Little Miss Honey: SUMMER OUTING AT GARIN FARM

I am privileged to join again the summer outing of Sterling Bank-Iloilo Branch, thanks to my fiance, hehe. This year, we are headed to San Joaquin, less than an hour away from the city, to Garin Farm.

Garin Farm owned by the prestigious Garin family is a place that offers agriculture, leisure and pilgrimage, quite an interesting mix.

Here is the entrance fee and things we need to know before entering the premises:

P150 per person
*includes unlimited tour of The Agriculture Area, The Pilgrimage Area and free access to Wifi.
*Excluding children below 1 year old.
*Senior citizen discount; applicable to cardholders only.
*Strictly no outside food and drinks allowed. (http://www.garinfarm.com/garinfarmrates/)

As you enter the gates, you can smell the aroma of farm-life. Well, it is not very pleasant but that is how agriculture smells unfortunately. As you drive or walk through the pavement with hanging plants like patolas above you and from the sides you see the farm technology, the different breeds of animals like chicken, goats, rabbits, pigeons, & turkey; and other produces , vegetables and plants. They is also their live version of the popular Filipino folk song, bahay Kubo and all of the vegetables mentioned on the song.

Entering the heart of the Farm, the view was breathtaking. There is a large man-made lake for activities like kayaking. There is the mini pool with the mini -falls and there is also a zipline. There also offer pony rides but for little kids and light-weight adults.

Here are the rates for the leisure activities:

Swimming Pool: P80
Zipline (300 meters x2):
     Sitting- P250
     Superman- P350
Horseback Riding (2 rounds)- P60
Golf Cart (3Pax/ride)- P60
Boating (30 minutes)
     Single Kayak- P40
     Double Kayak-P90
     Pedal Boat: P90
     Rubber Boat: P120
Fishing: P130/ kilo
Billiard: P60

*Prices are subject to change without prior notice. (http://www.garinfarm.com/garinfarmrates/)

We settled into our rooms. We were so impressed. Looking through the window, the view was picturesque. You could tell that the room designs were carefully thought of. The bathroom was larger than the usual standard size. And there is this beautiful lanai at the side of the room separated by a transparent crystal.

The rates of the air-conditioned hilltop rooms:

Family- P3,500; Twin- P2,500; Single; P1,500
*Extra Bed:
350 with breakfast
200 without breakfast
Available for Family & Twin Rooms only and limited to 2 extra bed
*Free use of swimming pool.
*Complementary Breakfast
*Free Golf Cart ride from the Pavilion to the room.(http://www.garinfarm.com/garinfarmrates/)

Late afternoon, the gang went for a swim except for some of us. The ones who didn't join the swimming (me included) decided to head to the pilgrimage area.

Taken in my previous visit during daytime

In my last trip and climb up the 456 steps leading to the Divine Mercy Cross, I can't barely breathe or reach the top. During that time it was so hot and I was so ready to give up reaching the top but thank God for my fiance who patiently rested with me after several steps. That night, it was much easier because the angry glare of the sun was replaced by the cool friendly moon. I was still sweating when I reached the top but I had less difficulty and I enjoyed talking to my fiance's workmates as we climb up.

This is how the cross looks like in the evening. I didn't know they have installed moving lights on it. It was beautiful!

We prayed silently as we reached the top.

After the swim and the pilgrimage climb, we gathered at the canteen. Food was prepared for us. And guess what? Free Wifi! Hurrah!

Some of the pictures were taken during the day

After the dinner, we laid out a table outside of our rooms for some chips, mixed drinks and beer and partied the night away with dancing, acoustic jamming, and lively discussions, nothing crazy, I assure you, hehe... It was just fun hanging out with cool people, just relaxed and having a good time.

The next day, we just lounge around, enjoying the place. Then by lunchtime, we headed by to the city but had a stopover at Miagao for some lunch at HillTop Restaurant.