LASEMA Spa - The Women's Wet Area

House Rule #3: You have to be NAKED when dipping in any of the pools.

The women's wet sauna is located across the locker area. That is why, it is nothing but normal to see these women naked while roaming in the lounge.

House Rule #4: Please take a shower before dipping in the pools.

If you are 'shy' but wanted to try these facility, I suggest you go there at the wee hours - when everybody else is sleeping!  I went there at 4 AM and had the whole area to myself.  Just make sure that your chosen time will not coincide with the cleaning time.

The shower room is equipped with shampoo and body wash but it is still best to bring your own.

The open shower area

Those who would avail of their body scrub service will be treated here.

There are three pools in the spa - Green Tea pool, Ginseng pool and the cold water pool.  When I went there, only the Ginseng pool is available.  So bad. The other two are being cleaned.  Nonetheless, I enjoyed the 40 something degrees celsius of the pool.

I was able to try the Green Tea pool and cold water pool after the cleaning time.  Well, She, Jane and I definitely enjoyed swimming/relaxing there together.

Green Tea pool @ 42 deg.cel.

Ginseng pool @ 44 deg.cel.

Cold pool @ 28 deg.cel.

I was also able to try the wet sauna @ 45 deg.cel.  Hmmmm. It was soooo sulit!

Back To: The Women's Lounge

Up Next: The Jjim Jil Bang

LASEMA Spa - The Women's Lounge

House Rule #1: Shoes are not allowed inside.  You have to walk barefoot.

Upon entering the lounge, you will be greeted by the locker area (and some naked women).  You will find here the water dispenser, weighing scale, the sink, and some toiletries.  They are of course, free of charge.  However, it would still be best to bring your own.  :)

The Locker Area

The water dispenser and the big vanity mirrors :)

The weighing scale and the bulletin board for some spa announcements.
Seen on the rightmost part of the picture is the entrance to the wet area.

The toiletries.  We never bothered using any of them due to personal hygiene reasons.

House Rule #2: Since this area is just beside the wet area, picture-taking is not allowed when there are other spa-goers as it is mandatory to be naked at the wet area.

Back To: Our Arrival
Up Next:  The Women's Wet Area

LASEMA Spa - Upon Arrival

We arrived at LASEMA spa just in time for our reservation - 10pm.  There were other customers when we got there - some were paying the full price while others have the Ensogo vouchers just like us. 

Note: If you are using an Ensogo voucher, make sure to have a reservation.  From what I heard, they may accept walk-ins but the total number of voucher holders that may be accommodated in a day is only 50.  So might as well, have the reservation.  Anyway, reserving is just one call away. :)

The spa is located inside Makati Golf Club and the building is not really that inviting.  Although the entrance and the hallway going inside the spa are (see pictures below: Reception Area). 

The signage pointing to LASEMA but oh please! Don't you think that it's too high?



Upon registration, we were give a pair of pink t-shirt and pink shorts (the official outfit inside the spa).  A wriststrap was also provided that comes with the locker key.  You have to use the wriststrap for all transactions inside the spa which will then be billed upon your check out.

We were also asked to select our massage so they could reserve us a slot.  I and She opted for the shiatsu and swedish combination while Jane chose deep tissue massage.

Up Next:  Take a Peek of the Women's Lounge

Intramuros: The Fort Santiago Today

Fort Santiago is one of the oldest Spanish stone fortresses in the country.  During the 16th century, it serves as a military defense structure.  It is also home to Jose Rizal's prison cell before he was executed.

Today, aside from being a popular tourist destination in Manila, Fort Santiago is also a popular venue for birthdays, weddings, pictorials and other social gatherings.

In early 2007, me and kiboy (who would later become my husband) went there for the 'historical' feel of it.  

The tickets during our 2007 visit

Little did we know that almost five years later, we would be back on its grounds for our pre-nuptial photo session.

 

With the reconstructed gate of Fort Santiago

During our last visit (that's almost a year and a half ago) the entrance fee is 75.00 and the discounted fee for students is 50.00.  The fort is open from 8am to 6pm daily.

Bohol-Cebu Trip: The Planning

Again, this is Ressie's and She's idea. :) And I oh soooo love it!

That is why, when they asked me if I wanted to join them, without any hesitation I said YES! Finally, I will be able to cross those places out of my long (and I mean very looooooong) list of places I wish to visit.

Tip #1: Set your budget and save for it.

In our case, the estimated maximum budget for the entire trip (two days and 1 night) is 8,000 each.  That is inclusive of airfare, ferry fare (from Tagbilaran to Cebu), Bohol countryside tour, accommodation, dophin watching, island hopping, food, cebu and mactan tour (that's going to be more of sight-seeing for the history addict <3 ), terminal fees etc.  The only exclusion is pasalubong.

So we'll not create so much damage on our monthly budget (especially for the months of November and December) we decided to set up a 'Travel Fund'.  Each of us would give 200 each payday from June until November.  It's not so big but it will surely help.

Tip #2: Book your flight as early as possible so you could catch those amazing seat promos.

Our flight for this trip was booked on June 1 but guess what, our trip is still on November 30.   We only paid around 2,600 each for the airplane fare.  The only exclusion to that amount is the terminal fee which is to be paid at the terminal prior departure.
 

Air Asia Rate

Tip #3: Choose your accommodation wisely.

Since we will be out touring Bohol the entire day and will only need a room to sleep and get some rest, we're not going to choose the expensive ones.

And hey! Did I mention, we are expecting some loose change? Seriously.

Excited for the Sparty with the Girls

It started with a simple kwentuhan with Ressie and She about spas - saunas and massages.  The original plan is to go to Ace Waterspa since they offer a discounted rate via Metrodeal.  However, the location/branch was not so appealing since it's in Pasig.  As a result, we searched for other discounted spa deals and ended up at Ensogo - now Livingsocial. 

We stumbled upon Lasema Spa located in Makati City inside Makati Golf Club.  Although the deal is a little expensive compared to that of Ace Waterspa, we fell in love with it immediately. 

Buying the vouchers was not done right at that moment since we decided to invite other officemates but in the end, it is still me, Ressie, Ken (Ressie's boyfriend) , She and her sister.  But nonetheless, we're still hoping for an ultimate relaxation and nth level of bonding.

VOUCHERS PAID!
We opted to pay via 7-connect but unfortunately, during that time, I think their system is down.  So we ended up paying using a credit card the next day.

BOOKED finally.
Late that night, we called Lasema to book our preferred date and time.

EXCITED much.
And yes, we are VERY EXCITED! We will definitely try that - - - what is it again? an Igloo?

Update: Our Arrival at Lasema Spa.

Amansinaya: The Planning

Planning for this year's team outing was a bit hard (especially so if there are people who won't cooperate).  But nonetheless, we pushed through with the planning (of course, with Ms. Con's guidance, perseverance and understanding).  We even invited some of our office mates.

Posing for the camera during one of our pre-trip meetings :)

Our destination: Amansinaya Mountain Resort  located at Laurel, Batangas.  The resort is great for those who love nature tripping and for team buildings as well.  It is roughly two hours away from Manila.

We got our tickets at Metrodeal for 340.00.  The original price of which is 938.00. Included on that amount are: entrance fee, use of swimming pool, mudslide, wall climb, zipline and a guided trek to Ambon Ambon falls.

Armed with our vouchers, we reserved May 19 for that would-be wonderful and fun-filled getaway.

Amansinaya: Zipline and Wall Climb at Pugadlawin Adventure Camp

I have always imagined myself gliding through that zipline but the high 'launch pad' really scares me.  I can't even climb the stairs.  Bottom line is, I was not able to slide (but managed to get to the launch area).  It was so sayang!  Maybe next time. :)

Kiboy, on the other hand, had enjoyed the zipline so much while I enjoyed taking photos of him :)

Brave!

At the other side of the zipline launch pad is the 40 feet high wall for climbers.  Oh well, I did not attempt to climb that (I remember having muscle pains when I attempted to climb the wall during UPLB's Feb Fair '13) as well.  I just watched Kiboy be the Spiderman that he wished to be :)  Some of our friends also climbed the wall (even the kids!).

For those who wish to have a light to moderate adrenaline rush, this side of the Pugadlawin Adventure Camp is for you.

Previous Stop: Ambon Ambon Falls

Next Stop: Mudslide at Pugadlawin Adventure Camp

Amansinaya: Ambon-Ambon Falls

The falls is roughly two kilometers away from the drop-off point.  It is actually outside the Amansinaya Mountain Resort but due to its close proximity to the resort, a guided tour is being offered.

There is also a shuttle service that would bring guests to the drop-off point and back to the resort.  The guided tours are scheduled at 9am-11am and at 1pm-3pm.  We got the morning session to avoid the scorching heat of the afternoon sun.

Her Majesty.  Taken a few big rocks away.

Seeing the falls is such a delight.  The area surrounding it is clean.  The water below it: muddy.  I think that's normal considering the pressure of the water that disturbs the sand underneath.

The water is really refreshing.  Personally, I enjoyed a lot though there are more people than I have expected.

Top: Me enjoying the water; posing with Puree and Brando
Bottom: Chilling at the foot of the falls-Michael, me, Brando, Mami Tats, hubby and Ms. Con; Me and Kiboy

Previous Stop:  Trekking to Ambon Ambon Falls
Next Stop: The Zipline and Wall Climb at Pugadlawin Adventure Camp

Amansinaya: Trekking to Ambon Ambon Falls

It was a good 45-minute scenic trek to Ambon Ambon falls passing through hills and streams.  That recorded time already includes all our stops for photo ops :)

I am the photographer.  There were many pictures of this kind .

Lesson learned: Never ever leave your tripod behind :( Unless you'd like to ask somebody to take your picture...and you'll probably end up asking them most of the time that might annoy them.

Hubby and me posing at the hanging bridge :)

Or end up taking your turns one at a time that would not be that fun.

The first of the many streams.

The nth stop.

That's not Ambon Ambon falls yet :)

Previous Stop: Patio Filipino

Next Stop: Ambon Ambon Falls finally :)

Amansinaya: Patio Filipino

Our first stop at Amansinaya was at Patio Filipino.  It houses the restaurant, the spa and a swimming pool.  This is also the venue of the briefing for those who will have the guided trek to Ambon Ambon Falls.

We also had our lunch and afternoon snacks here.  Since guests are not allowed to bring their food, we had ordered our lunch at the Patio Filipino resto.

Note:  Reservation is a must.

Pork adobo for my lunch :)

She and Jen enjoying the afternoon snack: Pancit

The pancit was free (courtesy of Ms. Con) while we only paid 120 pesos for lunch which is already inclusive of softdrinks.  Not bad :)

Patio Filipino is generally clean.  The restroom is clean though small.  The cottage reserved for our group is big enough to accommodate all of us and from our place, we could see Ambon Ambon falls.  The staffs were nice and the food are good. There were mosquitoes though.

Next Stop:  Trekking to Ambon Ambon Falls.

Baguio City: Arrival and Mines View Park: Saint Bernard

Upon arrival at Baguio City (Victory Liner terminal), you will be greeted by tourist officers.  If you don't have a reservation to any hotel/guest house, these tourist officers will happily assist you.  They will also accompany you to your chosen accommodation for a minimum fee (I think that's 50 - 100 pesos.  That already includes the service car (see? you don't have to hire a cab).

Since we were already very tired, we opted for the nearest one - Tuvera Pension House.  The room is clean though the tiles were not well-maintained.  The pension house is walking distance to the bus terminal, SM Baguio and Burnham park.

After a few hours of resting, the Baguio City tour began.
Our first stop - Saint Bernard at Mines View Park

We took a jeepney going to Mines View Park and saw Botanical Garden, The Mansion and Wright Park along the way.  We did not get off the jeep to check those places out.  Instead, we went straight to Mines View and agreed to drop by the other tourist spots on our way back.

Upon entering the park, you will be greeted by this giant named Dee-jay (I invented the spelling of his name <3).  He's the first Saint Bernard to greet the tourists and locals alike making him the most popular.

This picture had completed Kiboy's Baguio City tour :)

My turn :)

Oh, how we missed Bruno and Max!

I think there are four Saint Bernards but two of them were rather small.  So we decided to have our pictures taken with only the two biggest.  The first is Dee-jay while the second is Mr. Shady (I also invented his name <3).

Super bigat!

Previous: Baguio City: How we got there

Next Stop: Mines View Park:  The Nature