A Piece of Santorini in the North (Part 2)

Good morning! It was  a lovely morning at Thunderbird and I was awakened with a bad headache and feeling of parchness. I threw up all I’ve eaten a night before and my growling stomach woke me up.

Breakfast was served at the Olives Restaurant. We hit the breakfast table at 730 am. There was enough selection but not too many including soup, breads, chicken and pork viands, and some deli.But generally, we enjoyed what’s on the buffet breakfast table..

I love their breakfast food and enjoyed it more than the dinner we had. We enjoyed it so much that we left the breakfast table around 9:30am :D

With less than three hours to go before check out, we rushed to see the beach. Yes, we haven’t gone to the beach actually.

Good thing that despite the really hot weather that day, we dragged ourselves to see the beach. I fell in love with this.

The beach is rocky and is not really conducive for swimming. But lo and behold, the beach is charming and everything is picturesque. 

There are almost many small details that added charm to this place like the gazebo facing the beach. I think this is where Thunderbird weddings are mostly held. Ho-hum. 

The white painted stairs with square-shaped opening was one the small features which added the Santorini touch to the whole place.

We peeked in one of the two villas and I wish I could stay here one day with my family and closest friends. There’s a place where you can have barbecue parties and watch the sunset. Ahhhh, I want this life!

Plus there was  pool. I’m beginning to feel an attachment to this side of Poro Point already.

We still have more than an hour to spare and so we headed back to the hotel building. We took a quick dip in the pool and savored our last moments in this Santorini-esque paradise.

We checked out past 12pm and we're off to our next destination..

I was simply happy that I got to experience a liitle piece of Santorini in the North. It’d be no wonder if I come back! 

Read the first part of my Thunderbird Resort, Poro Point experience here. 

A Piece of Santorini in the North (Part 1)

 

When I first learned about Thunderbird Resort in Poro Point, I know this little piece of paradise must be included in my travel list for this year. Traveling to La Union for surfing has always been in my yearly travel itinerary, so it would be a shame if I don’t get to see the other gem in La Union - Thunderbird Resort.


Thunderbird Resort in Poro Point is a 65-hectare resort property with a Mediterranean architecture inspired by the Santorini Islands in Greece. The resort is nestled in a cliff overlooking the South China Sea. Its Santorini-inspired architecture is evident in its white hotel building with touches of blue. The dome ceiling and the painting on the lobby is a sight you will never surely miss.
Room rate

I’ve inquired about the resort’s rate months before our travel but I actually found a good deal at the Philippine Travel Mart last September. See related blog entry. We got deluxe rooms for Php5390/night. The rate is 10% cheaper than their standard rates. They only allow a maximum of four persons in the room so we had to pay for the extra persons at Php1000/head and that included buffet breakfast already.

The Santorini-esque experience

As soon as we stepped in Thunderbird Resort’s lobby, I instantly felt that I am in for a grand vacation. The ambiance of the hotel is welcoming and very refreshing. On the reception area, you can already see the blue waters from the sea. The cool breeze blowing makes me feel that it was summer but in October.


I love the interior of the hotel. The hotel furniture are made of rattan and other native products and it complemented the simple yet elegant hotel interiors. The design is minimalist but when put together, it exudes simple elegance.

Checking in was swift. I just had to fill out a couple of forms and pay the incidental fee. After that, we were ushered to our room.
Now the rooms..

As we entered our room, I felt a certain excitement in my bones. First off, there were two huge queen size beds. Weeee! And the bed, sheets, and duvets are just so soft and refreshingly clean that I wouldn’t mind sleeping on it all day.

I couldn’t help but test how soft and firm the bed was..so I jumped and bounced on it. I miss jumping in the bed, I used to do that when I was little.

The room has a 32-inch flat screen LCD TV, DVD player, a JVC surround media system where you can plug your USB or portable hard drive.

There’s a mini fridge and a small bar for the goodies which are for sale.
Our room also has a study table and coffee table near the veranda. This little nook is perfect while sipping your coffee and having a small talk with your friends.

The veranda completes the whole room. Here, you can lose yourself by staring at the blue sea or the pool area of the resort. I already love it here!

The bathroom is immaculately clean and huge. I tell you, it’s one of the biggest bathrooms I’ve seen in a hotel. Too bad, they didn’t put a bathtub on it. It could fit with all the extra space.

And the toiletries, oh em gee.. I love Thunderbird Resort really!
There’s also free wifi within the resort. So no hassle if you wanna be online – whether in your lappie or phone.
Before sunset, we decided to lounge in the pool area. There are two pools – for adults and kids.

Plus, there’s a pool bar where you can order your favorite cocktail drink or just fresh fruit shake. The adult pool is only 4 feet deep all throughout.
We passed our time there and decided it was time to change clothes for dinner.

On our way to our room, the fully lit dome at the dark could not be missed. It made me wish I am really in Santorini. I know that sometimes they allow guests to go near the dome and do photo shoots. And hmmm that just gives me an idea ;P
We had dinner at Olives Restaurant where the ambiance is casual dining.
On our table

Seafood Ravioli. The pasta pillows are not that firm. The pasta was kinda sticky although the seafood is freshly cooked.
Seafood Alfredo Spaghetti

Spicy Sausage pizza and Ilokano pizza

These pizzas baked in wood-fired stone oven were highly recommended by our server so we went ahead and tried it. I liked the Ilokano pizza more than the other. The spicy sausage pizza just tasted just like normal pepperoni pizza.
After dinner, we had our drinking session in our room. We weren’t able to drink the night before since we were all dead tired. We played a game “I never had” which is more like ‘truth or dare’ but with a twist. Each of us has to tell something that we have never done and the others who’s done that thing will then drink the shots.

It was a fun and quirky game! We came to know more about one another and each one’s dirty dark secrets.. :D
The game led us to drunkenness and more crazy antics and of course a bad hangover the next day…
That's it for our first day. It was a long and fun day --from surfing in San Juan La Union to R&R in Thunderbird Resort in Poro Point. The fun never stops!
Read the second part of my Thunderbird Resort Poro Point experience here.

Surf’s Up in La Union

We’ve been planning this trip for the longest time for my bff Yana’s short vacay from Dubai. Last year, we spent 3 days in Baler and for this year’s getaway, it was a Northern exposure trip which included San Juan La Union, Thunderbird Resort in Poro Point, and Baguio. We are regular beach goers to La Union because we enjoy surfing so much. We all agreed that our trip must begin in none other than San Juan, La Union.

We rode the Farinas Trans bus from its terminal in Lacson St., Sampaloc (just very near UST). We caught the last trip at 11:30pm. It was just me, Erick, and Ru for this trip since Yana and JB will be following the next morning. Yana’s flight from Legazpi got cancelled so she and JB weren't able to take the bus with us to La Union.

It was a 5-hr trip from Manila to La Union. We greeted dawn at the highway of San Juan and immediately went to San Juan Surf Resort - the resort we’re checked in. We waited until 7am for the early check-in. Boohoo.. So, Erick, Ru, and I stayed at their reception and passed the time by telling stories.

At around, 7am we were finally provided the key to our room. Our no-frills room included two queen-size beds, extra pull-out beds, a fridge, TV with cable, and a bathroom. We paid a total of Php3030 for the overnight stay for 5 persons which included a fee for early check-in. A complimentary breakfast for two is also included.

San Juan Surf Resort

The day was gloomy with a hint of sunlight piercing against the clouds. The waves are stronger and higher than the usual. Beginner and pro- surfers crowd the 1-km beach stretch, all waiting for good waves to ride. When we finally hit the beach, we just played in the water and beach-bummed. We decided to surf the next day.

So there, this beach day meant more lazing around, swimming, and playing frisbee.

It rained later in the afternoon and the waves were just so inviting. I had the urge to surf already but thought twice and finally settled that tomorrow is the surfing day. Unfortunately, there was no sunset that afternoon. San Juan’s sunset is one of the most dramatic I’ve seen.

We all tidied up and waited for Yana and JB to arrive. They’re on travel for six hours already. When they finally arrived, we scouted a place for dinner. Since everyone was hungry, we just settled with the nearby resto/resort, Sebay. After dinner, we slept early because everyone was tired. This day, nothing happened. We just slept, played in the waves, and ate. In other words *chillax mode*

The next day was sunny and it was just perfect to go out in the beach. The morning started with flat waves. But after we had breakfast, there were a few good waves we can catch. We met our surfing instructors from the other resort, Sebay. I’ve always had the same instructor for the past two years that I’ve been coming back to La Union. Jericho used to be an instructor at the surf resort we're staying at but he transferred to Sebay. Surfing lessons is still at Php400/hour which hasn't changed since I first tried it in 2009. If you want to rent a surfboard, it'd cost Php400-600 for half-day depending on the type of board (short or long).

Flat day!

After the refresher course of how to stand and balance on a surfboard, we’re off to surfing! Yihee.

This time, I used the shortboard which measured 6’7” inches! It has always been my dream to ride one of those. You see, short boards are built for speed and maneuverability and these are not the best boards for beginners. I find it more comfortable to ride the long board at 9’ to 12’. It’s more stable and it's easier to balance on it because it is heavier than my weight. But Jericho, my instructor, said that I am ready for the shortboard. So I did!

Surfing team :)

Although, I’ve surfed a dozen of times already, I always feel the nervousness coupled with excitement everytime I am in the water especially when I know that a good wave is coming.

Here are my surfing stunts as caught on cam!

HANG LOOSE

Honestly, I didn't know that I was riding a big wave because I am not looking back when the wave is coming. I just let it take and move my board and that's my signal to stand on my board.

My game face when surfing :P

Feeling kinda awkward with my stand.. but wth just ride the waves :P

Erick and Yana also caught good waves and they seldom fell from their boards. There were times that I told Jericho that I should have just used the long board because I feel awkward balancing in the shortboard. I feel think I am a much better surfer using the long board.

my surfer babe bestfriend :)

It's a great feeling to be surfing together with two of my most favorite people - with my best friend and my boyfriend <3.

and my surfer dude boyfriend

Surfing can be so addicting. I am quoting the legendary surfer Paul Strauch "Surfing is very much like making love. It always feels good, no matter how many times you've done it".

the gang!

After our surfing lessons, I lazed in the beach while they played frisbee. I savored our last hours in my happy beach. It was the first time that I was here on a weekday and on a Monday and the beach is totally different. With less crowd, the beach has a quiet vibe which made me want to stay longer.

I learned to surf!

I know for sure that I will always go back to La Union to feed my insatiable appetite for surfing or just simply beach bumming. After all, it is my happy beach and it feels like my second home :)

San Juan’s Perfect Hideaway: JW Surfer’s Lodge

One of the reasons I keep on going back to La Union aside from surfing is because of this beach house. It feels like home whenever I stay at Ishii’s Residence which is now named JW Surfer’s Lodge. The beach house adds to the charm of San Juan, with its great view of the beach, cozy and surfing-themed interiors, and homey appeal.

rooms
They offer four rooms for rent, three of which are air-conditioned rooms. These are the yellow, blue, and green rooms which can fit 2-5 persons. The first two have beachfront views and have verandas which are great for morning reflections (if you’re that type) and drinking session with friends at night. The second and third floors have living rooms where you can watch TV, just lounge, and read a book. They also have a kitchen at the second floor where you can cook/prepare your own meals.

The fan room is in the third floor, which is the topmost. It can fit big groups like 10 people. If you don’t mind sleeping on the floor, the place is just right for you. The ceiling can be interesting as there are surfboards stocked. But don’t worry, it won’t fall : )

You need to share the bathroom with other guests. There’s a bathroom in every floor but I especially like the third floor bathroom – it’s as big as a bedroom. There’s a shower area, toilet area, and a bathtub with a view of the beach.

rates
For airconditioned rooms, they charge Php 600/head. If you are 10 or more in the room, it’s gonna be Php 500/head. For the fan room, they charge Php 400/head.

amenities
They arrange surf lessons and you can rent a shortboard or longboard from Php 600 – 900 per day. At the topmost floor, there’s a billiard pool where you can lounge while drinking your cold beer and enjoy the view of the beach.

JW Surfer’s Lodge is very accessible to San Juan highway, restaurants, and beach too. Come and stay in a surfer’s beach house!




Contact details
JW Surfers Lodge
Beside Sebay (between Aling Norma’s and Sebay)
0929-413-9102/0927-332-2312
http://www.webkubo.com/jwsurflodge
joy_ishii@yahoo.com; namijooshi@yahoo.com