Playing in the Sand with Toys at the Beach - Madz and Cools Resort - Real, Quezon, Philippines

VIDEO: Beach sand play in Real, Quezon, The Philippines (Madz and Cools Resort)

The Philippines is made up of over 7,000 islands and beach life is a way of life for most Filipinos. Every summer, families from all over the country flock to popular beaches in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Most would have already heard about Boracay Island and El Nido in Palawan, but there are other places, like Real in Quezon province, which offer more humble environs which locals would still find enjoyable.

This video was taken at the Madz and Cools resort along the Famy-Real-Infanta Road. It's a private resort house which can be booked, when available, for special family and other small-scale gatherings. As of this writing, the resort isn't even on Google Maps. The beach sand is grey with an underlying bluish-green clay layer, so it's not really for building sand castles. Also, there are plenty of old coral rock formations which do not contribute to much of a beachfront and can make swimming a tricky business. Still, in spite of the limitations, this beach can still offer perks such as spectacular sunsets, great seafood and a great bonding place for the family.

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Coconut Harvesting in The Philippines

Here's how trees with coconuts are harvested in a palm tree plantation cum resort in Quezon province in the Philippines. Among the recreational facilities like tennis and basketball courts, swimming pools and gazebos are these tall palm trees which are regularly harvested for their glorious fruit. Coconut nuts from Quezon get to reach places as far as Manila, perhaps even the United States for their coconut water, now touted as the new vitality drink. If you've ever wondered how palm coconut trees are harvested of their coconut nuts, then here are pictures that will be of interest to you.



First, the trees with coconuts (the coco fruit of the coco tree of the coco palm family) are harvested with the use of a very long harvester made from bamboo. At the tip of this palm coconut harvester is a sharp-toothed iron cutter which is used to saw through the stalk that bears the coconuts. The cut palm tree coconut nuts fall, are gathered on the ground, and are husked on the spot. The naked coconuts are then placed in baskets often called kaing slung on the back of a horse. The coconuts are then taken to a storage area prior to distribution to buyers.

TRIVIA: How do I open a coconut? First remove the husk. Use a sharp, pointed object that stays in place and just hammer the side of the coconut on it to strip the husk. When all the husk is removed, place the coconut on one hand and use a wedge-shaped tool to strike the side of the coconut (not the part with the eyes) repeatedly with a hammering force, rolling the coconut along as it cracks.

Boracay View from a Departing Plane

Barangay Yapak of Boracay Island from a plane departing from Caticlan.

It's hard to leave Boracay Island just when you're starting to have fun in the sun, sand, and shore! But when it's time to go, you just gotta go and the only final souvenirs you can get are the pictures of the island that you manage to catch as your plane departs. Shown here is a picture of Barangay Yapak of Boracay Island. It's where some of the more expensive resorts are located and you can see some of the condominiums and golf courses that go right down to where the white sand beaches are. See how the beaches are naturally partitioned in some areas? That should make the pockets created more private!

At the upper right side of the picture on top is part of Carabao Island, the larger neighboring land mass near Boracay that doesn't get as much media attention and hype. Here it is at the left in a picture that shows a complete view of the island. It appears more tree-covered unlike Boracay which has been developed into a mini cosmopolitan community. It was a fine day when these photos of Boracay and Carabao Islands were taken - one which came after consecutive days of dark clouds and rain.

What is Boracay in October like? Find out here!

Want to have fun on the beach in Boracay? Then take this canned beach ball along! Click here or on the image to order your own colorful Instant Beach Ball!

Punta de Fabian Resort in Baras, Rizal Has Great View of Laguna de Bay

Rizal is one big place. It's not exaclty a province separate from Metro Manila, since a big part of it is still well within the urban sprawl of the metropolis, but the fringes are pretty much rural. Lots of resorts are in Rizal and most of them are set either high in the hills or near Laguna Lake (Laguna de Bay). The lake itself is not fit for swimming because it is murky with lots of fish pens. However, the lake does provide a great view (top) and many tourists will find this a good alternative to Tagaytay where Taal lake is viewed.

Shown are portions of Punta de Fabian resort in Baras, Rizal which is a part of Tanay. It is small and is on top of a small and rocky hill. You will need a powerful engine to get to the top since there is a very steep but brief climb after you pass the guardhouse. There are two swimming pools (one small; another an infinity-type) and quaint cottages, most of which have great views. It's ideal for weekend trips with the family and corporate trainings, workshops, seminars, and team-building. The management is courteous and will go out of their way to help out clients with their needs.

The resort has facilities for indoor sports like darts, table tennis, and billiards in the game room. Conference rooms are convenient and spacious and are a short walk to the dining area where clients get treated to packaged European-style meals (below). There is also a videoke bar to release your hidden singing talents. When it rains, it pays to be careful when walking on tiled steps and the mud, both of which can get very slippery.

Giniling (Philippine picadillo) recipe

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