ANGONO - BINANGONAN PETROGLYPHS

When my family went to have a quick vacation at the Thunderbird Resort in Binangonan, Rizal, we came across the Angono-Binangonan Petroglyphs Cave on our way to Thunderbird.

The day after we arrived, I suggested to my husband that we visit the cave and see what we can learn from that experience.

Our trip started when we saw a ‘cave’ like opening that was dark and a little scary.  I am not an adventurous person and the moment I saw the sign that ‘vehicles are not allowed inside’ I chickened out and called out to my husband that my daughter and I will not proceed anymore. 

However, 3 adults came a little after we arrived in the area and said, it is safe to come in that ‘cave’ like opening and assured us that there is nothing that we should be afraid of.  From these three adults, we learned that the opening was not the cave yet, but a man-made tunnel leading to a pathway going to the cave.

 

We indeed passed through the tunnel and saw the pathway, there was a Museum featuring the items that the researchers found in the cave when they discovered the place.

The staffs of the museum shared to us the history of the cave and I, myself, was able to appreciate the beautiful history and the amazing discovery the researchers made and it will be very fortunate for people to learn about them.

The place has many unfamiliar animals for city people.  During our visit, we spotted 2 Eagle Owls peacefully resting on the branches of the trees.  The presence of these unusual animals only shows that the place has a clean air and should be preserved that way to maintain the animals’ natural habitat.

This trip is very educational since it taught us some things of what happened in that area.  For those who would love to see the place, there is an entrance fee of 20 pesos per head.  The route to Thunderbird Resort is the same route you may take.

Also, a word of caution to those who have fear of snakes, since the place is preserved, the sightings or presence of snakes may be possible.

Thunderbird Getaway

My family (husband and daughter) went for a very quick getaway to a very near venue known as THUNDERBIRD RESORT here in Binangonan, Rizal. We went there last May 4 and checked out by the next day and here are the points that I have noted about this place.

First of all, I found it very near Manila.  We left from San Joaquin, Pasig City at around 2:30pm and reached Thunderbird at around 3:45 pm. It was a Friday afternoon expecting to encounter a heavy traffic passing the Rosario route, fortunately it was an easy drive.

The rooms were great for the price.  Our accommodation amounted to Php 5600 net (website promo rate) and found a very large room with 2 queen beds and fairly clean sheets and bathrooms.  Bathrooms are large as well, it has a separate shower area and a bath tub, toilet and sink. Complimentary toiletries are not generic; rather they give VMV Hypoallergenic products. Clean towels and tissue papers were provided. But, when I tried using the faucet in the sink, the handle went off.  It was broken, we called the maintenance but did not arrive, and my husband fixed it instead. 

Inside the room, there is a coffee cup and a saucer and a chipped drinking glass.  We requested for a replacement and additional coffee cup but only the coffee cup was provided. 

Swimming pools are not so great.  While the pool is not crowded by people, it is not clean.  The water is not clear.  I would understand if the pool is not clear the night before because it rained, but in the morning, it still wasn’t clear and it wasn’t raining anymore.

Available dinning options are the Poolside Restaurant, Koi, and Room Service.  We had our dinner at KOI and was fairly satisfied with a filling meal of Grilled chicken with 3 scoops of mashed potatoes. My husband had a Grilled Sirloin with the same sidings as mine.

I was expecting a classier restaurant but instead found a large space with fewer tables and chairs than expected.  For breakfast, I was disappointed since I thought we can get our breakfast from any of the dinning options.  But when my family arrived in the Poolside, they said, breakfast is only served in KOI.  You have to climb an approximate of 40 steps before getting to this restaurant.  Not child friendly, not old friendly, not fat friendly nor hungry friendly.  Upon reaching the restaurant, they can only accommodate a few guests and when you arrive late, you will have to wait, without even waiting chairs outside that you want to go back to your room and just order room service.  When we arrived, I don’t believe that people dinning are ½ of the checked in guests and there are no longer any chairs and tables available.  There are old people who came in and was really tired going up and was frustrated that they were advised to wait, without even, waiting chairs available. 

More frustrating is that the coffee cups are not washed well, menu is not as inviting.  I was expecting, a more breakfast menu like, tapa, danggit, hot choco (for kids) and the like.  Instead, they served pork steak, chicken adobo, longganisa (im ok with this), daing na bangus (with bones), instant orange juice, few cereals and salads.

Refills of the food for the buffet were only refilled when a guest requested for a refill.  To think, there are a lot of waiters and very few guests since they can no longer accommodate the rest of the guests.

The air conditioner located near the reception also broke down and the receptionist can not even contact an engineer or a maintenance personnel to fix the air conditioner.

To relieve us from frustration, we decided to drive around the vicinity and found a local attraction called Angono-Binangonan Petroglyphs Cave (separate review about this).

Come lunch, after we have checked out, due to too much hunger and to stop the tantrums of my daughter we decided to have lunch by the pool bar.  Food was great, they serve soup, Filipino main courses such as pineapple chicken, grilled tilapia, grilled bangus, pinakbet and halo halo as dessert.  It would have been better if it wasn’t too hot by adding electric fans that can fan the people enough that they don’t sweat while eating and to shoo the flies away.

Overall, this resort is nice and will recommend this with clear precautions.  Food is an issue for us, we don’t have any other choice but to get our breakfast from KOI restaurant and to eat while sweating in their pool side restaurant.

If anyone wants to come over to this resort, it is best if you play casino, at least you have something to do while not swimming.  I suggest that you can stay here and visit Antipolo City.  It is a 15 to 20 minute drive from the Shopwise Supermarket, Antipolo up to the resort.  However, commuting is a little difficult.  A traveler must have his own car to reach town.  If you are golf fanatic, there is a nearby East Ridge Golf Club, however, I am not so sure, whether it requires membership before you can enter the Club.  Petroglyphs Cave is very near the vicinity for nature lovers and history fanatics.

Be sure to bring some board games or volleyball if you have kids with you so you can spend the time even inside the room or you can play volleyball outside (if not raining). 

There is a spa that you can help you relax while staying in this resort. I must admit, the therapist who did the 15 minute welcome massage has such strong hands that it helped me relax before I sleep.

For a family of 3, 5600 php net is fair enough in my opinion, it came with 2 complimentary breakfast, 300 peso casino betting voucher, 2 voucher of welcome massage (15 mins each) and 2 vouchers of welcome drink.

There are scheduled shows in the resort, if you are interested to view one, just ask before booking. Booking by the way is very easy, you can do it online directly through their website. 

Website:http://www.thunderbirdresortrizal.com/ppc/index.php