were with a
senior , they managed to avail of the 20% discount. Unfortunately, the discount
is not outright based on the room rate. They divide the total cost of
accommodation by the number of guests then they apply the 20% discount. It
turns out that the less guests coming with the senior citizen the higher the
value of peso discount is applied. Still, it was just a discount and the budget
was factored in as if everyone was paying at the regular rates so all went well
with the budget. (For those interested to get discounted rooms, click on the
stokedtraveler’s link to agoda.com here.)
The service of the staff is equally great. Most of the staff
they encountered would greet them with a smile. They were also lucky to be
assisted by one of the more enthusiastic front desk staff that gave them a no
hassle check-in and check-out.
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| View of the Reef Restaurant and Sand Bar |
Although the resort’s guests may be secured from theft or
other malicious intents caused by men, it is not entirely away from harm’s way
versus nature. Wild monkeys may lurk within the area and it can be really tense
when they start showing up especially around lunch time when they try to steal
food. The smell of food attracts them so those staying in as guests may find it
more comfortable to dine at the Reef restaurant or inside their own rooms.
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| For those thinking of using the foot wash, think again. Monkeys use them as their personal water station |
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| Just as the sign says |
Also, there have been a blog that went around for sometime about a jellyfish
incident involving a small child. They have now provided more warnings that can
be explicitly seen by guests. Admittedly, it is a marine reserve and any goes
with nature here.
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| Jellyfish season is Nov-Jan but it doesn't mean there are no jellyfish on the ocean ok? |
The water may be deep during the midday but kids can enjoy a
lot when the low tide comes. Parents and guardians are advised not to leave
kids alone eventhough there are lifeguards stationed around the beach.
Camayan beach resort has one of the best sunsets and this is
one reason why the stokedtraveler loves the place. While it doesn’t really give
a view of the sun-setting, the rays of its light paints the sky into a somewhat
pinkish orange hue and the shadow of the dark mountains give out a picturesque
sight for everyone to behold.
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| surreal! |
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| no way is he passing up on a photo with the sunset as its background |
As the night falls, the resort offers entertainment in the
form of dancing and music. It changes from time to time. This time they have
booked “Kawangis ng Tribu” to perform cultural music using native instruments
and even various forms of fire dancing. It was again another welcome surprise
from the management especially when it comes at no extra fee.
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| The stage were performances are held. Those two logs serve as beach side front row seats :) |
The Sandbar provides drinks for those late night dwellers
who wish to pass time with a few round of alcohol. There are also other indoor
games available for rental like billiards, foosball, darts etc.
It has always been a practice for the stokedtraveler and his
family that when they are in a beach resort they would wake up very early in
the morning to check out what marine animals are at the shore. Sea creatures
usually wait for high tide to come in and get stuck on the shore during low
tide. In Camayan Beach Resort, the best thing is probably that fishes big and
small, solo or in schools, would swim around you early in the morning. Just
give them a few pieces of bread and see how they jump about snatching it as the
bread floats on the water. The water is so clear that you wouldn’t need any
gear to see through it.
Another thing they look forward to is the sunrise. This is
something that Camayan Beach Resort also offers without dismay.
Next door to Camayan Beach Resort is Ocean Adventure. While
it promises to be the only open marine park in Southeast Asia, there’s been a
lot of controversy on how the large sea mammals are treated behind the shows.
The stokedtraveler will neither suggest
or discourage visiting this park but recommends that would-be visitors take
responsibility in doing some reading and make a decision for themselves whether
they should support the park or not.
Next post will be about the stokedtraveler's entry : Zoobic Safari | Take a walk on the Wild Side
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