A Day in “CAMAYA” Sands…

A journey is best measured in friends, rather than miles
– Tim Cahill

Me and my two best friends were looking for a place to spend some time this summer. And considering how busy we all are, all we had is a day. One of my beshes wants to go to the beach, I personally prefer a pool, while my other besh, well, let’s just say she decided to just go with the flow. =)

As I was also looking for a place to spend our Company Outing, I’ve met Ms. Kris of Camaya Sands Resorts and Leisure (CSRL) –(Update: Ms.Kris is no longer connected with Camaya Sands Reaorts and Leisure; for contact info. check their web site as posted below 🙂 )– she gave me a brochure of the resort, and may I say, that first time I saw it I swear to myself that I’m gonna go to that place. And I just did! =)

Camaya Sands Resorts and Leisure  is within the vicinity of the Camaya Coast in Mariveles, Bataan. The resort itself is still under development and in most cases the only way to get there is if you’re a potential investor, or by invitation only. But at this moment, I think it’s already open for public, try checking out Metrodeal, I think they’ve got an ongoing promo there. =)

There are two ways to get there: By Land or By Sea..

By Land, you would have to take a bus, and maybe a tricycle too. I’m not sure how it really works, but it would probably take you 3 to 4 hours to get to this place if you ever choose this option (as estimated by my sister-in-law who have relatives that lives in Bataan).

Or By Sea.. which we decided to take. One major attraction for CSRL is that they have their own ferry to transport their visitors from Manila to Bataan, and it only takes about 1 ½ to 2 hours to get there. Plus, they have a television on board, also some coffee and snacks if ever you forgot to bring your own, and it’s fully air conditioned! =)

As you’ve reached the shore, staffs will be there to welcome you and give you some refreshments.

Me and my friends went straight to the locker/shower room to settle our baggage first. Okay, so I don’t think some people were aware that use of locker rooms are usually included in the package, and it’s first come-first serve basis, so I suggest that once you’ve arrived, go straight to this place and reserve a locker for yourself.

Locker/Shower Room

Photo credit to Ms. Kris, she was kind enough to send us the actual photos of the place first before making reservations. =)

If you’re looking for a white sand-blue water kinda beach, they don’t have it. But, I can say that this beach is a very clean one! The sands are fine, from the shore and even when you’re already in the water. The water aren’t as blue but at least you won’t have to worry on stepping on some rocks while swimming. Blue and clear waters are good in the photos, but if there are rocks underneath, I don’t think you would enjoy being there as much as you thought you would. Hehe..So I say, I actually prefer this.

At the shore, there are these beautiful cabanas and cottages. You don’t have to pay/rent one, if you see it vacant, without bags and things left on it, go ahead and occupy it, it’s free! =)

Oh just fooling around! =)

My beshes! Enjoying the cabana.. =)

After spending some time at the beach, we decided to give their infinity pool a try.

The lower portion of their pool! What I love about it is that they still make use of the pools’ frame. You can dip in there and have your picture taken.

And we’ve done it! =)

The upper portion! There’s a little jaccuzzi in there.. and the water isn’t so cold. It’s also not very deep so you can enjoy walking around it or swimming from end to end. =)

Drama Queen! Lols!

Around the pool there are some sun bathing beds. Again, if you see some vacant one, just go ahead and occupy it. =) Just make sure no  bags, slippers and other stuffs are on it to make sure that no one is really using it. =)

Work it! =P

It’s time for lunch, so we’ve gone back to the Wooden Pavilion

For appetizer we had:

Minestrone Soup

Main Dish is:

Grilled Seafood (Jumbo Prawns, Squid and Blue in Creamy Pasta Linguine)

And for Dessert:

Fresh Fruits in Honey-Pandan

The food was good! The prawns are delicious, I love the pasta! They’ve got big servings so it’s kinda hard for us to finish the meal. Hehe..Also, the fruits are sweet and fresh! =)

As for the rest of the day, we spend it on the beach and in the pool. There were some activities there that you can actually enjoy if you want to. I think you can rent the jetski, and the banana boat. The use of kayak is also included in our package, but we never get to try it ‘cause the weather was so hot!

The package we availed is only good for a Day Tour, I say It was worth it when it comes to the view, the food and the facilities, but not really when it comes to time covered by the tour. We get there at about 9:30 am, and had to get ready at 3:30pm because the ferry will be leaving at 4pm. It was a very short day for us, I hope they can improve this, maybe make the day tour from morning until evening. Maybe make it 8am to 8pm! Lols!

But all in all I say it was a  money  well spent! It was worth it! We enjoyed our trip and we’re actually looking forward to come back when that place is more developed and rooms are already available for overnight accommodation! =)

(Update: For more info, visit their website: http://camayacoastbeachresort.weebly.com/