CALIRAYA MOUNTAIN LAKE RESORT: Blissful Seclusion in Cavinti's Fringes

Serendipity casted its spell on our way to a usual resort in the Caliraya highlands, but instead it led us to a new and better place, more peaceful and more secluded Caliraya Springs- the perfect getaway to spend a long weekend vacation.  My wife and I just recently attended a meeting at work about the K-12 impacts on the employees and honestly, I felt the uncertainty creeping not only in me but in most of us.  If only the K-12 did not happen, we wouldn't be having all these anxieties inside us.  Setting all these issues aside is often easier said than done, so I felt that writing another blog might help me get these things out of my mind for the moment.

Our escapade in Caliraya is actually divided into 2 parts because there are actually 2 places to go within the sprawling estate of the Caliraya Springs.  The first part of our story began in The Residence which is where an 18-hole golf course is located and The Residence functions as its clubhouse, hotel and restaurant all-in-one. 

The second part of our story happened here in the outermost fringes where the Caliraya Lake actually ends in the eastern part.  The place is called "Caliraya Mountain Lake Resort". When we first inquired at the Reception we were handed a brochure showing the lake resort and its amenities. It looks so interesting that we had to check out the place for ourselves. 

The entrance to the Caliraya Mountain Lake Resort is a little bit off the main road and you have to pass thru a dirt road to reach the place.  Upon arriving, we can already see some of the facilities and we felt that this would be an exciting stay because of the fact that we have the place for ourselves.  The area is like a peninsula that juts out of the lake splitting it in two smaller inlets.  The right inlet has a dock for motor boats where 3 boats are currently moored in. 

 The left inlet contains a variety of water sports such as rowboats, an extensive water obstacle course, a zipline, and a hanging bridge.  Alongside the lake are several cottages with accommodations for  large groups. There are still other facilities that we will be checking out one at a time.

The first place we went to is the fishing area.  The fishing area is another inland body of freshwater artificially dug up just like the rest of Lake Caliraya.  The owner had it dug up for fishing activities and crème dory was his choice of fish introduced in the lake.  Honestly, I do not like the idea of  having alien species introduced into any habitat that is not its own.  There is always the potential of these alien species of becoming invasive in the future and the consequences far outweighs the benefits that it provides.  Lake Caliraya being an artificial freshwater lake had also became the home to the introduced alien large mouth bass.  Since the water of the lake is drained into the Laguna lake to produce electricity, these alien species had found its way to the Laguna Lake below.  Fortunately, it wasn't  invasive enough to threaten the indigenous species of Laguna Lake.  Anyway, the fishing lake itself seems to be contained and is far from the main lake that the probability for accidental introduction is least likely to happen unless it is deliberately done.  

Upon arriving there, we were awed by the tranquility of the place that an avid fisher would fall in love fishing for the entire day while reading a favorite book or simply exchange conversation with a buddy to pass the time away.  We each took a fishing rod and started to throw our line into the water.   While waiting for a bite, I just started to serenade my wife with love songs and at the same time sang some of my favorite country songs.  

The place was so conducive for relaxing that this is definitely a must for nature lovers.  Sometimes I consider myself a loner because I prefer places where I can be alone away from people and probably this is what makes me different from a lot of people.  Probably there are far more better place in Caliraya than this place but for me this is the best there is because it accorded me the privacy and serenity I desire. Unfortunately for us, we didn't have the luck to lure in a catch for the day.  We would probably had the fish for dinner, proudly eating what was hardly labored for the day.  Instead, we just ordered stewed creme dory from the restaurant and had the food delivered in our room.  What a bummer! 

The next place we went to is the dock where motorboats are moored.  This is also a very romantic place equal to the fishing area.  It has a panoramic view of Lake Caliraya together with the surrounding islets and gazing the landscape is simply breathtaking.  The ambiance was perfect probably because we have the place for ourselves.  But for some people who prefer to see many people around like Boracay, swimming pool filled with people, recreational attractions where you have to fall in line and be herded like cattle. This place may be a bummer for them.

Time is the luxury that we have in this blissful place.  You don't have to wait for people to leave before you take a picture. Nor do you have to move fast or to sacrifice the perfect angle of shot to avoid having a photobombed picture.  Yes, this is indeed the place where you can leisurely take your pictures without having the feeling of being waited upon or rushed by other people because you're idling in their preferred space too long.  We had the entire afternoon singing our favorite country and love songs, exchange sweet nothings and dream of the future together in perfect serenity.

As the heat begins to rise in the morning sun, our next stop was the swimming pool. It was really the hand of serendipity that we had the pool for ourselves.  

No people photobombing the scene.  The water is guaranteed extra clean without any residue of previous human activity.  We know this because we were here yesterday and no one was swimming.  

This was a good opportunity to escape the morning heat and simply enjoy each other's company swimming and sunbathing in utmost peace and quiet.

Occasionally, when the clouds block the sun and the air becomes cool enough to stroll, we take advantage of the brief lull to stroll the area.  In one corner, we happened to notice anahaw leaves being sun dried on the ground. This is good roofing material and a great way of using indigenous materials for constructing  cottages in the countryside rather than using too much concrete, steel and smooth lumber to lessen the artificial facet of the place and make it more natural.

When the wind becomes favorable enough to fly a kite, this is one of the rare instances that I jump on the occasion.  For a man my age, flying a kite is a simple pleasure in life that an old chap like me could get to experience in this lifetime.  In made me reminiscent of the time that kids of our generation enjoyed playing outdoors compared to the youth of today that are hooked to the cyberworld and miss the true beauty of the outdoors.  However, I also had may share of sadness because I don't get to experience this moment with my son who is away from me.  Regretfully, I am one of the many that still says "I wish you were here".  But that's the ups and downs of life that we have to live with.

While it was still cloudy, we happen to pose in the open field and get to sit around a Mexican fireplace perched on top of this hill.  The caretakers had prepared it for the bonfire tonight.  For us, this is a photo opportunity to  good to pass.

What we liked about the place is that staying here is very simple and yet stylish, not too rugged to sacrifice comfort but secluded enough to enjoy privacy.  No fancy rides, facilities and equipment that would cost the vacationer extra fees to shell out but challenging enough to test your limits.  

But most of all, this is the most romantic place for me in all of Caliraya, because there wasn't a moment that Malen complained but she was all smiles in joyful silence and for me that's all that matters.